The Big Play Index is our way of tracking of game-changing plays – who's making them, who's giving them up, and how it all correlates to winning.
The nine "Big Plays" are:
- Fumble recovery
- Interception
- Defensive score (return TD, safety)
- Pass play of 40 yards or more
- Run play of 25 yards or more
- Kick return of 60 yards or more
- Punt return of 40 yards or more
- Blocked kick or punt
- 50-yard+ field goal
BIG PLAY INDEX UPDATE
The top eight teams on the Big Play Index all reached the playoffs this year, while all 12 playoff contenders finished the year in the top half off the indicator.
The interesting big-picture result of the Big Play Index is that it reinforces the belief that NFL games are evenly matched wars of attrition in which one or two key plays typically prove the difference between victory and defeat.
* Indicates playoff teams.
Big Play Index (through Week 17)
|
|
Team |
Big Plays |
Big Plays Allowed |
NET |
|
1 |
Ravens* |
66 |
39 |
+27 |
|
2 |
Titans* |
50 |
30 |
+20 |
|
3 |
Chargers* |
53 |
36 |
+17 |
|
4t |
Panthers* |
54 |
39 |
+15 |
|
4t |
Dolphins* |
50 |
35 |
+15 |
|
6 |
Eagles* |
62 |
48 |
+14 |
|
7t |
Steelers* |
46 |
34 |
+12 |
|
7t |
Giants* |
48 |
36 |
+12 |
|
9t |
Saints |
56 |
45 |
+11 |
|
9t |
Bears |
54 |
43 |
+11 |
|
11t |
Packers |
61 |
53 |
+8 |
|
11t |
Jets |
54 |
46 |
+8 |
|
13t |
Falcons* |
45 |
38 |
+7 |
|
13t |
Colts* |
39 |
32 |
+7 |
|
15 |
Cardinals* |
55 |
53 |
+2 |
|
16t |
Vikings* |
62 |
61 |
+1 |
|
16t |
Chiefs |
48 |
47 |
+1 |
|
16t |
Buccaneers |
51 |
50 |
+1 |
|
19 |
Redskins |
32 |
33 |
-1 |
|
20 |
Texans |
49 |
52 |
-3 |
|
21 |
Browns |
45 |
49 |
-4 |
|
22 |
Raiders |
45 |
51 |
-6 |
|
23 |
Patriots |
36 |
43 |
-7 |
|
24 |
Bills |
42 |
51 |
-9 |
|
25 |
Bengals |
35 |
44 |
-9 |
|
26 |
Seahawks |
38 |
48 |
-10 |
|
27 |
Cowboys |
46 |
56 |
-10 |
|
28 |
Rams |
41 |
62 |
-21 |
|
29 |
Jaguars |
27 |
50 |
-23 |
|
30 |
49ers |
36 |
60 |
-24 |
|
31 |
Lions |
36 |
66 |
-30 |
|
32 |
Broncos |
28 |
60 |
-32 |