Analyzing 2018 NFL Passing Data
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Authors
Anderson, Nicholas
Date of Issue
2023-04-28
Type
Presentation
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Abstract
This research used the data from all the passing plays in the 2018 NFL season and analyzed the offensive and defensive player configurations. To do this we used ANOVA to analyze whether there is a significant difference between the yardage gained or lost for different offensive or defensive configurations. If there was a significant difference, then we used TukeyHSD to determine specifically which configurations were significantly different from one another. From the analysis we determined that when running a defensive personnel with four defensive lineman, three linebackers, and four defensive backs, that on average the defense is going to allow more yards than playing with any of the other defensive personnel. The offensive personnel analysis shows that when running an offense with 11 personnel, the offense is on average going to gain fewer yards than running plays with 12 or 21 personnel. The box defenders analysis shows that when running a defense with seven box defenders, that the defense is on average going to allow more yards than running plays with five or six box defenders. We studied a linear model of the number of pass rushers compared to the outcome of the play finding that for every additional pass rusher there is on average going to be a quarter less of a yard gained per play. It is important to consider which player configurations to run because certain configurations will allow the team to net the most amount of yards.