Early Season Insights (Second Edition): How Rookie QBs Stack Up to Last Season
A Season Like No Other: Rookies Rise, Scores Tighten, and Field Goals Challenge Even the Best
As the season unfolds, there’s no denying that it’s delivering an experience unlike any we’ve seen before. With rookie quarterbacks stepping up, scoring patterns evolving, and field goal mechanics keeping us on the edge of our seats, every game feels like an unmissable showdown. Let’s dive into the key themes shaping this season.
A Competitive Rookie QB Class Taking the Lead
Who would’ve guessed? The rookie QB class of BlueSquid, CrustyChin, and CJ have outperformed veteran expectations, leading their teams with a poise rarely seen from newcomers. Despite entering the season with minimal QB experience, they boast better records than many seasoned players. While some offensive stats have dipped from last season, these rookies have turned heads, averaging a 10% improvement in average yards per pass completion at 16.5 yards per catch. Additionally, they’ve managed to keep interceptions 7% lower, throwing four fewer than last season’s class.
But the road hasn’t been entirely smooth. With an increase in overall rushing yards by 10%, these rookie QBs are clearly leaning into the ground game. However, this newfound reliance on rushing has left them more exposed, as they’ve endured 22% more sacks than last season, taking 27 more sacks than expected. Coaches and analysts alike are buzzing about how these young QBs can better read their roll patterns, learn to scramble in the pocket, and strike the right balance between running and passing. They’re learning fast, and if they can weather the defensive pressure, the future looks bright.
Fewer Points on the Board
Through the first five games, the total points scored have dipped by 15% (106 points). This shift can be attributed to a mix of factors: fewer possessions overall, a 77% increase in field goals attempted, fewer two-point conversion attempts (-65%), and a significant rise in forced fumbles (+25%). With teams attempting fewer two-point conversions, opting instead for field goals, it’s no surprise we’re seeing a leaner scoreboard.
The question remains—are these lower scores a reflection of rookie QBs at the helm or a testament to improved defensive tactics? It could very well be both. The scoring landscape may have shifted, but the strategic adjustments happening on both offense and defense are making games as thrilling as ever.
A More Challenging Field Goal Mechanic
The revamped field goal mechanic is proving to be both a blessing and a challenge. With the added capability for longer kicks comes a speed upgrade, making these attempts far more difficult. So far, QBs have attempted a record number of field goals, but their success rate has held steady at around 74% (17 of 23 converted), close to the average from last season. As the playoffs approach, teams will need to work on refining their kicking game—those three points may be the difference between advancing and going home.
Edge-of-Your-Seat Games
This season is also marked by an uptick in competitive matchups. So far, 40% of games (6 of 15) have been decided by 8 points or fewer, underscoring just how closely matched the teams are. Blowouts are becoming a rarity, with only four games ending in 21-point spreads or greater. Fans and players alike are thrilled by these nail-biters, and as we head toward the latter half of the season, it’s clear that no team can be counted out.
From standout rookie QBs to high-stakes field goal attempts, this season is rewriting the playbook on competitive football. With each game as thrilling as the last, we’re left eagerly waiting to see what surprises the next matchup will bring.
Records On Pace to Be Broken:
- Most Sacks for a Season: 40 – Devin is closing in on this record with 34 currently.
- Most QB Total Rushing Yards: 485 – Jeffster is closing in on this record with 427 currently.
- Most QB Total Rushing TDs: 4 – BlueSquid, CrustyChin and Lemnos currently have 3 each.
- Most total Interceptions: 12 – CJ and Duxor currently have 9 and 8 each respectively.
Records Already Broken:
- Most RB Total Rushing Yards: 80 yards (still ongoing, C.Portis)
- Most QB Rushing Yards in a Game: 162 yards (CJ)
- Most QB Rushing Attempts in a Game: 23 (Kite188)
- Longest Pass w/o TD: 97 yards (Jeffster and Prism)
- Most combined points in a game: 80 (Squid Inc. and Underdawgs)
- Biggest Comeback Win: Down 7 Points (Squid Inc. and Heavy Hitters both overcame 0-7 deficits)
Through the first 5 games relative to other past seasons:
Phin surpasses RaRRaR for most passing yards in first 5 games: 1,837
- CJ currently leads this season with 1,575.
Money surpasses Wayne for most passing completions in first 5 games: 122
- CrustyChin currently leads this season with 105.
Money surpasses Wayne for most passing attempts in first 5 games: 181
- CrustyChin currently leads this season with 142.
Irvine surpasses GiTM. for most rushing yards in first 5 games: 429
- Jeffster currently leads this season with 427.
Irvine ties Lemnos for most FGs made in first 5 games: 5
- CJ currently leads this season with 6.
Prism surpasses Wayne for highest QBR average in first 5 games: 136.17
- BlueSquid currently leads this season with 124.16.
Wck surpasses Phin for most receptions in first 5 games: 71
- Wayne currently leads this season with 67.
Wck surpasses Phin for most receiving yards in first 5 games: 1,039
- Duxor currently leads this season with 1,063.
Duxor surpasses Wck for most receiving TDs in first 5 games: 10
- Wayne currently leads this season with 9.
Wayne surpasses Phin for most WR/RB rushing TDs in first 5 games: 4
- Phin currently leads this season with 2.
More details can be found in table below. Expand table by selecting more entries to show.
| Stat Category (Offense) | Season 3 | Season 2 | Season 1 | S3 and S2 Difference | S3 and S1 Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points For (Total) | 610 | 716 | 613 | -106 | -3 |
| Points For (Team Avg) | 20.3 | 23.9 | 20.4 | -3.6 | -0.1 |
| Fantasy Points (Total) | 5086 | 5691.6 | 4389 | -605.6 | 697 |
| Fantasy Points (Team Avg) | 220.8 | 379.4 | 292.6 | -158.6 | -71.8 |
| Fantasy Points (Ind. Avg) | 41.8 | 45.2 | 33.8 | -3.41 | 7.99 |
| Pass Completions | 534 | 648 | 524 | -114 | 10 |
| Pass Attempts | 789 | 916 | 760 | -127 | 29 |
| Completion % | 68 | 71% | 69% | -3% | -0.01 |
| Passing Yards | 8833 | 9721 | 8348 | -888 | 485 |
| Passing Yards (Avg) | 16.5 | 15.0 | 15.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Passing TDs | 59 | 74 | 62 | -15 | -3 |
| Interceptions | 52 | 56 | 72 | -4 | -20 |
| Receptions | 534 | 648 | 524 | -114 | 10 |
| Receiving Yards | 8833 | 9721 | 8348 | -888 | 485 |
| Receiving Yards (Avg) | 16.5 | 14.7 | 15.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 |
| Receiving TDs | 59 | 74 | 62 | -15 | -3 |
| Drop Pass/HO | 3 | 12 | 19 | -9 | -16 |
| Rushing Attempts | 388 | 340 | 256 | 48 | 132 |
| Rushing Yards | 2263 | 2052 | 1475 | 211 | 788 |
| Rushing Yards (Avg) | 5.8 | 6.0 | 5.8 | -0.2 | 0 |
| Rushing TDs | 19 | 22 | 13 | -3 | 6 |
| Sacks Taken | 150 | 123 | 183 | 27 | -33 |
| Sack Yards Lost | 653 | 553 | 880 | 100 | -227 |
| Sack Yards Lost (Avg) | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | -0.1 | -0.4 |
| Fumbles | 10 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Fumbles Lost | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| XPA | 62 | 48 | 73 | 14 | -11 |
| XPM | 62 | 45 | 70 | 17 | -8 |
| FGA | 23 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 8 |
| FGM | 17 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 1 |
| 2pt Attempts | 17 | 48 | 0 | -31 | 17 |
| 2pt Conversions | 12 | 27 | 0 | -15 | 12 |
| Injuries | 31 | 22 | 0 | 9 | 31 |
| Punts | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | -6 |
| Total Turnovers | 89 | 85 | 104 | 4 | -15 |
