When we think of injuries in today’s NFL, the one that will probably spring to mind immediately is the ACL tear. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is found in both knees and a tear of this ligament more often than not requires surgery followed by rehabilitation and physical therapy. Some big names unfortunately suffered…
Over the last 10-12 years, the value and role of the running back position has changed drastically at all levels of football, but particularly in the NFL. With the increased focus on the passing game coupled with the durability issues at the position, offenses have become less reliant on running backs as a whole. Teams…
Chip Kelly is no longer running his fast-paced, no-huddle offense in Philadelphia, as the Eagles fired him this off-season. Instead Doug Pederson, a protege of former Eagles head coach Andy Reid, takes the reins and will implement a much different looking offense. Joseph Ferraiola breaks down what type of offense Doug Pederson will hope to run as head…
Every season there are good players who get overlooked or are undervalued across the NFL. As we approach the regular season, Brandon Thorn will look at players who are not getting the appropriate level of attention from big media – or even smaller entities – and put them under the microscope to evaluate their skills and…
Nothing is worse than drafting your favorite wide receiver in your fantasy league only to see him go down with a season-ending injury. The one silver lining is that there may be a chance to get him cheap the following year, but will he be worth it? Doug Moore reveals who is worth it with his 2016…
Dave Archibald examines how running back usage has changed as offenses have started to throw the ball with higher frequency, which impacts how fantasy football players optimize their draft strategies and structure their teams. However, not all teams use their running backs equally. Dave’s analysis helps identify which teams give more carries to single backs and which teams…
Now is the time to start thinking about your upcoming fantasy football draft strategy, as rosters begin to take shape across the NFL. One popular strategy is to draft running backs early and often, but as Doug Moore explains, you might be better off taking a WR in the 1st round. As we approach the…
Saturday playoff games are a treat, mostly because we at Inside The Pylon are not publishing the next day, and can just watch the games. When we do watch, we chat. And here, for your reading pleasure, our Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans Wild Card chat. Craig Craker: Marshawn Lynch was just ruled as OUT…
Few plays make more of a difference in winning and losing than a turnover resulting in a score: a strip-sack, a giveaway that shifts momentum, or a pick-six in overtime. Dave Archibald looks at a fourth-quarter interception by Kansas City in the Chiefs comeback win over the Oakland Raiders. After Week 6, the Chiefs were 1-5 and…
How do NFL teams allocate resources? Dave Archibald has looked at the real price of contract extensions and draft picks on quarterbacks. In this installment, he looks at how teams evaluate running back investment. Historically, running backs have been some of the game’s most glamorous stars, with top backs like Jim Brown, Frank Gifford, and (gulp) O.J. Simpson parlaying their…
The Houston Texans and all-world defensive lineman J.J. Watt travel to take on the undefeated Atlanta Falcons in NFL Week 4. Dave Archibald has a two-part preview, focusing on the unstoppable Julio Jones in Part 1 and here, on the matchup between Devonta Freeman against the Texans linebackers. Freeman of the Hour While the back end of the Texans defense is…
The Seattle Seahawks enter their Super Bowl XLIX matchup with the New England Patriots with the best statistical defense in the NFL. The Seahawks finished the regular season with the fewest points and total yards allowed for the second consecutive season. After reviewing the tape, the stats don’t lie —— the reigning champs may be…
After thrashing the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game, the New England Patriots secured a spot in the NFL’s ultimate match, Super Bowl XLIX. They face the Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the Green Bay Packers in overtime, 28-22, for the NFC Championship. Reading the Seahawks numbers reveals a stingy defense and a powerful…
Playing quarterback in the NFL is never as easy as it looks. Alex Smith, once the #1 overall pick, spent his years in San Francisco as a disappointment, but since relocating to Kansas City he has rejuvenated his career. Taking a page out of his college playbook Sunday, Smith ran the read-option to perfection and…