Net Yards Per Play Report: Eagles Take Over Top Spot in NFL

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee / George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA
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We have a new leader in net yards per play at the conclusion of Week 13 of the NFL season.

If you don't know what net yards per play is, it's what you have left over when you take a team's average amount of yards per play gained on offense, subtracted by the average amount of yards given up per play on defense. It's a great way to start the process of evaluating teams.

Keep in mind, it doesn't take into account things like red zone efficiency or turnovers, but it's an interesting measure of a team's performance nonetheless.

With Week 13 in the books, the Philadelphia Eagles have taken over the top spot in the rankings. Let's check them out.

Eagles Takeover Top Spot in Net Yards Per Play Ranking

It was the Kansas City Chiefs who owned the top spot in net yards per play last week, and the Eagles were all the way down at fourth. But, after a dominant performance against the Titans, the Eagles have leapfrogged the Chiefs, 49ers, and Bills and have now taken over the top spot in the NFL.

The Eagles outgained the Titans by a whopping number of 6.8 yards per play to 3.9 yards per play, a difference of 2.9 yards per snap of the football.

Another interesting note is that the Dolphins actually surpassed the 49ers, despite losing to them. The interconference matchup was a great example of why net yards per play isn't everything. The Dolphins outgained the 49ers 6.8 yards per play compared to 4.8 yards per play, but when 0-7 on third down, 0-1 in the red zone, and had a turnover differential of -3.

Chargers Amongst Worst Teams in NFL

The Los Angeles Chargers are right in the bottom of net yards per play, ranking 30th at -0.9. That's tied with the Texans and Steelers for the worst marks in the NFL.

Despite preseason hype and a respectable 6-6 record, the Chargers should not be trusted moving forward.

In Week 14, they take on the aforementioned Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football. Despite being a game between the No. 4 ranked team in net yards per play and the No. 30 ranked team, Miami is just set as a 3-point favorite. That makes Dolphins -3 my favorite bet of the week and one you should consider.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.


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