The NFL’s steady increase in offensive production took a step back this season.
The average points per game for teams dropped from a record 24.8 in 2021 to 23 this season as improved defense, some quarterback-related COVID absences, more holding calls and visiting teams dealing with crowds likely made an impact.
The drop of 1.8 points per game per team was the second biggest single-season decline since the merger, behind only the 2.0 points per game from 1976 to 1977.
The scoring across the league was more back in line in what it was before the pandemic-impacted 2020 season. The NFL averaged 22.8 points per game per team from 2013-19.
Passer rating leaguewide dropped from 93.6 to 90.8, the 5.43 yards per play were the second-lowest in eight seasons.
But the biggest impact might have been with penalties, which increased 18% per game for offenses this season as teams were penalized 36% more often per game for holding and nearly 10% more often for false starts.
GROUNDED
Even the addition of a 17th game couldn’t provide a boost to number of 1,000-yard rushers in the NFL.
Because of injuries, COVID-19 absences and teams relying more on the pass than ever, only Jonathan Taylor, Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon, Najee Harris, Dalvin Cook, Antonio Gibson and Ezekiel Elliott topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season.
That tied the previous low from a 16-game season of seven 1,000-yard rushers in 1991 and 2015.
LATE GAME HEROICS
The 272nd and final game of the 2021 regular season ended in appropriate fashion as the Raiders won their record-tying fourth overtime game on a walk-off field goal by Daniel Carlson in a 35-32 win over the Chargers.
That was the record 34th game decided by a game-winning score on the final play this season with the Raiders accounting for a record six of them. Carlson had the game-winning kick in five of those games.
The 49 games with with a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation or in overtime tied the 2013 and 2015 seasons for the most ever.
TERRIFIC TAMPA
Tom Brady showed no signs of slowing down at age 44, leading the NFL in yards passing (5,316) and touchdowns (43), breaking Drew Brees’ record with 485 completions. Brees had 471 in 2016.
Brady had his second 5,000-yard passing season, joining Brees as the only players to do that more than once. Brees did it five times.
Brady also helped two of his teammates hit milestones as receiver Mike Evans became the first player to top the 1,000-yard receiving mark in his first eight seasons and Rob Gronkowski had his 32nd career 100-yard game, breaking the mark for tight ends held by Tony Gonzalez.
TRIPLE CROWN
Rams receiver Cooper Kupp completed the rare feat of winning receiving’s triple crown.
Kupp became the fourth player since the merger to lead the NFL in receptions (145), yards receiving (1,947) and TD catches (16). Kupp joined Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992) and Steve Smith Sr. (2005) as the only receivers to do that since 1970.
When it comes to the receiving triple crown, Packers Hall of Famer Don Hutson is the true king, having won it five times in the 1930s and 40s.
Kupp’s 1,947 yards receiving were the second most in season, 17 shy of Calvin Johnson’s record set in 2012 and his 145 catches were four shy of the mark set by Michael Thomas in 2019.
Kupp’s 11 100-yard games were tied with Michael Irvin (1995) and Johnson (2012) for the most in a season.
NEW YUCK, NEW YUCK
The Jets and Giants finished off another rough season by each losing their 13th game, setting a record for the most combined losses in a season for New York’s teams.
The 26 losses are one more than the teams combined for in 1996 when the Jets went 1-15 and the Giants went 5-11.
The two franchises are tied for the worst record in the NFL over the past five seasons at 22-59 with the Giants the only team not to have a winning record at any point in those seasons.
EASY STREET
The Eagles became the eighth team in the past 20 seasons to get into the playoffs despite failing to win a single game against another playoff team.
Philadelphia lost all six games against playoff teams, while going 9-2 the rest of the season.
The last team to do it was the 2016 Lions, who then lost their first playoff game. Of the other six teams to do it in the past 20 seasons only the 2008 Chargers and 2004 Vikings broke through with a postseason win.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks for a call as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) makes the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
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