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A16 SPORTS
Thursday 12 November 2020
Plenty of reasons for record-setting scoring pace in NFL

By JOSH DUBOW tunistic athletes like Patrick
AP Pro Football Writer Mahomes and Josh Allen.
Passing has never been In all, quarterbacks have
easier and defenses are rushed for 4,851 yards and
overmatched on a weekly 63 TDs this season, the most
basis. ever through nine weeks.
Whether it was the virtual That's already 22 more
offseason that hampered touchdown runs for QBs
defensive development, a than the next-highest sea-
lack of screaming fans to sons through nine weeks in
hinder road teams, rules 2002 and 2019.
changes that always seem AGGRESSIVE COACHES:
to favor the offense or With a premium on scoring
coaches willing to be more and more influence from
aggressive, NFL clubs are the analytics community,
scoring at a record-setting coaches have also gotten
pace in 2020. more aggressive. The 334
Teams are averaging 25.3 fourth-down tries are the
points per game just past most through nine weeks
the midway point of the since at least 1991. Teams
season, easily exceed- have converted 188 of
ing the previous record those into first downs — 40
through nine weeks of 24.8 more than any other sea-
in the 1961 AFL. The top Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) high fives wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after son at this juncture — and
mark in NFL history through scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, the 56.3% success rate is
nine weeks was 24 ppg in Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. also the best ever.
2018. Even the misses can con-
The high scoring has led to and up more than 10 points and who's on the road, second-most through nine tribute to scoring by giving
a record number of come- than at this point in 2011. with teams averaging 25.3 weeks behind 96 in 2014, the opposing team better
backs, with 29 teams win- Here are some of the rea- points per game in each excluding the 1987 strike field position than after a
ning games after trailing sons why scoring is up so instance. From 2010-19, season that had three punt.
by at least 10 points — one much: home teams outscored weeks of replacement FLAG FOOTBALL: From the
shy of the record through HOME FIELD DISADVAN- road teams by 2.0 points players. The 13,049 yards crackdown on hits against
Week 9 set in the 1987 strike TAGE: The coronavirus pan- per game. from scrimmage are the defenseless receivers to
season. It has also led to 21 demic has dealt a blow PRECOCIOUS ROOKIES: The most ever for rookies at this the protections in place
teams losing games when to home-field advantage, lack of an offseason hasn't point of the season. for quarterbacks, NFL rules
scoring at least 30 points, with most games this sea- had a major effect on the The quarterbacks have always seem to tilt toward
tied for the second-most al- son being played without performance of rookies, as been especially effective, the offense. That's true
ready for an entire season fans and even those with the college game is doing with the 96.1 rating for rook- again this year with of-
behind only the 27 in 2018. supporters having much a better job each year pre- ie QBs easily exceeding ficials calling fewer hold-
Teams are scoring on a smaller crowds. That has paring players for the tran- the 79.3 mark through nine ing penalties. There have
staggering 41.3% of their eliminated the need for si- sition to the pros. Whether weeks from the previous 10 been 233 holding calls this
drives, up from 32% just lent counts for road teams, it's rookie quarterbacks like seasons. season, down significantly
a decade ago and eas- making life much easier for Justin Herbert and Joe Bur- DUAL THREAT QBs: The from last year's total of 446
ily surpassing the previous offenses. row, dynamic receivers like quarterback position is no through nine weeks. That
high since records began Road teams are 67-65-1 CeeDee Lamb and Justin longer reserved for station- has reduced the number of
being kept by SportRadar this season, marking the Jefferson, or running backs ary drop-back passers. The drive-killing penalties and
of 36.8% in 2018. first time since 1983 (68-57- like Clyde Edwards-He- ability to run on designed also made it harder to sack
Much of the offense has 1) that they had a winning laire and James Robinson, plays or scrambles has nev- quarterbacks. The sack
been fueled by the ease of record through nine weeks. teams are getting big con- er been a bigger part of the rate has dropped from
passing, with the average There has been no differ- tributions from rookies. game, whether it's speed- 6.8% of pass plays through
rating of 95.1 the highest ence in scoring when it The class has combined sters like Kyler Murray and nine weeks last year to 5.9%
ever through nine weeks comes to who's at home for 94 touchdowns, the Lamar Jackson, or oppor- this season.q

Browns activate QB Baker Mayfield from COVID-19 list

By TOM WITHERS Cleveland placed Mayfield are trying to end an 18- Browns coach Kevin Stefan-
AP Sports Writer on the reserve/COVID-19 year playoff drought, the ski said the team is follow-
CLEVELAND (AP) — The list on Sunday when the league's longest. ing the league's mandated
Browns activated quarter- team was on its bye week. Mayfield has thrown 15 protocols closer than ever.
back Baker Mayfield from He was not allowed to be touchdown passes and "At some points, there are
the COVID-19 list, clearing at the facility Monday and seven interceptions this going to be some unfortu-
him to practice and play participated in team meet- season. nate moments, but I can
this week against Houston. ings virtually. There has been a rise in promise you all of our guys
Mayfield had to isolate for Mayfield is expected to coronavirus cases around are being diligent about
Cleveland Browns quarter-
back Baker Mayfield throws several days after he had practice Wednesday with the league recently. On this," Stefanski said. "No
during the first half of an NFL close contact with a staff the Browns (5-3), who Tuesday, the unbeaten one, I can promise you, is
football game against the Las member who tested posi- reached the midway point Pittsburgh Steelers placed flippant in any way about
Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. tive for the coronavirus. The of the season with a win- quarterback Ben Roethlis- the rules, protocols, etc.
1, 2020, in Cleveland. staffer has not been identi- ning record for just the berger on the reserve/CO- All of us have to make sure
Associated Press fied. third time since 1999. They VID-19 list. that we stay on top of it." q