Factoid
Teams keep passing more, while relying on the run less. The numbers are startling when you look at past years.
Back in 1978 (when the league first went to a 16-game schedule) teams averaged over 7 more plays rushing than passing per games. They were up at 36 rushing plays versus less than 29 pass plays (that’s both attempts and sacks).
Now it’s flipped around – even more than flipped around. Last year teams averaged over 36 pass plays, and they were down at 27 rushing plays.
It’s become a quarterback-dominated league.
To see the below chart in graphical format, see our Facebook page.
PASSING VERSUS RUSHING, 1978-2011
Year Pass Run
1978 28.7 35.9
1979 31.3 33.9
1980 32.9 32.1
1981 33.9 32.4
1982 34.2 30.8
1983 34.1 31.7
1984 34.9 30.8
1985 35.1 30.4
1986 35.0 30.2
1987 34.8 31.4
1988 33.9 30.3
1989 34.5 29.2
1990 32.6 27.8
1991 33.4 27.4
1992 32.5 27.4
1993 34.5 28.3
1994 35.7 28.0
1995 37.0 27.5
1996 35.6 28.3
1997 35.4 28.4
1998 34.8 28.3
1999 36.3 27.3
2000 35.4 27.6
2001 35.0 27.6
2002 36.1 27.5
2003 34.3 28.3
2004 34.3 28.2
2005 34.5 28.1
2006 34.3 28.2
2007 35.4 27.3
2008 34.3 27.6
2009 35.4 27.5
2010 35.9 27.2
2011 36.3 27.3
—Ian Allan
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