Factoid
How much is too much? They keep changing rules to make things easier on quarterbacks and wide receivers, and that makes the NFL look more and more like the arena league. Teams are passing for more and more touchdowns and interceptions, while at the same time throwing fewer interceptions.
The league went to the 16-game schedule in 1978. In that season, quarterbacks averaged under 17 TDs and almost 23 interceptions.
Now those numbers have been flipped and then some. Quarterbacks averaged almost 24 TDs last year, while interceptions were under 15. And teams averaged a record 246 passing yards per game last year (up 69 yards from back in 1978).
Not that the good old days are always better, but at what point does it just get ridiculous? At what point is this just the CFL or NFL Europe?
TOUCHDOWNS vs. INTERCEPTIONS, 1978-
Year TD Int
1978 16.7 22.8
1979 19.2 21.3
1980 21.6 22.4
1981 21.1 21.8
1982 20.3 22.2
1983 22.3 22.1
1984 22.0 20.9
1985 21.4 21.5
1986 20.9 20.8
1987 23.3 20.6
1988 19.9 19.8
1989 20.8 20.0
1990 20.5 17.1
1991 18.3 17.4
1992 18.4 18.5
1993 18.5 16.8
1994 20.8 16.9
1995 22.1 17.1
1996 20.9 18.1
1997 20.6 16.0
1998 21.9 17.0
1999 21.5 18.1
2000 20.5 17.1
2001 20.5 17.6
2002 21.7 16.5
2003 20.4 16.8
2004 22.9 16.4
2005 20.1 15.8
2006 20.3 16.3
2007 22.5 16.7
2008 20.2 14.5
2009 22.2 16.4
2010 23.5 16.0
2011 23.3 15.8
2012 23.7 14.6
—Ian Allan
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Posted by PETER DEBIASE | Jan. 09 at 05:13 PM
I agree that it's getting ridiculous Ian, but it doesn't matter what we think (sorry to steal The Rock's line). As long as ratings are thru the roof, the NFL will continue to pass rules that will favor offenses. I'm sure the incredible growth of fantasy football is partially responsible for fans clamoring for more offense. I don't think we'll see a return to three yards and a cloud of dust anytime soon.