I notice that teams are passing the heck out of the ball. I’m all for rules changes and a high-scoring game, but it’s kind of getting ridiculous when we’re seeing guys like Josh McCown and Brian Hoyer putting up big passing numbers.
But that’s where we’re at.
In NFL history, 27 teams have attempted over 640 passing in a season. That’s 40 attempts per game.
This year, after six weeks, eight teams are on pace to exceed that total. The Texans, with Hoyer leading the way, are currently passing the ball more often than any team in NFL history. The Lions and Chargers are also putting up unreal numbers.
Note, by the way, that none of these averaging 40-plus pass attempts currently has a winning record. The Colts are at a soft .500, the Dolphins are 2-3, and the others are all 2-4 or worse.
MOST PASS ATTEMPTS | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Team | Att |
2015 | Houston Texans (proj.) | 741 |
2012 | Detroit Lions | 740 |
2015 | Detroit Lions (proj.) | 733 |
1981 | Minnesota Vikings | 709 |
1994 | New England Patriots | 699 |
2015 | San Diego Chargers (proj.) | 691 |
1995 | New England Patriots | 686 |
1999 | Chicago Bears | 684 |
2013 | Cleveland Browns | 681 |
2010 | Indianapolis Colts | 679 |
2013 | Denver Broncos | 675 |
1994 | Minnesota Vikings | 673 |
2012 | New Orleans Saints | 671 |
2005 | Arizona Cardinals | 670 |
1991 | Houston Oilers | 667 |
2011 | Detroit Lions | 666 |
2011 | New Orleans Saints | 662 |
1984 | San Diego Chargers | 662 |
2014 | Indianapolis Colts | 661 |
2010 | New Orleans Saints | 661 |
2015 | Baltimore Ravens (proj.) | 661 |
2013 | Atlanta Falcons | 659 |
2014 | New Orleans Saints | 659 |
2015 | New Orleans Saints (proj.) | 659 |
2012 | Dallas Cowboys | 658 |
2007 | New Orleans Saints | 652 |
2013 | New Orleans Saints | 651 |
1986 | Miami Dolphins | 645 |
2015 | Jacksonville Jaguars (proj.) | 645 |
2015 | Indianapolis Colts (proj.) | 645 |
1995 | San Francisco 49ers | 644 |
1995 | Minnesota Vikings | 642 |
1983 | Kansas City | 641 |
2012 | New England Patriots | 641 |
2015 | Miami Dolphins (proj.) | 640 |
—Ian Allan