NFL Teams On Pace To Average The Most Yards Per Carry Ever

Nowadays, all football fans ever hear about is how the NFL is a passing league.

Quarterbacks shoulder most of the blame for wins and losses, and rightfully so.

However, some underlying trends suggest that NFL teams have actually been more successful running the ball than ever in 2022.

In fact, NFL teams are on pace to average the most yards per carry ever and the most rushing yards per game since 1988.

Teams are passing the ball less too.

Passing attempts per game have reached their lowest total since the 2009 season and teams are averaging the fewest receiving yards per game since 2010.

Below, we will break down some key trends from the 2022 NFL season and discuss whether the NFL should still be considered a passing league.

NFL Teams On Pace To Average Most Rushing Yards Per Carry In History

The NFL has long been dubbed a passing league but with defenses starting to adjust, that notion is beginning to change.

NFL teams have been extremely efficient running the ball this season.

In 2022, teams are averaging 4.5 yards per carry, the highest mark in NFL history.

Coaches and offensive coordinators have taken notice too, calling more run plays than they have in nearly a decade.

NFL teams are averaging 27.0 rushing attempts per game, which is the highest since 2013.

While that might seem like an impressive stat, the 27.0 rushing attempts per game still marks the ninth-fewest attempts in history.

More defenses are focused on defending the pass, which is opening up the run game more for teams.

Rushing Yards Per Game Reach Highest Total Since 1988

With the average yards per carry on the rise, teams are relying more on the run game to sustain drives.

As a result, NFL teams are averaging the most rushing yards per game this season since 1988.

Despite averaging the ninth-fewest rushing attempts per game in NFL history, teams are still on pace to average the most rushing yards per game in 34 years.

After week 12, three running backs (Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, and Nick Chubb) have already compiled over 1,000 rushing yards. Rounding out the top-five, Saquon Barkley has 992 rushing yards and Miles Sanders has 900 rushing yards on the year.

The modern NFL also features a lot of mobile quarterbacks, which has increased the average rushing yards per game.

Justin Fields has 834 rushing yards, Lamar Jackson has 755 rushing yards, Jalen Hurts has 597 rushing yards, and Josh Allen has 561 rushing yards.

All four quarterbacks are on pace to compile more than 800 rushing yards per game this season, which would be a first in NFL history.

Receiving Yards Per Game Down To Lowest Average Since 2010

Defenses have shifted their main focus to stopping the pass. This has resulted in NFL teams averaging the fewest receiving yards per game since 2010.

Heading into Week 13, NFL teams are averaging just 221.6 receiving yards per game.

There are a few different factors contributing to this decline.

Several of the NFL quarterbacks that fans are accustomed to seeing tear up opposing defenses have either retired or regressed this season.

Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, and Phillip Rivers hung up their jerseys after storied NFL careers under center.

Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Russell Wilson have all been terrific throughout their careers. However, this season has been disappointing for all three future Hall of Fame QBs.

Other top-tier quarterbacks have been injured for portions of the season.

Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert was banged up earlier in the year and has missed his top-two wide receivers for an extended period of time this season.

L.A. Rams QB Matthew Stafford has also been banged up all season and it is uncertain whether he will return this season.

Those five active QBs typically put up huge passing numbers, which has simply not been the case this season. While Brady and Herbert are among the top-five in the NFL in total passing yards, both quarterbacks have seen their average yards per attempt drop dramatically this year.

Brady is averaging just 6.5 yards per attempt this season, his lowest mark since the 2002 season, his second year as an NFL starter. Meanwhile, Herbert has seen his yards per attempt drop nearly 15 percent from 7.5 in 2021 to just 6.5 in 2022.

While defenses are gearing up to stop the pass, injuries and downhill play from three future Hall Of Fame QBs have also contributed to the drop in receiving yardage.

Passing attempts are also down to just 33.9 per game, the lowest mark since the 2009 season.

Is The NFL Still A Passing League?

Despite these numbers, the NFL is still unquestionably a passing league.

Even though average yards per carry and rushing yards per game are on the rise, NFL teams are running the ball just 27.0 times per game, which is the ninth-fewest in league history.

While NFL teams are averaging the fewest receiving yards per game since 2010, the mark is still the 12th highest in NFL history.

With defenses focusing more on stopping the pass, the NFL passing game was due for some regression, which is what we’ve seen in 2022.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the league trend towards a better balance of run and pass plays in the near future.