Pass Play Distribution: 2015 vs 2016

[silverjoel]

Disclosure: this is not meant to be a QB comparison, but does only look at the plays for the main QBs each year (Bridgewater and Bradford).  This is looking at play calling situations, therefore stats (yards, TDs and the like) aren't even included.


I've been looking at when plays are called recently and just wanted to share.  I'm considering pass plays as all passing attempts, QB rushing attempts (I know a couple are actually called runs, but for the most part it's pass plays) and sacks.  These are all of the plays where a pass is called.

2015:

1st down pass plays: 132 pass attempts, 10 rush attempts and 13 sacks.  Total: 155 (29% of total pass plays)
2nd down pass plays: 179 pass attempts, 13 rush attempts and 13 sacks.  Total 205 (38.3% of total pass plays)
3rd down pass plays: 132 pass attempts, 19 rush attempts and 17 sacks.  Total 168 (31.4% of total pass plays)
4th down pass plays: 4 pass attempts, 2 rush attempts and 1 sack.  Total 7 (1.3% of total pass plays)
Total number of pass plays: 535


2016:

1st down pass plays: 200 pass attempts, 10 rush attempts and 8 sacks.  Total: 218 (35.8% of total pass plays)
2nd down pass plays: 187 pass attempts, 7 rush attempts and 11 sacks.  Total 205 (33.7% of total pass plays)
3rd down pass plays: 152 pass attempts, 3 rush attempts and 17 sacks.  Total 172 (28.2% of total pass plays)
4th down pass plays: 13 pass attempts, 0 rush attempts and 1 sack.  Total 14 (2.3% of total pass plays)
Total number of pass plays: 609


It's interesting that the Vikings passed a lot more on first down in 2016 as opposed to 2015.  I would guess that is mainly due to Peterson.


I also wanted to specifically look at goal-to-go pass play calling (I'll also put in the main RBs rushing attempts).

2015:

Goal-to-go pass plays: 17 pass attempts, 1 rush attempt (pretty sure this was a designed run), 3 sacks.  Total: 21 (42% )
Peterson/McKinnon/Asiata rush attempts: 22/5/2.  Total 29 (58%)

2016:

Goal-to-go pass plays: 34 pass attempts, 0 rush attempt, 1 sacks.  Total: 35 (53%)
Peterson/McKinnon/Asiata rush attempts: 0/8/23.  Total 31 (47%)


Now for a trivia question: how many pass plays were called on first and goal in 2015?

Here are some hints.
In 2015, there were 11 3rd down pass plays called.
In 2015, there were 19 first down rushes between Peterson, McKinnon and Asiata.
In 2016, there were 9 first down pass plays called.
In 2016, there were 12 3rd down pass plays called.

[Guest]

right or wrong the offense was heavily weighted to the run game in 2015.  IMO it was detrimental for the most part

[Guest]

We have a pretty bizarre situation for comparisons, because the seasons were so different.  Our line was actually pretty decent at run blocking in 2015 + AD, but horrible at pass blocking.  In 2016, it started decent at pass blocking and horrible at run blocking and then fell apart completely.  In both situations, we were pretty hamstrung and shoehorned into specific offensive styles.

[Guest]

@medaille said:
We have a pretty bizarre situation for comparisons, because the seasons were so different.  Our line was actually pretty decent at run blocking in 2015 + AD, but horrible at pass blocking.  In 2016, it started decent at pass blocking and horrible at run blocking and then fell apart completely.  In both situations, we were pretty hamstrung and shoehorned into specific offensive styles.

With the early and often injuries to the whole OL/offense I agree with you.  No comparison from 2015 to 2016 too many changes and completely different circumstances.  

[Guest]

The aspect that surprised me is the lack of passing on first down in 2015.  If you've never thought about it, every team has more offensive first down plays than second, third and of course fourth.  Can't have a second down play without having a first down play, but can have a first down play after first down play (any first down play that picked up a first down).  Not something most would think about, but is obvious when one does.  So, even with more available play opportunities, there were less first down pass plays than any other down (not considering 4th down).

No guesses for the first and goal pass plays?  The answer is 1.  That's right, 20 first and goal plays (considering the top 3 rushers as there may have been the random WR/Patterson rush) and 1 was a pass.