How Many Possessions Per Game in the NFL?
The National Football League (NFL) is a high-scoring, fast-paced league that is known for its exciting games and thrilling finishes. But have you ever wondered how many possessions a team gets per game in the NFL? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of NFL possessions and explore the answers to this question.
What is a Possession in the NFL?
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s define what a possession is in the NFL. A possession is when a team gains or maintains possession of the ball after a play. This can include punts, kickoffs, fumbles, interceptions, and even incomplete passes. In other words, a possession starts when a team gets the ball and ends when they either score, fumble, or turn the ball over.
Average Possessions Per Game
So, how many possessions does a team get per game in the NFL? According to data from Pro-Football-Reference.com, the average team gets around 12.5 possessions per game. This number can vary depending on the team, their opponents, and the game’s pace.
Factors that Affect Possessions
Here are some factors that can affect the number of possessions a team gets per game:
• Game pace: Faster-paced games tend to have more possessions, while slower-paced games have fewer.
• Quarterback play: Teams with better quarterbacks tend to have more possessions, as they are more likely to avoid turnovers and extend drives.
• Rushing yards: Teams that rush for more yards tend to have more possessions, as they are more likely to score touchdowns and keep drives going.
• Opponent strength: Playing against weaker opponents can result in more possessions, as teams are more likely to score and keep the ball.
Possessions per Game by Quarter
To get a better understanding of possessions, let’s break it down by quarter:
Possessions by Quarter
| Quarter | Average Possessions |
|---|---|
| 1st | 2.5 |
| 2nd | 2.8 |
| 3rd | 2.5 |
| 4th | 4.2 |
As you can see, the first quarter tends to have the fewest possessions, while the fourth quarter tends to have the most. This is because the fourth quarter is often the most crucial and closely contested part of the game, resulting in more possessions.
Possessions per Game by Team
Here are the average possessions per game for each team in the NFL:
| { | class="wikitable" | + Average Possessions per Game by Team |
|---|---|---|
| Team | Possessions per Game | |
| — | ||
| Arizona Cardinals | 12.4 | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 12.7 | |
| Baltimore Ravens | 12.2 | |
| Buffalo Bills | 12.1 | |
| Carolina Panthers | 12.3 | |
| Chicago Bears | 11.9 | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 12.5 | |
| Cleveland Browns | 12.2 | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 12.6 | |
| Denver Broncos | 12.4 | |
| Detroit Lions | 12.1 | |
| Green Bay Packers | 12.5 | |
| Houston Texans | 12.3 | |
| Indianapolis Colts | 12.4 | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 12.2 | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 12.6 | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 12.5 | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 12.3 | |
| Miami Dolphins | 12.2 | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 12.5 | |
| New England Patriots | 12.3 | |
| New Orleans Saints | 12.6 | |
| New York Giants | 12.2 | |
| New York Jets | 12.1 | |
| Oakland Raiders | 12.4 | |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 12.5 | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 12.2 | |
| San Francisco 49ers | 12.3 | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 12.5 | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 12.2 | |
| Tennessee Titans | 12.3 | |
| Washington Redskins | 12.1 | |
| } |
As you can see, the average possessions per game range from 11.9 (Chicago Bears) to 12.7 (Atlanta Falcons).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NFL team gets around 12.5 possessions per game on average. However, this number can vary depending on the team, their opponents, and the game’s pace. Understanding possessions is crucial for understanding the NFL, as it can help teams and coaches make strategic decisions during games.
Additional Resources
- Pro-Football-Reference.com: A website that provides detailed statistics and data for the NFL.
- NFL.com: The official website of the National Football League, providing news, scores, and statistics.
I hope this article provides valuable insights into the world of NFL possessions!