NFL Pass Blocking is Even More Important than You Think
Though lacking in glitz and glamour, the tackle, guard, and center positions make up the backbone of every NFL offense. Without skilled players in those roles — and players who can work as a unit — a team’s entire strategy can fall apart. In the...
Counterpoints: The Sports Analytics Podcast from MIT Sloan Management Review
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (traffic.megaphone.fm) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
Though lacking in glitz and glamour, the tackle, guard, and center positions make up the backbone of every NFL offense. Without skilled players in those roles — and players who can work as a unit — a team’s entire strategy can fall apart. In the past few years, teams like the Rams, Chiefs, and Saints have used a punishing offensive line to ignite high-powered offenses, while the Patriots have revolutionized O-Line versatility. Even while these once anonymous units are finally getting their due, new analytics measuring offensive line performance just might prove that we’re *still* underrating these guys. In this week’s interview, ESPN's Seth Walder discusses the growing field of O-Line analytics, and just how much winning the battle of the trenches correlates with winning the battle of the scoreboard.