RPOs aren’t an overnight sensation. NFL teams have been using them with growing frequency over the last several years. In 2018, NFL teams ran 672 RPOs, per SIS. By 2021, that number jumped to 3,782.

Last year I did believe to see NFL Ds understanding much better how to defend RPOs. So think the Ds have finally caught up. Which effects us pretty big time. Already did last season.

Rushing and passing averages on RPOs were down in 2023. To back up my eyes with actual stats.

While the 8-1 Eagles’ offense still is one of the best in the league – it's second in scoring and third in total offense – its RPO production has dropped significantly in their first nine games. The Eagles' RPO rush average has plunged from 5.33 to 3.92, and their pass average from 7.19 to 4.53

It's not just them. The defenses clearly have caught up with the RPO game. The league rush average on RPOs has dropped from 4.52 yards per carry last season to 4.2 this year. The RPO pass average has fallen from 5.73 to 4.99.

But there was this factor also: 

It should be pointed out that all offensive production is down this season, not just RPOs. Scoring is down (from 21.9 points per game to 21.6). Yards per game are down (from 342.1 to 330.1). Yards per play are down (from 5.4 to 5.2). Rushing yards per game are down (from 121.6 to 109.8).

 

Some highly regarded D minds have suffered more Nickel was being played on first downs. That helped limit the success of the RPOs. More split S looks helped limit the RPOs also they were quoted on.

2 hours ago, joemas6 said:

So this loss was more on the QB and his turnovers?

Jets game?  Yes.  Hard for ANY team to win with 3 turnovers. 

2 hours ago, cunninghamtheman said:

They did shutout the vaunted Patrick Mahomes in the second half.

LOL that be one of the bright spots

1 minute ago, EaglesTD123 said:

Jets game?  Yes.  Hard for ANY team to win with 3 turnovers. 

Hard for any team to win with a one legged QB. He’s one tough dude!

Just now, EaglesTD123 said:

LOL that be one of the bright spots

Yeah…that’s all the bright spots I have for last seasons D.versus the Chiefs none-the-less

5 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Yeah…that’s all the bright spots I have for last seasons D.versus the Chiefs none-the-less

D vs Tampa first game....D vs Miami... D vs Seattle for 59 minutes. 

O also lit up Washington both times...and Buffalo.  

Elliot probably had the best season ever for a kicker that wasn't 1st team all pro!

21 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Last year I did believe to see NFL Ds understanding much better how to defend RPOs. So think the Ds have finally caught up. Which effects us pretty big time. Already did last season.

Thus my focus on Hurts as a passer.  If teams caught up to the RPO...regardless if we call it gimmick,  high school , college or amateur style...  it doesn't matter how we feel about it.   

All that matters is can we be successful without relying on it so much.  A lot of that falls on the QB.  Regardless of  combo TDs, intangibles,  Superbowl stats...etc.

Going forward, can Hurts succeed of the RPO gets figured out?

24 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Rushing and passing averages on RPOs were down in 2023. To back up my eyes with actual stats.

Yes...the stats backed up a lot of people's eyes for sure 

24 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

and their pass average from 7.19 to 4.53

Here's the issue right here

17 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Hard for any team to win with a one legged QB. He’s one tough dude!

Agree...Mahomes was a tough dude playing on one leg in the SB 

24 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

But there was this factor also: 

It should be pointed out that all offensive production is down this season, not just RPOs. Scoring is down (from 21.9 points per game to 21.6). Yards per game are down (from 342.1 to 330.1). Yards per play are down (from 5.4 to 5.2). Rushing yards per game are down (from 121.6 to 109.8).

 

Rule changes bud. Bubble ball will keep bringing those down

1 minute ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

Here's the issue right here

I mean...the wildcat...the RPO...those things have a shelf life to where they get figured out and you can't use them constantly.   

But what doesn't change = your QB seeing the field and making the throws.

 

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1 minute ago, joemas6 said:

I mean...the wildcat...the RPO...those things have a shelf life to where they get figured out and you can't use them constantly.   

But what doesn't change = your QB seeing the field and making the throws.

 

.

We're haters because we see it

16 minutes ago, joemas6 said:

D vs Tampa first game....D vs Miami... D vs Seattle for 59 minutes. 

O also lit up Washington both times...and Buffalo.  

Seattles O wasn’t any danger. But yes on the Miami game. That was the other moment Desai shined. Completely agree on the very unexpected way Desai had the D step up there.

3 minutes ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

We're haters because we see it

Any idiot can see our QB's best trait is his running ability.   Whether speed, being tough to bring down or escaping.    Without that aspect, it's a concern.  

Do we have faith...doesn't matter.  What matters is if he performs...that's it.  If the league will limit his running...then improve all facets of the passing game.

If they take away the simple RPO reads...then learn how to mentally play NFL QB.

Ham very astutely pointed out teams figuring out the RPO league wide.   Time to evolve then... we haven't seen this yet from our QB.  But now we have a new OC...let's see how this non RPO style works

2 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Seattles O wasn’t any danger. But yes on the Miami game. That was the other moment Desai shined. Completely agree on the very unexpected way Desai had the D step up there.

Idk about giving Desai so much credit... players were at home on a Monday night ..first night in green. Or was it Sunday night....either way.

12 minutes ago, joemas6 said:

Agree...Mahomes was a tough dude playing on one leg in the SB 

That was clearly overblown. He ran very well for crucial conversions in that game. Had no problems planting to throw or anything. But Mahomes is a tough competitor for sure.

15 minutes ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

Rule changes bud. Bubble ball will keep bringing those down

I’d think the opposite