"The numbers showed that the 2025 season has two historically bad defenses in the Bengals and Giants and two more teams whose underlying stats don't match the win-loss records in the Patriots and Bears. Two offensive playmakers also stand out, as Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are on pace to hit records. Let's look at those four teams and two players as things stand right now."
"A 48-10 loss to the Vikings in Week 3 was a big sign that all was not right with the Bengals defense. Since then, the Bengals have allowed over 30 points five more times and over 500 yards three times. And when you adjust for the season averages and look at the play-by-play breakdown, DVOA says the Bengals have the worst defense it has ever measured through 11 games. (Note that DVOA represents offensive efficiency, so defensive numbers are worse the higher they get.)"
DVOA was recalculated for every NFL season since 1978 to simulate Week 13 standings using data through 11 or 12 games and opponent adjustments limited to the same span. The 2025 Cincinnati Bengals register the worst defensive DVOA measured through 11 games, allowing 32.7 points and 415.8 yards per game. The New York Giants also register historically poor defensive marks. The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears show underlying metrics that diverge from their win-loss records. Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are pacing toward potential record seasons.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]