In this clip, Victor Arocho and the Jersey Boys discuss analytics being used in NFL games.
Victor Arocho, host of the Jersey Boys, says he doesn’t believe in analytics all the way because it’s too new. Joe Capraro says analytics is ok, but many coaching decisions should come down to your gut. Jon Roneberg says he believes there’s place for it, but if analytics is being pushed, why is the game being played?
According to Forbes, analytics are playing an increasingly large role in the NFL, affecting strategy, personnel decisions and ultimately the outcome of games. For many, analytics may seem a confounding idea that clashes with their traditional view of what football is. For others, perhaps it seems merely a buzzword thrown out by coaches and broadcasters to demonstrate that a team has a modern approach. But how exactly are analytics utilized in the NFL and how does utilizing data impact the game today?
Expected Points (EP) and Expected Points Added (EPA) are metrics widely-used today by NFL teams and members of the media. They measure the value of a play and can better-show how effective a player or team is overall and in certain situations. It is generally accepted that EP and EPA tell us more about production than conventional yardage statistics because not all yardage is created equal.
Will the use of analytics be increased in the NFL and other sports?