Analysis
12/1/21
2 min read
Tom Brady Leads the NFL's Best Offense in Troy Aikman's Efficiency Ratings
The 33rd Team is proud to be home for the Aikman Efficiency Ratings — Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman’s proprietary formula for measuring team offense and team defense in the NFL.
As opposed to just looking at total yards gained and allowed, Aikman combined seven categories, placing more emphasis on some:
- Points per game (20%)
- Points Per Red-Zone Possession (20%)
- Turnovers (20%)
- Yards per Rush (10%)
- Yards per Pass (10%)
- Third-Down Percentage (10%)
- First Downs (10%)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have moved into the top spot on offense in Troy Aikman's Efficiency Ratings after their 38-31 win over the Colts this past Sunday. The 8-3 Buccaneers are one of five teams that rank in the top 10 on both offense and defense, holding firm at the No. 8 mark despite significant injuries in the secondary this season.
The four other teams include the Arizona Cardinals (No. 2 on offense and No. 3 on defense), Buffalo Bills (No. 3 on offense and No. 1 on defense), Dallas Cowboys (No. 5 on offense and No. 10 on defense), and Cincinnati Bengals (No. 10 on offense and No. 9 on defense).
Despite some struggles in recent weeks, the Bills have consistently sat right at the top of the Aikman Efficiency Ratings all season. After getting back in the win column, they remain on top defensively and rival Arizona for league supremacy.
One team starting to rise up the rankings on both sides of the ball is the San Francisco 49ers, who moved to 6-5 this week and sit at No. 4 on offense and No. 15 on defense. They've leapfrogged the Los Angeles Rams (No. 13 on offense and No. 12 on defense) in the most recent edition of Paul Domowitch's Power Rankings, and could overtake them in the playoff picture in coming weeks if recent trends continue.
For more on the Aikman Efficiency Ratings and the Aikman Foundation, click here.
