Analysis
1/4/22
2 min read
49ers Catching Fire At the Right Time in Aikman 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%)
With just one weekend of games left on the season, the New England Patriots have overtaken Buffalo once again as the No. 1 defense in Troy Aikman's Efficiency Ratings. The Patriots are No. 9 in the NFL on offense and No. 1 on defense, making them one of 5 teams in the league.
The other four include Tampa Bay (No. 1 on offense and No. 7 on defense), Buffalo (No. 2 on offense and No. 2 on defense), Arizona (No. 5 on offense and No. 10 on defense), and San Francisco (No. 10 on offense and No. 9 on defense).
This is the first week of the season that San Francisco has ranked in the top 10 on both sides of the ball in Aikman's Efficiency Ratings, showing that they're finding their footing at the right time as they enter a pivotal matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. If they win, they make the playoffs. If they lose, they'll need to hope that Atlanta knocks off New Orleans to give them a playoff berth.
One other interesting notable ranking this week is the Green Bay Packers vaulting up to No. 7. While Green Bay has been excellent this season from a record stand point, they found themselves outside the top 10 of the Aikman Efficiency Ratings on both sides of the ball for nearly the entire year. They're still not highly thought of on defense (ranked No. 20), but Aikman's ratings are coming around on Aaron Rodgers' offense.
For more on the Aikman Efficiency Ratings and the Aikman Foundation, click here.
