Topic

Run game

How a team's running game shapes everything else: play-action, the pass rush and drive efficiency.

1 post

• ResearchOctober 21, 2026·6 min read

  Does a Great Running Game Slow the Pass Rush?

  A defense facing a dangerous running game should rush the passer more carefully. We measured it on 5,625 tracked dropbacks from weeks 1 to 6 of the 2024 season. It shows up clearly on play-action, and perhaps a little on every dropback.

  • Run game
  • Pass rush
  • Player tracking