Further Reading: Rushing Analytics
The RB Devaluation Debate
"The Case Against Paying Running Backs" by various analysts Multiple articles exploring why teams have moved away from expensive RBs.
"Running Back Value: A Deep Dive" by Ben Baldwin Data-driven analysis of RB worth relative to other positions.
"Are Running Backs Replaceable?" (various research) Studies on the gap between elite and average RB production.
EPA and Rushing Efficiency
nflfastR EPA Documentation How expected points are calculated for rushing plays. https://www.nflfastr.com/articles/beginners_guide.html
"Expected Points and Rushing Value" by Football Outsiders Exploration of how EPA applies to ground games.
"Success Rate: The Better Rushing Metric" Why consistency matters more than explosiveness.
Yards Before/After Contact
"Separating RB from O-Line" by PFF Attempts to isolate running back skill from blocking.
Next Gen Stats YBC/YAC Data AWS-powered tracking of where rushing yards come from. https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/glossary
"What Yards After Contact Actually Tells Us" Interpreting YAC for running back evaluation.
Game Script and Context
"Game Script Effects on Rushing" by multiple analysts How score affects rushing volume and efficiency.
"Garbage Time and Rushing Statistics" Why late-game carries distort RB evaluation.
"Clock-Killing: The Hidden Cost" by Seth Walder Analysis of fourth-quarter rushing value.
Scheme and System Effects
"Zone vs. Gap Schemes: A Statistical Comparison" How different blocking schemes affect rushing metrics.
"Shanahan Zone Running Efficiency" (various articles) Why some systems produce higher YPC regardless of personnel.
"The RPO Effect on Rushing" by various How run-pass options change rushing efficiency.
RB Receiving Value
"Dual-Threat Backs: The Premium" by analysts Why receiving ability differentiates RB value.
"RB Target Efficiency" research Comparing rushing and receiving EPA for backs.
"The Third-Down Back Myth?" by various Whether third-down specialist is a real role.
Aging and Career Curves
"When Do Running Backs Peak?" by Football Outsiders Research on RB aging curves.
"Career Carries and Performance Decline" Studies on how accumulated workload affects production.
"RB Career Arc Analysis" by various Tracking how backs decline over their careers.
Contract and Draft Value
"Running Back Contract Analysis" by Over The Cap Market trends in RB compensation. https://overthecap.com/
"Day 2-3 RB Value" by draft analysts Why late-round RBs often match early-round production.
"The RB Free Agent Market" by analytics teams Evaluating RB signings historically.
Offensive Line Interaction
"O-Line Rushing Grades" by PFF How to measure run blocking quality. https://www.pff.com/
"Adjusted Line Yards" by Football Outsiders Metric attributing rushing yards to linemen.
"The RB-OL Synergy Question" by researchers Can we truly separate backs from their lines?
Academic Research
"Rushing Efficiency in the NFL" (academic papers) Peer-reviewed studies on running game value.
"Optimal Play-Calling: Run vs. Pass" by economists Game theory approaches to rushing decisions.
"Rushing Wins Championships? A Causal Analysis" Debunking the correlation-as-causation myth.
Data Visualization
"Rushing Success Rate Plots" by analysts Effective ways to visualize rushing efficiency.
"EPA Distribution Charts" by various Showing the spread of rushing outcomes.
The Athletic's Data Viz Examples of rushing analytics visualization.
Historical Context
"The Evolution of the Running Back" by various How the position has changed over decades.
"Great Backs, Great Lines" by historians Contextualizing legendary rushers with their supporting casts.
"The Super Bowl Rushing Myth" by analysts Do rushing yards actually win championships?
Video Analysis
"RB Vision and Decision-Making" by film analysts What statistics can't show about running backs.
Nate Tice Film Breakdowns Detailed video analysis of rushing plays.
"Reading the Run" by Brett Kollmann How to evaluate RBs through film.
Data Sources
nfl_data_py / nflfastR Primary source for play-by-play rushing data. https://github.com/nflverse/nfl_data_py
Pro Football Reference Career rushing statistics and splits. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/
Next Gen Stats Tracking data including YBC, speed, etc. https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/
PFF Grades and advanced rushing metrics (subscription). https://www.pff.com/
Football Outsiders DVOA and other proprietary rushing metrics. https://www.footballoutsiders.com/
Podcasts and Content
Establish the Run Analytics-driven discussion of rushing.
PFF NFL Podcast Regular RB analysis segments.
The Athletic Football Show Data-informed rushing discussions.
Community Discussion
r/NFLstatheads (Reddit) Technical discussions of rushing metrics.
Twitter/X Analytics Community Real-time rushing analysis and debate.