I notice that passing production was down some in 2017. Teams tended to pass for fewer yards and fewer touchdowns than we’ve seen in recent years.

On average teams averaged under 240 passing yards per game. That’s almost 20 yards per game fewer than two years ago. And teams averaged 255 yards during the 2016 season. (And here I’m speaking of gross yards – not including sacks).

And teams averaged only 23 touchdown passes. That’s 3 fewer than two years ago, and the fewest in a season since 2009.

I blame injuries. Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson, most notably, could have helped things along by playing in more games. Also Carson Palmer, Ryan Tannehill (maybe), Josh McCown and Jameis Winston.

And there are just some lousy quarterbacks out there, which never helps.

PASSING PRODUCTION THIS CENTURY
YearYds/GTD/YrInt/Yr
200022220.517.1
200122120.517.6
200222721.716.5
200321420.416.8
200422522.916.4
200521820.115.8
200621920.316.3
200722822.516.7
200822420.214.5
200923222.216.4
201023623.516.0
201124523.315.8
201224623.714.6
201325225.115.7
201423725.214.1
201525926.313.6
201625624.613.0
201724023.213.4

—Ian Allan