The Never Weres

In 1978 the NFL started playing a 16 games schedule. Offenses still relied on the running game and, get this, they used to measure a first down using out of shape guys holding a chain. Ummm at least its not all about the running game anymore. Ever since Tom Brady led the 2007 Patriots to an undefeated regular season, the spread out passing offense has been all the rage.

According to Pro Football Reference, the average total points per game for the league was 18.3. Yuck. This steadily ticked up, peaking in 2020 with 24.8 points per game. The total has dipped down a tick to 21.7 this season. Many reasons could be a factor, lots of backup quarterbacks, teams taking away the deep passing game, overall defensive schemes catching up with offenses.

Or it could be the Patriots who are averaging 12.3 points per game. Yes, you read that right. The 2023 New England Patriots are averaging 6 points LESS per game than offenses were in 1978. The offense has scored 36 total points in their last 4 games. 36!

The big question as we head into the last 5 weeks of the season is, will the Patriots crack 200 total points on the season? Since 1978 in full, non-strike shortened seasons, only 15 teams have failed to score 200 points.

The Patriots have currently score 148 points. Based on their current 12.3 points per game, they are on pace to score 209 points. But, looking at their schedule they still have to face the Steelers, Chiefs and Jets defenses. They will need to put up a big number against the Broncos defense to avoid joining this list. And they get to play one more game than the teams on this list did.

Photo by Steven Senne