The 10 Most Impactful Plays of Week 5

​Honorable Mentions

So what is NEP? By adding down-and-distance value to standard box score information, we can see just how much each play and each team as a whole influence the outcome of games. If a player passes for five yards on 3rd-and-2, it means more to the game than it does on 3rd-and-10, and those plays should be valued accordingly. For more info on NEP, check out our glossary.

Each play has an NEP value. Each play also changes the win probability (WP) of the game. I factored those values together to see which plays were the most impactful to the moment on the field and the game as a whole.

Below were some exciting moments from Week 5 with big value swings in one category, but didn’t cut it in the other.

10. San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon gets hit hard and fumbles in San Diego territory. Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph falls on the recovery (WP: 16.81, NEP: 4.58).
9. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers hits tight end Hunter Henry with a pass, who rumbles along for a 59-yard gain (WP: 13.87, NEP: 4.71).
8. Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern launches a 51-yard punt, but Miami Dolphins returner Jakeem Grant weaves through the coverage for a 74-yard return touchdown (WP: 11.31, NEP: 5.70).
7. Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch punts the ball away, and Washington returner Jamison Crowder brings it back 85 yards to score (WP: 11.23, NEP: 6.46).
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Bryan Anger boots the ball away, and Carolina Panthers returner Ted Ginn Jr. muffs the return (WP: 13.97, NEP: 4.98).

Now onto the top-five plays of the week!