NFL

4 Reasons the Seattle Seahawks Will Win Super Bowl XLIX

Brandon Gdula  —  @gdula13 Jan 27th, 2015
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The Ground Game

This year, the Seahawks had the most efficient rushing attack in the league, according to our Net Expected Points (NEP) metrics. Their Adjusted Rushing NEP per carry (0.18) was 0.12 points per play better than the second-best team in the league (Kansas City, 0.06). That edge was actually bigger than the one between Kansas City, at second, and Arizona, who ranked 26th in the league (-0.05).

The Seahawks, in fact, posted the second-highest Adjusted Rushing NEP per play since 2000 behind only the 2011 Carolina Panthers (0.19).

Russell Wilson led the league in Rushing NEP this year (60.50) (Cam Newton was second at 38.74). Marshawn Lynch led all running backs and was fourth in the league at 27.34.

New England ranked just 17th in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP per play (0.00), so it's an exploitable matchup in favor of Seattle who was the second-most run-heavy team in the NFL this regular season.

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