Week 8 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Running Back: Dion Lewis

Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots
5 Rushes, 19 Yards
6 Receptions, 93 Yards, 9 Targets, 1 Touchdown
NEP: +9.61

Despite the questionable status heading into a short week, Dion Lewis was able to persevere through an abdominal injury with the highest total NEP performance of the week among all running backs. Receiving is much more efficient than rushing, which is why Lewis was able to achieve such a feat despite fewer than 20 rushing yards.

Lewis was once again a multi-dimensional threat, picking up nearly 100 receiving yards on 6 receptions with a score. Tom Brady was once again masterfully efficient through the air, allowing the Patriots to neglect the running game, as they boast the second-highest passing play percentage in the league (66.59%).

On their very first drive, Lewis turned a quick screen into a 17-yard gain on 3rd-and-16. The shifty 5'8" back was able to set up his blocks well in front and turned multiple quick passes into big gains and first downs. He turned all six of his receptions into either first downs or touchdowns in what ended up being a very efficient night by our metrics. Lewis now ranks third among all running backs in Total NEP on the season behind just Devonta Freeman and Danny Woodhead.

The rest of the running backs this week were led by Mark Ingram's +6.32 performance. Todd Gurley now made it four straight weeks of 100-yards on the ground, as he continues to to build his NFL legacy. C.J. Anderson picked up enough garbage time yards to round out the rest of the list, but this backfield is still Ronnie Hillman's (he out-snapped Anderson 38 to 27).

Best of the Rest: