toxic
Footballguy
I had a hunch that short weeks benefit offenses more than defenses, but was lacking any data to support the hunch. Did a very quick analysis on the season so far which yielded 16 observations (2 Thursday teams across 8 weeks). I then compared those 16 performances to the scoring average of those same teams on the season (ideally you would compare them only to the non-Thursday games, but as I said, this was a quick analysis. The results:
Scoring average of teams in Thursday night games: 24.75
Scoring average of those same teams on the season: 23.1
A modest 7% increase
One game was unusually low scoring, in part due to inclement weather (Week 2: Patriots 13-Jets 10). When this game is omitted from the analysis:
Scoring average of teams in Thursday night games: 26.6
Scoring average of those same teams on the season: 23.6
A slightly larger 13% increase
Small sample, relatively small effect. But it suggests that offensive players are a relatively good start on Thursdays, all else equal.
Scoring average of teams in Thursday night games: 24.75
Scoring average of those same teams on the season: 23.1
A modest 7% increase
One game was unusually low scoring, in part due to inclement weather (Week 2: Patriots 13-Jets 10). When this game is omitted from the analysis:
Scoring average of teams in Thursday night games: 26.6
Scoring average of those same teams on the season: 23.6
A slightly larger 13% increase
Small sample, relatively small effect. But it suggests that offensive players are a relatively good start on Thursdays, all else equal.
