The 2024 NFL season kicked off with a thrilling Week 1, filled with standout performances and early overreactions. While some teams got off to a strong start, the true test of endurance lies ahead as the journey to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans begins.
A key metric in evaluating quarterback performance is air yards per attempt, which measures the average distance a pass travels before being caught. This statistic provides insight into how dynamic an offense can be and whether a team is pushing the ball downfield or relying on shorter passes. In Week 1, quarterbacks with lower air yards per attempt generally struggled, revealing potential issues in offensive schemes or quarterback confidence.
AFC Standings Ordered by Air Yards Per Attempt
In the AFC, Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts led the league with an impressive 8.6 air yards per attempt, though the Colts still fell short in their game. Trevor Lawrence (5.9) and C.J. Stroud (5.4) followed closely, showing the AFC South’s willingness to throw deep. Notably, Patrick Mahomes (4.3) of the Kansas City Chiefs leaned on short and intermediate passes, resulting in 171 of his 291 passing yards coming after the catch. Lamar Jackson (3.3) and Deshaun Watson (1.9) struggled significantly, with Watson failing to complete a pass over 5 yards in the first half of the Browns’ game.
NFC Standings Ordered by Air Yards Per Attempt
In the NFC, Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings topped the charts with 6.2 air yards per attempt, helping his team secure a win. Brock Purdy (5.8) and Derek Carr (5.6) also had solid outings, while rookies like Caleb Williams (2.1) of the Chicago Bears and Jayden Daniels (2.3) of the Washington Commanders were eased into their roles with shorter, safer throws. Despite the limited deep passing, both rookie quarterbacks have time to develop and adapt to the NFL pace.
Takeaways from Week 1
While air yards per attempt doesn’t tell the whole story, it does highlight which quarterbacks are struggling to push the ball downfield. With some teams relying heavily on the short passing game, the upcoming weeks will reveal whether these strategies can evolve into more dynamic offenses. Despite early passing challenges, quarterbacks and teams have ample time to make adjustments as the season progresses.
