In the NFL, numbers do not tell the whole story.
But they can help.
As part of the SB Nation NFL preview, here is one stat or number to know for each team. In some cases it is a reflection of an area where they need to improve, for others it is a strength that the team needs to replicate in 2026 if they are going to make a deep playoff run.
The numbers an NFL team needs are all around them.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: 28.3
There is almost no question that the Buffalo Bills are defined by their offense.
And that 28.3 number is how many points the Bills scored per game a season ago, ranking fourth in the NFL and second in the AFC. However, they trailed the New England Patriots both in the division, and in the AFC, as the Patriots averaged 28.8 points per game.
But if the Bills are going to make the deep playoff run their fans are hoping for, they’ll need another big number in this category in 2026.
Miami Dolphins: 3.37:1
This one might take some explaining.
It goes without saying that the Miami Dolphins are going through a bit of a financial makeover, and a quick scan of the team’s page on Over the Cap illustrates why. The Dolphins are paying a lot of dead cap this year — money to players no longer on the team.
Led by the more than $55 million to Tua Tagovailoa.
As such, the “3.37:1” ratio above reflects the amount of active roster cash the Dolphins are paying, to cash paid to players not on the team.
As Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap notes here, the league median is 97:1.
New England Patriots: 56.5
That number, 56.5, is the Adjusted Completion Percentage that Drake Maye posted on throws of 20 yards or more last regular season, as charted by Pro Football Focus. That ranked second among qualified passers last season, behind only Sam Darnold.
However, that number dipped to 36.4 in the playoffs, as the competition got tougher.
Perhaps A.J. Brown — who caught four touchdowns on those throws a season ago — can help?
New York Jets: 0
You probably know what we are referring to here.
But the 2025 New York Jets set an NFL record, becoming the first team in league history to go a full season without creating an interception.
If the preseason is any indication, this year’s squad should avoid a similar fate. The Jets snared three interceptions in the preseason, behind only the Washington Commanders and the Buffalo Bills.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: 19%
It was a fascinating offseason for the Baltimore Ravens, who initially traded for Maxx Crosby, backed out of that deal to acquire Trey Hendrickson, signed Calais Campbell, and drafted Zion Young.
That 19% — which represents the percentage of plays where the Ravens defense pressured opposing passers last year — is a reason why. That was the fifth-lowest percentage in the league last year, and in the AFC only the New York Jets were worse.
Cincinnati Bengals: 28.9
The defense in Cincinnati has been an issue for a few seasons now, including 2025. Last year the Bengals gave up a whopping 28.9 points per game, third-most in the NFL.
Cincinnati added three big names up front: Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, and Boye Mafe. Can they help bring that down to at least league average? If so, this team could finally get back to the playoffs … and save Zac Taylor’s job.
Cleveland Browns: 21.0
The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback to open the season.
That number, 21.0, is the QBR he posted over the seven games he started for the Browns during the 2024 season, before he suffered an Achilles injury that ended his season, and cost him the 2025 campaign.
Some around the league believe the decision is more of a two-week trial for Watson, as Cleveland begins the year with a pair of road games before their home opener in Week 3. But if Watson is going to keep his job, he’ll need to be better than that number.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 6.0
That number reflects the Intended Air Yards per Passing Attempt from Aaron Rodgers last season.
It was the lowest mark of his career, since that number was first charted during the 2018 season.
It also ranked Rodgers 33rd among 33 qualified passers in the league a year ago.
Not that IAY/PA is everything, but can Rodgers push the ball downfield a bit more this season? And under Mike McCarthy?
AFC South
Houston Texans: 61.7
C.J. Stroud posted a QBR of 61.7 last season.
On the one hand, it was the best single-season mark of his career, and it ranked him 12th among qualified passers in the NFL.
On the other, it was behind Mac Jones and Daniel Jones.
The defense is going to be good yet again. But can Stroud deliver this season? That might be the biggest question facing this team, and the quarterback himself, as he looks for a big-money contract extension.
Indianapolis Colts: 52%
What might this refer to?
This was the passing success rate posted by Daniel Jones last season, the highest mark of his career.
Of course, another number that could define the Colts is 44: The age of Philip Rivers when he came out of retirement to step in for an injured Daniel Jones last December.
The 2025 Colts rolled into their bye week with an 8-2 record, cementing themselves as one of the biggest surprises of the early season. But wheels came off after the buy as the Colts lost the final seven games on their schedule to finish 8-9, a stretch that included Jones’ injury and Rivers coming out of retirement.
Can Jones stay healthy this year? And if so, can he replicate that success rate again in 2026?
Jacksonville Jaguars: 162
We’re zeroing in on a specific player with this number.
Specifically, Travis Hunter.
162 is the number of defensive snaps Hunter played during his rookie season, compared to the 324 he played on offense. But expect that number to increase dramatically this season, as the two-way player has focused largely on the defensive side of the ball during training camp. If he grows into the CB1 he can be, this defense should take a big step forward.
Tennessee Titans: 4.6
If the Tennessee Titans are going to take a step forward in 2026, they will need a much better season from second-year passer Cam Ward.
How much better?
Well, 4.6 is the Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt that Ward delivered last season, ranking 31st out of 33 qualified passers. Only Geno Smith and J.J. McCarthy posted a lower number.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: 18.3
The 2025 Denver Broncos allowed just 18.3 points per game last year, the third-best mark in the NFL.
Can they keep that level of play this season? They’ll begin the year without Jonathon Cooper, who was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, but this veteran team is largely intact from last year, with John Franklin-Myers perhaps the biggest departure, as he left for Tennessee.
Kansas City Chiefs: 6.2
Last season, the league average Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt (ANY/A) among NFL passers was 6.0.
Patrick Mahomes checked in with a mark of 6.2 before his season-ending knee injury.
By all accounts, Mahomes is back healthy and ready to go in Week 1, but this will be something to watch. Quarterbacks coming back from a significant knee injury often take some time to build trust in the lower body, both while moving around in the pocket and with their throwing motion. How quickly can Mahomes get up to full speed … and how quickly can he improve on that number from last year?
Las Vegas Raiders: 46.3%
While the focus in Las Vegas is on the quarterback situation, with Fernando Mendoza waiting in the wings behind newly minted starter Kirk Cousins, the Raiders have a host of questions to answer on the defensive side of the ball.
Starting with this: Can they get off the field on third downs?
Last year, the Raiders allowed third-down conversions on 46.3% of such plays, the third-most in the league. Only the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers allowed a higher percentage of such conversions. Getting off the field on third down will help this team … and whoever is under center.
Los Angeles Chargers: 27
What does that 27 represent? That is the number of games that starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater missed last season, with Alt going down early in the year and Slater missing the entire 2025 campaign.
That led to this number: 18. That is the number of offensive line combinations the Chargers used a year ago, most in the NFL. Hopefully, that trend does not continue in Los Angeles, but losing center Tyler Biadasz for the year with a serious knee injury is not the best start …
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: 30
That’s the number of years it’s been since the Cowboys made it to the NFC Championship Game. The Super Bowl is always the dream, but Dallas has struggled to even take a half-step and make it to the Conference Final to prove that they can be a perennial threat. Brian Schottenheimer’s first season was a step in the right direction, but there’s a long way to go.
New York Giants: 25.8
This is how many points teams averaged against the Giants in 2025, which ranked 26th in the NFL. For all the attention that Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo get, it will all be for naught if this team can’t buckle down and stop the scoring. John Harbaugh has always run a tight defensive ship with a focus on the secondary, so the defensive backs getting their butts in gear will be paramount to the team’s success this year.
Philadelphia Eagles: 29.3
The length of the Eagles’ average drive in 2025 was abysmal. Ranking 25th in the NFL in yards-per-drive is unacceptable for a team with the offensive weapons Philly has, and it’s a huge factor why this team ditched Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator. Sean Mannion brings fresh eyes to the operation, and the hope is that the explosiveness he helped bring to the Packers will breathe some life into this unit.
Washington Commanders: 7
Jayden Daniels’ number of starts was the biggest issue for the Commanders offense in 2025, which had to limp along with Marcus Mariota under center and essentially just wait for the season to be over. There were some growing pains as Kliff Kingsbury expanded the playbook last year, but Daniels is up for the task – he just needs to stay on the field for Washington to have a shot.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: 29
Ben Johnson certainly worked wonders on the Bears’ offense in his first year as head coach, but defensively this team was bad. Ranking 29th in the NFL and allowing over 360 yards per game, it simply put too much pressure on Caleb Williams and the offense to keep bailing the Bears out. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen needs to get more out of his unit to be a serious contender, it’s as simple as that.
Detroit Lions: 2-4
Detroit’s record against their NFC North opponents was the top reason for a down year. Inconsistency marred this team on every level in 2025 when it came to the North, as the Lions managed to go 2-0 against the Bears, but 0-2 against both the Packers, and more alarmingly, the Vikings. This team is infinitely better than it showed last season, and they will need to assert themselves inside their division before thinking about the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers: 6.9
The number of plays allowed by the Packers per drive on defense last year ranked 32nd in the NFL. This team was remarkably good at stopping teams from scoring considering that number, but it also routinely meant that the offense was marred with a bad starting position for their drives. The switch to Jonathan Gannon at defensive coordinator as Jeff Hafley goes to Miami could be addition by subtraction for the Pack.
Minnesota Vikings: 2
The number of touchdown receptions for Justin Jefferson was a career-low in 2025 as the Vikings had massive issues at quarterback for the entire season. When you look at this roster it doesn’t really matter who is under center, so long as they can get Jefferson the ball. Kyler Murray has the capability to succeed where J.J. McCarthy failed, and lift this team back up.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: 608
Marvin Harrison Jr. need to develop, it’s that simple. These were the number of receiving yards the young pass catcher had in 2025, and it’s getting to the point where there are real concerns whether or not he can hang in the NFL – which seemed impossible when he was drafted. There are only two goals for the Cards this season: Lose a whole lot of games, and get Harrison Jr. playing like a pro.
Los Angeles Rams: 5
That’s the number of Defensive Player of the Year awards split between Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald, who now find themselves on the same team as the Rams begin their 2026 campaign as the favorites to win the Super Bowl. While this looks incredible on paper, there’s going to be a few pain points as these two defensive legends learn to play together.
San Francisco 49ers: 194
The total number of games missed last season by the TWENTY THREE players who were placed on IR at some point during the 2025 season. That is really all that matters to this team. They just need to be healthy enough to field their top players and they’ll have a shot.
Seattle Seahawks: 1.48
The number of points scored per drive by Seahawks opponents in 2025. It was a truly unreal number that led Seattle to the NFL’s best defense. The Super Bowl Champs mostly have the same unit in place, but most-importantly, they still have Mike Macdonald, who is the architect of this whole thing.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: 0
The number of quarterbacks on the Falcons roster who are worth a damn. Sorry, but it’s true. Needing to settle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. is like deciding where you want to be stabbed, and that means all the pressure will be on Bijan Robinson to carry the offensive load in 2026.
Carolina Panthers: 21
This was Carolina’s rank in pass attempts last season, with the offense deciding to be much more run heavy due to a lack of weapons for Bryce Young. Outside of Tetairoa McMillan this team was lacking for a receiver for the majority of the season as Jalen Coker was hurt, and Xavier Legette underperformed. This year the Panthers need to throw the ball more, generate more explosive plays, and stop being a “run twice, throw, punt” team.
New Orleans Saints: 4
The Saints went 6-11 on the 2025 season, but four of those wins game after the team’s bye week in November. It took time for this unit to gel together, but towards the end of the season Kellen Moore had New Orleans looking like a real football team, and more importantly: Believing they could win. Riding that wave of late-season success will define the team in 2026.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 14
The number of spots the Buccaneers’ scoring offense fell in 2025 as they went from being one of the league’s best units with Baker Mayfield under center, to one of the most mediocre. A lot of this was due to some key injuries, but still, the Bucs need to find ways to punch the ball into the end zone in 2026 if they hope to stay relevant in the NFC South.