Next Gen Stats continues to evolve how we can quantify what we see on Sundays (and Mondays, Thursdays, an occasional Friday or Saturday and some other days). Senior NFL Researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno tried to uncover some hidden gems using NFL Pro data.
Here are nine outrageous Next Gen Stats entering Week 16…
NOTE: Data from NFL Pro and Next Gen Stats. Follow Tony Holzman-Escareno and Next Gen Stats on X for most stats like these.
1. Justin Herbert’s Heroics
We mentioned the pressure Justin Herbert has been under in this same spot last week. Also of note on the topic, Herbert has faced a 43.9 pressure percentage this season, the second-highest among 184 quarterbacks with 450-plus pass attempts in a season in the Next Gen Stats era (Deshaun Watson, 45.6% in 2018). The Chargers have also used 27 different offensive line combinations this season, tied with the Saints for the most in the NFL. Despite this, Herbert has found a way. He leads the NFL in pass touchdowns under pressure (T-9), on the run (9), outside the pocket (9), and on scrambles (T-5).
2. Will Anderson Jr. 3rd-Down Pressure
Will Anderson Jr.'s third-down prowess has been brought up in the column before. His 54 total disruptions (sacks plus QB hits plus pressures) on third down pace the NFL this season. Anderson leads the NFL with 42 quarterback pressures on third down—11 more than the next closest player this season (Myles Garrett, 31). In fact, Anderson is one shy of tying the single-season NGS record of 43 such pressures currently held by Myles Garrett (2024) and Maxx Crosby (2021).
3. Drake Maye Outside the Numbers
Drake Maye has been uber-efficient outside the numbers this season. Mayes leads the NFL in completion percentage (69.2) and passer rating (122.1) on such passes, while his 15 pass touchdowns are second to only Matthew Stafford (17) this season. Maye has a +11.0 completion percentage over expected on throws outside the numbers this season, the highest in a single season in the Next Gen Stats era.
4. Jared Goff Inside the Numbers
On the other side of the ball location coin, Jared Goff leads the NFL in pass yards (2,785), pass yards per attempt (9.4) and passer rating (120.3) on throws inside the numbers this season, while his 19 pass touchdowns are second, also behind only Matthew Stafford (20). This has also powered his receivers’ production in the middle of the field, as both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams each rank in the top four in yards on those targets this season. St. Brown ranks second with 820 such yards, while Williams ranks fourth with 698.
5. Trey McBride Aligned in the Slot
Trey McBride has 105 receptions this season, on pace to be the first tight end to lead the NFL in receptions in a season since Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez in 2004. Almost half of McBride’s receptions have come when aligned in the slot, where he has the most receptions (50), receiving yards (559), receiving touchdowns (T-4), and forced missed tackles (16) in the NFL this season. He would be the second player in the Next Gen Stats era to lead the league in catches, yards, and touchdowns from the slot in the same season, joining Cooper Kupp in his 2021 Offensive Player of the Year campaign. McBride would be the first tight end over that span to pace the NFL in slot receiving yards.
6. Nik Bonitto Quick Pressure Percentage
Nik Bonitto has 67 quarterback pressures this season, tied for the fourth most in the NFL. However, it is the speed at which he gets pressure that has stood out most. Bonitto leads the NFL with 37 quick pressures, and his 10.9 quick pressure percentage is the fourth highest in a season over the last five seasons (minimum 200 pass rush snaps). The other four instances in the top five are two seasons each from Micah Parsons (2021, 2023) and Myles Garrett (2022, 2023).
NGS definition: quick pressure (under 2.5 seconds)
7. Dak Prescott by Coverage
Dak Prescott leads the NFL with 3,931 passing yards and is on pace to be the first Cowboys player to do so. He’s been able to do it against basically any defense he’s seen. He has the most passing yards against 2-man (263), Cover 2 (667), and Cover 6 (431), while ranking second against Cover 1 (855) and top six against both Cover 0 (191, 4th) and Cover 4 (568, 6th).
8. Keaton Mitchell’s Speed
Keaton Mitchell's speed has never been a secret, but his ability to hit that sixth gear has been on full display of late. Mitchell is tied with Jonathan Taylor and Jahmyr Gibbs with six carries reaching at least 20 miles per hour. However, the difference in each player’s opportunity share has been stark. Taylor has 272 carries. Gibbs has had 200 carries. Mitchell has just 39. Mitchell has had one such carry in each of his last three games (Weeks 13-15).
9. Raiders’ OT Problems
The offensive line has been an issue in Las Vegas all season. Only three players have allowed at least 10 sacks in pass protection this season. Two of them are the Raiders’ starting offensive tackles. Raiders left tackle Stone Forsythe has allowed the most sacks in the NFL with 11.5, while right tackle DJ Glaze has allowed the third most with 10.0. Titans' left tackle Dan Moore is the only other player to allow double-digit sacks this season (11.0).