NFL: Regression to the Mean, Sample Size, and In-Season Projections

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for NFLSportChannel.com

Published: September 12, 2009

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... is the Curse of the Leading Rusher. You’ve never heard of it before, but it’s an obvious trend. Since 1980, the NFL’s leading rusher has seen his rushing yards fall by 489 yards and his YPC by almost half a yard just one season later. Only six of the 31 leading rushers even increased their rushing yards the following season, and nine had less than 1,000 yards.

Convinced? You shouldn’t be. Their decline is nothing more than regression to the mean and a lack of sample size. Let me explain.

Regression to the Mean

Regression to the mean—also known as the law of averages—is the phenomenon that explains why extreme seasons far from the average (such as a passer rating over 100 or below 70) tend to be closer to the mean the following year.

It’s why we see the leading rusher put up worse numbers the next year, why quarterbacks don’t put up 40 touchdowns in back-to-back years, and, ...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - NFL
Article Source: BleacherReport.com


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