The NFL Has Changed Drastically in the Past Year, in the most Subtle of Ways
From the average football fan's standpoint, the NFL is the same as its ever been. Teams still pass the ball, run it, screw up in the most critical situations (hint the Giants last week), etc. Yet looking at the game closely, its seems as though the game is changing; it is transitioning into a different phase. If you look at history, the NFL was simply about running the ball (save a few quarterbacks, i.e. Johnny Unitas) until the 1970s, when quarterbacks like Rodger Staubach and Terry Bradshaw emerged. Then, after decades dominated by just running the ball and passing the ball deep, Joe Montana and the 49ers started a new trend by inventing the West Coast offense, resulting in 4 Superbowls. Later, passing became the primary way of moving the ball with the emergence of Dan Marino, John Elway, Steve Young, and Brett Favre
From the average football fan's standpoint, the NFL is the same as its ever been. Teams still pass the ball, run it, screw up in the most critical situations (hint the Giants last week), etc. Yet looking at the game closely, its seems as though the game is changing; it is transitioning into a different phase. If you look at history, the NFL was simply about running the ball (save a few quarterbacks, i.e. Johnny Unitas) until the 1970s, when quarterbacks like Rodger Staubach and Terry Bradshaw emerged. Then, after decades dominated by just running the ball and passing the ball deep, Joe Montana and the 49ers started a new trend by inventing the West Coast offense, resulting in 4 Superbowls. Later, passing became the primary way of moving the ball with the emergence of Dan Marino, John Elway, Steve Young, and Brett Favre
When observing the game, it seems as though almost all the teams are better this year. Bad teams like the Raiders are close to making the playoffs, whereas teams like the Jaguars are only 1 game behind their division. The amount of good teams in the league has taken a rise too. Almost every division and at least 2 elite teams and is extremely competitive. Defenses are also looking better. Teams like Arizona, St. Louis, and Denver have all assembled impressive defensive units. Yet why is it that teams are all of a sudden looking better?
Quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have completely changed the way teams pass the ball. Rather than deciding on a receiver that will be open and throwing him the ball before-hand, Manning and Brady analyze the defensive formations from the line of scrimmage and call the play. If the opposing team is bringing pressure, they throw the ball short. If they have time, they throw the ball deep. Teams are catching onto that. Most clubs have implemented the short passing game, which makes it more difficult for teams to reach the passer. Since defenses have to worry about quickly covering receivers, they can do a better job of running the ball (the only caveat to this is that a team must have a good quarterback to do this). If you look at all of the undefeated teams in the NFL right now, they all utilize some type of this system.
Quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have completely changed the way teams pass the ball. Rather than deciding on a receiver that will be open and throwing him the ball before-hand, Manning and Brady analyze the defensive formations from the line of scrimmage and call the play. If the opposing team is bringing pressure, they throw the ball short. If they have time, they throw the ball deep. Teams are catching onto that. Most clubs have implemented the short passing game, which makes it more difficult for teams to reach the passer. Since defenses have to worry about quickly covering receivers, they can do a better job of running the ball (the only caveat to this is that a team must have a good quarterback to do this). If you look at all of the undefeated teams in the NFL right now, they all utilize some type of this system.
On the defensive side of the ball, teams are implementing a simple strategy: rush the quarterback. It is quite simple, if the quarterback doesn't have time to throw the ball, the can't throw the ball. This is how the New York Giants beat the undefeated New England Patriots in 2007. This allows them to focus of the running game. If you look at really good defenses, like Denver, they have a good secondary on top of a strong pass rush and the number 1 run defense. This makes the game even harder on opposing quarterbacks.
All in all, it seems as though teams are implementing the short passing game, have better defensive lines, and stronger running games this year, resulting in a more competitive league. This will make winning games more competitive and reaching the Superbowl even harder.