There was hope for the Cleveland Browns and their analytics-based approach., but a 0-16 season proved the method is far from infallible. However, several teams do use an analytical approach. At least two did so with great success this season—because they are playing in Super Bowl 52.
Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots make use of analytics as a tool with free agency, the draft, and on Game Day.
Patriots fans are well aware of how much Bill Belichick does not care for analytics, but the Philadelphia Eagles have made no secret of their love for the approach. Earlier this season, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie told the Philadelphia Inquirer it’s why Pederson takes such an aggressive approach to fourth downs.
“When you do the math you really want to try to be more aggressive than the public would normally anticipate. I think the smarter teams do it that way,” Lurie said (via PFT). “And you can fail. When you have a 42 percent to 58, and you chose the 58 and . . . you may lose it, [critics say], ‘Oh, how could you make that decision?’ Well, because it gave you the best chance to win.”
While it may be surprising to hear the Patriots are fans of analytics, it’s true. Belichick just doesn’t want to give away his trade secrets if he doesn’t have to. One of his most trusted advisers is Patriots football research director, Ernie Adams.
Before working with Belichick for the last two decades (in Cleveland and with the Patriots), Adams was a municipal bonds trader. Analyzing sports data can be described as similar to economic data. Heck, Patriots owner Robert Kraft owns an analytics company, the Kraft Analytics Group, so it only makes sense that the team would use them to some degree.
Belichick will never admit it. That’s OK. We know the truth.
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