The historical context
A season total describes accumulated production across opportunities. To compare years responsibly, establish the number of scheduled and played games before drawing a conclusion from a larger total. The NFL’s historical record is a starting point for checking the schedule context, while individual player records establish participation.
A clearer way to read the evidence
Put totals and rates beside each other rather than choosing whichever supports an initial opinion. A per-game figure still needs context about role, attempts and availability. Write down what each denominator includes so a reader can reproduce the calculation. The result is a more transparent comparison, even when reasonable readers still disagree about its interpretation.
Keep in your notes
- Check scheduled and played games.
- Show totals and rates.
- Define every denominator.