Fun Nextgen Stats From Week 16
By Rhys Knott
The Fun NextGen stats from Week 16 tell a story. A story of strong play by wide receivers and defenders. But not so much from running backs.
Week 16’s NextGen Fastest Carries
George Pickens was the most controversial football player in the NFL in Week 15. His decision not to run block for the Steelers led to Mike Tomlin having some words with him. And whatever Tomlin said did the trick. Pickens not only clocked the fastest NextGen carry of the week, but he was second too!
Pickens only caught 4 passes in Week 16, but he racked up 195 yards! He averaged 48.8 yards per catch with Mason Rudolph having a very good Christmas week. Pickens caught both the touchdown passes Rudolph threw and they were his fastest carries.
His 86-yard touchdown reception saw him clock 21.54 mph; the 11th fastest carries of the season. And on his 66-yard touchdown reception he was recorded at 21.50 mph. And that’s the 16th fastest speed of the season.
Jaylen Waddle was third this week. Because those Dolphins can’t miss out. He hit his top speed of 21.03 mph on a 50-yard reception against the Cowboys.
The quickest defender this week was Adoree’ Jackson. And the Giants cornerback hit 20.93 mph as he took a 76-yard interception to the house.
Tee Higgins isn’t usually known as a speedster, he’s more of a physical receiver who never drops the ball. But without Ja’Marr Chase Higgins stepped up for the Bengals. He hit 20.84 mph on an 80-yard touchdown reception against the Steelers.
George Pickens finished with 4 receptions for 195 yards & 2 TDs on 6 targets while generating career-highs in receiving yards over expected (+139) & YAC over expected (+90).
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 24, 2023
Pickens’ +139 receiving YOE are the 3rd-most in a game by any receiver since 2018.#CINvsPIT | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/mtUIXBGeUL
Week 16’s NextGen Remarkable Rushes
Zamir White made the most of Josh Jacob’s injury this week. He rushed for a league leading 145 yards. On his way to racking up those yards he turned what should have been a 3-yard run into 43 yards!
Christian McCaffrey was right up at the top of the MVP conversation until the Ravens handed the 49ers their hats on Monday night. Even though the 49ers offensive line had some serious problems with the Baltimore defense McCaffrey still racked up 131 yards from scrimmage. He rushed for his 7th 100-yard game of the season. And on his way to his 103 yards on the ground he turned a 3 yards gain into a 39-yard run.
Justin Fields is a special talent, a special talent who might be backing up Caleb Williams next season. He ran for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals. And he threw for 170 yards and a touchdown too.
On his way to racking up those 97 yards on the ground he went 34 yards over expected as he carried the ball 39 yards in one go.
Breece Hall is a superhero. He’s responsible for 29% of the Jets’ yards on offense this year! And he’s somehow getting better every week. He had 95 rushing yards and 96 receiving yards on Christmas eve! That was 50.1% of the Jets yards! On his way to those he 95 yards on the ground he broke off a 36-yard run that should have gone just 5.
The Packers missed Aaron Jones while he was injured. But he was back with a boom this week. He racked up a season high 135 yards from scrimmage as the Packers beat the Panthers. He took one of his 21 rushing attempts for 39 yards; it was expected to go for just 9.
Zamir White's vision was on point vs. the Chiefs, and you see it on the last two runs that ended the game.
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) December 27, 2023
On the 1st run, he presses the line, holding the LB with his eyes before hitting the C gap behind Johnson for 43.
2nd run, White shows patience and finds the hole backside… pic.twitter.com/CvstOJURxb
Week 16’s Fastest Sacks
Brian Branch is playing a ridiculous level of football today. He’s EVERYWHERE
— Ben Bosscher (@BosscherBen) December 24, 2023
3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup
The 2Q just startedpic.twitter.com/SdPt55vKrE
Rookie Brian Branch hasn’t been the most consistent Lion, but he has been one of the most impactful in 2023. He’s got 3 interceptions, 1 pick six, recorded 2 QB knock downs. And now he has a fast sack, the fifth fastest of the season! It took Branch just 2.27 seconds to get Nick Mullens on the deck.
Arden Key was a firm favoutrite for the Jags faithful last season. And they really miss him this season now he’s in Tennessee. But he didn’t miss Geno Smith this week. He sacked him in just 2.77 seconds.
Former Packer, current Bill Rasul Douglas adds another DB sack to this week’s list. Douglas picked up one of the Bills’ 5 sacks against the desperate Chargers. Douglas only took 3 seconds to floor Easton Stick.
The Lions Ifeatu Melifonwu had a day out against the Vikings. He ended the game with 1 interception, 5 solo tackles and 2 sacks! One of his sacks took just 3.07 seconds. Melifonwu is having a strong week and a bit. He had the fourth fastest sack last week too.
Patriots inside linebacker Mack Wilson sacked his namesake Russell Wilson in just 3.14 seconds as the Patriots did everything in their power to make their 2024 draft pick worse. Wilson has only played 28% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps this season, but he’s got 3 sacks. Only 4 Patriots players have recorded more this season.
Feature Image Credit: Sport Illustrated
RHYS KNOTT
NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST
Rhys has been watching the NFL for 30 something years and still hasn’t managed to pick a team to support. When he’s not fixatED on pass rushers you can find him blithering on about most sports on Twitter @wrhys_writes