Who will be the Passing Yards Leader in 2020?
The battle for who will lead the league in passing yards always adds a little added intrigue to the back end of the season. Last year we saw Jameis Winston break a stranglehold on the award by the combination of Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger, who had won eight of the previous nine awards. With no clear cut candidate in 2020, who do our analysts believe will lead the league in passing yards this season?
Our Analyst's Picks
Alex Chinery (Head of Analytics): Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
To win the passing yards title you need a few things to go your way. You need to be on a team that is around .500 so that you have to throw to win games. You have to be in an offense that isn’t brilliant at converting in the red zone and more often than not you need to play for a coach that is desperate to win games. Stafford and the Lions tick all three.
Ben Rolfe (Head of NFL Content): Patrick Mahomes
I am going to just keep this one simple. Mahomes is a superb passer in a very aggressive offense with incredible deep threats. The Chiefs running game is also highly questionable and with a somewhat porous defense in areas, the Chiefs will need to throw plenty throughout the season.
To hear more thoughts from Alex and Ben about what they expect in the 2020 NFL season check out the Seven Step Drop Podcast. Available on all major podcast platforms.
Callum Squires (NFL Analyst): Dak Prexcott, Dallas Cowboys
It’s between Prescott and Mahomes for me, but I’m in on Prescott and the Cowboys being veeeeeery good this year. I believe they win the NFC East comfortably and when your targets are Cooper, Gallup, (contender for OROY) CeeDee Lamb and (breakout candidate) Blake Jarwin… someone will be open. There is lots of deep passing in Prescott’s arsenal and Zeke can hold the attention of the linebackers, opening up passing windows. Prescott wins this to get his big contract.
Michael Norbury (NFL Betting Analyst): Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan probably would have been third last year behind Winston and Prescott if not for missing a game. Winston won’t play and Prescott’s under a new scheme, Ryan looks a solid bet.
Paul Mainwaring (NFL Analyst): Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
I think Roethlisberger returns with a bang this season and with his weapons will get a lot of yards.
Simon Carroll (Head of NFL Draft Content): Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
He might not have got a new deal, but Jerry did provide Dak with another weapon to throw to this offseason. CeeDee Lamb joins the re-signed Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup in a scary aerial attack in Arlington. Prescott, who finished second in passing yards last year, could be off the charts in new head coach Mike McCarthy’s QB-friendly offense.
Steve Moore (NFL Betting Analyst): Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady will not lead the league in air yards, but the Buccaneers run game will still not be worth a thing so he will end up having to pass 50 times a game!
Tom Scott (NFL and Fantasy Football Analyst): Russell Wilson
Mr Unlimited himself, Russell Wilson. The Seattle backfield is riddled with injuries. Wilson will need to rely on D.K Metcalf and Tyler Loc.kett to win games in 2020.