The 2018 NFL season was marked by a spike on the offensive side of the ball, thanks in part to scheme creativity, high-end talent and more passing plays. So what will define the 2019 season?
We asked seven of our NFL experts to predict an on- or off-field trend for the upcoming season. Here are some things you might see this year.
A play-action explosion
The rate of play-action across the league has crept up from 19% of dropbacks to 21% and finally to 23% over the past three seasons. But after the Rams reached the Super Bowl running more play-action than any other team, it's particularly in vogue at the moment. And it's also more than just a hot trend: Play-action dropbacks averaged 7.8 yards per play last season, while non-play-action dropbacks managed just 6.1. It makes sense for all teams to run it more. -- Seth Walder, analytics writer
More man coverage from defenses
Watch for more teams to align the free safety in the post and challenge routes at the line of scrimmage with aggressive man-coverage technique. That's going to limit the open voids in coverage, while putting defenders in a positive position to counter the quick-game passing, play-action and run-pass options that we see from today's pro offenses. -- Matt Bowen, NFL analyst
Shorter-term veteran contract extensions
No, quarterbacks haven't followed Kirk Cousins' lead since he signed for three fully guaranteed years in March 2018. But with the end of the CBA looming, more salary-cap growth projected in coming years and uncertainty about what new cap rules will be under the next CBA, don't be surprised if some of the bigger-name guys sign shorter-term deals with more up-front cash and then see where things stand big-picture once those deals expire. -- Dan Graziano, national NFL writer
Trick-play resurgence
Today's top playcallers are eager to spike the game with creativity. Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy showed his gift for gadgetry last season, and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid is at his best when he expands the playbook. And the college influence on the pro game is growing, with Kliff Kingsbury bringing his Air Raid to Arizona. Nothing emboldens good quarterbacks or masks the shortcomings of average ones quite like a triple-layered misdirection play smothered in sauce. -- Jeremy Fowler, Steelers reporter
A jump in offensive holding penalties
NFL officials have been given two points of emphasis for the season: enforcing the helmet rule and focusing on a backside technique they refer to as the "lobster block." Flags spiked early in the preseason, and even if most players adjust, officials will still be looking closely for it during the early part of the regular season. -- Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer
More early-down passing
Over the last 15 years, the rate at which teams have been dialing up throws instead of runs on first down has slowly been climbing. Last year, the league passed 52.7% of the time at the beginning of a series, up from 47.4% in 2006. Teams have begun to realize that passing is more efficient, with the passer rating on those throws hitting a whopping 95.3. I wouldn't be surprised if this rate takes another leap this season, given the abundance of quality quarterbacks. -- Mina Kimes, NFL writer
Air yards per attempt continues to decrease
In 2011, the league was averaging 8.5 air yards per attempt. But that number has decreased every season since. Last year was the first time since the stat was first tracked in 2006 that the league average was below 8.0 yards (7.9 to be exact). -- Vince Masi, ESPN Stats & Information