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Going for 2 down 8 points: Why NFL teams keep doing it, and why analytics backs them up
Three teams this season have gone with an unconventional 2-point conversion attempt. Here's why they made the right call.


NFL
Ranking the NFL playoff QBs from 1-14: Why we're going Mahomes over Rodgers
Which quarterbacks are playing the best -- and worst -- right now? We stacked the postseason field.

NFL
2020 NFL pass-rushing, run-stopping, blocking leaderboard: Win rate rankings
ESPN Analytics created revolutionary new metrics to measure performance in both the run and pass game. Here are the leaders for the 2020 season.

NBA
NBA draft projections: Best prospects, most overrated and most underrated
Here are our ESPN Sports Analytics projections for the top 100 prospects in the NBA draft.

NCAAF
Which team is most likely to recover from damaging Week 6 loss?
The Allstate Playoff Predictor -- like all of college football -- underwent a shake-up after some surprising Week 6 results.

NFL
Picking seven NFL breakout candidates: Why the Patriots' Chase Winovich could be a star
We used advanced metrics to find players whose impact doesn't always show up on the traditional stat sheet.

NCAAF
Which top-5 team can least afford a loss this coming week?
Here's what the Allstate Playoff Predictor has to say about the CFP chase after the first four weeks of action.

NCAAF
Who has the best chance to make the 2021 College Football Playoff?
Here's what the Allstate Playoff Predictor has to say about the CFP chase after the first three weeks of action.

Buccaneers
NFL
Bruce Arians has adapted his Bucs offense to fit Tom Brady -- but maybe not how you think
When Brady signed with Tampa Bay, there were questions about the scheme fit. Here's what has changed so far.

NFL
Which NFL teams are most, least analytics-advanced? We surveyed 26 team staffers
Which NFL team buys in to analytics the most? Which teams remain skeptical? We surveyed 26 team staffers from around the league for the inside word.

Cowboys
NFL
Why did the Cowboys go for 2 down 9 points? It's all about knowing the future
Dallas coach Mike McCarthy's decision to go for an early 2-point conversion -- even after it failed -- helped his team win the game.

NCAAF
Who has the best chance to make the 2021 College Football Playoff?
Here's what the Allstate Playoff Predictor has to say about the CFP chase after the first three weeks of action.

NFL
Introducing new NFL run-blocking and run-stopping stats: How our metrics work
We created better metrics to measure run-blocking and run-defending. Here's how our model works, and what these stats can do.

Rams
NFL
Aaron Donald is an average run defender -- really: Here's our proof
Yes, that Aaron Donald -- the two-time Defensive Player of the Year and future Hall of Famer. Here's how we can back it up.

Texans
NFL
J.J. Watt: Taking a knee isn't about the flag
In a response to a person tweeting that he was "pretty sure" J.J. Watt would not be taking a knee during the national anthem, the Texans defensive end made it clear that taking a knee is not about the American flag.

NCAAF
Memphis to play Mississippi State in 2028, 2029
The Memphis Tigers will host Mississippi State in 2028 and visit the Bulldogs in 2029 in a new home-and-home series.

NCAA - Other
Former MSU head Simon has charges dismissed
A judge dismissed criminal charges Wednesday against former Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon, stemming from the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal.

Kansas
NCAAM
BPI: Kansas is a bigger favorite to win it all than you might think
It's supposed to be a wide-open year in college basketball. But BPI says the No. 1 Jayhawks are a clear team to beat nationally.

Syracuse
NCAAM
Here are the analytics Jim Boeheim cited in postgame rant (we think)
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim went on a rant against KenPom on Wednesday that you may have found indecipherable. This is what he probably meant.

Duke
NCAAM
Why No. 3 Duke -- fresh off a loss to Clemson -- is still underrated
Your memory might tell you Zion Williamson's Blue Devils were better, but this year's Duke group is improved in several key metrics.

NFL
NFL advanced stat awards: Top performers in pass-rushing, blocking, coverage
Best pass-blocker? Top QB against zone defense? The receiver with the most production on slant routes? We hand out analytics accolades.
ESPN Analytics
ESPN NFL Football Power Index (FPI)
NFL QBR
College Football Power Index (FPI)
College Football Playoff Predictor
PlayStation Player Impact Rating
College Football QBR
NBA Basketball Power Index (BPI)
NBA Basketball Power Index (BPI) Playoff Odds
College Basketball Power Index (BPI)
VIDEO -- Explaining CFB Playoff Predictor
VIDEO -- Explaining PlayStation Player Impact Rating
VIDEO -- Explaining CFB QBR
VIDEO -- Explaining CFB FPI
VIDEO -- Explaining Expected Points Added