NFL Top Ten Plays 2 Yds (6 Feet) of Separation

How many times in NFL game telecasts have you heard: 

“He couldn’t get enough separation” to make the play?

Before the new analytics of AWS and Next Gen stats, it was a guess. Today it is a science. You can read all the graphs and charts but here is the key stat for the purposes of our analysis. SEP is receiver separation from the defense YAC is Yards After Catch.

Click Here to review charts on SEP and YAC

SEP vs. YAC: Although the chart might make it look different, the correlation between these two metrics is also virtually nonexistent with an R-Squared value of just 0.01. Only 27 players are getting 3.5 or more yards of separation on average, and only three of them have been able to gain more than 150 YAC.

So it is a rarity to have great plays within the current COVID19 CDC guidelines of six feet, 2 yards. In anticipation of the game returning this fall, we are highlighting some of the best plays to determine the NFL’s Top Ten Plays 2 Yds (6 Feet) of Separation.

 

10 - Quarterback Sneaks Work - 4^th and 2

In fact, on all 4th and 2 plays in the since the 1998-1999 season, quarterback sneaks were successful 89.7% of the time, greater than the 82.8%

More: https://sports.sites.yale.edu/success-short-yardage-play-types-fourth-down

9 - “The Fumble”

It was not a 2 yard play, but the ball got knocked out of Byner’s hands at the 2 yard line (1/17/88).

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5rQmdKKQgI

8 - William "The Refrigerator" Perry running for a TD in Super Bowl XX (1/26/86)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e59Y9nG9v3A

7 - 49ers George Kittle 4^th down 2 yards vs New Orleans Saints (12/8/19)

More: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-george-kittle-on-the-catch-that-helped-down-the-saints-dont-let-one-guy-tackle-you/

6 - Ray Lewis signature stop 4^th and 2 vs Chargers for the win (9/20/09)

More: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/7/14/8958719/the-one-play-that-defines-who-ray-lewis-was-as-a-player

5 - Undefeated Patriots vs Indy Classic

Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick had the team go for it on 4^th down (11/15/09).

More: https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/ten-years-ago-today-fourth-and-2-bill-belichick-made-one-his-most-controversial-decisions

4 - Iconic Walter Payton goaline leaps

More: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap3000000676237/Walter-Payton-leaping

3 - Marion Barber's infamous 2 yard run (10/14/07)

https://fanbuzz.com/nfl/marion-barber-two-yard-run/

2 - 28-3 Patriots comeback over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI (2/5/17)

More: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/2/5/14518408/james-white-super-bowl-2017-patriots-falcons-last-play

1 - “Philly” Special Super Bowl LII  vs Patriots (2/4/18)

More: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/12/nfl-best-decade-2010s-eagles-philly-special