Have you ever watched in frustration as your favorite team inexplicably runs the ball up the middle with little or no success? Do you find yourself thinking, What are they doing? Why don’t they throw the ball more? Am I crazy?



You’re not crazy. The analytics backs up your belief that this type of play calling is illogical.



In the wild-card round last season, for example, the Seattle Seahawks’ offense sputtered as they were eliminated by the Dallas Cowboys 24-22. In reviewing the film, what was most frustrating to watch was Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s blind commitment to running the ball when his team was clearly outmatched up front. The Seahawks’ running backs averaged 2.8 yards per carry while their MVP-caliber quarterback, Russell Wilson, averaged 8.6 yards per pass in the same game.



After the game, coaches didn’t express any regret in sticking with the ground game. Some coaches just can’t...