Allowing timed passes 15-25 yards in PLR

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

If we don't go with allowing timed lobs in PLR between the 20-29 then I think Brian's idea has meaningful merit:
Move PLR requirements a bit closer to PM than PRD, meaning just change minimum primary receiver route to 15 or more yards instead of 20 or more.

This creates more flexibility for the check pass in PLR, but not timed pass (which would still be limited to the 15 yard bullet as it is now).

[James-Eagles]

Thanks for compiling those numbers. Interesting that most playoff teams use them the least especially the champs.

That is the reason I asked for the data. I had suspect that PDR aren't being used buy winning teams. It has too low of success rate

[Brian-Broncos]

PLR aren't being called either.

2045 Attempts
GLP: 278 (0.96 calls/game)
PS: 4025 (13.97 calls/game)
PM: 5923 (20.56 calls/game)
PLR: 788 (2.73 calls/game)
PRD: 711 (2.46 calls/games)
Total: 11725 (40.71 calls/game)

Based on data from weeks 1-6 of the 2024 NFL season for passes with 20+ air yards (the only useful data I could find), PLR is called about half as often as in the NFL (PNFL: 6.7%; NFL: 11.5%), for about the same completion percentage (as best as I could tell), for less average yards per completion (PNFL: 18.7; NFL: >20) and with a far higher sack percentage (assumption on my part). I excluded PRD, since those are really Hail Mary's, with too low of completion percentage to be comparable.

I think to make PLR more callable, we need to A) increase yards/completion, B) decrease sacks, and/or C) increase completion percentage, by more than we worsen the others.

Options to improve PLR:
1. change primary receiver route to 15+ (likely worsens A; improves B & C)
2. timed passes (likely improves all three; permanently? or until defense creates new plays?)
3. more blockers (likely improves all three)
4. any other options?

I think option 3 makes the most sense here, but I haven't looked at the blocking rules specifically to know the possible changes. Does it make sense for PLR to just use the same blocking rules as PRD?

[James-Eagles]

PLR aren't being called either.

2045 Attempts
GLP: 278 (0.96 calls/game)
PS: 4025 (13.97 calls/game)
PM: 5923 (20.56 calls/game)
PLR: 788 (2.73 calls/game)
PRD: 711 (2.46 calls/games)
Total: 11725 (40.71 calls/game)

It is important to remember that PLR are only allowed on10+ on 1st and 2nd down and 3rd and 4th down so that seems about right.

Where PS and PM are allowed in all situtations.

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

There is no restriction on number of blockers for any pass play. You simply need to have at least two receivers going out for a pass if it is check pass. So if we need more 2 receiver sets for PLR to increase blockers, it means people need to get into the play editor more.

[Brian-Broncos]

PLR aren't being called either.

2045 Attempts
GLP: 278 (0.96 calls/game)
PS: 4025 (13.97 calls/game)
PM: 5923 (20.56 calls/game)
PLR: 788 (2.73 calls/game)
PRD: 711 (2.46 calls/games)
Total: 11725 (40.71 calls/game)

It is important to remember that PLR are only allowed on10+ on 1st and 2nd down and 3rd and 4th down so that seems about right.

Where PS and PM are allowed in all situtations.

Good point. And I still think improvement is needed to make PLR worth calling.

[Brian-Broncos]

There is no restriction on number of blockers for any pass play. You simply need to have at least two receivers going out for a pass if it is check pass. So if we need more 2 receiver sets for PLR to increase blockers, it means people need to get into the play editor more.

Interesting. Thanks

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

Interesting. Thanks

But there are other restrictions based on realism. Can't have WRs in a 3 point stance or blocking. TEs must start outside of the box but can shift in.

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

I'm working on making new PLR plays for my PNFL offseason submission. Several will be 2-receiver check pass sets with max protection of the QB. All of them have the primary receiver end spot 20+ yards out from the LOS. Will test them via sims before I submit any to Charlie though. I submitted a couple of decent ones in week 16 (LA prefix) that seem to work well so far in the PCFL. My new plays will use the BU prefix (to separate them from the existing BB plays someone else created long ago).

I already submitted 4 timed lob PLRs (between 20-29 from LOS) for use in the PCFL this week. Putting that to the test right away in the PCFL.

[Donovon-Steelers]

This is much needed Steve; there are so few effective PLR plays, and most of those are variations of the same rollout. We definitely need more, thanks for doing this.

I'm working on making new PLR plays for my PNFL offseason submission. Several will be 2-receiver check pass sets with max protection of the QB. All of them have the primary receiver end spot 20+ yards out from the LOS. Will test them via sims before I submit any to Charlie though. I submitted a couple of decent ones in week 16 (LA prefix) that seem to work well so far in the PCFL. My new plays will use the BU prefix (to separate them from the existing BB plays someone else created long ago).

I already submitted 4 timed lob PLRs (between 20-29 from LOS) for use in the PCFL this week. Putting that to the test right away in the PCFL.