Offensive: Passing · Pass Air Yds (IAY)
What Pass Air Yds (IAY) is
Air yards: how far the ball travelled in the air on every pass attempt, completed or not, added up. It describes how deep an offense throws, separate from what happened after the catch. A high number means a downfield passing game; a low one means a short, quick one.
Higher is better. It is shown per game, so a team's number does not depend on games played. Source: P + N.
In 2021 the Buccaneers led at 346.7; the league average was 266.9.
League snapshot — 2021
All 32 teams, higher is better.
| Rank | Team | Value | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TB | 346.7 | 17 |
| 2 | BUF | 315 | 17 |
| 3 | BAL | 307.8 | 17 |
| 4 | LAR | 302 | 17 |
| 5 | DAL | 300.9 | 17 |
| 6 | LV | 300.9 | 17 |
| 7 | LAC | 298.9 | 17 |
| 8 | KC | 292.1 | 17 |
| 9 | MIN | 284.8 | 17 |
| 10 | JAX | 280.3 | 17 |
| 11 | SEA | 271.7 | 17 |
| 12 | GB | 269.3 | 17 |
| 13 | DEN | 267.8 | 17 |
| 14 | CHI | 264.4 | 17 |
| 15 | MIA | 263 | 17 |
| 16 | PIT | 261.1 | 17 |
| 17 | ARI | 260.3 | 17 |
| 18 | CAR | 259.8 | 17 |
| 19 | CIN | 258.6 | 17 |
| 20 | NYG | 256.6 | 17 |
| 21 | NYJ | 255.8 | 17 |
| 22 | CLE | 252.5 | 17 |
| 23 | NE | 252.2 | 17 |
| 24 | PHI | 248.8 | 17 |
| 25 | ATL | 243.7 | 17 |
| 26 | WAS | 242.4 | 17 |
| 27 | TEN | 235.6 | 17 |
| 28 | SF | 235.5 | 17 |
| 29 | IND | 235.3 | 17 |
| 30 | HOU | 235.1 | 17 |
| 31 | DET | 222.5 | 17 |
| 32 | NO | 220.3 | 17 |
At a glance — 2021
Where the 32 teams sit on this stat this season.
All teams — 2021
| Rank | Team | Value | Δ vs avg | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TB | 346.7 | 79.77 | 100% |
| 2 | BUF | 315 | 48.07 | 96.8% |
| 3 | BAL | 307.8 | 40.83 | 93.5% |
| 4 | LAR | 302 | 35.07 | 90.3% |
| 5 | DAL | 300.9 | 34.01 | 87.1% |
| 6 | LV | 300.9 | 33.95 | 83.9% |
| 7 | LAC | 298.9 | 32.01 | 80.6% |
| 8 | KC | 292.1 | 25.13 | 77.4% |
| 9 | MIN | 284.8 | 17.89 | 74.2% |
| 10 | JAX | 280.3 | 13.36 | 71% |
| 11 | SEA | 271.7 | 4.77 | 67.7% |
| 12 | GB | 269.3 | 2.36 | 64.5% |
| 13 | DEN | 267.8 | 0.83 | 61.3% |
| 14 | CHI | 264.4 | -2.52 | 58.1% |
| 15 | MIA | 263 | -3.93 | 54.8% |
| 16 | PIT | 261.1 | -5.81 | 51.6% |
| 17 | ARI | 260.3 | -6.64 | 48.4% |
| 18 | CAR | 259.8 | -7.11 | 45.2% |
| 19 | CIN | 258.6 | -8.28 | 41.9% |
| 20 | NYG | 256.6 | -10.28 | 38.7% |
| 21 | NYJ | 255.8 | -11.11 | 35.5% |
| 22 | CLE | 252.5 | -14.46 | 32.3% |
| 23 | NE | 252.2 | -14.70 | 29% |
| 24 | PHI | 248.8 | -18.11 | 25.8% |
| 25 | ATL | 243.7 | -23.23 | 22.6% |
| 26 | WAS | 242.4 | -24.58 | 19.4% |
| 27 | TEN | 235.6 | -31.34 | 16.1% |
| 28 | SF | 235.5 | -31.46 | 12.9% |
| 29 | IND | 235.3 | -31.64 | 9.7% |
| 30 | HOU | 235.1 | -31.81 | 6.5% |
| 31 | DET | 222.5 | -44.40 | 3.2% |
| 32 | NO | 220.3 | -46.64 | 0% |
Does Pass Air Yds (IAY) matter against the spread?
Run as a one-stat algorithm against the closing line, this stat went 777–801–37 ATS (49.2%) across 2020–2025, #265 of 296 ranked.
Its best season was 2025 (144–125, 53.5%); its worst 2024 (108–155, 41.1%).
For picks, this is noise. One stat is not a recipe — the algorithms combine many.
| Season | Games | ATS record | ATS % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 256 | 129–125–2 | 50.8% |
| 2021 | 272 | 127–143–2 | 47.0% |
| 2022 | 271 | 140–124–7 | 53.0% |
| 2023 | 272 | 129–129–14 | 50.0% |
| 2024 | 272 | 108–155–9 | 41.1% |
| 2025 | 272 | 144–125–3 | 53.5% |
Pass Air Yds (IAY) in 2021 vs 2020
Buccaneers lead at 346.7 — they ranked #1 last year. Saints are last at 220.3 — #31 last year.
The league average is 266.9, down 10.90 from 277.8 last year.
Biggest riser: Ravens, #30 → #3. Biggest faller: Lions, #7 → #31.
Spread between first and last: 126.4; 19 teams are within 28.80 of the average.
Year-over-year — 2021 vs 2020
Biggest movers from last season.
YoY by team — 2021 vs 2020
| Rank | Team | 2021 | 2020 | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BAL | 307.8 | 220.7 | +87.08 |
| 2 | NE | 252.2 | 187.2 | +65.05 |
| 3 | LAR | 302 | 246.1 | +55.94 |
| 4 | MIN | 284.8 | 256.4 | +28.39 |
| 5 | LV | 300.9 | 280.8 | +20.13 |
| 6 | NO | 220.3 | 203.4 | +16.86 |
| 7 | GB | 269.3 | 258.4 | +10.86 |
| 8 | WAS | 242.4 | 231.9 | +10.42 |
| 9 | NYG | 256.6 | 249.4 | +7.21 |
| 10 | LAC | 298.9 | 294.9 | +4.07 |
| 11 | DAL | 300.9 | 297.4 | +3.50 |
| 12 | CAR | 259.8 | 257.1 | +2.70 |
| 13 | SF | 235.5 | 236.4 | −0.97 |
| 14 | MIA | 263 | 267 | −4 |
| 15 | TB | 346.7 | 352.5 | −5.79 |
| 16 | BUF | 315 | 320.8 | −5.81 |
| 17 | NYJ | 255.8 | 265.4 | −9.55 |
| 18 | CLE | 252.5 | 264.8 | −12.34 |
| 19 | IND | 235.3 | 247.9 | −12.58 |
| 20 | TEN | 235.6 | 253.7 | −18.10 |
| 21 | ARI | 260.3 | 279.7 | −19.39 |
| 22 | JAX | 280.3 | 303.6 | −23.33 |
| 23 | KC | 292.1 | 318.9 | −26.88 |
| 24 | PIT | 261.1 | 291.1 | −29.94 |
| 25 | SEA | 271.7 | 302.1 | −30.42 |
| 26 | CIN | 258.6 | 295.4 | −36.79 |
| 27 | CHI | 264.4 | 304.4 | −39.96 |
| 28 | DEN | 267.8 | 314.1 | −46.36 |
| 29 | HOU | 235.1 | 304.2 | −69.07 |
| 30 | PHI | 248.8 | 334.8 | −85.99 |
| 31 | DET | 222.5 | 311.3 | −88.78 |
| 32 | ATL | 243.7 | 338.6 | −94.86 |
Multi-year context
7-year window (2020–2026)
Multi-year averages
| Rank | Team | Avg | Slope/yr | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TB | 289.1 | −20.83 | 352.5 | 346.7 | 303.6 | 286.2 | 233.4 | 264.9 | 236 |
| 2 | HOU | 287.1 | +9.33 | 304.2 | 235.1 | 256.4 | 304.5 | 273.7 | 280.3 | 355.4 |
| 3 | DAL | 286.5 | −0.73 | 297.4 | 300.9 | 262.9 | 282 | 275.6 | 298.2 | 288.2 |
| 4 | BUF | 283.8 | −16.48 | 320.8 | 315 | 330.4 | 295.4 | 250.7 | 212.6 | 261.8 |
| 5 | LAR | 281.7 | +16.32 | 246.1 | 302 | 218.4 | 265.1 | 242.6 | 319.3 | 378.8 |
| 6 | JAX | 273.5 | −7.47 | 303.6 | 280.3 | 256 | 293 | 269.8 | 287.1 | 224.8 |
| 7 | LAC | 272.1 | −8.21 | 294.9 | 298.9 | 265.9 | 278.4 | 256.6 | 267.4 | 242.4 |
| 8 | GB | 271.7 | +4.98 | 258.4 | 269.3 | 263.4 | 290.6 | 246.3 | 251.9 | 322.2 |
| 9 | LV | 270.1 | −8.77 | 280.8 | 300.9 | 315.2 | 251.8 | 262.1 | 188.7 | 291.4 |
| 10 | CIN | 266.0 | −1.00 | 295.4 | 258.6 | 260.8 | 228.1 | 271.4 | 276.9 | 270.4 |
| 11 | NO | 265.0 | +17.28 | 203.4 | 220.3 | 267.6 | 295.1 | 260.6 | 281.6 | 326.2 |
| 12 | KC | 263.2 | −14.02 | 318.9 | 292.1 | 277.2 | 240.9 | 223.9 | 266.6 | 222.8 |
| 13 | ARI | 261.9 | −0.39 | 279.7 | 260.3 | 270.8 | 246.2 | 217.5 | 274.1 | 284.6 |
| 14 | PHI | 261.5 | −11.95 | 334.8 | 248.8 | 261.3 | 284.9 | 204.9 | 263.7 | 232.2 |
| 15 | CLE | 261.0 | −6.45 | 264.8 | 252.5 | 261.9 | 311.7 | 302.3 | 222.6 | 211 |
| 16 | CAR | 258.1 | +9.95 | 257.1 | 259.8 | 195.4 | 263.6 | 262.6 | 202.9 | 365.5 |
| 17 | MIN | 258.0 | −12.88 | 256.4 | 284.8 | 295 | 290 | 272.1 | 221 | 186.4 |
| 18 | CHI | 257.5 | −1.35 | 304.4 | 264.4 | 201.5 | 222.1 | 266.7 | 290.8 | 252.4 |
| 19 | WAS | 256.3 | +6.63 | 231.9 | 242.4 | 261.9 | 280.4 | 234.8 | 235.2 | 307.6 |
| 20 | PIT | 256.1 | −3.78 | 291.1 | 261.1 | 276.9 | 222.6 | 232.1 | 192.9 | 316.2 |
| 21 | IND | 256.1 | +5.82 | 247.9 | 235.3 | 225.7 | 250.3 | 319.6 | 257.6 | 256 |
| 22 | MIA | 254.4 | −7.89 | 267 | 263 | 312.9 | 253.3 | 218.3 | 197.8 | 268.4 |
| 23 | DEN | 253.4 | −17.56 | 314.1 | 267.8 | 294 | 220.8 | 242.9 | 264 | 169.8 |
| 24 | DET | 249.2 | −2.53 | 311.3 | 222.5 | 243.2 | 240.4 | 205.1 | 219.5 | 302.4 |
| 25 | NYG | 248.1 | +8.65 | 249.4 | 256.6 | 196.1 | 222.7 | 236.4 | 263.1 | 312.4 |
| 26 | SEA | 248.0 | −14.73 | 302.1 | 271.7 | 254.1 | 242.4 | 242 | 221.1 | 202.4 |
| 27 | ATL | 247.7 | −19.07 | 338.6 | 243.7 | 237.2 | 255.6 | 262.7 | 245.3 | 151 |
| 28 | NE | 244.6 | +12.06 | 187.2 | 252.2 | 241.8 | 240.9 | 226.2 | 271.3 | 292.2 |
| 29 | NYJ | 243.3 | −13.19 | 265.4 | 255.8 | 304.3 | 235.3 | 242.3 | 200.2 | 200 |
| 30 | BAL | 239.4 | −6.85 | 220.7 | 307.8 | 236.1 | 240.5 | 244.8 | 201.3 | 224.8 |
| 31 | TEN | 238.8 | −2.53 | 253.7 | 235.6 | 209.8 | 268.8 | 251.5 | 236.1 | 215.8 |
| 32 | SF | 236.1 | +1.73 | 236.4 | 235.5 | 204.9 | 236.4 | 266.4 | 252.7 | 220.6 |
Multi-year heatmap
32 teams across 7 seasons. Cells colored by quintile within each season; click a column header to jump to that year.
| Team | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB | 352.5 | 346.7 | 303.6 | 286.2 | 233.4 | 264.9 | 236 |
| BUF | 320.8 | 315 | 330.4 | 295.4 | 250.7 | 212.6 | 261.8 |
| BAL | 220.7 | 307.8 | 236.1 | 240.5 | 244.8 | 201.3 | 224.8 |
| LAR | 246.1 | 302 | 218.4 | 265.1 | 242.6 | 319.3 | 378.8 |
| DAL | 297.4 | 300.9 | 262.9 | 282 | 275.6 | 298.2 | 288.2 |
| LV | 280.8 | 300.9 | 315.2 | 251.8 | 262.1 | 188.7 | 291.4 |
| LAC | 294.9 | 298.9 | 265.9 | 278.4 | 256.6 | 267.4 | 242.4 |
| KC | 318.9 | 292.1 | 277.2 | 240.9 | 223.9 | 266.6 | 222.8 |
| MIN | 256.4 | 284.8 | 295 | 290 | 272.1 | 221 | 186.4 |
| JAX | 303.6 | 280.3 | 256 | 293 | 269.8 | 287.1 | 224.8 |
| SEA | 302.1 | 271.7 | 254.1 | 242.4 | 242 | 221.1 | 202.4 |
| GB | 258.4 | 269.3 | 263.4 | 290.6 | 246.3 | 251.9 | 322.2 |
| DEN | 314.1 | 267.8 | 294 | 220.8 | 242.9 | 264 | 169.8 |
| CHI | 304.4 | 264.4 | 201.5 | 222.1 | 266.7 | 290.8 | 252.4 |
| MIA | 267 | 263 | 312.9 | 253.3 | 218.3 | 197.8 | 268.4 |
| PIT | 291.1 | 261.1 | 276.9 | 222.6 | 232.1 | 192.9 | 316.2 |
| ARI | 279.7 | 260.3 | 270.8 | 246.2 | 217.5 | 274.1 | 284.6 |
| CAR | 257.1 | 259.8 | 195.4 | 263.6 | 262.6 | 202.9 | 365.5 |
| CIN | 295.4 | 258.6 | 260.8 | 228.1 | 271.4 | 276.9 | 270.4 |
| NYG | 249.4 | 256.6 | 196.1 | 222.7 | 236.4 | 263.1 | 312.4 |
| NYJ | 265.4 | 255.8 | 304.3 | 235.3 | 242.3 | 200.2 | 200 |
| CLE | 264.8 | 252.5 | 261.9 | 311.7 | 302.3 | 222.6 | 211 |
| NE | 187.2 | 252.2 | 241.8 | 240.9 | 226.2 | 271.3 | 292.2 |
| PHI | 334.8 | 248.8 | 261.3 | 284.9 | 204.9 | 263.7 | 232.2 |
| ATL | 338.6 | 243.7 | 237.2 | 255.6 | 262.7 | 245.3 | 151 |
| WAS | 231.9 | 242.4 | 261.9 | 280.4 | 234.8 | 235.2 | 307.6 |
| TEN | 253.7 | 235.6 | 209.8 | 268.8 | 251.5 | 236.1 | 215.8 |
| SF | 236.4 | 235.5 | 204.9 | 236.4 | 266.4 | 252.7 | 220.6 |
| IND | 247.9 | 235.3 | 225.7 | 250.3 | 319.6 | 257.6 | 256 |
| HOU | 304.2 | 235.1 | 256.4 | 304.5 | 273.7 | 280.3 | 355.4 |
| DET | 311.3 | 222.5 | 243.2 | 240.4 | 205.1 | 219.5 | 302.4 |
| NO | 203.4 | 220.3 | 267.6 | 295.1 | 260.6 | 281.6 | 326.2 |
Pass Air Yds (IAY) since 2018
Leaders since 2018: 2018 Buccaneers (415.1), 2019 Buccaneers (405.8), 2020 Buccaneers (352.5), 2021 Buccaneers (346.7).
Buccaneers have led this stat 4 of 4 seasons.
The best season on record is Buccaneers 2018 at 415.1; the worst Patriots 2020 at 187.2.
Distribution
How the 32 teams cluster for 2021.
About this stat
- Stat ID
- off_passing_pass_air_yds
- Side
- offensive
- Family
- Passing
- Data source
- P + N
- Polarity
- higher is better (or neutral)
- Display grain
- count
- Algorithm eligibility
- Algorithm-eligible: this stat can be picked in the Algorithm Builder.