What is Neutral Pace?

Fantasy football enthusiasts, gear up to explore the fascinating world of neutral pace. As you aim to construct a formidable team, understanding and leveraging neutral pace can be a game-changer. This blog post will delve into what neutral pace is, why it matters, and how to use this vital metric to enhance your fantasy football lineup.

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What is Neutral Pace?

Game Situation Independent: Neutral Pace focuses on the number of plays a team runs when the game is within one score in either direction. It eliminates outlier situations like garbage time or when a team is heavily trailing or leading.
Standardized Metric: By concentrating only on plays within close game situations, Neutral Pace offers a more standardized metric to assess a team’s general offensive speed and style.
Temporal Element: While some metrics focus solely on yards, touchdowns, or other outcomes, Neutral Pace dives into the time element of football, offering a glimpse into how quickly teams move the chains.

Why Neutral Pace Matters in Fantasy Football

Predicting Volume: A faster Neutral Pace often indicates more play opportunities. More plays can mean more opportunities for your fantasy players to score points.
Game Strategy Insight: Understanding a team’s Neutral Pace can give insights into their game strategy. A team with a fast Neutral Pace might be more aggressive, whereas a slower one might be more methodical and run-heavy.
Match-up Decisions: Knowing the Neutral Pace of teams can be pivotal when deciding between two players in different match-ups. A faster-paced game could provide a higher-scoring environment, benefiting skill positions like WRs and QBs.

How to Use Neutral Pace in Fantasy Football

Drafting Strategy: During your draft, consider players from teams with faster Neutral Paces as they might offer more upside due to the increased number of plays.
Weekly Start/Sits: When deciding your weekly lineup, factor in the Neutral Pace of your player’s team and their opponent. A game between two fast-paced teams might be a boon for offensive players.
Trade Decisions: If you’re in the trade market, acquiring players from fast-paced teams or selling those from slow-paced teams could be a strategic move, especially if the pace is influencing the player’s opportunities.

While Neutral Pace is just one of many advanced stats in fantasy football, understanding and leveraging it can offer a competitive edge. Whether you’re drafting, making start/sit decisions, or contemplating trades, Neutral Pace can be a valuable tool in your fantasy toolkit.