How can a 2-4 team have one of the greatest offenses in NFL history?
When theyre the 2011 Eagles.
The Eagles have netted 2,650 yards of offense in just six games, which puts them on pace for 7,066 yards over a full 16-game season.
Only one team has ever had more yards: The 2000 Rams with Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Marshall Faulk at the height of their Greatest Show on Turf netted 7,075 yards, although it was the only year from 1999 through 2001 that they didnt reach the Super Bowl.
Now, because of turnovers and terrible red-zone play, the Eagles havent been able to turn all those yards into points. Theyre only 11th in the league in scoring.
And, despite being on pace for over 7,000 yardswhich has only been accomplished oncetheyre not even the No. 1 offense in the NFL. Or No. 2.
The Patriots (2,847 yards) and Saints (2,713) are both on pace to break the Rams 11-year-old record. The Patriots are on target for 7,592 yards and the Saints for 7,234.
NFL
And if thats not enough, the Panthers (6,690), Chargers (6,659) and Cowboys (6,553) are all also on pace to net over 6,500 yards this year.
So five teams are on pace to gain 6,500 yards, a barrier thats been broken only 10 times in NFL history.
Generally, as a season goes on and the weather worsens, teams net fewer yards per game, although teams that play their home games indoors obviously arent affected as much.
The Patriots, Saints and Eagles rank No. 3, No. 5 and No. 8 in NFL history in total yards through six games.
The most yards ever by a losing team? The 2004 Chiefs netted 6,695 yards but went 7-9. Wild guess that record is shattered this year.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com