A game script can sometimes explain football quirks that, on the surface, seem completely nonsensical. For instance, through the first four games of the 2025 season, the Indianapolis Colts have the eighth-ranked rushing defense in the NFL, but are only 22nd in yards per rush. How is that possible?
Well, the NFL measures team statistics by total yards gained or allowed. So when we say that the Colts have the eighth-ranked rushing defense, we are really saying they have given up the eighth-fewest yards to opponents on the ground.
Since their yards-per-rush total is worse than the league median, it means that they have surrendered so few yards because they have faced fewer runs this season.