Matchup edge · QB myth · RB C · WR C · TE myth
Starters out on defense: every call
Each missing regular defensive starter (CB for WRs, S/LB for TEs, DL/LB for RBs, DB for QBs) adds points to the opposing player.
2024 backtest
716–1049–204
40.6% vs 39.1% baseline
2025 backtest
681–991–185
40.7% vs 39.1% baseline
2026 live (from Week 5)
–
first live calls this week
2026 weeks 1–4 (after the fact)
55–83–12
39.9% vs 39.4% baseline
2024–25 by position and by expected effect
| Position | W–L–P | Win % | Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| RB | 349–510–87 | 40.6% | 38.2% |
| TE | 371–558–194 | 39.9% | 39.1% |
| QB | 198–194–19 | 50.5% | 49.6% |
| WR | 479–778–89 | 38.1% | 36.3% |
| Expected effect (PPR) | W–L–P | Win % | Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| flag | 716–1049–204 | 40.6% | 39.1% |
| 0.25–0.5 | 651–959–183 | 40.4% | 38.7% |
| 0.5–1 | 29–31–2 | 48.3% | 48.3% |
| 1+ | 1–1 | 50.0% | 49.6% |
Call log
| Week | Player | Call | Proj | Actual | Margin | Result | Source · made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 W17 | Mason RudolphQB TEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs JAX) | 12.3 | 12.0 | −0.3 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W17 | Kyler MurrayQB ARI | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LAR) | 15.6 | 16.0 | +0.4 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W16 | Cooper RushQB DAL | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB) | 15.5 | 15.3 | −0.2 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W11 | Geno SmithQB SEA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs SF) | 15.7 | 15.7 | +0.1 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W9 | Kirk CousinsQB ATL | Boost (Starters out on defense vs DAL) | 18.2 | 17.8 | −0.4 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W8 | Russell WilsonQB PIT | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYG) | 14.3 | 13.8 | −0.5 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W8 | Sam DarnoldQB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LAR) | 17.8 | 18.2 | +0.4 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W8 | Drake MayeQB NE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYJ) | 11.2 | 11.5 | +0.3 | push | Backtest · |
| 2024 W6 | Joe FlaccoQB IND | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TEN) | 13.8 | 13.7 | −0.2 | push | Backtest · |
How this works
Win: a boost beats our projection mean, or a fade falls below it. Push: within 0.5 points. Void: did not play, or played under 25% of his usual snaps. Backtest calls use only data from before their week (the made time is 90 minutes before his kickoff); live calls are written before kickoff and cannot be edited afterwards. We list every loss. All angles and the method.
Charting data: FTN Data via nflverse, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; our derived charting figures are shared under the same licence. Coverage allowed by defender: Pro Football Reference via nflverse. Coverage type (man/zone, shells): nflverse participation data. Play-by-play: nflverse.
Sources: nflverse, FTN Data via nflverse