7
Formation Analysis: Empty Backfields
Total use of empty backfields was up in 2010, from 3.8 percent of plays in 2009 to 5.0 percent of plays in 2010. The team that used the most empty backfields was quite a surprise: Buffalo. Yes, the team whose strongest position going into the season was running back used nobody in the backfield more than any other team. They weren't particularly successful either. In general, empty backfield plays are very successful, with an overall 16.6% DVOA. Buffalo, however, had just -3.7% DVOA. The Bills were also a bit of an aberration because they were the only team that used empty backfields more than eight percent of the time and didn't make the playoffs.
