The Los Angeles Rams have moved the chains more often than any other NFL offense through five weeks. Los Angeles has recorded 123 first downs in five games, an average of 24.6 per game, the best mark in the league. The league average is 19.7 first downs per team game across every contest through Monday night.
The Rams opened with 15 first downs in a loss to San Francisco, then posted 23 against the New York Giants, 26 at Denver, 26 at Philadelphia and a season-high 33 in Monday night’s overtime loss to Buffalo. That 33 is the most by any team in a single game this season. Detroit is second at 24.4 (122 first downs) and Buffalo third at 24.0 (120), so the top three are separated by less than a first down per game.
Best offenses in first downs per game after Week 5
| Rank | Team | Record | Games | First downs | First downs per game | First downs allowed per game (rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Rams | 2-3 | 5 | 123 | 24.60 | 18.20 (T7) |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | 3-2 | 5 | 122 | 24.40 | 26.60 (32) |
| 3 | Buffalo Bills | 4-1 | 5 | 120 | 24.00 | 25.80 (31) |
| 4 | Chicago Bears | 3-2 | 5 | 118 | 23.60 | 14.80 (2) |
| 5 | Carolina Panthers | 2-2 | 4 | 94 | 23.50 | 21.00 (T27) |
| 6 | Dallas Cowboys | 2-3 | 5 | 116 | 23.20 | 23.20 (30) |
| 7 | Baltimore Ravens | 4-1 | 5 | 108 | 21.60 | 20.20 (T19) |
| T8 | New England Patriots | 3-2 | 5 | 106 | 21.20 | 17.40 (6) |
| T8 | New Orleans Saints | 1-4 | 5 | 106 | 21.20 | 22.20 (29) |
| T10 | Cincinnati Bengals | 3-2 | 5 | 105 | 21.00 | 21.00 (T27) |
Chicago ranks fourth at 23.6 and has the league’s best first-down differential at +8.8 per game because its defense allows only 14.8. The Bears held the New York Jets to seven first downs in a Week 4 win and Philadelphia to 14 in Week 3. Carolina is fifth at 23.5 in four games, and Dallas is sixth at 23.2.
At the other end, Philadelphia averages a league-low 14.4 first downs per game (72 in five games). Miami (15.2) and Minnesota (15.4) are next. The Vikings are 5-0 despite the 30th-ranked offense by this measure, because their defense allows only 12.8 first downs per game, nearly two fewer than anyone else.
Best defenses in first downs allowed per game after Week 5
| Rank | Team | Record | First downs allowed | First downs allowed per game | Offense first downs per game | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota Vikings | 5-0 | 64 | 12.80 | 15.40 | +2.60 |
| 2 | Chicago Bears | 3-2 | 74 | 14.80 | 23.60 | +8.80 |
| 3 | Seattle Seahawks | 3-2 | 80 | 16.00 | 19.40 | +3.40 |
| T4 | San Francisco 49ers | 5-0 | 85 | 17.00 | 20.60 | +3.60 |
| T4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-4 | 85 | 17.00 | 18.00 | +1.00 |
| 6 | New England Patriots | 3-2 | 87 | 17.40 | 21.20 | +3.80 |
| T7 | Los Angeles Rams | 2-3 | 91 | 18.20 | 24.60 | +6.40 |
| T7 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 3-2 | 91 | 18.20 | 18.60 | +0.40 |
| 9 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-1 | 92 | 18.40 | 20.80 | +2.40 |
| 10 | Houston Texans | 1-4 | 94 | 18.80 | 20.20 | +1.40 |
Minnesota has allowed 64 first downs in five games (12.8 per game). Opponents managed nine against the Vikings in New Orleans on Sunday and eight by Miami in Week 4. Chicago is second at 14.8, Seattle third at 16.0, and San Francisco and Tampa Bay are tied at 17.0.
Detroit has allowed a league-worst 26.6 first downs per game (133 total), and Buffalo is 31st at 25.8. Both offenses sit in the top three in first downs gained, so their games have been high-volume on both sides of the ball. The Rams, who lead the league in first downs gained, allow 18.2 and own a +6.4 differential, second only to Chicago.
Week 6 matchups that jump out on this board: Seattle’s defense (third in first downs allowed) plays at Denver on Thursday night, and the Broncos’ offense ranks 26th at 17.0 first downs per game. Buffalo visits Las Vegas; the Bills create plenty of first downs and also allow plenty. Dallas, which allows 23.2, plays at Green Bay on Sunday night, and Washington visits San Francisco on Monday night.
First downs come from the official box score of every regular-season game through Week 5, including overtime. Thursday night’s Seahawks-Broncos game is not included.
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