The 5 NFL Teams That Improved Most in 2016

4. Philadelphia Eagles

2015 nERD: -3.36
2016 nERD: 1.72
Change: 5.08

The Philadelphia Eagles saw no change in the win-loss column, earning a consecutive 7-9 season. In fact, they managed to finish second in the NFC East last season but were fourth this year. That alone would suggest they were worse, even though they trotted out Carson Wentz and saw what they had with him under center.

Well, the analytics say otherwise; they say the Eagles were a more efficient team in 2016 than in 2015. They notched a point differential of +36 after a -53 in 2015 and wound up as the 11th-ranked team by nERD this year.

Under Wentz, the team had the 20th-most efficient offense in the league, a slight increase from finishing 23rd last season. The defense was what made the Eagles a better squad overall.

After finishing 14th in overall defensive efficiency in 2015, the Eagles boasted a top-five unit in 2016, thanks primarily to the second-ranked pass defense by Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play. The main reason for that was a great line, as they finished second in adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders.