Antonio Brown: The AFC North Killer

Antonio Brown took the NFL by storm in 2014, catching 129 passes for 1,698 yards, both of which led all receivers. He also added 13 receiving touchdowns and one punt return touchdown, and was a vital part of a Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense that ranked second in the league in both total yards and passing yards.

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Recently, NFL.com writer Elliot Harrison named him as the best receiver in the NFL, ahead of players like Calvin Johnson and Dez Bryant:

“Call it football blasphemy, but I would take Antonio Brown over any other receiver today. He is the best wideout in the league after the catch, productive, consistent, and I thought he was the fourth-most valuable player in all of football last year — behind just Aaron Rodgers, J.J. Watt and Tony Romo.”

This sentiment was backed up by Pro Football Focus, who named Brown as the seventh best player and the best receiver in 2014. PFF gave Brown a grade of +25.2, the second best grade for a wide receiver since 2007, and credited him with forcing 18 missed tackles, including a ridiculous five in Week 9 against Baltimore.

Dec 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs after a catch to score a sixty-three yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Brown was no chump in 2013 – he caught 110 passes for 1499 yards and 8 touchdowns – but there was one thing that made him a more valuable player in 2013: his success against the AFC North. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

In 2013, Brown caught 37 passes for 411 yards and 2 touchdowns in six games against the AFC North. These numbers work out to an average of 11.11 yards per reception, 6.2 receptions per game and 68.5 yards per game – all of which were lower than his season splits of 13.63 yards per reception, 6.9 receptions per game and 93.7 yards per game.

In 2014, however, Brown was a superior player against the AFC North, something that is pretty remarkable considering how good he was overall. Against his own division, Brown put up 15.50 yards per reception, 7.7 receptions per game and 118.8 yards per game. While he caught slightly less passes per game than his season total of 8.1, his yards per reception and yards per game were significantly higher (13.16 and 106.1 overall).

Brown was also a much better player in both of Pittsburgh’s losses to AFC North teams. In 2013, the Steelers lost to Cincinnati (20-10) and Baltimore (22-20). In the two games combined, Brown caught 11 passes for 116 yards and failed to find the end zone. His 10.55 yards per reception was significantly lower than his season total of 13.63. If Brown had played up to his ability, the Steelers may have been able to win one of those games and sneak into the playoffs.

In 2014, however, Brown was a beast even when Pittsburgh failed to win. The Steelers again lost two games – one to Baltimore (26-6) and the other to Cleveland (31-10). Brown caught a total of 14 passes for 208 yards, although he again failed to find the end zone in either game. His 14.86 yards per reception was higher than his season total of 13.16, however, and considering both games were blowouts, it’s hard to blame either loss on Brown.

Granted, yards per reception is just one stat, and one that depends on a number of factors, including quarterback play and defensive scheme and match-ups. By looking at the overall stats, however, it is clear to see that Brown dominated the AFC North in 2014, which is one of the reasons why he was so valuable to the Steelers. If he puts up similar numbers in 2015, Pittsburgh will have a great chance to repeat as AFC North division champions.

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