Kubiak reclaims top spot among playcallers

By Ross Jackson

It has been a strong start to the season for New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

After scoring 91points over the first two games of the second (tied for the second-most in as many games to open a year), Kubiak saw his ranking slip after the team’s Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.  That slide didn’t last.

Per analytics expert Steven Patton, Kubiak is again the No. 1 play caller after Week 4 of the NFL season. Despite the loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the offense found several ways to move the football. 

Klint Kubiak regains the top spot, while Kliff Kingsbury is leading the NFL’s most efficient offense according to several advanced metrics.

The top six play callers are not head coaches, and five of the six work under non-offensive minded head coaches. pic.twitter.com/lq4TCgjiZf

— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) October 2, 2024

It became clear that do-it-all player Taysom Hill was a major part of the game plan as the Saints’ production did take a dip after his exit. But even still, the play designs, use of motion and an effective usage of stars like running back Alvin Kamara and wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed garnerned praise. 

Kubiak called plays with motion at around a 57 percent rate (not including plays nullified by penalty), continuing his high use of pre-snap motion. The Saints did run their fewest play action dropbacks of the season. Quarterback Derek Carr only included play action in 12.8 percent of his dropbacks.

Kubiak’s offense also marched down the field with just over a minute left to take a late lead in the game for the second week in a row. Unfortunately, the lead was surrendered. Kubiak will need to show more of his play calling prowess in Week 5 against defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who Patton ranks as the No. 11 defensive play caller in the league through four games.

Brian Flores is back. Vance Joseph has put together great game plans against the Bucs and Jets in back-to-back weeks.

Lou Anarumo is one of the most overrated defensive play callers, and Ejiro Evero’s unit has been decimated by injuries. pic.twitter.com/60lyHk3UdS

— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) October 2, 2024

For what it’s worth, Saints defensive play caller, head coach Dennis Allen ended Week 4 as the No. 5 defensive play caller. He will be matched up with Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid who now ranks much lower than expected as the No. 26 offensive play caller in the league thus far. From this perspective, the Saints have an edge, with both play callers continuing to hold the top spot among NFL tandems. But will it be enough to pave the way for a narrative-changing upset?

🚨 Play Caller Rankings🚨

A quarter of the way through the season, three teams from the NFC North find themselves in the top five. The odd one out? Da Bears.

The Dolphins continue to unravel after Tua’s injury. Will they sign/trade for a QB who can turn their season around? pic.twitter.com/ZphItw7wcV

— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) October 2, 2024