Alright, let’s talk about tracking player stats for that Eagles vs Giants game. I actually decided to do this myself the other day, wanted to get a real hands-on feel for who was doing what, beyond just the final box score you see online.
First thing I did was figure out my setup. Nothing too high-tech, honestly. I just grabbed a blank notebook and a pen that writes smoothly. Sometimes the old ways work best, right? I made sure the TV was set up, game ready to go, and had my notebook open on the coffee table.
Once the game kicked off, I started jotting things down. My main focus was on a few key positions for both teams. I tried to keep track of:
- Quarterback passes (attempts, completions, rough yardage, TDs, INTs)
- Main running back carries (attempts, rough yards, TDs)
- Key wide receiver catches (targets, catches, rough yards, TDs)
- Big defensive plays (sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles)
Getting Down the Details
So, every time the Eagles had the ball, I’d watch Jalen Hurts. If he threw, I’d quickly scribble down if it was caught, maybe who caught it, and a guess at the yards. If he ran, noted that too. Did the same for the Giants’ QB, watching his throws and runs.
Keeping up with the running backs was a bit easier usually. Just count the carries and try to eyeball the yards gained or lost. I paid close attention to Saquon Barkley for the Giants and the Eagles’ main back, noting down each time they got the ball.
It gets tricky, though. The game moves fast! Sometimes there’d be a quick pass, and I’d barely get the completion noted before the next play started. Or there’d be a penalty, and I’d have to remember not to count that play’s stats. I definitely missed a few things, especially during no-huddle situations or right after a big turnover when things were chaotic.
I made specific marks for big plays. Like, if A.J. Brown made a great catch downfield, I’d put a star next to it. If there was a sack, I’d write ‘SACK’ and the player who made it, if I could catch the number. Same for interceptions – those are game-changers, so I tried hard to note who threw it and who caught it on defense.
After the Game
When the game finished, my pages were pretty full of scribbles, arrows, and numbers. I took a few minutes to look it over. I didn’t do a full, perfect count like the official scorers – that’s way too much work! But I could get a good sense. I could see, like, “Okay, Hurts threw a lot in the second quarter,” or “The Giants really tried to establish the run early on.”
Tallying up my rough numbers gave me my own little summary. Maybe my yardage totals were off compared to the official stats, but the number of attempts, catches, or carries felt pretty close. It gave me a decent picture of the game flow and player involvement from my own perspective.
Doing this, actually tracking it play-by-play myself, really changes how you watch. You’re way more engaged. It’s a bit tedious sometimes, especially during commercials or slow parts, but definitely gives you a deeper appreciation for what the players are doing on each snap. It’s a fun little exercise if you’re really into the game details.
