Name ________________________________________
Date ____________________
Rush or Pass?
With only 16 games in an NFL regular season, every game and every play is crucial. Teams need to win each
week or their jobs are on the line. To win you have to score points. Points translate to wins. So how do teams
score points? Are they better off having a great passing game or a great rushing game?
The chart gives all 32 teams total points, total passing yards and rushing yards for the 2013 NFL season.
Create two scatterplots. One will compare passing yards to total points scored. The other scatter plot will
compare rushing yards to total points scored. Graph each scatterplot in a different color.
1. Use the linear regression function on your graphing calculator to write a linear equation for each
scatter plot. Then graph that trend line on your coordinate plane.
2. Interpret the slope and y-intercept of each equation from the calculator.
3. What is the association and correlation for each scatterplot?
4. Identify the correlation coefficient and evaluate the quality of fit for each line.
5. Are there any outliers? If so, explain why it is an outlier.
6. After analyzing the two scatter plots consider which offensive strategy associates or correlates more
with total points. Explain your reasoning.
7. Based on your data, how many points would a team score if the had 6000 passing yards?
8. Based on your data, how many running yards would a team have if they scored 550 points?