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Opta Analyst US
@optaanalystus.optajoe.com
Data-driven sports storytelling. The account for @OptaAnalyst's U.S. coverage.

https://www.theanalyst.com
With so many unforgettable seasons, great teams and legendary stars, we’ve had to get our historical NFL TRACR to help us determine which franchise had the best single season between 2000 and 2025.

Here's the list:

theanalyst.com/articles/rank...
Ranking the Top 25 NFL Teams of the Past 25 Years | Opta Analyst
We’ve got our historical NFL TRACR to help us determine which franchise had the best single season between 2000 and 2025.
theanalyst.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
With the field tightened and the pretenders gone, the quarterfinals of the CFP are fast approaching.

What are the matchups that will swing the results? What small things should you watch for? Who does the Opta supercomputer favor? @alexkirshner.com has answers.

theanalyst.com/articles/cfp-...
CFP Predictions: The Four Matchups That Will Define the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals  | Opta Analyst
What are the key matchups that will swing the results? What small things should you watch for? Who does the Opta supercomputer favor?
theanalyst.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:07 PM
How will the Rams approach things against the Falcons after falling out of the races for the NFC West title and No. 1 seed?

We've got the keys and win probability for Week 17's Monday Night Football matchup in Atlanta.

theanalyst.com/articles/rams...
Rams vs. Falcons prediction: How Will LA Play It After Falling Out of the Race for the NFC West Title and No. 1 Seed? | Opta Analyst
Can Raheem Morris lead his new team to a victory over Sean McVay or will the Rams bounce back from their Week 16 loss in the NFC West chase?
theanalyst.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Did Drake Maye just have his MVP-clinching performance? If not, how much is he closing the gap on Matthew Stafford?

Like every weekend, Week 17 had some incredible efforts and some that were … not so incredible. We break down the winners and losers.

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
The Biggest Winners and Losers of the NFL’s Week 17 | Opta Analyst
Week 17 of the NFL had some incredible performances and some that were … not so incredible. We break down some of the highlights and lowlights.
theanalyst.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The unexpected downturn of a few teams has taken some of the drama out of the NFL Christmas slate. But there are still plenty of reasons to watch. We broke down the key to all three games on Christmas day.

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
NFL Christmas Day Predictions: Which Teams Will Take Home a Holiday Win? | Opta Analyst
The NFL Christmas slate doesn't have as much appeal as the league hoped. But there are still plenty of reasons to watch.
theanalyst.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Chicago is on the upswing. No city with four or more Big Four teams improved as much from 2024 to 2025.
December 22, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Once 7-1, the Colts have lost five of six and are desperate for a win. The 49ers have won four straight to improve to 10-4.

We’ve got the keys and the Opta supercomputer’s win probability for a Monday Night Football clash with a lot on the line.

theanalyst.com/articles/colt...
49ers vs. Colts Predictions: Can Rivers Perform a Christmas Miracle and Save Indy’s Season? | Opta Analyst
We've got the keys and the Opta supercomputer's win probability for the NFL's Monday Night Football with plenty on the line in Week 16.
theanalyst.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Defense was optional in the Bulls' win over the Hawks. Nine different Bulls finished in double figures.
December 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The Carolina Panthers took another step forward in Week 16, downing the Buccaneers and taking control of the NFC South. And it was growth from Bryce Young that made a win possible.

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
NFL Week 16 Recap: Reacting to Some of Sunday’s Biggest News and Numbers | Opta Analyst
Week 16 featured some incredible performances and some perplexing outcomes. We take a look at some of the highlights, lowlights and stats.
theanalyst.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:38 PM
The popular response to Justin Jefferson's disappointing season has been to blame on the team's quarterbacks.

But is there more to it than that? What happens if we remove QB play from the equation? The answers we found might be a little surprising.

theanalyst.com/articles/minn...
Falling Star: How Much is Justin Jefferson to Blame for His “Difficult” 2025 Season? | Opta Analyst
The easy answer is to pin Jefferson's disappointing season on the QB. But is there more to it than that? What happens if we remove QB play from the equation?
theanalyst.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
THE YAYS AND NAYS FOR WEEK 16

✅ Jared Goff
✅ Michael Carter
✅ Ladd McConkey
🚫 Jordan Love
🚫 Bucky Irving

Find out who else our projections value differently than the expert consensus rankings to get an edge in your matchup this week.

theanalyst.com/articles/week...
Week 16 Fantasy Football Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: All the Yays, Nays, Projections & Rankings | Opta Analyst
In our 2025 NFL Week 16 fantasy football start/sit analysis, we let the data give another perspective that likely varies from the experts’ picks.
theanalyst.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Opta Analyst US
I think Bama's gonna win but I am getting a nagging feeling that they're going to have a huge special teams problem, like last time, and it's going to cost them
Two of the games should be close. In the other two, a G5 team is a long shot and another G5 team will most likely get launched into space.

Welcome to Year 2 of the 12-team CFP. @alexkirshner.com has the key matchups that will decide who moves on.

theanalyst.com/articles/cfp-...
CFP Predictions: The Four Matchups That Will Define the College Football Playoff’s First Round  | Opta Analyst
The College Football Playoff is finally upon us. Here are the key matchups that will decide which teams move on to the second round.
theanalyst.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Two of the games should be close. In the other two, a G5 team is a long shot and another G5 team will most likely get launched into space.

Welcome to Year 2 of the 12-team CFP. @alexkirshner.com has the key matchups that will decide who moves on.

theanalyst.com/articles/cfp-...
CFP Predictions: The Four Matchups That Will Define the College Football Playoff’s First Round  | Opta Analyst
The College Football Playoff is finally upon us. Here are the key matchups that will decide which teams move on to the second round.
theanalyst.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Trevor Lawrence has played mistake-free football the last three weeks and has the Jaguars on the cusp on the playoffs.
December 18, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The NFC West crown won’t be decided on Thursday night, but the team that wins will take control of the division and have the inside track at the conference’s top seed.

We've got the Rams-Seahawks keys and win probability from the Opta supercomputer.

theanalyst.com/articles/rams...
Rams vs. Seahawks Predictions: Who Will Win This Highly Anticipated Showdown Between Division Rivals? | Opta Analyst
The NFC West crown won’t be decided on Thursday, but the team that emerges victorious will take control of the division and have the inside track at the conference’s top seed.
theanalyst.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Opta's top Super Bowl championship probability is a Mile High this week.
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Opta Analyst US
Are the Tigers going to make Tarik Skubal the latest megastar to move a year before free agency?

At @optaanalystus.optajoe.com, I talked myself (and you!) through Detroit's calculus to trade or not to trade. theanalyst.com/articles/tar...
Tarik Skubal Trade Calculus: Factors That Should Inform the Tigers’ Huge Decision | Opta Analyst
The Detroit Tigers are holding an ace, and everyone wants to know what they’re going to do about it. We break down the equation from every angle.
theanalyst.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:05 PM
NFL WEEK 16 PREDICTIONS

Rams✅ at Seahawks
Packers✅ at Bears
Patriots at Ravens✅
Steelers at Lions✅

With the help of the Opta supercomputer, we reveal all the win probabilities for each game.

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
NFL Predictions: Picks, Probabilities and Insights for Every Game in Week 16 | Opta Analyst
With the help of the Opta supercomputer, we’re revealing win probabilities for each game in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season.
theanalyst.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Tigers are holding an ace, and everyone wants to know what they’re going to do about it.

@zcrizer.bsky.social breaks down the Tarik Skubal trade calculus from all angles as the rumors continue to swirl.

theanalyst.com/articles/tari...
Tarik Skubal Trade Calculus: Factors That Should Inform the Tigers’ Huge Decision | Opta Analyst
The Detroit Tigers are holding an ace, and everyone wants to know what they’re going to do about it. We break down the equation from every angle.
theanalyst.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The Knicks face the Spurs in the NBA Cup final tonight and have the best point differential in the Eastern Conference. We explore how they're different from last year's team and how likely they are to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
theanalyst.com/articles/knic...
Basketball Mecca: Do the New York Knicks Have Their Best Chance of Making the NBA Finals This Century? | Opta Analyst
The NBA's Eastern Conference is down and New York is on the rise. Can the Knicks make their first run to the Finals since 1999?
theanalyst.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The Dolphins and Steelers have breathed some life back into their seasons, leaving a lot at stake on MNF.

The winner will receive a sizable boost to its playoff hopes, while the loser could be nearing the end. We've got the keys and win probability.

theanalyst.com/articles/stee...
Dolphins vs. Steelers Prediction: Can Miami Keep Its Hot Streak Going in Frigid Pittsburgh? | Opta Analyst
The winner will receive a boost to its playoff hopes with just three weeks remaining. The loser will need help and could hear more clamoring for leadership changes. 
theanalyst.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
J.J. McCarthy had his second consecutive quality outing to help the Vikings take down the Cowboys. The Cowboys lost their second consecutive game after moving above .500 for the first time all season with a win over the Chiefs in Week 13.
December 15, 2025 at 4:36 AM
There's been big showdowns and bigger injuries.

From the fall of the Chiefs to the Bills-Pats clash to the explosive Rams, we took a look at some of the good, bad and ugly of the NFL's Week 15.

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
NFL Week 15 Recap: Reacting to Some of Sunday’s Biggest News and Numbers | Opta Analyst
Week 15 featured some incredible performances and some perplexing outcomes. We take a look at some of the highlights, lowlights, news and stats.
theanalyst.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Matthew Stafford torched his old team to keep the Rams at the top of the NFC standings. It was the first time the former Lions quarterback threw for more than 300 yards since Week 5 against the 49ers.
December 15, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Like every weekend on the slate, Week 15 has had some incredible games, historic performances and more.

We take a look at some of the highlights, lowlights, news and stats ... from Mahomes' injury and the end of an era to the showdown in the AFC East.

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
NFL Week 15 Recap: Reacting to Some of Sunday’s Biggest News and Numbers | Opta Analyst
Week 15 featured some incredible performances and some perplexing outcomes. We take a look at some of the highlights, lowlights, news and stats.
theanalyst.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM