Start with the result. Then ask why.
We use the numbers to explain the game, not to replace watching it.
Football
Efficiency, explosiveness, field position, finishing drives and turnovers. Definitions and observation dates accompany the article’s evidence.
Basketball
Effective field goal percentage, turnover rate, offensive rebound rate and free throw attempts relative to field goal attempts.
Baseball
Power, contact and plate discipline, pressure on the bases, and bullpen performance in the situations that matter.
Soccer
Possession, field tilt, pressing intensity and expected goals per shot. Holding the ball and threatening the goal are separate questions.
Context matters
Small samples, opponent quality and game situation can change what a statistic means. Scores and records are tied to a stated cutoff. Betting results use the stated observation, which may differ from the closing line.