NFL teams with more rest are expected to have an advantage due to the prevalence of wear and tear. However, the 2025 season showed that teams with a rest advantage were essentially.500. A closer look at the numbers reveals that average performance does improve with rest, but the results are confusing.

According to EPA splits, teams coming off a bye showed better performance. Elite teams and those at the bottom made significant improvements after long rest. The record for teams coming off a bye in 2025 was 17-15.

Further details on the impact of rest on NFL team performance are available, including a more in-depth analysis of the 2025 season statistics.