The Super Bowl Mindset: Winning with KPIs in Life and Business

Even platforms like Amazon have jumped into the game with “Next Gen Stats,” using analytics to show us football at a level of detail we never imagined. We can see split-second decisions: a receiver’s ability to adjust mid-air, the precise angle of a quarterback’s throw, or how a defender’s positioning by mere inches can change the outcome of a play. By kickoff—which, for those wondering, is February 9th at 6:30 PM ET this year—we’ll know these players down to their favorite breakfast nutrients.  

It’s a lot to take in. But here’s the thing: this data overload is not unique to football. These measurements—what analysts and coaches call performance metrics in business—we refer to as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). KPIs are woven into the fabric of our daily lives, shaping decisions in ways we may not even realize. 

KPIs in Everyday Life

Think about it: from the moment you wake up, you’re already tracking a KPI—hours slept. How many times have you said something like, “I only got five hours of sleep last night,” and had someone instantly understand what that means for your day? Sleep, nutrition, hours worked—these are the KPIs of life. 

But it doesn’t stop there. Glancing at the clock during your workday to monitor productivity or tracking steps on your favorite fitness watch or ring are all examples of using KPIs to evaluate and adjust your performance. While they feel second nature in daily life, KPIs can become overwhelming when applied to business. 

The challenge? The danger of one-size-fits-all metrics. 

Only You Know Your KPIs

Imagine waking up one morning and being told by a new nutritionist to start consuming 5,000 calories per day. They assure you that this is what their fittest clients are eating, and it’s working wonders for them. Without further explanation, you’d probably feel confused or even skeptical, knowing your body can only handle around 2,500 to 3,000 calories a day. Later, you find out this nutritionist works with Olympic athletes, whose training regimens demand extreme caloric intake to fuel their performance. 

Naturally, you’d reconsider trusting this nutritionist. And why wouldn’t you? A good nutritionist knows to tailor their recommendations to your specific needs and goals. They don’t apply the same metrics universally because what works for one person might completely derail another. This principle is the same for KPIs in life, business, and even sports. Your KPIs should reflect your unique strengths, goals, and circumstances—not someone else’s. 

This is where the brilliance of great coaches like Sean McVay shines. When McVay took over the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, he transformed a struggling 4-12 team into an 11-5 powerhouse, winning the NFC West. At just 30 years old, McVay showcased his ability to identify defensive weaknesses and exploit them. Yet it’s his adaptability that demonstrates his genius for changing the outcomes of games. During Super Bowl LVI, McVay realized the Rams’ offense needed a spark after Odell Beckham Jr. left the game due to injury. He adjusted by focusing on getting Cooper Kupp more involved. 

Kupp delivered a performance for the ages, with 8 catches for 92 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a critical 4th-and-1 conversion on a jet sweep during the game-winning drive. On that same drive, Kupp made multiple key receptions, including the 1-yard touchdown that secured the Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Bengals. For those who didn’t just skim these metrics but analyzed them against the usual averages they know, these numbers reveal a deliberate strategy in action. McVay’s coaching staff didn’t just hope for Kupp to step up—they understood his usual performance benchmarks and adjusted their game plan in real time to meet those metrics. By tracking Kupp’s average yards per game and targeting plays that aligned with their offensive goals, they ensured they were making calculated moves to regain momentum. Every decision, from the 4th-and-1 jet sweep to the key receptions on the final drive, was rooted in preparation, adaptability, and an acute understanding of their team’s data. 

This approach is the hallmark of leveraging KPIs effectively: not just tracking numbers but actively using them to shape strategy and achieve success. It’s a powerful reminder that data isn’t just about what’s happened—it’s about what you do with it to change the outcome. 

If this story sounds familiar, it’s because we have heard it before: Andy Reid took over a 2-14 Chiefs team and transformed them into an 11-5 layoff contender in his first year. Now, thanks to his brilliant in-game adjustments, he finds himself on the threshold of football immortality, on the brink of cementing a feat that would forever define his legacy—alongside Mahomes and Kelce—for generations to come.  In business, this is the essence of using KPIs effectively. It’s not just about collecting data but knowing how to act on it in ways that align with your goals. The question isn’t just, “What does the data say?” but “How do we use this data to change the game?” This level of adaptability is crucial for achieving success. 

From the Field to Your Business

So, what does any of this have to do with your business? As we just saw, these teams aren’t just looking at data and blindly figuring out what to do next. Instead, success with data always starts with asking a specific question that needs to be answered and using the data to find actionable insights. The true value of KPIs lies in understanding whether answering those questions will genuinely change the way you approach your strategy. 

For example, imagine you know that Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles leads the league in rushing with 345 carries, 2,005 rushing yards, and 13 rushing touchdowns, and you decide your priority is to stop him. The key question to ask is: What specific adjustments can we make to stop him without leaving ourselves vulnerable elsewhere?  

The key question shouldn’t just be, what does the data say about Saquon Barkley?” but rather, “Can this insight actually change how we prepare?” This is critical for any team facing the Eagles this past season, especially when over focusing on him can leave defense vulnerable to Jalen Hurts, a dual-threat quarterback with the capabilities to beat you through his passing game or on the ground. Who do you focus your efforts on? Data is only valuable if it drives action and improves outcomes. 

Evaluating the MVPs of Data

Let’s take a look at some of the other notable MVP candidates this year to explore this further: 

• Joe Burrow: Leading the league in passing yards with pinpoint accuracy.
• Lamar Jackson: A dual-threat quarterback with a passer rating of 119.6 and over 915 rushing yards this season.
• Josh Allen: Armed with a cannon for an arm and improvisational skills that rival Patrick Mahomes.

The key question for every defense facing these players isn’t just which KPI to focus on but whether shutting down one metric will actually lead to victory. 

Each of these players brings something special to the table, but for defenses, the challenge isn’t just knowing their strengths—it’s deciding which one to prioritize. Do you focus your efforts on containing Lamar’s running game, only to watch him beat you with his arm? Do you run more blitzes in hopes of disrupting Burrow’s pinpoint accuracy by limiting the time he has to throw? How do you strategize against Josh Allen, whose ability to improvise makes him a constant threat, both in and out of the pocket? The key is understanding that neutralizing one strength comes at a cost—and determining whether that trade-off is enough to secure a win. 

The same goes for businesses. Chasing every metric or trying to optimize everything at once will only spread your resources thin. Success comes from identifying the KPIs that truly move the needle for your goals and focusing your efforts where they’ll have the biggest impact. Just like on the football field, winning requires clarity, strategy, and the ability to make decisions that maximize results. 

What This Means for Your Business

If you’re focusing on the wrong KPIs, it becomes nearly impossible to uncover the true value that drives your success. You risk overvaluing metrics like seasonality or other data points, trying to force them to explain why your results don’t align with your expectations. This can derail your efforts, as discussions become dominated by variable factors rather than actionable insights. 

To avoid this, ask yourself: 

1. Is this data critical to what makes or breaks our success?
2. If the results don’t align with expectations, are we willing to pivot strategies?

If the answer to either question is no, it’s time to reassess. Instead, focus on data that directly impacts your ability to win—whether that’s on the field or in your business. From there, build out your strategy around those critical insights. 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that data isn’t meant to predict the future. Its true purpose is to help us understand the present and identify opportunities for improvement. By focusing on constants and areas of weakness, you can craft a strategy that evolves and adapts, rather than chasing unattainable predictions.  

When you align your KPIs with what truly drives success, you’re not just tracking numbers—you’re creating a roadmap for winning. That’s the power of focusing on the right data. 

Connecting Metrics to Winning Strategies

I decided to run a quick machine learning analysis to uncover which performance metrics most influence NFL team success. Using a Random Forest model, the goal was to identify the critical areas that consistently drive wins—both in the regular season and beyond. 

1. The Process 

a. Data from NFL teams included metrics like Points Per Game (PPG), Sacks, Turnover Differential, and Third-Down Efficiency—factors that are closely tied to team success. 

b. A Random Forest Regressor, known for its ability to handle complex relationships, highlighted which metrics mattered most. Metrics like Third-Down Conversion (Offense) and Sacks topped the list, emphasizing the importance of sustaining drives and creating defensive pressure. 

2. Why It Matters 

This analysis isn’t just about numbers—it’s about strategy. Understanding that sacks disrupt opposing offenses or that third-down conversions keep drives alive helps teams focus their resources where they matter most. 

 

The Key Takeaway

Data alone doesn’t win games—it’s how you utilize it that counts. As we gear up for the Super Bowl, coaches and analysts have dissected these metrics and know exactly where every team ranks. On paper, the Ravens—ranking in the top three for Sacks, Third-Down Conversions, Total Offense Yards, and Red Zone Scoring—might have seemed like a lock. Yet it’s the Eagles and Chiefs, two teams boasting the league’s best defenses and encompassing a bit of each of these top features, who have made it to the big stage. 

But here’s the kicker: if their opponents crack the code and find ways to neutralize these strengths, a feat we witnessed the Chiefs perfect all year, the script flips entirely. Just ask the 2008 and 2012 Patriots—two juggernaut teams with jaw-dropping stats that somehow ended up empty-handed. And sometimes, it’s not the numbers that win—it’s moments like Malcolm Butler’s iconic interception. Of course, for every Butler miracle, there’s a David Tyree helmet catch—take it from a Patriots fan still wincing at the memory. Metrics don’t guarantee rings—but when guided by the right questions, they lead to a winning strategy. 

Photo Credit: Mick Haupt| Unsplash