The passer rating is one of the most commonly used metrics to evaluate quarterback performance in football, especially in the NFL. But what does it actually mean, and how is it calculated? Whether you’re a new fan or a stats enthusiast, understanding passer ratings can help you better analyze the game and appreciate great quarterback play.

What Does Passer Rating Mean?

Passer rating, often called quarterback rating, measures a quarterback’s efficiency during a game. It takes into account several key passing stats:

  1. Completions
  2. Passing Yards
  3. Touchdowns
  4. Interceptions

The result is a single number that provides an overview of a quarterback’s performance. In the NFL, the scale ranges from 0 to 158.3, with 158.3 being a “perfect passer rating.”

How Is Passer Rating Calculated?

The NFL passer rating formula is a bit complex, but here’s a breakdown:

1. The Formula

The passer rating is calculated using four components:

  1. Completion Percentage: Measures accuracy.
    (Completions/Attempts−0.3)×5(Completions / Attempts – 0.3) × 5(Completions/Attempts−0.3)×5
  2. Yards Per Attempt: Measures efficiency.
    (Yards/Attempts−3)×0.25(Yards / Attempts – 3) × 0.25(Yards/Attempts−3)×0.25
  3. Touchdowns Per Attempt: Rewards scoring.
    (Touchdowns/Attempts)×20(Touchdowns / Attempts) × 20(Touchdowns/Attempts)×20
  4. Interceptions Per Attempt: Penalizes mistakes.
    375−(Interceptions/Attempts×25)2.375 – (Interceptions / Attempts × 25)2.375−(Interceptions/Attempts×25)

2. Capping Values

Each component has a cap to ensure fairness:

  • Completion percentage: Between 0 and 2.375
  • Yards per attempt: Between 0 and 2.375
  • Touchdowns per attempt: Between 0 and 2.375
  • Interceptions per attempt: Between 0 and 2.375

3. Final Calculation

Add all four components together, divide by six, and multiply by 100 to get the final passer rating.

PasserRating=((A+B+C+D)/6)×100Passer Rating = ((A + B + C + D) / 6) × 100PasserRating=((A+B+C+D)/6)×100

Example: Calculating Passer Rating

Let’s calculate a quarterback’s passer rating using these stats:

  • Completions: 25
  • Attempts: 35
  • Yards: 300
  • Touchdowns: 3
  • Interceptions: 1

Step-by-Step:

  1. Completion Percentage:
    (25/35−0.3)×5=1.7857(25 / 35 – 0.3) × 5 = 1.7857(25/35−0.3)×5=1.7857
  2. Yards Per Attempt:
    (300/35−3)×0.25=2.1429(300 / 35 – 3) × 0.25 = 2.1429(300/35−3)×0.25=2.1429
  3. Touchdowns Per Attempt:
    (3/35)×20=1.7143(3 / 35) × 20 = 1.7143(3/35)×20=1.7143
  4. Interceptions Per Attempt:
    375−(1/35×25)=1.66672.375 – (1 / 35 × 25) = 1.66672.375−(1/35×25)=1.6667

Final Passer Rating:

((1.7857+2.1429+1.7143+1.6667)/6)×100=124.82((1.7857 + 2.1429 + 1.7143 + 1.6667) / 6) × 100 = 124.82((1.7857+2.1429+1.7143+1.6667)/6)×100=124.82

This quarterback’s rating would be 124.8, an excellent performance.

What Is a Good Passer Rating?

  • Average: Around 0
  • Above Average: 100+
  • Elite: 120+
  • Perfect: 3

Passer rating isn’t perfect but provides a quick snapshot of how well a quarterback is playing.

Passer Rating vs. QBR

QBR (Quarterback Rating) is a newer metric introduced by ESPN. While passer rating focuses solely on passing stats, QBR considers other factors like rushing, sacks, and game context (e.g., performance in high-pressure situations).

Key Differences:

  • Scale: Passer rating ranges from 0 to 158.3, while QBR is on a 0-100 scale.
  • Context: QBR adjusts for the game situation, giving more credit for crucial plays.
  • Rushing Impact: QBR includes rushing performance, while passer rating doesn’t.

Both metrics have their strengths, but QBR is generally seen as more comprehensive.

Why Passer Rating Matters

Passer rating isn’t just a stat—it’s a way to measure a quarterback’s consistency and efficiency. It helps fans, analysts, and coaches compare players and evaluate performances across different games and seasons.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the passer rating meaning and how it’s calculated gives you deeper insight into the NFL’s most important position. Whether you’re analyzing a rookie’s potential or debating the greatest QBs of all time, passer rating is a great place to start.

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Now that you know the numbers, it’s time to enjoy the game even more!