Quarterback Rating Calculator
Aug 09, 2022
Quarterback Rating Calculator
So how does the NFL calculate the QB's rating? What is a quarterback rating? Here is a nice quick calculator for you to use to quickly get a QB rating.
NFL Quarterback Rating Calculator: How to Determine QB Effectiveness
Understanding how to calculate the NFL quarterback rating is crucial for any football fan who wants to go beyond basic stats like touchdowns and interceptions. This seemingly complex formula provides a comprehensive measure of a quarterback's performance by considering several key passing statistics. In this article, we'll break down the calculation step-by-step, explore its history, and provide a handy calculator for you to use.
History of the NFL Quarterback Rating
Before 1973, the NFL lacked a consistent method for evaluating quarterbacks. Different teams and organizations used various statistical measures, making it challenging to compare players across the league. To address this, the NFL commissioned a committee headed by Don Smith to develop a standardized system.
Smith's committee analyzed thousands of games to identify statistical categories that correlated most strongly with winning. They ultimately settled on four key metrics:
- Completion Percentage: The percentage of passes completed.
- Yards per Attempt: The average number of yards gained per pass attempt.
- Touchdown Percentage: The percentage of passes that result in touchdowns.
- Interception Percentage: The percentage of passes that are intercepted.
The committee then developed a formula that combined these four categories into a single rating, ranging from 0 to 158.3. This formula has remained largely unchanged since its inception, though minor adjustments have been made to the weighting of certain categories.
How to Calculate NFL Quarterback Rating
The quarterback rating formula might seem intimidating at first glance, but it's essentially a step-by-step process involving simple calculations. Here's a breakdown:
- Calculate each of the four key metrics:
- Completion Percentage = (Completions / Attempts) * 100
- Yards per Attempt = (Passing Yards / Attempts)
- Touchdown Percentage = (Touchdowns / Attempts) * 100
- Interception Percentage = (Interceptions / Attempts) * 100
- Normalize each metric: For each category, subtract the league average, divide by the standard deviation, and multiply by a weighting factor. This ensures that each category contributes proportionally to the overall rating.
- Combine the normalized metrics: Add the normalized values for each category, divide by 6, and add 100.
Formula:
NFL Rating = [(a + b + c + d) / 6] * 100
Where:
- a = (Completion % - 30) / 20
- b = (Yards/Attempt - 3) / 4
- c = (Touchdown % - 3) * 0.25
- d = 2.375 - (Interception % * 35)
Note: Each component (a, b, c, d) is capped at 2.375, and cannot be less than 0.
NFL Quarterback Rating Calculator
To make things easier, we've created a simple calculator for you to use:
[Embed a simple calculator here that allows users to input the required stats and automatically calculates the quarterback rating.]
Interpreting the Quarterback Rating
The NFL quarterback rating provides a standardized way to compare quarterbacks across different eras and teams. However, it's important to remember that it's just one piece of the puzzle. Other factors, such as leadership, athleticism, and decision-making, also contribute to a quarterback's overall effectiveness.
Here's a general guideline for interpreting quarterback ratings:
- 158.3: Perfect rating
- 100-158.3: Excellent
- 85-99.9: Very Good
- 70-84.9: Average
- 50-69.9: Below Average
- 0-49.9: Poor
Conclusion
The NFL quarterback rating is a valuable tool for evaluating quarterback performance, but it's essential to understand its limitations and consider other factors when assessing a player's overall value. By using the calculator and understanding the formula, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of quarterback play in the NFL.
