The NFL uses a formula to measure the player effectiveness and that formula is Passer Rating, and the formula used was introduced in 1973. While the formula has remained consistent since 1973, there are some critics of the formula. Here is the breakdown of the NFL Passer Rating, what a good number is, the calculation with an example, and more.
What is the NFL Passer Rating?
The following table lists the passer rating scale and its associated maximum rating and minimum rating.
Note: An NFL passer rating of 0 (zero) indicates the quarterback was not in the game, and 0.000 does not apply. An NFL passer rating of 158.3 represents a perfect passing game.
What’s a Good Quarterback Rating?
The QB needed to be able to throw the ball effectively to win the game which is a big reason why the Texans were able to win so many games during the 2014 season. The QB’s ability to throw the ball to the right spots and on time was key in allowing the team to score points. The NFL Quarterback’s ability to throw the ball accurately is very important to the overall success of the team. The ability to throw the ball effectively is a major factor in why the Chiefs have had so much success in the NFL, and why the Colts were able to make the playoffs last season.
Who has the Worst QB Rating?
The worst single game QB rating belongs to Nathan Peterman. Nathan Peterman was a QB for the Buffalo Bills but struggled in the league. Nathan Peterman had a QB rating of 29.2 in a game against the Cleveland Browns.
Can Anyone Throw a 0 for a QB Passer Rating?
Throughout the history of the NFL, only 0 quarterbacks have thrown 0 combined passer ratings in a single game. This is the only game all season in which Peyton Manning failed to record one passing touchdown. This is the only game all season in which the Denver Broncos failed to record at least one passing touchdown. It is also the only game all season in which the New England Patriots recorded at least 13 total offensive plays. The Patriots recorded 18 total plays. The only game in which this has happened in the history of the NFL was in 2007 when the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos both recorded 0 passer rating games in a single game.
This list includes quarterbacks with the highest career interception rate. And while it can be an incredibly rewarding experience to pass the ball in the air to a wide-open receiver, it can also have some unfortunate consequences.
What is a Perfect Passer Rating Score?
1) the passer must throw at least 20 TDs and 20 INTs
2) the passer must throw at least 20 TDs and 20 INTs and the QB rating must be over 100 on passes in which the passer threw 20 TDs and 20 INTs
3) the passer must throw at least 20 TDs and 20 INTs and the QB rating over 100 on passes in which the passer tossed 20 TDs and 20 INTs while the passer has to throw at least 15 TDs and 15 INTs
4) the passer must throw at least 20 TDs and 15 INTs and the passer has to throw at least 15 TDs and 15 INTs while the passer has to throw at least 10 TDs and 10 INTs.
With that being said, I’m not sure if some of the better quarterbacks have had as much success as these eight players. Many of these quarterbacks have had more opportunities to throw and win many games. They’ve also had the chance to do things that most of us can’t. So, I don’t know if they can be considered as perfect passers by any means.
How Do You Calculate QB Passer Rating?
The Cowboys were at home and trailed at halftime 17-3, but Dallas went into the half with the ball at its own 26. Dak Prescott threw the ball to Allen Hurns on a fourth-and-18. The drive ended with a loss of 3.
A way to see the formula is to break it apart.
So the formula is like a little tree.
Here are some examples.
Example of the Formula
The following formula is the best way I’ve found to look at the passer rating formula. It should be noted that the quarterback’s adjusted completion percentage takes into account the average number of time outs of the team and the average number of time outs given on a team game-by-game basis.
7.5 is 1.25 times longer than 6.
QB Rating: 125 of 124 passes targeted were complete (98.4%) and had 1 incompletion (0.8%) for a QB Rating of 98.4.
Does the Formula Have Flaws?
But there is still a good argument to be made for taking into account rushing for the formula as many quarterbacks who throw a lot have a more difficult time running. Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is a great example. In 2016, Rodgers had a passer rating of 105.6, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to exceed 104.0 in multiple seasons, but also had only 486 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. In 2017, Rodgers had a passer rating of 100.2, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to exceed 99.0 in multiple seasons, but only had 2,093 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Conclusion
As a side note, I think the QB P rating does a better job of putting all the QBs on the “same” level since it includes the offensive line and both the running back and receivers. This stat has been around since the early/mid 2000’s and has been used for a number of years in the NFL.
As you can see, the biggest difference is between the P rating and the R rating and that is with respect to what the offensive line does for the passer.
