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American Football · Glossary

What is NFL Passer Rating?

A composite QB efficiency metric from 0 to 158.3 combining completion %, yards per attempt, TD rate and INT rate.

The NFL passer rating combines four components — completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown rate and interception rate — each capped at 2.375, giving a maximum of 158.3. Average NFL starter rating is approximately 87-92; 100+ is excellent; 110+ is MVP-calibre. A perfect 158.3 requires: 77.5%+ completion, 12.5+ Y/A, 11.875%+ TD rate, 0 interceptions. The metric was designed in 1971 and has been criticised for its arbitrary caps and weighting; QBR (ESPN) and EPA-based metrics are considered more sophisticated but less universal.

Key points
  • Scale: 0 to 158.3
  • Average starter ~87-92; 100+ excellent
  • Perfect 158.3 = 77.5% comp, 12.5 Y/A, 0 INTs
  • Designed in 1971; criticised for arbitrary caps

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