Total Pro Sports
Passer rating and QBR are two important statistics used to measure a quarterback’s performance in the NFL. Both aim to show a quarterback’s value, but they are calculated in different ways and tell slightly different stories. The passer rating is the older and more traditional stat. It uses a fixed formula that looks at completion percentage, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
QBR, or Total Quarterback Rating, is newer and includes more details like the difficulty of each play, game situations, and a quarterback’s running ability. Understanding the differences between these two stats helps explain why quarterbacks with similar numbers might be judged differently by coaches, fans, and analysts.
The passer rating is a number used to measure how well a quarterback performs when throwing the football. It is based on four things: how many passes are completed, how many yards are gained, how many touchdowns are thrown, and how many interceptions happen. The highest possible passer rating is 158.3. A higher number means the quarterback is doing better.
However, the passer rating only considers passing. It does not include running plays, sacks, or the importance of a play in the game. That means it gives a limited view of how good a quarterback really is.
QBR stands for Total Quarterback Rating. It was made to give a better and more complete picture of how a quarterback helps the team. QBR includes passing and running, as well as how tough each play was and when it happened in the game. It also looks at how strong the other team’s defense is. QBR is scored from 0 to 100—a score of 50 means average. A quarterback with a high QBR is helping the team a lot, not just by throwing well but also by making smart plays and performing well in important moments.
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The main difference is that the passer rating is simple and only uses passing numbers. QBR is more detailed and looks at the whole picture of a quarterback’s performance. The passer rating does not care if a quarterback runs or makes a smart play in a tough situation. QBR does. The passer rating is easy to calculate and understand. QBR is more complicated and harder to figure out, but it gives a better idea of how much the quarterback is helping the team win.
In the 2023 NFL season, some top quarterbacks had strong numbers in both stats. Brock Purdy had a passer rating over 113 and a QBR over 70, showing he was good at passing and also helped the team in many other ways. Joe Burrow also had strong numbers, with both a high passer rating and QBR, even when his team did not win many games. These examples show that both stats can tell part of the story.
Which Stat Matters More?...
