In the world of American football, the quarterback is often considered the most crucial player on the offensive team. One primary measure of a quarterback’s performance is the Quarterback Rating (QBR). This statistic offers an insight into a player’s ability to lead their team in various situations effectively. In this article, we’ll discuss how to calculate QBR and why it’s an essential metric for evaluating quarterback performance.

Understanding QBR

QBR, or Total Quarterback Rating, is a statistic that measures a quarterback’s overall performance considering factors such as passing, rushing, sacks, fumbles, and penalties. Developed by ESPN in 2011, QBR takes into account both traditional box-score measurements and more advanced data derived from video analysis. This comprehensive metric ranges from 0 to 100, with 50 representing an average performance and a higher score indicating a better overall performance.

Calculating QBR

To calculate QBR, we need to determine several key variables:

1. Clutch Index (CI): A relationship between the game situation and the importance of each play.

2. EPA per Play: Expected Points Added per play

3. Success Rate (SR): Percentage of plays that positively impact a team’s expected points

The calculation follows four main steps:

Step 1: Calculating EPA per Play

EPA per play measures the difference in expected points between the beginning and end of each play. The expected points at any given moment are based on factors such as down, distance to go, field position, and time remaining in the game.

Step 2: Calculating Success Rate (SR)

Success rate is calculated by dividing the number of successful plays by total plays. A successful play is one that leaves the team in a better situation than before the play started.

Step 3: Adjusting for Clutch Index (CI)

The Clutch Index (CI) compares a quarterback’s performance in high-pressure situations to their regular gameplay. This adjustment ensures that quarterbacks who excel under pressure receive credit for their abilities. A CI of 1 means that the play has average importance, and as the importance of the game situation goes up, so does the CI.

Step 4: Putting It All Together

Finally, the QBR is calculated by multiplying EPA per Play, Success Rate (SR), and Clutch Index (CI), then scaling the result from 0 to 100.

QBR = [(EPA per Play) x (SR) x (CI)] / (max-QBR) * 100

Importance of QBR

QBR offers various advantages over traditional passer ratings. It accounts for a quarterback’s involvement in plays beyond passing, including rushing and fumbles. It also considers crucial game situations and adjusts for opponents’ defenses—providing a more comprehensive assessment of a quarterback’s effectiveness and ability to contribute to their team’s overall success.

Conclusion

Calculating QBR may seem complex; however, this advanced metric provides an excellent way to measure a quarterback’s true performance on the field. By understanding QBR and how it’s calculated, fans can better evaluate their favorite players and appreciate the skill and decision-making that goes into successful quarterback plays.