Arguably one of the most important and impactful positions in all of sports is the quarterback (QB) position in football. It’s no wonder popular metrics like total quarterback rating (QBR) and passer rating have been created to measure a quarterback’s performance.
Passer rating is a statistic that only measures factors in the passing game and not other contributions made by the quarterback. Total quarterback rating (QBR) on the other hand considers all of a quarterback’s contributions to a game including passing, rushing, sacks, td’s, turnovers, and penalties as well as the strength of a defense and difficulty of play.
Although these two stats were both designed to measure a QB performance they are quite different and often get mixed up. So, what is the difference between total quarterback rating (QBR) and passer rating?
In today’s post we will discuss more in-depth what the differences are between QBR and passer rating as well as everything you need to know about stats that measure a quarterback’s performance.
Let’s get started.
QBR vs. Passer Rating Overview
The two most popular methods used to measure how well a quarterback is performing is total quarterback performance (QBR) and passer rating. These two stats are often mixed up and many football fans may not know what the differences are between the two.
The difference between passer rating and total quarterback (QBR) is the metrics used in each formula. Passer rating considers yards, touchdowns, interceptions, and completion/attempts, to calculate a rating on a scale of 0 to 158.3 Total quarterback rating (QBR) was designed by ESPN using a 100-point system where it factors in all of a quarterback’s play including rushing, sacks, fumbles and other things that aren’t measured in a QB’s passer rating.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of these two-football metrics and how they compare against each other.
Passer Rating
A passer rating is a method used to measure a quarterback’s performance by taking into account yards, touchdowns, interceptions, and completion/attempts, to calculate a rating on a scale of 0 to 158.3
It’s one of the most common and basic ways to determine how well a quarterback is playing. The formula used to calculate Passer Rating can be found here.
For more insight check out this article that covers passer rating more in-depth.
Quarterback Rating (QBR)
ESPN Stats & Information group created a metric called The Total Quarterback Rating (Total QBR). It’s a statistical approach to evaluating the NFL quarterback position. Total QBR measures all of the significant contributions by a quarterback during the course of a game and accounts for precisely how much he impacts his team’s performance and chances of winning.
This metric created by ESPN is based on all of quarterback play including rushing, passing, sacks, fumbles, interceptions, penalties, etc. and it calculates the per-play net impact of the quarterback on the ability score. Moreover, it also weights each play by difficulty and situation. The overall system measures a quarterback’s performance using a 100-point system.
For more insight on QBR check out this article that covers QBR more in-depth
| Statistic | Factors | Created by | Scale | NFL QB Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passer Rating | Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Interceptions, Touchdowns | NFL | 0 to 158.3 | 85 |
| Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) | Passing Yards, Rushing Yards, Penalties TD’s, Sacks, Difficulty of play, Strength of Defense, Context | ESPN | 0–100 scale | 50 |
How Total Quarterback Rating is Calculated
One of the knocks of total quarterback rating has been that ESPN hasn’t shared the exact formula on how a QBR is calculated leading many to believe its high subjective. However, what we do know is that the metric takes into account all of a quarterback contributions to a game, including passing, rushing, sacks, penalties, touchdowns and turnovers
It also is supposed to factor and weight each play on its “difficulty”, the context of the game, and the strength of the opposing defense. How these all contribute to the overall stat hasn’t been released to the general public.
We do however know that a QBR functions on a 0-100 scale, where average NFL quarterbacks typically have around a 50 QBR, while top-tier/Pro Bowl caliber quarterback score around a 75.
For more details on how QBR is calculated check out this article on EPSN.com
How Passer Rating is Calculated
In order to calculate a quarterback’s passer rating you first need these five stats:
- Attempts
- Completions
- Passing Yards
- Interceptions
- Touchdowns
You take each of these stats and plug it into a formula. You can find a Passer Rating Calculator by clicking here.
Here is a video below that goes into how a passer rating is calculated.
What’s a Good QBR?
A good total quarterback rating (QBR) in the NFL is a rating of 50 or higher. Below average NFL quarterbacks typically have a QBR rating of 45 and below. While Elite quarterbacks typically have an average QBR of 60 or higher. A quarterback’s total quarterback rating is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, with a 100 being a perfect rating.
| Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) | Level of Play |
| 100 | Perfect |
| 60 and above | Elite |
| 55-60 | Good |
| 50-45 | Average |
| 35 and below | Terrible |
What’s a Good Passer Rating?
In general, a good passer rating in today’s football is a rating of 95 or above. Top tier quarterbacks that have a passer rating above 95 give their teams a great opportunity to win. On the other hand, a passer rating of 85 or below is considered to be average to below average. Teams with this level of quarterback play might have a hard time winning football games.
Here is a table that breaks down the different passer rating numbers and how they compare to the level of play.
| Quarterback Passer Rating | Level |
| 158.3 | Perfect |
| 120-100 | Elite |
| 99-90 | Good |
| 89-80 | Average |
| 80 or below | Below Average |
Highest QB Rating (Season)
It’s one thing for a quarterback to score a high QBR in a single game, but it’s much more difficult to perform well over a career.
Here is a loot at the top 10 highest QBR ratings over a given season.
| Player | Year | QBR |
| Tom Brady (NE) | 2007 | 87.0 |
| Peyton Manning (IND) | 2006 | 86.4 |
| Aaron Rodgers (GB) | 2011 | 83.8 |
| Lamar Jackson (BAL) | 2019 | 83.0 |
| Drew Brees (NO) | 2009 | 82.0 |
| David Garrard (JAX) | 2007 | 80.9 |
| Peyton Manning (IND) | 2009 | 80.7 |
| Patrick Mahomes | 2018 | 80.3 |
| Aaron Rodgers | 2020 | 79.8 |
Highest QBR (Single Game)
Here is a look at some of the greatest single game QBR performance.
| Player | Date | QBR | Result |
| Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | 10/26/2014 | 99.2 | W 51-34 vs. IND |
| Mike Vick (PHI) | 11/15/2010 | 99.7 | W 59-28 at WSH |
| Tom Brady (NE) | 11/18/2007 | 98.9 | W 56-10 at BUF |
| Deshuan Watson (HOU) | 10/01/2017 | 98.7 | W 57-14 vs. TEN |
| Lamar Jackson (BAL) | 11/25/2019 | 98.7 | W 45-6 at LAR |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick (HOU) | 11/30/2014 | 99.1 | W 45-21 vs. TEN |
| Russell Wilson (SEA) | 12/16/2012 | 99.3 | W 50-17 at BUF |
| Josh Allen (BUF) | 12/19/2020 | 97.5 | W 48-19 at DEN |
| Aaron Rodgers (GB) | 10/02/2011 | 96.8 | W 49-23 vs. DEN |
| Drew Brees (NO) | 10/18/2009 | 98.5 | W 48-27 vs NYG |
Lowest QB Rating Ever
In contrast there have been quarterbacks that have underperformed and have an all time low QBR.
Here is a look at some of the worst QBR over a season.
| Player | Year | QBR |
| Jimmy Clausen (CAR) | 2010 | 13.8 |
| Blaine Gabbert (JAX) | 2011 | 22.2 |
| Andrew Walter (OAK) | 2006 | 23.0 |
| Josh Rosen (ARI) | 2018 | 24.1 |
| Matt Cassel (KC) | 2012 | 25.5 |
| Justin Fields (CHI) | 2021 | 26.1 |
| Blake Bortles (JAX) | 2014 | 28.0 |
| Zach Wilson (NYJ) | 2021 | 28.2 |
| Mark Sanchez (NYJ) | 2012 | 28.2 |
Highest QB Passer Rating Ever
The highest passer rating that can be achieved is 158.3. No quarterback has ever achieved a perfect passer rating over their career. However there have been multiple quarterbacks that have had a perfect passer rating in a single game and even in the playoffs.
The highest career passer rating is currently held by Patrick Mahomes who has a passer rating of 105.8 but he is still actively playing. Aaron Rodgers has a career passer rating of 104.5 along with Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson. The highest ever single game passer rating is a 158.3 which is a perfect rating.
As of 2022 here is a look at the top passer ratings ever recorded during a single game and for a player’s career. (According to pro-football-refrence.com)
Highest Single Game Passer Rating
There are over 74 NFL quarterbacks that have completed a game with a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Some of which have put up a perfect passer rating multiple times over their career.
Here is a look at some of the most recent QB’s that have had a perfect passer rating and when it happened. (source: pro-football-refrence.com)
| Player | Passer Rating | Team | Date |
| Tom Brady | 158.3 | TB | 12/26/20 |
| Lamar Jackson | 158.3 | BAL | 11/10/19 |
| Aaron Rodgers | 158.3 | GB | 10/20/10 |
| Deshaun Watson | 158.3 | HOU | 10/6/19 |
| Dak Prescott | 158.3 | DAL | 9/8/19 |
| Lamar Jackson | 158.3 | BAL | 9/8/19 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | 158.3 | PIT | 11/8/18 |
| Russell Wilson | 158.3 | SEA | 10/28/18 |
Highest Career Passer Rating
It’s one thing for a quarterback to have a game or two with a high passer rating, but it’s much more impressive to have a career average passer rating that is high.
Here is a look at some of the top NFL quarterbacks and what their career passer rating is:
| Player | Passer Rating |
| Patrick Mahomes | 105.8 |
| Aaron Rodgers | 104.5 |
| Deshaun Watson | 104.5 |
| Russell Wilson | 101.8 |
| Drew Bree’s | 98.7 |
| Dak Prescott | 98.7 |
| Kirk Cousins | 98.6 |
| Tom Brady | 97.6 |
| Tony Romo | 97.1 |
| Steve Young | 96.8 |