NFL Analytics Glossary

Plain-English definitions for every stat on Yards Per Pass.

EPA (Expected Points Added): How much each play changes a team’s expected points. A 3rd-and-1 conversion is worth more than a 1st-and-10 three-yard gain. Above 0 = above average.
EPA/Play: EPA averaged across all plays (passing + rushing). The single best measure of a QB’s total impact.
EPA/Dropback (EPA/DB): EPA on passing plays only — pass attempts, sacks, and scrambles. Isolates arm talent from running ability.
CPOE (Completion % Over Expected): How often a QB completes passes compared to what’s expected given throw difficulty. A CPOE of +3 means completing 3% more than expected. Higher is better.
Success Rate: How often a play gains enough yards to stay “on schedule” — roughly 40% of needed yards on 1st down, 50% on 2nd, and 100% on 3rd/4th. QB success rate on this site excludes sacks; team success rate includes them.
aDOT (Average Depth of Target): Average distance in yards a QB throws downfield. Higher = more aggressive. Computed on true pass attempts only (sacks and scrambles excluded).
YPA (Yards Per Attempt): Passing yards divided by pass attempts. A simple efficiency measure. Sacks are excluded from the denominator.
ANY/A (Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt): The best single traditional stat for predicting wins. Formula: (Yards + 20×TD − 45×INT − Sack Yards) ÷ (Attempts + Sacks). Rewards touchdowns, penalizes turnovers and sacks.
Passer Rating: The traditional NFL quarterback rating on a 0–158.3 scale. Combines completion %, yards, TDs, and INTs. The most familiar stat, though EPA-based metrics are more predictive.
TD:INT Ratio: Passing touchdowns per interception. 2:1 is roughly average, 3:1+ is elite. Only counts passing TDs.
Dropback: Any play where the QB drops back to pass. Includes pass attempts, sacks, and scrambles — basically everything that starts as a passing play.
Rush EPA: EPA per rush attempt for a QB. Includes designed runs and scrambles, excludes kneels. Positive = above-average rushing.
Run Gap: The space between offensive linemen where a running back targets their rush. Gaps are labeled left to right: LE (left end), LT (left tackle), LG (left guard), M (middle/center), RG (right guard), RT (right tackle), RE (right end).
Stuff Rate: Percentage of rushing attempts stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage (0 or negative yards). Higher stuff rate = worse for the offense. A key indicator of how well a defense plugs run gaps.
Explosive Run Rate: Percentage of rushing attempts that gain 10+ yards. Higher is better for the offense. Measures big-play ability in the run game.
Fumbles Lost (FL): Fumbles recovered by the opposing defense. Only the turnovers that actually cost you possession.
Off EPA/Play: Offensive EPA per play for a team. Measures how efficiently an offense generates expected points. Positive = above average.
Def EPA/Play: Defensive EPA per play. Measures how well a defense limits opponents. More negative = better defense.
Pass Rate: Percentage of plays where a team chooses to pass. Influenced by game script (teams trailing pass more).

Data source: nflverse play-by-play. Stats may differ slightly from Pro Football Reference due to methodology differences (sack handling, kneel exclusion, etc.).