Football statistics explained: a beginner’s guide

But when you look at a list of EPA, YAC, QBR, and so on, it can get confusing if you don’t properly know how to read football stats. This guide will decipher what each of these key stats means and how to identify football stat abbreviations.

Basic football statistics explained

These are general stats that are used in football. Several types of players are associated with these terms, and they are the building blocks for how to interpret football statistics. 

• YDS (Yards): The number of yards a player gains. They can be gained passing, receiving, or rushing the ball. 
• TDS (Touchdowns): The number of times the player has scored a touchdown. This could be used in reference to passing, receiving, or rushing touchdowns. 
• GP (Games Played): The number of games the player has participated in that season in any capacity. 

Passing statistics explained

Quarterbacks are the only players who record passing statistics. They measure the signal-caller’s ability to move the ball with the offense and how accurate they are. 

• CMP (Completions): These are passes thrown by the Quarterback that are caught by the intended receiver.
• CMP% (Completion Percentage): It measures how many of the Quarterback’s passes are caught by their receivers. A high completion percentage indicates an accurate quarterback.
• ATT (Attempts): The number of times the Quarterback throws a pass in the game. It counts complete and incomplete passes.
• INT (Interceptions): When the Quarterback throws the ball, and the defense catches it. It is one of the ways teams can commit a turnover. 
• RTG (Passer Rating): This figure is on a scale that measures a Quarterback’s efficiency throughout the game. A perfect Passer Rating is 158.3, and can be achieved by getting at least a 77.5% completion rate, 12.5 yards per attempt, an 11.8% touchdown rate, and 0 interceptions. 
• AVG (Average Yards Per Pass Attempt): Your AVG is how many yards on average you gain from the passing game. It puts into perspective how much success a Quarterback has per pass rather than the total number of attempts. 
• SACK (Sacks): Sacks occur when the Quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before passing or handing the ball off. 

Rushing stats and their meanings

• ATT (Rushing Attempts/Carries): Similar to passing attempts, it quantifies how many times the running back takes a handoff on a run play. 
• AVG (Average Yards Per Rush Attempt): The average amount of rushing yards you gain every time you run the ball. This signifies the rusher’s long-term success over a season despite the number of snaps they’ve taken.
• LNG (Longest Rush): This denotes the longest carry in the player’s game/season/career. 
• FUM (Fumbles): Any ball carrier who loses possession of the ball while running. 
• LST (Fumbles Lost): When a player commits a fumble, and it is recovered by the defense. This is considered a turnover. 

Receiving stats 

• REC (Receptions): The number of times the receiver successfully caught a pass.
• TGTS (Targets): The number of times the Quarterback targeted the receiver in the passing game. This includes all receptions and incompletions.
• AVG (Average Yards Per Reception): This is the average amount of yards a player gains whenever they catch the ball. This helps explain the role of the receiver, whether they are a deep target or someone who plays close to the line of scrimmage. 
• YAC (Yards After Catch): The amount of yards the player gains after the initial catch. This measures the receiver’s ability while carrying the ball. 

Explaining Defensive Stats

• SOLO/AST/TOT (Tackles): Tackles are when the defense hits the ball carrier and brings them down to end the play. Solo tackles are when one player is responsible for the play, while assists mean that several players had a role in completing the tackle. Total tackles is the number you get when you combine a player’s solo and assisted tackles. 
• INT/FUM/SACK (Interception, Fumble, and Sack): They maintain the same abbreviation, but on defense are assigned to whichever player created the play. 
• FF (Forced Fumble): This stat is given to the player who punches the ball out or makes the tackle on a play where the ball carrier commits a fumble.
• FR (Fumble Recovery): This stat is credited to whichever player gains possession of the ball after a fumble.
• PD/PBU (Pass Defended/Pass Break Up): This is when a defender knocks the ball away from the receiver on a pass play, and it falls incomplete. 

Special Teams Stats

• RET AVG. (Return Average): The average amount of yards a player gains on a kick or punt return.
• FG% (Field Goal Percentage): The average probability in which a player converts a successful field goal kick.

FAQs about football statistics

What is passer rating and how is it calculated?

Passer rating measures a Quarterback’s efficiency. It’s measured through their passing yards, touchdowns, and lack of turnovers in a game.

What does EPA mean in football?

Expected Points Added. It’s an advanced statistic that measures the value that a specific player or play adds to their team, even on non-scoring plays. EPA is considered one of the more advanced football metrics.

What is the difference between traditional passer rating and QBR?

Passer rating measures only the statistics a Quarterback accrues in a game, while QBR adds the context of turnovers, penalties, sacks, and rushing metrics.

What is YAC in football?

Yards after catch. This is measured by any yards gained after the receiver catches the ball. 

What does STF mean in football stats?

Stuffs. This is a defensive statistic when a player successfully tackles the ball carrier for a loss or no gain on the play.

How do turnovers affect team statistics?

Turnovers end a possession. It allows more time for the other team to administer their offense and often leads to more touchdowns in a game.

What football stats matter most for evaluating quarterbacks?

A good Quarterback has a high completion percentage and converts a lot of touchdowns. Yards signify that they’re moving the ball down the field, but moving the ball doesn’t matter if you’re not scoring points.