NFL stat glossary
Every abbreviation in an NBA, NFL or MLB box score, with the formula behind it, this season’s league leaders and the median across qualified players, so a number has something to be measured against.
NFL42 terms
NFL leadersPassing
- Passing YardsYDSYards gained on the quarterback's completed passes.
- Passing TouchdownsTDTouchdown passes thrown.
- Interceptions ThrownINTPasses thrown to the other team — lower is better.
- CompletionsCMPPasses that reached the intended receiver.
- Passer RatingRTGPasser rating on the NFL's 0-158.3 scale, built from completion rate, yards, touchdowns and interceptions.
- QBRESPN's Total QBR: a quarterback's contribution on every play he is part of, on a 0-100 scale where 50 is average.
- Completion %CMP%Share of passes that were caught. The league average sits near 65%.
- Yards Per Pass AttemptAVGPassing yards per throw, incompletions included. The league average sits near 7.
Rushing
- Rushing YardsYDSYards gained carrying the ball.
- Rushing TouchdownsTDTouchdowns run into the end zone.
- CarriesCARTimes the player ran with the ball.
- Yards Per CarryAVGRushing yards per carry. The league average sits near 4.3.
- FumblesFUMTimes the ball carrier lost the ball, recovered by either side.
- Fumbles LostLSTFumbles the defense recovered.
- First DownsFDRuns that gained a new set of downs.
- Longest PlayLNGThe longest single play of the kind the table counts.
Receiving
Defense
- SacksSACKQuarterbacks tackled behind the line of scrimmage. A shared sack counts as a half.
- TacklesTOTTackles made, solo and assisted together.
- Forced FumblesFFTimes the defender knocked the ball loose, whoever recovered it.
- Passes DefendedPDPasses the defender broke up or deflected.
- Solo TacklesSOLOTackles made alone, with no teammate sharing the credit.
- Fumbles RecoveredFRLoose balls the defender came up with.
- Kicks BlockedKBField goals, extra points and punts the defender blocked.
- Assisted TacklesASTTackles made together with a team-mate.
- StuffsSTFRunners tackled at or behind the line of scrimmage.
- Stuff YardsSTFYDSYards the offense lost on the runs this defender stopped behind the line.
Scoring
Kicking
- Field Goal %FG%Share of field goal attempts that were good.
- Field Goals MadeFGMThree-point kicks the kicker put through the uprights.
- Net Punting AverageNETPunt distance per kick after returns and touchbacks.
- TouchbacksTBPunts that reached the end zone and came out to the 20.
- Fair CatchesFCPunts the returner signalled for and caught without a return.
- Punts Inside the 20IN20Punts downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
- PuntsPunts kicked.
- Touchback PercentageTB%Share of punts that ended in a touchback.