2012 was the Year of the Quarterback.
The league-wide passer rating (85.6) and touchdown-interception ratio (1.62:1) were both at historic levels, topping the previous records set in 2011 (84.3 passer rating; 1.47:1 TD:INT ratio).
Games averaged an all-time high 694.4 total net yards per game, surpassing last year's record (693.7). Explosive passing offenses fueled that trend, with an average of 462.6 net passing yards per game, also an all-time high (459.4 in 2011).
There were 126 individual 300-yard passing games in 2012, the most of any season in NFL history (121 in 2011).
"It's a quarterback's league now," says CBS analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts. "It's how the game has evolved. You've got coaches willing to throw the ball more than ever, and you've got receivers who are the best athletes on the field. Why wouldn't a coach want to use them?"
As professional football has evolved, the sophistication and importance of the passing game have grown consistently. Defenders have grown stronger and faster while defensive coordinators have become more creative. Moving the ball downfield three yards at a time via the run has grown increasingly difficult.
This trend has helped allow the growing number of star NFL quarterbacks -- ranging from established veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning to promising youngsters like Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson -- to fully showcase their passing talents.
"Everybody feeds off of what the quarterback can and cannot do," says ESPN analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. "Defensively, offensively, everybody reacts to what threats or nonthreats the quarterback has. Everything else is secondary."
A record-tying six quarterbacks passed for 4,500+ yards, matching 2011's record total. Twelve quarterbacks had 25+ passing touchdowns, equaling the record set in 2009. Four quarterbacks finished the year with a passer rating of 100 or better, which is tied for the second-most in history (five in 2009; four in 1998, 2004, 2011 and 2012).
The quarterbacks with 4,500+ passing yards, 25+ touchdown passes or a 100+ passer rating in 2012:
Quarterback | Passing Yards |
---|---|
Source: NFL | |
Drew Brees | 5,177 |
Matthew Stafford | 4,967 |
Tony Romo | 4,903 |
Tom Brady | 4,827 |
Matt Ryan | 4,719 |
Peyton Manning | 4,659 |
Quarterback | Passing TDs |
---|---|
Source: NFL | |
Drew Brees | 43 |
Aaron Rodgers | 39 |
Peyton Manning | 37 |
Tom Brady | 34 |
Matt Ryan | 32 |
Tony Romo | 28 |
Andy Dalton | 27 |
Josh Freeman | 27 |
Eli Manning | 26 |
Philip Rivers | 26 |
Ben Roethlisberger | 26 |
Russell Wilson | 26 |
Quarterback | Quarterback Rating |
---|---|
Source: NFL | |
Aaron Rodgers | 108.0 |
Peyton Manning | 105.8 |
Robert Griffin III | 102.4 |
Russell Wilson | 100.0 |
NFL Quarterback Consistency
NFL quarterbacks produced the most prolific and efficient season in NFL history in 2012, setting myriad league-wide passing records.
A big reason for that success was the consistent performance of the starters.
In 2012, 20 of 32 teams started the same quarterback in every game, the most of any season since at least 1970.
Season | Teams Starting Same QB All Season |
---|---|
Source: NFL | |
2012 | 20 |
1982 | 18 |
2001 | 16 |
2006 | 16 |
2008 | 16 |
The NFL has strengthened safety rules throughout its history for all players, including quarterbacks.
"We need these quarterbacks," says Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach JOHN MADDEN, who now co-chairs the NFL's Player Safety Advisory Panel. "It's a passing league and a quarterback-driven league. We need guys like PEYTON MANNING, TOM BRADY and DREW BREES in football uniforms out there playing. We need those guys out on the field instead of them standing on the sideline."
A look at some of the rules designed to better protect quarterbacks over the past 20 years:
1993
It is not intentional grounding when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player has a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line).
1995
Protection for defenseless players is clarified and expanded, including passers.
When tackling a passer during or just after throwing a pass, a defensive player is prohibited from unnecessarily and violently throwing him down and landing on top of him with all or most of the defender's weight.
2002
It is illegal to hit a quarterback helmet-to-helmet any time after a change of possession.
2006
Low hits on the quarterback are prohibited when a rushing defender has an opportunity to avoid such contact.
2009
The rule regarding low hits on passers is clarified and strengthened.
2010
All "defenseless players," including passers, are protected from blows to the head delivered by an opponent's helmet, forearm, or shoulder.
Quarterbacks after a change of possession are protected from blows to the head delivered by an opponent's helmet, forearm, or shoulder, instead of just helmet-to-helmet contact
2013
All players are required to wear protective knee and thigh pads.
It is illegal for a runner or tackler to initiate forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top or crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players are clearly outside the tackle box.
Clutch Performers
Many NFL games are decided in the fourth quarter. The difference between a win and a loss can come down to a clutch performer at quarterback. Some of the most memorable moments in NFL history have taken place with the game on the line.
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler embraces the opportunity to respond under pressure. Last year, Cutler posted an NFL-best 114.7 passer rating in the fourth quarter.
"Jay's a very intelligent person," says Bears offensive coordinator AARON KROMER. "He knows football. He's had success in this league and we can move the football and score touchdowns with him."
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was also at his best during his team's toughest moments. In 2012, Flacco posted a rating of 103.1 in the fourth quarter on the way to leading the Ravens to a victory in Super Bowl XLVII.
"When we needed him most, he stepped up and made plays, especially at the end," says Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh. "That's why he's a great quarterback, and he will be for a long time in this league."
The quarterbacks with the highest fourth-quarter passer rating in 2012 (minimum 80 attempts):
Player | Team | Comp | Att | Pct | Yards | TD | INT | Q4 Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Source: NFL | ||||||||
Jay Cutler | Chicago | 57 | 90 | 63.3 | 853 | 8 | 2 | 114.7 |
Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 75 | 117 | 64.1 | 948 | 11 | 2 | 113.5 |
Peyton Manning | Denver | 72 | 123 | 58.5 | 847 | 9 | 0 | 103.9 |
Joe Flacco | Baltimore | 62 | 99 | 62.6 | 759 | 5 | 0 | 103.1 |
Russell Wilson | Seattle | 64 | 105 | 61.0 | 796 | 7 | 1 | 102.7 |
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Quarterback Success in the NFL