A Statistical History of Pro Football

Drawing on the author’s 30-year study of football statistics, this book presents new methods for analyzing the game in different ways. An examination of known distances for missed field goals offers an accurate method for evaluating placekickers. Reassessments of punters and running backs are included, along with an overhaul of the NFL’s passer rating system. Topics previously unexplored through statistics are covered, such as momentum, defining “What is a dynasty?” and “What is a Cinderella team?”

The late Rupert Patrick was an engineering designer and lived in Greenville, South Carolina. He was a long-time member of the Professional Football Researchers Association and was the 2019 recipient of the organization’s Ralph Hay Award for lifetime achievement in pro football research and historiography.

Rupert Patrick

Format: softcover (7 x10)
Pages: 283
Bibliographic Info: glossary, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2021
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8287-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4089-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments ix
Preface 1
Team Names and Abbreviations 5
1. Home Field Advantage 9
2. Estimated Winning Percentage 25
3. Momentum 43
4. Cinderella and Surprise Teams, and One-Year Wonders 63
5. Rusher Ratings: YRAA 78
6. Passer Ratings: NPR 108
7. Kicker Ratings: PAL, PAL2, K% 142
8. Punter Ratings: 1961 and 2018 187
9. Coding 203
10. Dynasties 221
Glossary 259
Bibliography 265
Player Index 269