Advanced Stats Glossary

EPAExpected Points Added

How many points a play added or cost compared with what was expected from that down, distance and field position.

Why it matters: The best single measure of how much a play actually helped a team score.

DVOADefense-adjusted Value Over Average

Football Outsiders' play-by-play efficiency rating, adjusted for opponent strength. 0% is league average.

Why it matters: Separates good teams from teams with easy schedules.

YOEYards Over Expected

Yards a rusher or receiver gains beyond what a model expects given blockers and defenders.

Why it matters: Credits the player rather than the blocking or scheme.

Success Rate

Share of plays gaining 40% of needed yards on 1st down, 60% on 2nd, and 100% on 3rd/4th.

Why it matters: Shows how consistently an offense stays on schedule.

Pressure Rate

Hurries, knockdowns and sacks divided by opponent dropbacks.

Why it matters: A truer pass-rush measure than sacks alone.

Explosive RateExplosive Play Rate

Share of runs of 12+ yards and passes of 16+ yards.

Why it matters: Big plays drive scoring more than almost anything else.

CPOECompletion % Over Expected

A quarterback's completion rate versus what's expected given throw difficulty.

Why it matters: Rewards accuracy on hard throws.

ANY/AAdjusted Net Yards per Attempt

Passing yards per attempt, adjusted for touchdowns, interceptions and sacks.

Why it matters: One of the most predictive simple QB stats.

TS%True Shooting Percentage

Scoring efficiency that counts threes and free throws.

Why it matters: Best single number for how efficiently a player scores.

eFG%Effective Field Goal %

Field goal % with threes weighted 1.5x.

Why it matters: Shows shooting value without free throws.

UsageUsage Rate

Share of team possessions a player finishes while on the floor.

Why it matters: Context for efficiency — high usage is harder.

Net Rating

Points scored minus allowed per 100 possessions.

Why it matters: The cleanest way to compare team strength.

Pace

Possessions per 48 minutes.

Why it matters: Explains why raw totals can be inflated or deflated.

wRC+Weighted Runs Created Plus

Total offensive value adjusted for park and league. 100 is average; 150 is 50% better.

Why it matters: Compares hitters fairly across eras and ballparks.

OPS+On-base Plus Slugging Plus

OPS adjusted for park and league, scaled so 100 is average.

Why it matters: A quick, fair hitting comparison.

FIPFielding Independent Pitching

An ERA-like number using only strikeouts, walks, hit batters and home runs.

Why it matters: Removes defense and luck from a pitcher's results.

xwOBAExpected Weighted On-base Average

Expected hitting value from exit velocity and launch angle.

Why it matters: Spots hitters due for a hot or cold stretch.

Barrel %Barrel Rate

Share of batted balls hit at ideal speed and angle.

Why it matters: Strongly linked to power output.

WHIPWalks + Hits per Inning Pitched

Baserunners a pitcher allows each inning.

Why it matters: Simple read on how often a pitcher is in trouble.

xGExpected Goals

Probability each shot becomes a goal based on location and type, summed up.

Why it matters: Shows who is creating real chances, not just shooting.

CorsiCorsi (CF%)

Share of all shot attempts — on goal, missed and blocked — while a player or team is on the ice.

Why it matters: A proxy for puck possession.

FenwickFenwick (FF%)

Like Corsi but excludes blocked shots.

Why it matters: Slightly cleaner read on scoring-chance control.

HDCFHigh-Danger Chances For

Scoring chances from the slot and crease area.

Why it matters: The chances that actually turn into goals.

PDO

Team shooting % plus save %. Around 100 is normal.

Why it matters: Far above or below 100 usually means luck will even out.

GSAxGoals Saved Above Expected

Goals a goalie prevented versus what the shots' xG predicted.

Why it matters: The best measure of goaltending.