Ringer Article: Value of Avoiding a Sack

[Schneed10]

This is a great read and definitely jives with other recent metrics that have come out. ESPN arrived at their QBR formula which a) weights the importance of the score of the game and likelihood that a play will have a meaningful impact on the outcome of the game. Meaning, a 20-yard TD pass when it's 14-14 in the 3rd quarter is a pretty important moment and should count more than a 20-yard TD pass when it's 42-14 with 6 minutes to go in the game. It levels out the garbage time effect.

But it also takes into account negative plays that the QB is at least partially in control of like taking sacks vs rushing for 2 yards vs throwing the ball away.

You can see the difference in QBR vs Quarterback Rating which leaves out sacks, scrambling and clutch-weighting. The ranking of QBR will jive much better with your impression of how QBs should be ranked in a discussion over beers with buddies.

This sack measurement is in the same vein.