Passes To The Sticks: Evaluating quarterback performance on throws at or beyond the first-down marker

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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

It’s never too early to start preparing for next season, and for PFF, that means looking at ways to improve PFF Premium Stats. One way we’re looking to enhance the experience is by introducing more data into the mix.

This week, we're looking at how quarterbacks have performed when throwing to or beyond the first-down marker.

We have two metrics below: The first looks at how often a passer throws to the first down marker or beyond, while the second looks at how they perform in those situations.

Here is how the league's passers have fared through eight weeks of action.

Passing to the sticks percentage and grade (Min. 50 dropbacks)

Name	Team	Dropbacks	Atts. to sticks	Sticks %	Grade
Lamar Jackson	Ravens	293	109	37.20%	94.8
Joe Burrow	Bengals	310	111	35.81%	94.0
Derek Carr	Saints	147	54	36.73%	93.9
Justin Herbert	Chargers	234	73	31.20%	93.2
Jayden Daniels	Commanders	278	96	34.53%	91.5
Jameis Winston	Browns	59	32	54.24%	90.9
C.J. Stroud	Texans	326	116	35.58%	90.7
Aaron Rodgers	Jets	327	119	36.39%	90.2
Malik Willis	Packers	56	14	25.00%	90.1
Brock Purdy	49ers	305	132	43.28%	88.4
Trevor Lawrence	Jaguars	283	119	42.05%	87.8
Kyler Murray	Cardinals	278	101	36.33%	86.3
Josh Allen	Bills	277	105	37.91%	86.1
Baker Mayfield	Buccaneers	344	110	31.98%	84.5
Kirk Cousins	Falcons	313	126	40.26%	84.4
Justin Fields	Steelers	212	59	27.83%	83.2
Sam Darnold	Vikings	243	104	42.80%	82.8
Andy Dalton	Panthers	185	67	36.22%	82.2
Geno Smith	Seahawks	378	136	35.98%	81.7
Russell Wilson	Steelers	68	26	38.24%	81.2
Patrick Mahomes	Chiefs	276	81	29.35%	79.9
Jalen Hurts	Eagles	235	73	31.06%	77.4
Drake Maye	Patriots	115	40	34.78%	77.0
Daniel Jones	Giants	340	108	31.76%	74.7
Deshaun Watson	Browns	290	69	23.79%	74.6
Gardner Minshew	Raiders	251	80	31.87%	73.2
Jordan Love	Packers	230	95	41.30%	71.7
Tua Tagovailoa	Dolphins	118	40	33.90%	71.5
Joe Flacco	Colts	125	48	38.40%	71.0
Jared Goff	Lions	221	80	36.20%	70.9
Spencer Rattler	Saints	127	33	25.98%	69.6
Caleb Williams	Bears	293	99	33.79%	66.6
Jacoby Brissett	Patriots	198	57	28.79%	65.9
Tyler Huntley	Dolphins	91	30	32.97%	65.3
Bo Nix	Broncos	322	115	35.71%	64.8
Will Levis	Titans	160	49	30.63%	63.8
Dak Prescott	Cowboys	312	119	38.14%	62.6
Matthew Stafford	Rams	266	99	37.22%	57.5
Mason Rudolph	Titans	113	44	38.94%	55.5
Anthony Richardson	Colts	161	75	46.58%	49.0
Aidan O'Connell	Raiders	90	33	36.67%	48.3
Bryce Young	Panthers	126	48	38.10%	41.1