After a down year for NFL passing numbers in 2017, due in part to a lot of injuries, quarterbacks have come back healthy and are thriving at historic efficiency levels in 2018. The leaguewide completion rate (64.8 percent) and passer rating (93.9) would both be the highest for a season in NFL history. The passing yards per attempt (7.52) and touchdown rate (5.0 percent) are on track to be the highest of any season since the 1970 merger.
The volume is also off the charts, as passers are on pace to throw and complete more passes for more yards and touchdowns than in any other season in NFL history. When Andy Dalton ranks 21st with a passer rating (92.9) that is higher than Joe Montana's career rating (92.3), it means that more than ever we need to put 2018's passing stats into better context.
Ultimately, scoring points leads to wins. While scoring is also on a historic pace (24.1 points per team per game), some of the fancier passing stats this season have not led to as much scoring (or as many wins) as some teams would like. That's why we are going to focus on quarterbacks with some of the most misleading statistics through Week 8 and how these numbers might play out in the second half of the season.