Pro Football Focus has revolutionized the way football fans follow the NFL by providing grades and advanced statistics for every player on every play. This service, which started in 2007, has become a staple for all 32 NFL teams and over 200 college teams. The grades are seen as one of the best ways to evaluate players, from high-profile quarterbacks to lesser-known guards and linebackers.
Now, PFF is taking their service to the next level by providing live grades during games. This new feature will be available with a slight delay, allowing fans to follow along in real-time as players are evaluated on their performance. This will enhance the viewing experience, giving fans a second-screen experience that complements the television broadcast. The service will debut during Thursday night’s game between Tampa Bay and Atlanta.
While the live grades are based on the television view of the game, the final grades and stats will still be produced after a thorough analysis of the all-22 film. This process ensures accuracy, with tests showing a 93% accuracy rate in live grading compared to the more comprehensive method. The live grades will be produced by a team of analysts, who will grade each player on each play during the game.
The new feature comes with its challenges, including the manpower required to produce live grades in real-time. PFF’s team of analysts spends an average of about 90 hours per game, with each game being covered by approximately 30 analysts. The accuracy of the live grades varies by position, with some aspects of the game, such as coverage by defensive backs and run blocking, requiring a deeper analysis for accurate grading.
Fans will have access to the live grades with a delay of about 15 to 30 minutes, with the goal of reducing this time lag in the future. The grades will be available for about 90 minutes after the game ends, giving fans a window to review and analyze the performance of their favorite players. After that, the grades will be locked until the final grading process is completed the following day.
Overall, the introduction of live grades by Pro Football Focus marks a significant advancement in how fans can engage with the game. This new feature provides a unique and interactive way for fans to follow and evaluate player performance in real-time, enhancing the overall viewing experience. With the continued growth and popularity of PFF, this new service is sure to be well-received by football enthusiasts looking for a deeper understanding of the game.
