X Axis
Y Axis
Era
Min Rating 50
Metrics
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Defense Rating vs Offense Independence
Metric Weights ▼
Offense Independence Multiplier 0.0
0 = disable · 1 = default (±10%) · 2 = amplify (±20%)
Super Bowl Bonus 1.0
0 = disable · 1 = default (+3 win / +1.5 appear) · 2 = amplify
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Metric Weights ▼
Offense Independence Multiplier 0.0
0 = disable · 1 = default (±10%) · 2 = amplify (±20%)
Super Bowl Bonus 1.0
0 = disable · 1 = default (+3 win / +1.5 appear) · 2 = amplify
Metric Comparison
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Search and add defenses to compare
⚠ Normalize mode active — DVOA and Drive axes excluded from composite for all defenses
About Defense Evaluator
What is Defense Rating?

An era-adjusted composite score (0–100) where 50 = average defense for that season. Each metric is z-scored within its own season's league distribution, so a 1985 defense is always measured against other 1985 defenses — never against teams from a different era.

Composite = 50 + (weighted average z-score) × 14, clamped to [0, 100]. Optionally scaled by the Offense Independence multiplier.

Metrics & Default Weights
Data Tiers
Full  1999+ — NFLVerse play-by-play + DVOA. All metrics available.
DVOA+PFR  1978–1998 — DVOA + manual PFR CSV. Drive-based metrics absent.
PFR Only  Pre-1978 — Manual PFR CSV only. DVOA axes shown as N/A.
Normalize Eras

Drops DVOA and drive-based metric weights for all defenses in view so every era competes on identical metrics — the cleanest apples-to-apples mode when mixing e.g. 1974 Steelers with 2000 Ravens.

Offense Independence

A multiplier (±10% range at weight 1.0) that gives a small bonus to defenses carrying a poor offensive team. Set the weight slider to 0 to disable entirely.

SOS-Adj Scoring

Measures how much a defense held opponents below their season scoring average. Positive = opponents scored less than their season PPG. Requires the season's games CSV.

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Defense Rating
Metric Breakdown
Metric Raw Score Season All-Time
Schedule & Results
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Defense Battle
Corner A
Corner B