The Ultimate DVOA Rankings Guide: Unlocking Defensive Dominance

Miss Hassie Goldner 04 Jul 2025

What are DVOA Rankings?

DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) rankings are a measure of a team's or player's performance in American football. They are calculated by comparing a team's or player's performance to the average performance of all other teams or players in the league, while adjusting for the strength of the opponents they have faced.

DVOA rankings are used to evaluate a team's or player's overall performance, as well as their performance in specific areas, such as offense, defense, and special teams. They can also be used to compare teams or players across different eras.

DVOA was developed by Football Outsiders, a website that provides advanced statistics and analysis of American football. DVOA has become one of the most widely used metrics in football analysis, and it is often cited by coaches, players, and fans.

DVOA rankings are important because they provide a comprehensive and objective measure of a team's or player's performance. They are not affected by factors such as reputation or popularity, and they can be used to compare teams or players across different eras.

DVOA rankings have been used to identify some of the greatest teams and players in football history. For example, the 1985 Chicago Bears, who won the Super Bowl XX, had the highest DVOA rating of any team in NFL history.

DVOA rankings can also be used to identify trends and patterns in football. For example, DVOA has shown that teams that are good at running the ball and stopping the run tend to be more successful than teams that are not.

DVOA Rankings

DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) rankings are a comprehensive and objective measure of a team's or player's performance in American football. They are calculated by comparing a team's or player's performance to the average performance of all other teams or players in the league, while adjusting for the strength of the opponents they have faced.

Objective
Comprehensive
Unaffected by reputation or popularity
Can be used to compare teams or players across different eras
Can be used to identify trends and patterns in football
Used to evaluate a team's or player's overall performance
Used to evaluate a team's or player's performance in specific areas

DVOA rankings are an essential tool for football analysis. They provide a wealth of information about a team's or player's performance, and they can be used to identify trends and patterns in the game. DVOA rankings are also used to evaluate the performance of coaches and general managers, and they can be used to make informed decisions about roster construction and game strategy.

Here are a few examples of how DVOA rankings can be used to gain insights into football:

The 1985 Chicago Bears, who won the Super Bowl XX, had the highest DVOA rating of any team in NFL history.
The New England Patriots have been the most consistent team in the NFL over the past two decades, according to DVOA.
Quarterback Tom Brady has the highest career DVOA rating of any player in NFL history.

These are just a few examples of how DVOA rankings can be used to gain insights into football. DVOA is a powerful tool that can be used to evaluate the performance of teams, players, coaches, and general managers. It is an essential tool for any football fan or analyst.

1. Objective

Objectivity is a key component of DVOA rankings. DVOA is calculated using a formula that takes into account a team's or player's performance, as well as the strength of their opponents. This formula is designed to be as objective as possible, and it is not affected by factors such as reputation or popularity.

Data-driven
DVOA is calculated using data from every play of every game in the NFL. This data is used to create a statistical model that predicts how many points a team or player should have scored or allowed in each game.
Opponent-adjusted
DVOA takes into account the strength of a team's or player's opponents. This is important because it ensures that teams and players are not penalized for playing tough schedules.
Consistent
DVOA is calculated using the same formula for every team and player. This ensures that the rankings are consistent and fair.
Transparent
The formula used to calculate DVOA is publicly available. This allows anyone to verify the accuracy of the rankings.

The objectivity of DVOA rankings makes them a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of teams and players. DVOA rankings are not affected by factors such as reputation or popularity, and they can be used to compare teams and players across different eras.

2. Comprehensive

DVOA rankings are comprehensive because they take into account a wide range of factors that contribute to a team's or player's performance. These factors include:

Overall performance
DVOA rankings take into account a team's or player's overall performance, including their performance on offense, defense, and special teams.
Performance in specific areas
DVOA rankings can also be used to evaluate a team's or player's performance in specific areas, such as rushing, passing, or defending against the run.
Opponent strength
DVOA rankings take into account the strength of a team's or player's opponents. This is important because it ensures that teams and players are not penalized for playing tough schedules.
Historical context
DVOA rankings can be used to compare teams and players across different eras. This is important because it allows us to see how teams and players have performed relative to their peers over time.

The comprehensiveness of DVOA rankings makes them a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of teams and players. DVOA rankings can be used to identify trends and patterns in the game, and they can be used to make informed decisions about roster construction and game strategy.

3. Unaffected by reputation or popularity

DVOA rankings are unaffected by reputation or popularity. This means that a team or player's ranking is based solely on their performance on the field, not on their reputation or how popular they are.

Objectivity
DVOA rankings are calculated using a mathematical formula that takes into account a team's or player's performance, as well as the strength of their opponents. This formula is designed to be as objective as possible, and it is not affected by factors such as reputation or popularity.
Data-driven
DVOA rankings are calculated using data from every play of every game in the NFL. This data is used to create a statistical model that predicts how many points a team or player should have scored or allowed in each game.
Opponent-adjusted
DVOA takes into account the strength of a team's or player's opponents. This is important because it ensures that teams and players are not penalized for playing tough schedules.
Consistent
DVOA is calculated using the same formula for every team and player. This ensures that the rankings are consistent and fair.

The fact that DVOA rankings are unaffected by reputation or popularity makes them a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of teams and players. DVOA rankings can be used to identify trends and patterns in the game, and they can be used to make informed decisions about roster construction and game strategy.

4. Can be used to compare teams or players across different eras

DVOA rankings can be used to compare teams or players across different eras. This is important because it allows us to see how teams and players have performed relative to their peers over time.

Historical context
DVOA rankings take into account the historical context of a team's or player's performance. This means that we can compare teams and players from different eras, even if they played under different rules or in different leagues.
Consistency
DVOA rankings are calculated using the same formula for every team and player, regardless of era. This ensures that the rankings are consistent and fair.
Objectivity
DVOA rankings are objective and not affected by factors such as reputation or popularity. This means that we can be confident that the rankings are a true reflection of a team's or player's performance.

The ability to compare teams or players across different eras is a valuable tool for football analysis. DVOA rankings allow us to see how the game has evolved over time, and they can help us to identify the greatest teams and players in history. For example, we can use DVOA rankings to compare the 1985 Chicago Bears to the 2001 New England Patriots, or to compare Tom Brady to Joe Montana.

5. Can be used to identify trends and patterns in football

DVOA rankings can be used to identify trends and patterns in football. This is because DVOA is a comprehensive measure of a team's or player's performance, and it takes into account a wide range of factors, including opponent strength and historical context. By analyzing DVOA rankings over time, we can see how teams and players have performed relative to their peers, and we can identify trends and patterns in the game.

For example, DVOA rankings have shown that teams that are good at running the ball and stopping the run tend to be more successful than teams that are not. This is because running the ball and stopping the run are two of the most important factors in determining a team's success in football. Teams that are able to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball effectively are more likely to win games, and teams that are able to stop the run are more likely to prevent their opponents from scoring points.

DVOA rankings can also be used to identify trends and patterns in individual player performance. For example, DVOA rankings have shown that quarterbacks who are able to complete a high percentage of their passes and avoid turnovers are more likely to be successful than quarterbacks who are not. This is because completing passes and avoiding turnovers are two of the most important factors in determining a quarterback's success. Quarterbacks who are able to complete passes consistently and avoid turnovers are more likely to lead their teams to wins.

The ability to identify trends and patterns in football is a valuable tool for coaches, players, and fans. By understanding the trends and patterns in the game, we can better understand how to win. DVOA rankings are a powerful tool that can be used to identify trends and patterns in football, and they can be used to gain a competitive advantage.

6. Used to evaluate a team's or player's overall performance

DVOA rankings are a comprehensive measure of a team's or player's overall performance. They take into account a wide range of factors, including opponent strength and historical context, to provide a single number that represents how well a team or player has performed relative to their peers.

Overall DVOA
Overall DVOA is a single number that represents a team's or player's overall performance. It is calculated by combining a team's or player's DVOA ratings on offense, defense, and special teams.
Offensive DVOA
Offensive DVOA measures a team's or player's performance on offense. It takes into account factors such as yards per play, points per drive, and turnovers.
Defensive DVOA
Defensive DVOA measures a team's or player's performance on defense. It takes into account factors such as yards per play, points allowed per drive, and turnovers.
Special Teams DVOA
Special Teams DVOA measures a team's or player's performance on special teams. It takes into account factors such as field position, return yardage, and blocked kicks.

DVOA rankings are a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of teams and players. They provide a comprehensive and objective measure of performance that can be used to compare teams and players across different eras and different leagues.

7. Used to evaluate a team's or player's performance in specific areas

DVOA rankings can be used to evaluate a team's or player's performance in specific areas, such as offense, defense, and special teams. This is important because it allows us to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a team or player, and to make informed decisions about how to improve performance.

For example, if a team has a high DVOA ranking on offense, it means that they are performing well in terms of yards per play, points per drive, and turnovers. This information can be used to identify the team's strengths and weaknesses, and to make informed decisions about how to improve performance.

Similarly, if a player has a high DVOA ranking on defense, it means that they are performing well in terms of yards per play, points allowed per drive, and turnovers. This information can be used to identify the player's strengths and weaknesses, and to make informed decisions about how to improve performance.

DVOA rankings are a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of teams and players in specific areas. This information can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses, and to make informed decisions about how to improve performance.

FAQs about DVOA Rankings

Question 1: What are the benefits of using DVOA rankings?

Answer: DVOA rankings are beneficial because they are objective, comprehensive, and unaffected by reputation or popularity. They can be used to compare teams or players across different eras and different leagues, and they can be used to identify trends and patterns in the game.

Question 2: How are DVOA rankings calculated?

Answer: DVOA rankings are calculated using a formula that takes into account a team's or player's performance, as well as the strength of their opponents. The formula is designed to be as objective as possible, and it is not affected by factors such as reputation or popularity.

Question 3: Can DVOA rankings be used to evaluate a team's or player's performance in specific areas?

Answer: Yes, DVOA rankings can be used to evaluate a team's or player's performance in specific areas, such as offense, defense, and special teams. This information can be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a team or player, and to make informed decisions about how to improve performance.

Question 4: How can DVOA rankings be used to identify trends and patterns in football?

Answer: DVOA rankings can be used to identify trends and patterns in football by analyzing the rankings over time. This information can be used to identify the most successful teams and players, and to identify the most effective strategies and tactics in the game.

Question 5: Are DVOA rankings the only measure of a team's or player's performance?

Answer: No, DVOA rankings are just one measure of a team's or player's performance. Other measures include traditional statistics, such as yards per game and points per game, as well as advanced statistics, such as expected points added (EPA) and completion percentage over expectation (CPOE).

Summary: DVOA rankings are a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of teams and players in American football. They are objective, comprehensive, and unaffected by reputation or popularity. DVOA rankings can be used to compare teams or players across different eras and different leagues, and they can be used to identify trends and patterns in the game.

Transition to the next article section: DVOA rankings are just one measure of a team's or player's performance. Other measures include traditional statistics, such as yards per game and points per game, as well as advanced statistics, such as expected points added (EPA) and completion percentage over expectation (CPOE). In the next section, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using different measures of performance.

Conclusion

DVOA rankings are a comprehensive and objective measure of a team's or player's performance in American football. They are calculated by comparing a team's or player's performance to the average performance of all other teams or players in the league, while adjusting for the strength of the opponents they have faced.

DVOA rankings are a valuable tool for football analysis. They provide a wealth of information about a team's or player's performance, and they can be used to identify trends and patterns in the game. DVOA rankings are also used to evaluate the performance of coaches and general managers, and they can be used to make informed decisions about roster construction and game strategy.

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