Traditional statistics often grab the spotlight, but advanced metrics provide a deeper, more accurate picture of which players have truly performed at an elite level. We used our proprietary QB+ metrics to evaluate individual quarterback performances over the past 26 NFL seasons.
QB+ is a formula that assigns a score and letter grade to every quarterback’s individual performance. The metric molds stats, including success rates when pressured, third-down conversion rate, and pocket production. The added wrinkle in this insight is quantifying “clutch.” We’ve used timeliness-based stats to account for score and situation.
Here are the 10 highest-graded single-game performances since QB+ began in 2000.
1) Doug Flutie, Buffalo Bills (Week 17, 2000 vs. Seahawks)
Doug Flutie put on an absolute passing masterclass in Week 17 of the 2000 season. He lit up the Seattle Seahawks, completing 20 of 25 pass attempts (80%) for 366 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. Flutie’s 14.6 net yards per pass attempt was his highest mark of the season, and he posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Flutie was particularly strong in the first half of the game, heading into halftime with a +2.53 EPA per dropback. He finished the game with a +1.17 EPA/DB and an astounding 71.4% conversion rate on third and fourth downs. The Buffalo Bills went on to convincingly defeat the Seahawks 42-23, behind Flutie and the electric wide receiver duo of Eric Moulds and Peerless Price.
2) Trent Green, Kansas City Chiefs (Week 15, 2003 vs. Lions)
The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the best teams in the NFL in 2003, boasting the league’s No. 1 scoring offense. The unit’s explosiveness was on full display against the lowly Detroit Lions in Week 15, as the Chiefs blasted their opponents to 45-17. Trent Green paced the offense, throwing for 341 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while completing 80% of his passes.
Green finished with a perfect 158.3 passer rating. The Chiefs took advantage of Detroit’s secondary, as Green averaged 16.04 air yards per attempt, well above his season average of 7.61. Green posted a +1.06 EPA per dropback and converted on 100% of his third and fourth down attempts. He only ran the ball once but totaled 14 yards and turned in a +0.92 EPA per rush.
3) Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (Wild Card, 2021 vs. Patriots)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen saved his highest-graded QB+ performance for the Wild Card Round of the playoffs in 2021. Allen and the Bills’ offense dominated the New England Patriots’ defense, finishing with 482 yards of total offense. Allen accounted for 308 yards and five touchdowns through the air and another 66 yards on the ground.
Allen’s 157.6 passer rating was the second-highest in a single game in his career, and he did so on 21-of-25 passing (84%). He did a good job of spreading touches among his receivers, with no pass catcher having more than five receptions.
Allen converted on 100% of his third- and fourth-down attempts. He also excelled in the face of pressure, with a +1.53 EPA/DB in those scenarios. That was one of the highest marks that the QB+ metric has ever recorded. Allen was also highly efficient in the ground game, finishing with a +1.24 EPA per rush.
4) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (Week 1, 2007 vs. Giants)
The 2007 season was a Pro Bowl year for Tony Romo, as he led the Dallas Cowboys to a 13-3 record and an NFC East title. Romo got off to a hot start, putting together an impressive performance against rival New York Giants in Week 1. He threw for 345 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, with a 62.5% completion rate and a 128.5 passer rating.
What made Romo’s numbers so impressive was that he accumulated all of it on just 15 completions, including touchdown passes of 47 and 51 yards to Terrell Owens and Sam Hurd, respectively.
A fourth quarter rally by the Giants made the game tighter (45-35 final score), but Romo responded well, finishing with an unreal +6.57 close game EPA per dropback. He also converted at a 63.6% clip on third and fourth downs and averaged 14.0 net yards per pass attempt.
5) Chad Pennington, New York Jets (Week 15, 2004 vs. Seahawks)
Chad Pennington enjoyed his best game of the 2004 season in the Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The New York Jets won the game handily, 37-14, behind a balanced offensive attack that included Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Still, Pennington and the passing attack had it going as well.
Pennington finished the game with 253 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions on 18-of-24 passing (75%). His 148.1 passer rating was by far his best mark of the season (91.0 passer rating in 2004). Pennington started the game strong, with a +4.0 EPA per dropback in the first half, one of the best marks in QB+ history. He was also perfect on third and fourth downs for the game.
Pennington wasn’t as productive in the second half, but the game script likely played a factor.
6) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (Wild Card, 2003 vs. Broncos)
Peyton Manning is the highest-graded quarterback in the history of the QB+ metric, so it’s only right that he also has one of the best single-game performances of all time. The Indianapolis Colts boasted one of the most elite offenses of the 21st century, led by Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison Sr., and Reggie Wayne. The unit obliterated the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs during the 2003 season.
Manning posted a masterful performance, racking up 377 passing yards and five touchdowns with an 84.6% completion rate and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He finished the game with a +1.23 EPA per dropback, the fourth-highest mark that QB+ has recorded. Manning also had an 83.3% conversion rate on third and fourth downs, averaging 14.5 net yards per attempt.
7) Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (Week 7, 2009 vs. Bears)
Carson Palmer’s most complete game in 2009, and his career, came against the Chicago Bears. The contest was never in doubt, as the Cincinnati Bengals ran away with a dominant 45-10 victory in front of the home crowd. Palmer completed 20 of 24 pass attempts for 233 yards and five touchdowns, with zero interceptions.
Palmer posted an impressive 146.7 passer rating and outperformed Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who threw three interceptions. A strong second half (+1.27 EPA per dropback) helped Palmer finish with a +1.19 EPA per dropback for the whole game. He also converted on 100% of his attempts on third and fourth downs.
The game being a blowout hurt Palmer in a QB+ sense, considering it didn’t call for him to step up in clutch situations. Regardless, it was an elite performance by the three-time Pro Bowler.
8) Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (Week 11, 2024 vs. Jaguars)
Jared Goff produced an elite 2024 campaign, finishing second in QB+ for the year and leading a top-ranked Detroit Lions offense, according to PFSN’s Offense+ metric. Goff had several standout performances, but his showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11 stands out.
Goff threw for 412 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions en route to a 52-6 drubbing of the Jaguars. He took the top off the defense when he connected with Jameson Williams for a 64-yard score. Goff completed 82.8% of his passes, one of the six times he posted a completion rate of 80% or higher in 2024. He also finished with a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Goff ended the game with a +1.04 EPA per dropback and an 87.5% conversion rate on third and fourth downs. He also posted a strong 14.2 net yards per pass attempt.
9) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (Week 12, 2019 vs. Rams)
Lamar Jackson’s 2019 season was nothing short of magical. He led the NFL in passing touchdowns, earned first-team All-Pro honors, and earned his first MVP award. He put together multiple all-time performances in his first season as the full-time starter for the Baltimore Ravens, including in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
We’ve got a Jackson 5! #RavensFlock
Lamar Jackson has FIVE touchdown passes on #MNF. @Lj_era8 @Willie_Snead4G
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Jackson’s rare dual-threat ability was on full display against the Rams. While he only threw for 169 yards, he racked up five passing touchdowns, with a 75% completion rate and a 139.4 passer rating. Jackson also carried the ball eight times for 95 yards, finishing with a +0.93 EPA per rush. He had a 90% conversion rate on third and fourth downs and a +1.56 EPA per dropback when afforded a clean pocket.
10) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (Week 1, 2019 vs. Dolphins)
Jackson is the only player with two performances to crack the top 10, and this one also came during the 2019 season. In fact, it was the season opener against the Miami Dolphins. This was a special game for Jackson, as the Dolphins’ stadium is less than an hour from his hometown of Pompano Beach, Fla.
Jackson put on a show in front of family and friends, racking up 324 passing yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions. He completed 17 of his 20 pass attempts (85%) and posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating. His 21.20 air yards per attempt was a significant jump from his season average (8.92).
Jackson converted on 66.7% of his third- and fourth-down attempts and finished the game with a +1.23 EPA per dropback. His 16.1 net yards per pass attempt were the third-highest the QB+ metric has ever seen.