The 14 NFL Quarterbacks That Have Improved Their Passer Rating This Season

The passer rating statistic is one of the best ways to measure how well a QB is playing.  There are 14 QBs in the NFL this season that have improved their passer ratings from last season.

To note, you won’t see Michael Vick listed in the slideshow because he only threw 13 passes in 2009, thus he didn’t post a qualified passer rating last season. Although Vick isn't listed in this slideshow, without a doubt he is the most improved QB this season.

Matt Cassel

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SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks downfield against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

In Matt Cassel's first season with the Kansas City Chiefs, he posted a 69.9 passer rating.  This season he has a 99.7 passer rating, for a 29.8 point improvement.  The biggest improvement in the NFL this season.

Josh Freeman

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passes against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens led the Buccaneers at the half 17-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Ima

Josh Freeman posted a 59.8 passer rating in his rookie season.  This season he has rebounded with a 89.3 passer rating, for a 29.5 point improvement. 

Mark Sanchez

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to throw a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Bengal 26-10.

I'm sure New York Jets fans wish Mark Sanchez passer rating was higher than 81.9 this season, however it's a 18.9 point improvement off of his 63.0 passer rating last year.

Vince Young

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass against the San Diego Chargers in the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25.

It's been a season to forget for Vince Young.  However before he went down to injury, Vince Young posted a 98.6 passer rating this season.  That's a 15.8 point improvement off of his 82.8 rating last year.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills throws against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Imag

The Buffalo Bills as a team haven’t improved, but their QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has.  Fitzpatrick's passer rating this season is 85.2, for a 15.5 point improvement off of last year's 69.7 passer rating.

Jay Cutler

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears rolls out to look for a receiver against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

Jay Cutler's first season with the Chicago Bears didn't go over so well with fans, as he posted a 76.8 passer rating.  However this year Jay Cutler has performed better, and has a 90.4 passer rating.  That's a 13.6 point improvement off of his passer rating last year.

Matt Ryan

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

It's hard to remember now, but Matt Ryan had a rather average season last year, with a 80.9 passer rating.  This season his passer rating is 94.4 for a 13.5 point improvement, and his team the Atlanta Falcons are flying high.

Tom Brady

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

For most QBs posting a 96.2 passer rating would be a reason to celebrate.  But for Tom Brady it was considered a down season last year.  This year though he has bounced back with a passer rating of 105.8, for a 9.6 point improvement.  Brady only trails Michael Vick by 0.2 points for the NFL lead in passer rating.

David Garrard

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars passes during a game agaisnt the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on November 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

David Garrard posted a 83.5 passer rating last season.  This season his passer rating is 92.7, for a 9.2 point improvement.  Garrard is playing better than last season, and It's one of the reasons why the Jacksonville Jaguars have been able to pull off victories in some close games.

Kyle Orton

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos makes a pass against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos fans were pleasantly surprised about Kyle Orton's 86.8 passer rating last season. Although the Broncos are struggling this season, don't blame Orton.  His passer rating is 96.0 this season, for a 9.2 point improvement off of last year's.

Chad Henne

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins in action against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

You can't say that Chad Henne is putting up Pro Bowl worthy numbers, with a 81.3 passer rating this season, but it is a 6.1 point improvement, off of his 75.2 passer rating last season.

Joe Flacco

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Joe Flacco has posted a solid passer rating every season of his three-year career, this year however he's posting his best yet, with a 93.2 passer rating.  This is a 4.3 point improvement off of his 88.9 passer rating last season.

Matt Hasselbeck

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SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Matt Hasselbeck has certainly posted better passer ratings than this season's 78.9 rating, but it is a 3.8 point improvement off his his 75.1 rating last season.

Philip Rivers

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers throws a pass during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

It's hard to improve off of a 104.4 passer rating, but Philip Rivers had done just that this season.  His 104.9 passer rating this season, marks a 0.5 point improvement in his passer rating.