The NFL Points Per Game Calculator helps you calculate the average number of points an NFL team scores or allows per game. Points per game, commonly called PPG, is a useful football statistic for comparing scoring performance across a full season, partial season, or any group of games.
Enter the total number of points and games played to calculate the average points per game. You can use this calculator for points scored per game, points allowed per game, or to estimate a team's projected 17-game scoring pace.
NFL Points Per Game Calculator
Enter total points and games played to calculate an NFL team's average points per game and projected 17-game season pace.
Enter the total points scored or points allowed and the number of games played. The calculator divides total points by games played to find the average.
The scoring pace is a general interpretation based on points per game and is primarily intended for points scored. When calculating points allowed per game, a lower average is generally preferable.
What Is NFL Points Per Game?
NFL points per game (PPG) measures the average number of points a team scores or allows during each game played.
For example, if a team scores 420 total points during 17 games, its average points per game is calculated by dividing 420 by 17.
420 ÷ 17 = 24.71 points per game
Points per game is commonly used to compare offensive scoring production between teams and can also be used to measure how many points a defense allows on average.
How to Calculate NFL Points Per Game
The NFL points per game formula is simple:
Points Per Game = Total Points ÷ Games Played
Where:
- Total Points = The total number of points scored or allowed.
- Games Played = The number of games included in the calculation.
The result is the average number of points per game.
NFL Points Per Game Formula
The complete formula is:
PPG = P ÷ G
Where:
- PPG = Points per game.
- P = Total points.
- G = Games played.
This formula can be used for points scored, points allowed, or any group of football games.
NFL Points Per Game Example
Suppose an NFL team has:
- Total Points: 420
- Games Played: 17
The calculation is:
420 ÷ 17 = 24.7059
Rounded to two decimal places:
24.71 points per game
This means the team scored an average of approximately 24.71 points during each game.
How to Calculate Points Allowed Per Game
You can also use this calculator to calculate points allowed per game.
Instead of entering total points scored, enter the total number of points the team allowed.
For example:
- Points Allowed: 340
- Games Played: 17
The calculation is:
340 ÷ 17 = 20.00
The team allowed an average of 20.00 points per game.
Points Scored Per Game vs Points Allowed Per Game
Points scored per game and points allowed per game measure different aspects of team performance.
Points Scored Per Game
This measures offensive scoring production. A higher number generally means the team is scoring more points on average.
Points Allowed Per Game
This measures how many points a team allows on average. A lower number generally means the team is allowing fewer points.
You can use the same mathematical formula for both statistics:
Average = Total Points ÷ Games Played
What Is a Good NFL Points Per Game Average?
Whether a points per game average is considered good depends on the NFL season, league scoring environment, opponents, and other factors.
As a general interpretation for points scored per game:
- 30 or more PPG = Very high scoring average.
- 25 to 29.99 PPG = Strong scoring average.
- 20 to 24.99 PPG = Average scoring range.
- 15 to 19.99 PPG = Below-average scoring range.
- Below 15 PPG = Low scoring average.
These ranges are general scoring descriptions used by this calculator and may vary depending on the NFL season and league scoring environment. They are not official NFL classifications.
How the Estimated Scoring Pace Is Calculated
This calculator provides a general estimated scoring pace based on the calculated points per game average.
| Points Per Game | Estimated Scoring Pace |
|---|---|
| 30 or more | Very High |
| 25 to 29.99 | Strong |
| 20 to 24.99 | Average |
| 15 to 19.99 | Below Average |
| Below 15 | Low |
These estimated scoring pace labels are general descriptions created for this calculator and should not be considered official NFL rankings or classifications.
Projected 17-Game Season Pace
The calculator also estimates how many total points a team would score over a 17-game season if it maintained the same points per game average.
The formula is:
Projected 17-Game Season Pace = Points Per Game × 17
For example, suppose a team has scored 180 points in six games.
First, calculate points per game:
180 ÷ 6 = 30 PPG
Then calculate the projected 17-game pace:
30 × 17 = 510 points
This is a mathematical projection only. Actual scoring totals can change as the season continues.
How to Use the NFL Points Per Game Calculator
Follow these steps:
- Enter the total number of points scored or allowed.
- Enter the number of games played.
- Click Calculate Points Per Game.
The calculator will display:
- Average points per game.
- Total points entered.
- Games played.
- Projected 17-game season pace.
- An estimated scoring pace.
- A summary of the result.
Points Per Game During a Full NFL Season
You can use the calculator to find the average points per game during a complete NFL regular season.
For example, if a team scores 425 points during 17 games:
425 ÷ 17 = 25.00 points per game
The team's average scoring rate is 25 points per game.
Points Per Game During Part of a Season
You can also calculate points per game during part of an NFL season.
For example, if a team has scored 180 points through six games:
180 ÷ 6 = 30 points per game
The calculator can then estimate a projected 17-game scoring pace of:
30 × 17 = 510 points
As additional games are played, both the team's points per game average and projected season pace can increase or decrease.
Why Points Per Game Changes During the Season
A team's points per game average changes throughout the season because total points and games played continue to change.
For example, a team averaging 27 points per game may score 40 points in its next game, causing its overall average to increase.
Likewise, a low-scoring game can reduce the team's overall scoring average.
Points per game generally becomes more stable as more games are included in the calculation.
Does a Higher Points Per Game Average Mean a Better NFL Team?
Not necessarily. A high points per game average indicates strong scoring production, but overall football team performance depends on many other factors.
These factors can include:
- Points allowed.
- Turnovers.
- Yards per game.
- Third-down performance.
- Red-zone efficiency.
- Special teams.
- Injuries.
- Strength of schedule.
- Performance in close games.
Points per game is useful for measuring scoring production, but it should be considered alongside other statistics when evaluating an NFL team.
Points Per Game vs Point Differential
Points per game measures average scoring production. Point differential measures the difference between points scored and points allowed.
For example:
- Points Scored Per Game: 26
- Points Allowed Per Game: 20
The average point differential per game is:
26 − 20 = +6 points per game
Point differential can provide additional context because it considers both offensive scoring and defensive scoring performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about NFL points per game.
What is NFL points per game?
NFL points per game is the average number of points a team scores or allows during each game played.
How do you calculate points per game?
Divide total points by the number of games played.
What is the formula for points per game?
The formula is PPG = Total Points ÷ Games Played.
Can this calculator calculate points allowed per game?
Yes. Enter total points allowed instead of total points scored, along with the number of games played.
Is a higher points allowed per game average better?
No. When measuring points allowed per game, a lower average is generally preferable because it means the team is allowing fewer points.
What does a 25 points per game average mean?
It means the team has scored an average of 25 points during each game included in the calculation.
Can I calculate points per game for part of a season?
Yes. Enter the total points and games played for any group of games, including a partial season.
How is the projected 17-game season pace calculated?
The calculator multiplies the current points per game average by 17 to estimate a mathematical full-season scoring pace.
Does a higher points per game average mean a better team?
Not necessarily. A higher average indicates more scoring production, but overall team quality also depends on defense, turnovers, injuries, opponents, and other factors.
Can points per game change during the season?
Yes. The average changes whenever a team plays another game and adds new points to its season total.
What is the difference between points per game and point differential?
Points per game measures scoring averages, while point differential measures the difference between points scored and points allowed.
Does this calculator provide official NFL rankings?
No. This calculator performs a mathematical points-per-game calculation and does not provide official NFL rankings or standings.
Related NFL Calculators
- NFL Passer Rating Calculator
- Fantasy Football Points Calculator
- NFL Win Percentage Calculator
- NFL Playoff Chances Calculator
- NFL Magic Number Calculator
- NFL Strength of Schedule Calculator
Final Thoughts
The NFL Points Per Game Calculator provides a simple way to calculate an NFL team's average scoring performance.
Enter total points and games played to calculate points per game, view a general estimated scoring pace, and see a projected 17-game season scoring total based on the current average.
You can also use the same calculator to calculate points allowed per game by entering total points allowed. When evaluating points allowed, remember that a lower average is generally preferable.