re: How much do you care about ESPN's Total QBR stat?

It is a hell of a lot more meaningful than the traditional passer rating stat. It takes into account sacks, rushing plays, how important a pass was (down and distance, how close the game is, what quarter it is). A QB gets fewer points if he throws a 5 yards pass that goes for a 50 yard touchdown versus throwing 50 yards in the air for the touchdown. Is it perfect? Certainly not, but it is better than the alternatives.

I always point to the fact that since 2006 (which is how far back they have available on their website), the leader in the QBR metric was first-team All-Pro and won the MVP when it did not mistakenly go to a running back (Peterson in 2012 is who I am referring to here, but Tomlinson did deserve it in 2006 for scoring 30 touchdowns).

I will admit that I might be biased since it rates my favorite QB, Peyton Manning, so well. Going back to 2006, Peyton has 5 of the top 10 QBR ratings in any one season, including the top one overall, and that is despite missing out on the year of the QB in 2011 and having one less season than everyone else. Peyton is once again dominating in 2013, a full 4 points ahead of second place and 10 points ahead of third place.