Throughout the course of this season, we’ve done plenty of power rankings where individual teams are assessed and rated. This week though we are going to take a new approach and singling out the quarterbacks in the NFL in a power ranking of sorts. With this being a pivotal time in the season, teams with the best quarterbacks will give themselves the best opportunities to win. And while of course football is no one-man team, it certainly helps to have a guy under center that can make any throw asked of him.
At NFLSeasonSchedules.com, we like to take an objective view of the quarterback position when rankings. There are no favorites here, only cold, hard facts based on numbers and observations during the season.
- 1. Peyton Manning
Say what you will about his arm strength and mobility, there isn’t any team in the NFL that doesn’t fear going up against the Denver Broncos offense. Manning is great as highlighting the strengths of the players surrounding him. He’s got plenty of weapons to use in Denver and already has set a new touchdown mark for the Broncos surpassing John Elway. Manning might only have a few years left in the league, but right now he is leading the charge.
- 2. Tom Brady
Brady performs at such a high level, that he’s almost a victim of his own success. If the guy doesn’t win every game he is picked apart (similar to Manning). That is when you know you’re good. Brady is still a top-two quarterback in this league and is well on his way to another AFC East division title and a chance at playing in the Super Bowl. What’s more is that Brady has this success no matter who is around him. There were guys that no one has heard of catching passes earlier in the season.
- 3. Russell Wilson
Alright, we are buying into the Russell Wilson bandwagon. He out-dueled Drew Brees on the national stage Monday Night, and it wasn’t even close. Sure, the Seahawks were at home, but Wilson looked great running and throwing the ball. He isn’t very big, but he creates throwing lans and makes all of the right decisions. Seattle has the best record in football not just because of its defense, but because of the quarterback.
- 4. Drew Brees
We won’t throw Brees under the bus for one bad performance on the road in arguably the toughest environment to play in the NFL. But it was a forgettable performance that he will need to put behind him. Brees is averaging 316 yards per game through the air this season and has 29 touchdown passes which is second only to Manning (41). His 104.9 QB rating is second in the NFL, again behind Manning.
- 5. Cam Newton
This is a player that we stick in here, though honestly there are arguments to be made for several others. But we can’t ignore what’s transpiring down in Carolina. Sure, the defense is the best in the NFL, but offensively the Panthers are putting up good numbers as well. They have had several blowout wins, led by Newton. He is the best running quarterback in the NFL right now, and the playoff hopes of Carolina rests with him.