The NFL season is well under way, and by now fans can see which quarterbacks are poised to have a good year. Some are destined to be benched. That’s right, I’m looking at you, Matt Cassel and Chad Henne.
Others are resuming their level of consistency and greatness and will likely lead their teams into the postseason. But which quarterbacks stand out above the rest, and who deserves to be considered the best quarterback in the NFL? Below is my personal list of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL, starting at five and finishing at one.
5. Philip Rivers
Rivers, now in his eleventh season, has completed 64.5 percent of his passes and thrown for 32,891 yards, 225 touchdowns, and just 105 interceptions. His career QB rating sits at 96.1, and he’s led 17 fourth-quarter comebacks and 20 game-winning drives. In the postseason, Rivers has gone 4-5.
Rivers may not have a great postseason record or a Super Bowl win, but Rivers has had a consistent career and quickly became a leader within the San Diego Chargers organization. His relationship with Antonio Gates is one of the best quarterback-tight end duos ever, and he makes good, quick decisions. He isn’t very mobile, but his quick decision-making rectifies his lack of mobility. His playoff record may deter others from putting him in a top five list, but I would take Rivers to lead my offense in a heartbeat.
4. Drew Brees
Brees has put up fantastic numbers in his career, most of them coming as a New Orleans Saint. In his fifteen overall years in football, Brees has completed 65.9 percent of his passes, thrown for 51,651 yards, 366 touchdowns, and 179 interceptions for a QB rating of 95.2. Brees helped completely turn the New Orleans franchise around, won a Super Bowl with them (and has an overall 6-5 postseason record), and has made the Saints a perennial contender.
Brees is an absolute gunslinger. His arm and his accuracy are lethal weapons, and that’s why he’s put up such great numbers through the air. 50,000 yards is no easy feat, and Brees has made it look easy over the years. Sure, he’s had plenty of great weapons to throw to, like Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, etc., but he also made some of those guys great.
Like Rivers, Brees isn’t very mobile, but he can throw the ball into the tightest of windows with pinpoint accuracy. He’s easily an elite quarterback.
3. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers had to wait several years to get his career going, but his career as Green Bay’s signal caller has been fruitful to say the least. Rodgers has completed 65.8 percent of his passes, thrown for 24,732 yards, 192 touchdowns and 53 interceptions for a QB rating of 104.7. He’s earned a Super Bowl ring himself, going 5-4 overall in the playoffs.
Putting Rodgers ahead of Brees is a decision I thought twice about, but I’m still giving Rodgers the nod. Like Brees, he throws bullets with great accuracy, but he can also dial it down for those back shoulder fades that keep drives alive. While accurate and poised in the pocket, Rodgers almost seems better when he throws while on the run. His mobility is what really makes me like him more than Brees because he can buy more time and make more plays. His scrambles aren’t wild, either; they have purpose. Rodgers rolls around with his eyes downfield but with an uncanny danger sense. He eludes defenders while continuing to see plays develop downfield, and once he airs it out, it’s almost certain to hit home.
Rodgers has also had his success without the aid of a running game, so putting up great numbers with no running game to keep defenses honest is very special. Now with Eddie Lacy, Rodgers is even more deadly. He gets an emphatic recommendation for the third-best quarterback in the league.
2. Peyton Manning
Manning was the face of the Indianapolis Colts for 14 years, and his two-plus years in Denver have been incredible offensive performances. Overall, Manning has completed 65.5 percent of his passes, 65,475 yards, 497 touchdowns and 219 interceptions for a QB rating of 97.4.
Those numbers are Hall of Fame numbers.
Manning’s less potent arm hasn’t worked against him in his 17 years. His intelligence on the field has been so effective to the point of irritation. His twenty audibles before every play annoy fans like me, but they pay off immensely. Manning always knows what the defense is doing, and he immediately knows how best to exploit what the defense shows him. That football IQ doesn’t come around very often, and that’s what really makes Manning so great.
The only thing really going against him is is 11-12 postseason record. So while he’s easily one of the greatest regular season quarterbacks in the history of the game, he’s fallen flat in the playoffs. If you’re in the playoffs that much, you have to come away with more to be the best. He hasn’t done that.
My number one quarterback has.
1. Tom Brady
Brady is one of the most successful quarterbacks I probably will ever have the pleasure of watching. He has never had a losing season as a starter, and has only lost 44 regular season games in 14 years. Brady has won three Super Bowls, with an 18-8 postseason record.
How unbelievable is that? That’s jaw-dropping.
Overall, he’s completed 63.4 percent of his passes, thrown for 49,547 yards, 361 touchdowns and 134 interceptions for a QB rating of 95.5.
Then there’s his 31 fourth-quarter comebacks and 42 game-winning drives.
What more is there to say? I’m sold. Brady is the go-to guy in key situations, because that’s when he’s at his best. You could give Brady a bunch of no-name receivers, two minutes, and 99 yards to go, and he would find a way to win. He throws with great accuracy and plays with more heart than anyone I’ve ever seen. Next time you watch a Patriots game, keep an eye on Brady and see how into the game he gets. His energy is infectious.
All these things make Brady the greatest quarterback in the league right now.
Do you agree with this top five list? Leave a comment below and offer your opinion.
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