Power Ranking Starting NFL Quarterbacks Going Into Week 6
By Michael Pidgeon
@PidgeonIsGod
Week 6 NFL Starting QB Power Rankings
There are some star quarterbacks in the NFL, and then there are some awful ones too. Those are the easy ones to rank or label -- but it’s the middle of the bunch, average to above-average quarterbacks that can be tricky to rank. When determining how good a quarterback is, what do you value the most? The eye test? Team record? Statistics? A little bit of both? Before ranking these 32 players, I thought long and hard about what I would take into consideration, and I decided there were a few stats that I felt told a big story, but that’s not all.
Past accomplishments are really important too, regardless of how bad that quarterback is playing this season (ie. Eli Manning). A team’s record only tells me so much because a quarterback can have great stats and still lose because he doesn’t play defense (ie. Tony Romo). However, if a team has a good record because his quarterback is a great game manager and makes the important throws 90 percent of the time, then he’ll rank rather high on the list (ie. Alex Smith).
Obviously the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees make the top part of this list easy to rank. After that though, a lot of tossups occur and not everyone will agree with a quarterback’s position on this list. The good part about that is, much like these quarterback’s play on the field, this list fluctuates from week to week. Without further ado, here are the 32 starting quarterbacks heading into this week.
32. Blaine Gabbert
He's putting up the worst stats of any quarterback and his team is the worst in the league. Gabbert is hands-down the ugly duckling of all NFL quarterbacks.
31. Mike Glennon
Glennon took over for Josh Freeman and wasn't exactly that good in his one start this season. The funny part is he's still better than Blaine Gabbert.
30. Brandon Weeden
He had the starting job, then he lost the starting job to Brian Hoyer. Now he has it back again due to Hoyer being out of the year. Let's see where the 3-2 Cleveland Browns go with him back in the helm.
29. Christian Ponder
Christian Ponder needs to step up his quarterback play for the Minnesota Vikings or Josh Freeman will be behind center before we know it.
28. Cam Newton
Cam hasn't been nearly as good as his rookie season. Since that year, he's been nothing but average. This year is no different for the 1-3 Carolina Panthers.
27. Carson Palmer
Ever since he left Cincinnati, Palmer has been a shell of his former self. This year, even with Larry Fitzgerald as his main target, he still has more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (five). If he doesn't pick his level of play up, the Cardinals won't be anywhere close to the top of the division like they are now.
26. E.J. Manuel
Manuel has been decent at the QB position for the 2-3 Buffalo Bills. He has five touchdowns and three interceptions with a QB rating just under 80.0. The future at quarterback is bright in Buffalo.
25. Matt Schaub
The Houston Texans started the season out on a good note, but due to Schaub's terrible play as of late, they are now 2-3. If Matt doesn't step it up very soon, he will continue his free fall down this list and even worse, may be out of a job.
24. Terrelle Pryor
Pryor has been surprisingly good for the Oakland Raiders thus far this season. If he can continue his play, he'll have no problem jumping a few spots on this list as the season goes on.
23. Geno Smith
It looks like the Jets made the right decision in drafting Geno Smith. Although he has more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (seven), he has the 3-2 Jets in striking position in the AFC East.
22. Andy Dalton
In the tight AFC North, Dalton has done pretty good for the 3-2 Bengals. The Bengals can win this division if Dalton starts throwing more touchdowns. Throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns will only get you so many wins.
21. Eli Manning
Before the backlash starts over Eli Manning being underrated on this list, let's look at the facts. He has been terrible this season -- it may not be all his fault, but he hasn't done anything to help his cause either. Yes, he has two Super Bowl rings, and it's those rings that helped him jump a few spots on this list. If he can improve just a little bit, he can end the year in the middle of the pack, which isn't bad for how the season started for both him and the New York Giants.
20. Ben Roethlisberger
Another Super Bowl-winning quarterback with just average stats for a winless team. Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback usually meant the Steelers were going to win the majority of their games. However, that hasn't been the case yet this year. Ben needs to do more on the field than what he's doing now if the Steelers want to get out of this funk they're in.
19. Sam Bradford
Oh my goodness, how can Sam Bradford be ranked higher than Eli or Ben? Well, the fact that he has led a not-so-good St. Louis Rams team to more wins than both the Giants and Steelers combined would do the trick. If that's not good enough, then the fact that he has a +7 TD/Int ratio is a strong point as well.
18. Michael Vick
Vick has done good things for the Eagles both through the air and on the ground so far this season. He has seven total touchdowns and only three turnovers this seasons. If the Eagles want to win the NFC East, Vick is going to have to continue his strong play, and he may even jump a few spots on this list doing so.
17. Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco has been rather average this year too, but he's really only had one terrible game in which he threw five interceptions. Even with that game, he has the Ravens in first place with a 3-2 record.
16. Robert Griffin III
Has Griffin's play diminished this season because of a sophomore slump, or is his bulky knee brace the reason? He's ranked this high based on potential, but if the Redskins continue losing, he won't be this high in the coming weeks, that's for sure.
15. Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill is developing very nicely for the Miami Dolphins. He has them one game out of first place in the division. He's going to have to carry Miami if they want to see the playoffs this year.
14. Jake Locker
The only quarterback in the NFL without an interception to this point. Sure, he doesn't throw the ball as much as you would like to see quarterbacks throw it, but when he does, he's doing all the right things.
13. Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick started the season on a very strong foot with a huge victory over the Green Bay Packers. He stumbled a little after that, but he's starting to turn it back around. If he can keep the momentum building, not only will the 49ers be tough to beat, but Colin may very well end up being a top-10 quarterback come the end of the season.
12. Jay Cutler
Usually Jay Cutler is a Wild Card, but he has been nothing but consistent this season. If Jay can stay on the right path all season, the Bears may just win the NFC North.
11. Russell Wilson
No sophomore slump for Wilson. He has Seattle right back on track to make the playoffs and possibly go all the way. He's going to have to maintain that play in order to stay this high on this list.
10. Andrew Luck
Who needs Peyton Manning when you have luck on your side? Andrew Luck has the Indianapolis Colts in first place with a 4-1 record. He is playing just how a first-overall pick is expected to. If he keeps this play up, the Colts can be dominant and hard to beat.
9. Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has been the best player on the Detroit Lions this season. It'll be his arm that gets the Lions to the playoffs if he continues his play throughout the season. He's always been one to throw for a lot of yards, but his +5 TD/Int ratio is a great sign of things to come.
8. Alex Smith
He may not have as impressive of stats as a few quarterbacks behind him, but there's one thing he does better than a lot of quarterbacks. He knows how to win. The Chiefs are 5-0 and Alex's steady play is a big reason why.
7. Matt Ryan
The Falcons may be 1-4, but Matt Ryan is not the reason why. A 100-plus QB rating with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions means he's doing his job.
6. Tony Romo
The man everyone loves to hate. Tony Romo has seen a huge improvement this season. He's second only to Peyton Manning in QB rating and touchdowns thrown. His +11 TD/Int ratio is also only second to Manning, so you could technically say Romo is the second-best quarterback in the NFL. I won't jump the gun on that, but if the Cowboys make the playoffs this season, it will be because of Tony Romo.
5. Philip Rivers
Much like Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers is playing out of this world, but his team is below .500. The Chargers don't have a chance to win unless Rivers is on the field. He's always been hot-tempered and like to run his mouth, but this season he's letting his play do his talking.
4. Tom Brady
His stats aren't as good as they usually are, but is that truly his fault? He's playing with new receivers and has yet to play with his star tight end, Rob Gronkowski. Brady is still a top-five quarterback in just about everyone's eyes.
3. Aaron Rodgers
The Packers are only 2-2, but Rodgers is still on top of his game. Expect Aaron to continue playing well and the Packers to win the NFC North by the end of the season.
2. Drew Brees
Drew Brees continues to thrill us week in and week out and year after year. He has the Saints 5-0 and looking like a real Super Bowl threat.
1. Peyton Manning
When will someone dethrone this man as the best quarterback? There isn't much to say about Peyton because all you have to do is turn on your TV and his play does enough talking. Peyton is clearly the best quarterback in the NFL.
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