Power Ranking Top 10 NFL QBs Heading Into Week 16

Power Ranking Top 10 NFL QBs Heading Into Week 16

By Tire Rack

December 22, 2015

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Power Ranking Top 10 NFL QBs

Newton — NFL Week 15 is in the books, and there was plenty of action to analyze. Numerous starting quarterbacks shined brightly for their respective teams, while other gunslingers struggled to fill the stat sheet. With that said, here’s a look at the top 10 QB rankings.

NFL Week 15 is in the books, and there was plenty of action to analyze. Numerous starting quarterbacks shined brightly for their respective teams, while other gunslingers struggled to fill the stat sheet. With that said, here’s a look at the top 10 QB rankings.

10. Blake Bortles - Jacksonville Jaguars

blake bortles

10. Blake Bortles - Jacksonville Jaguars

blake bortles — If the Jacksonville Jaguars had an average defense in 2015, it's likely Blake Bortles would have led this team to an AFC South division title with his amazing sophomore showing. Bortles is seventh in passing yards with 3,821 and fourth in passing touchdowns (31). Bortles will undoubtedly find himself in the top five at the position over the next decade if he stays healthy.

If the Jacksonville Jaguars had an average defense in 2015, it's likely Blake Bortles would have led this team to an AFC South division title with his amazing sophomore showing. Bortles is seventh in passing yards with 3,821 and fourth in passing touchdowns (31). Bortles will undoubtedly find himself in the top five at the position over the next decade if he stays healthy.

9. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers-Philip Rivers

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9. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers-Philip Rivers — Don't let San Diego's 4-10 record trick you into thinking Philip Rivers isn't playing at an incredibly high level this season. Rivers is second in passing yards (4,287) and has a solid 26 TDs. Rivers was put in terrible situations all season by the Chargers' substandard defense and hasn't received much help in the run attack, which makes what he has been able to accomplish that much more impressive. He's a top five talent but falls to No. 9.

Don't let San Diego's 4-10 record trick you into thinking Philip Rivers isn't playing at an incredibly high level this season. Rivers is second in passing yards (4,287) and has a solid 26 TDs. Rivers was put in terrible situations all season by the Chargers' substandard defense and hasn't received much help in the run attack, which makes what he has been able to accomplish that much more impressive. He's a top five talent but falls to No. 9.

8. Eli Manning - New York Giants

Eli Manning New York Giants

8. Eli Manning - New York Giants

Eli Manning New York Giants — There's simply no way the New York Giants would still (technically) be alive in the NFC East without Eli Manning's excellent showing in 2015. Despite a shoddy offensive line and virtually non-existent rushing attack, Manning's thrown for 3,900 yards (sixth) and is tied for third in touchdowns with 31. Manning's put forth one of the best campaigns of his career and must be mentioned in every top 10 conversation.

There's simply no way the New York Giants would still (technically) be alive in the NFC East without Eli Manning's excellent showing in 2015. Despite a shoddy offensive line and virtually non-existent rushing attack, Manning's thrown for 3,900 yards (sixth) and is tied for third in touchdowns with 31. Manning's put forth one of the best campaigns of his career and must be mentioned in every top 10 conversation.

7. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints

New York Giants v New Orleans Saints

7. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints

New York Giants v New Orleans Saints — The New Orleans Saints' 5-9 record is in no way indicative of how Drew Brees has played in 2015. Brees is fourth in passing yards (4,135) and has thrown a solid 28 TDs (seventh-highest total). Had the Saints been playing with even a slightly below-average defense instead of one that's an abomination, they would be a playoff team thanks to Brees' stellar showing.

The New Orleans Saints' 5-9 record is in no way indicative of how Drew Brees has played in 2015. Brees is fourth in passing yards (4,135) and has thrown a solid 28 TDs (seventh-highest total). Had the Saints been playing with even a slightly below-average defense instead of one that's an abomination, they would be a playoff team thanks to Brees' stellar showing.

6. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers

Indianapolis Colts v Pittsburgh Steelers

6. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers

Indianapolis Colts v Pittsburgh Steelers — Despite facing a ton of adversity this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 9-5 and appear to be playoff bound now that Ben Roethlisberger is somewhat healthy. Roethlisberger's played through an unbelievable amount of pain in 2015, and while he isn't racking up otherworldly statistics, his presence under center for the Steelers is invaluable.

Despite facing a ton of adversity this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 9-5 and appear to be playoff bound now that Ben Roethlisberger is somewhat healthy. Roethlisberger's played through an unbelievable amount of pain in 2015, and while he isn't racking up otherworldly statistics, his presence under center for the Steelers is invaluable.

5. Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson

5. Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson — Russell Wilson hasn't spent much time on this list in 2015, but he undoubtedly deserves to be mentioned in the top five as we head into Week 16 after his ridiculous effort over the past five games. Wilson's accumulated 1,420 passing yards, 147 rushing yards and an astronomical 20 total touchdowns (19 passing, one rushing) during said stretch, which is as good as it gets.

Russell Wilson hasn't spent much time on this list in 2015, but he undoubtedly deserves to be mentioned in the top five as we head into Week 16 after his ridiculous effort over the past five games. Wilson's accumulated 1,420 passing yards, 147 rushing yards and an astronomical 20 total touchdowns (19 passing, one rushing) during said stretch, which is as good as it gets.

4. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

Packers

4. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

Packers — Although it hasn't been pretty, Aaron Rodgers deserves a gargantuan amount of credit for Green Bay's 10-4 record. The Packers have dealt with a plethora of adversity in 2015 and at times appeared to be winning with smoke and mirrors, but Rodgers' calm presence has been the difference during the stretch-run. Rodgers has an average 3,379 passing yards (16th in NFL), but he's thrown an excellent 29 TDs to just six INTs.

Although it hasn't been pretty, Aaron Rodgers deserves a gargantuan amount of credit for Green Bay's 10-4 record. The Packers have dealt with a plethora of adversity in 2015 and at times appeared to be winning with smoke and mirrors, but Rodgers' calm presence has been the difference during the stretch-run. Rodgers has an average 3,379 passing yards (16th in NFL), but he's thrown an excellent 29 TDs to just six INTs.

3. Carson Palmer - Arizona Cardinals

Carson-Palmer-2

3. Carson Palmer - Arizona Cardinals

Carson-Palmer-2 — Carson Palmer's playing at an MVP level in 2015 despite being written off by the masses as "too old" and "just not capable of getting it done anymore" prior to the start of the season. Palmer's third in passing yards (4,277) and passing TDs (32), and the Arizona Cardinals appear to be destined for a first-round bye in the NFC Playoffs thanks to his unfathomable performance.

Carson Palmer's playing at an MVP level in 2015 despite being written off by the masses as "too old" and "just not capable of getting it done anymore" prior to the start of the season. Palmer's third in passing yards (4,277) and passing TDs (32), and the Arizona Cardinals appear to be destined for a first-round bye in the NFC Playoffs thanks to his unfathomable performance.

2. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

Tom Brady

2. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

Tom Brady — Tom Brady falls a spot this week, but it has nothing to do with what he's accomplished in 2015. Brady leads the league in passing yards (4,405) and passing touchdowns (35), and after dealing with an unthinkable amount of injuries, the New England Patriots have clinched a first-round bye at 12-2. Brady's been amazing, but someone else has been better.

Tom Brady falls a spot this week, but it has nothing to do with what he's accomplished in 2015. Brady leads the league in passing yards (4,405) and passing touchdowns (35), and after dealing with an unthinkable amount of injuries, the New England Patriots have clinched a first-round bye at 12-2. Brady's been amazing, but someone else has been better.

1. Cam Newton - Carolina Panthers

Cam

1. Cam Newton - Carolina Panthers

Cam — While Tom Brady has Cam Newton beat in passing yards and passing touchdowns, Newton leads in overall touchdowns with 40 and the Carolina Panthers remain undefeated at 14-0. I'm sure NFL purists won't like this ranking, as more often than not, rushing statistics tallied by a quarterback are overlooked. But what Newton's accomplished on the ground is impossible to ignore.

While Tom Brady has Cam Newton beat in passing yards and passing touchdowns, Newton leads in overall touchdowns with 40 and the Carolina Panthers remain undefeated at 14-0. I'm sure NFL purists won't like this ranking, as more often than not, rushing statistics tallied by a quarterback are overlooked. But what Newton's accomplished on the ground is impossible to ignore.

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