16. Jay Cutler Chicago Bears
All of the good that Jay Cutler accomplished this past season went out the window when he bagged out of the NFC Championship game. Jay Cutler has talent and at times looks like an elite quarterback, but the weakness and the soft side of Jay Cutler puts him at number 16 when his talent should, I repeat should have him in the top 10.
15. Matt Cassel Kansas City Chiefs
This years surprise season was the Kansas City Chiefs and the surprise quarterback of the year was Matt Cassel. He was efficient although not very explosive, but he got the job done and got his team into the playoffs. It remains to be seen whether the Chiefs were a fluke who only defeated one playoff team this past season (And it happened to be the Seahawks) or if Matt Cassel and co. is for real. Nonetheless, Cassel has proved that he is a solid NFL quarterback.
14. Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
One of the top quarterbacks of the future, Sam Bradford took a Rams team that was 1-15 in 2009 to the brink of the playoffs. If the Rams keep adding pieces and Bradford continues to improve, the Rams will be one of the NFC's premier teams and Bradford will be one of the game's best.
13. Josh Freeman Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Another surprise quarterback whose team surprised many this year, Josh Freeman took many big steps to place himself as one of the NFL's top young QB's. A 25 touchdown year with only 5 interceptions is exceptional especially for a second year starter. Freeman came out of nowhere in my mind. He is explosive at times and he makes few mistakes. These qualities will allow Freeman and the Buccaneers to be a contender for many years to come in the future.
12. Mark Sanchez New York Jets
Winning two straight road postseason games as a rookie quarterback while throwing over an interception a game in the regular season. Probably a fluke given the strength of the defense around him. But Mark Sanchez did it again for the second straight year. The two things that impressed me the most about Mark Sanchez as I watched him defeat my Patriots at Foxboro is how he made huge plays in crutial moments and he did not make mistakes that allowed the Patriots to come back into the game. Throughout the game as the Patriots were behind I kept thinking that it was only a matter of time before Sanchez threw an interception that would spark momentum in the lack luster Patriots. But that interception never happened. What did happen was Sanchez completing passes that were daggers into the Patriots that allowed the Jets to hang on for the win. News flash everyone, Mark Sanchez is not a fluke. He is a young, improving quarterback with playoff experience who will continue to go deep in the playoffs.
11. Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens
Flacco is another young quarterback who has succeeded in the postseason. In three years as the starter for the Ravens, he has had at least one road playoff win in each season. He still has some work to do because he isn't always consistent, but given his upside and his steady production, Joe Flacco ranks as the 11th best quarterback in the NFL.
10. Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys
His season was cut short last season after a dismal start and then a season ending collarbone injury. However, the Cowboys had problems other than the mistakes Romo was making. When Romo is on his game, he is a premier quarterback who is capable of keeping the Cowboys in serious contention. Unfortunately for Romo, he's been a great a regular season quarterback, but a subpar postseason quarterback.
9. Eli Manning New York Giants
Eli Manning is one of the league's most inconsistent quarterbacks. He might have a stink bomb and throw four interceptions or he will lead the Giants down the field to win the Super Bowl. Manning is very tough to get a gage on, but his Giants team is always formidable and Manning has been consistent enough to earn the ranking of nine among the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
8. Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons
Matt-ice has been one of the top quarterbacks in the clutch the past couple of seasons. Neglecting a disappointing playoff game against the Packers, Ryan was outstanding last season. His impact on the Falcons has been dramatic, which is why he is a Pro Bowl quarterback in only his third season as a starter.
7. Phillip Rivers San Diego Chargers
The only thing holding Rivers back is his inability to get the Chargers to a Super Bowl. He has had supremely talented teams the past couple of seasons, but now he has to play over the top in order to continue to keep the Chargers in contention. Rivers puts up monster numbers, but has yet to lead the Chargers to consistent playoff runs.
6. Michael Vick Philadelphia Eagles
Yes, all Michael Vick was last year was the quarterback of a Divisional Round loser. But he had an unbelievable season last season and was the most explosive player in the NFL. Do I think Michael Vick will lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl by the time his career is over? No. But Vick will be one of the biggest problems any defense will face for the next couple years.
5. Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers
I am not a fan of how Roethlisberger plays the position, but there is no denying his stellar postseason record and his three Super Bowl appearances. He makes plays when it matters, something that not a lot of quarterbacks can do even if they have attributes that are stronger than Roethlisberger's. Big Ben is one of the most consistent and hard nosed quarterbacks out there, which is why he cracks the top 5.
4. Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees is only a year removed from winning the Super Bowl MVP award. Even though he threw way to many interceptions this past season, Brees has still been one of the NFL's three most explosive quarterbacks over the past four seasons. Brees is reliable and dynamic and still remains the fourth best quarterback at the NFL.
3. Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is obviously the hottest quarterback in the league now after winning four consecutive playoff games while collecting the Super Bowl MVP. There may not be a quarterback like Rodgers out there right now who throws as well as he does while escaping the pocket as well as he does. Rodgers is dynamic like no other quarterback in the league right now, which is why he now sits at 3, but will surely move up in a year or two.
2. Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts
Aaron Rodgers is right up his back, but Peyton Manning even in a "down season" is still a scary quarterback to go up against. We are witnessing one of the greatest ever to set up under center and he can still be going strong for another eight years, he's that good and that consistent. I love watching Manning play even though he is Tom Brady's rival. He is still capable of completing any pass and given healthy receivers, he is unstoppable.
1. Tom Brady New England Patriots
This past season may have been Tom Brady's finest. He collected his second career MVP award while throwing for 36 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. If we neglect Brady and the Patriots miserable performance against the Jets in the Divisional playoffs, we realize that Brady had a historic and dominant season. It's a miracle given the fact Brady has appeared to have softened up ever since he married that women. Who knows how many years Brady has left, but he is still playing at an elite level, which places him as the top quarterback in the NFL (for now).
