It’s playoff time. We take a look at how the current starting quarterbacks left in the race stack up. Wins and losses, stats and overall stature don’t reflect rankings as much as how each QB plays.
There’s a stark contrast between veteran stalwarts and young up-and-coming guys. From Tom Brady to Brian Hoyer in the AFC or Cam Newton to Teddy Bridgewater in the NFC, there’s much to the playoff QB conversations.
1. Cam Newton, Panthers (1)
The heavy MVP favorite has put Carolina in prime position, it’s all about finishing now. Newton finished the season with nearly 4,500 yards, 45 total touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.
2. Tom Brady, Patriots (2)
Brady got bruised and battered Sunday against Miami, a combination of injuries on the offensive line and receiving core. Patriots finished the season 2-4.
3. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (4)
After a rocky start, Wilson has finished the season better than any QB on this list. Wilson has the NFL’s best passer rating at 110.1 and one of five QBs on this list with a ring.
4. Carson Palmer, Cardinals (3)
Palmer had his first truly bad game against Seattle Sunday. He’ll have two weeks to think it over. The Cardinals finished with the NFL’s best offense and Palmer is having his best season as a pro at 36.
5. Kirk Cousins, Washington (6)
There might be a little surprise on Cousins being this high on the list, but remember it’s about performance not name value. Cousins broke the Washington franchise passing record and led the NFL in completion percentage.
6. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (7)
Roethlisberger has games, like the second half against Denver, where he looks like the best QB in the league. Then days, like the game against Baltimore, where he looks too turnover prone. He has the NFL’s best deep ball, but also 16 interceptions.
7. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (8)
Rodgers gets pushed down because of the total struggle of the Packers offense. There’s an argument to be made that Green Bay may be the worst playoff team in the NFC. Rodgers has the lowest yards per pass attempt average of all the QBs on this list.
8. Peyton Manning/Brock Osweiler, Broncos (NR)
Coach Gary Kubiak has yet to make a decision so we won’t either. Both QBs present different strengths and weaknesses, but the Broncos will be carried by their defense. Whoever is under center will have to take care of the football.
9. Alex Smith, Chiefs (NR)
Checkdown Alex Smith has had a solid year. He’s among the QBs with lowest interception totals. He finished fourth among all QBs with a career-high 498 rushing yards.
10. Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings (NR)
Bridgewater deserves a lot credit for leading Minnesota to overtake the bullies of the NFC North, Green Bay. He hasn’t had a great year, but Bridgewater knows his best weapon is Adrian Peterson and uses him often.
11. A.J. McCarron, Bengals (NR)
McCarron is expected to be the Bengals’ starter until Andy Dalton returns from his thumb injury. The last time McCarron played the Steelers he threw for a career-high 280 yards, but two interceptions doomed him in the end.
12. Brian Hoyer, Texans (NR)
Hoyer missed two games with a concussion and Houston didn’t miss a beat with Brandon Weeden. Hoyer has a great connection with receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but the Texans will be at a disadvantage at QB.
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
