Who is the best QB in the NFL?

The recent success of the Baltimore Ravens and Audubon, New Jersey. native Joe Flacco and his impending expiring contract have made this discussion a hot button in the last few days. Flacco has a lot of leverage in contract negotiations  His agent has recently said that he tinks his client deserves to be the highest paid QB in all of football. Several different experts have given there opinion topic. But I'll take a statistical view on the debate and has the show says, "Numbers Never Lie."

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Everyone has a personal bias when debating this topic. Whether its allegiance  to your team, dislike for a certain player or possibly being prisoner of the moment. Going in, my top 5 would have been: Rodgers, Brady, P. Manning, Brees, Flacco (could easily put Eli, Roethlisberger here too). 

I figured the best way to settle this debate, was break it down statistically. I took 20 of the top QB's in the NFL and took an average of the last 3 seasons of 10 different categories  2 seasons for Newton, 1 for Griffin/Luck/Wilson). The Categories include: QBR (from ESPN), Completion Percentage, Total Passing Yards, Passing Yards per game, Passing Yards per attempt, Passing TD's, Interceptions, Rushing Yards per game, Rushing TD's and Wins (Post Season count as 2 wins per win). I then ranked each QB from 1 (best) to 20 based on their averages and tallied up all the numbers. Here is my top ten. 

10. Tony Romo: 106

As an Eagles fan, this is painful to have to include Romo, but the numbers say he is. 
Top 5 Rankings: 2
Top Ten Rankings: 4
Lowest Ranking:  Completion Percentage (3)
Highest Ranking: Wins (18)

9. Ben RoethlisBerger: 105

Statistically Roethlisberger is just slightly above average. 
Top 5 Rankings: 1
Top Ten Rankings: 4
Lowest Ranking: Interceptions (4)
Highest Ranking: Passing Yards (15)

8. Andrew Luck: 104

Not bad for a rookie QB, but is it the best?
Top 5 Rankings: 2
Top Ten Rankings: 7
Lowest Ranking:  Rushing TD's (3)
Highest Ranking: Completion Percentage(20)

7. Matt Ryan: 93

The Exton, PA native is very good, but he is not great. At least not yet. 
Top 5 Rankings: 0
Top Ten Rankings: 7
Lowest Ranking:  QBR, Passing TD's, Wins (6)
Highest Ranking: Yards Per Attempt

6. Russell Wilson: 85

The high ranking in the 2 rushing Categories help, but he is far from just a running QB. 
Top 5 Rankings: 5
Top Ten Rankings: 8
Lowest Ranking:  Rushing Yards and Rushing TD's (4)
Highest Ranking: Passing Yards per game (20)

5. Peyton Manning: 84

Top 5 Rankings: 6
Top Ten Rankings: 6
Lowest Ranking:  QBR and Completion Percentage(1)
Highest Ranking: Rushing Yards per game and Rushing TD's (20)

It may be weird seeing Manning at number 5. All throughout his career he has constantly been ranked with Tom Brady. But Manning's inability to run pushes him from, the top 3, down to number 5. Manning has the highest QBR, which is one of the important stats. Despite being ranked at number 5. Peyton is still elite. 

4. Robert Griffin III: 82

Top 5 Rankings: 6
Top Ten Rankings: 6
Lowest Ranking:  INT and Rushing Yards per game(1)
Highest Ranking: Passing Yards per game (18)

RG3 proved a lot in his rookie season. The athletic QB from Baylor proved he is a lot more than running QB. His presence and patience in the pocket was far beyond his years. Unfortunately  for Griffin, he tore his ACL in his right knee for the 2nd time. There is some concern that he won't be able to return to his old form. There is no doubt Griffin will have to find a way to avoid the hits if he wants to stay on this list in future years. 

3. Drew Brees: 81

Top 5 Rankings: 5
Top Ten Rankings: 6
Lowest Ranking:  Passing Yards per season and Passing Yards Per Game(1)
Highest Ranking: Interceptions (19)

Drew Brees transformed his career after he signed a free agent deal with the Saints. He went from damaged goods to elite QB. He is a 7 time pro bowler, 4 time all-pro, has a Super Bowl MVP and belongs near the top of this list. His 18+ INT average prevented him from being closer ot the top 2 on the list. 

2. Tom Brady: 45

Top 5 Rankings: 7
Top Ten Rankings: 9
Lowest Ranking: Passing Yards, Passing Yards Per Game and Interceptions(2)
Highest Ranking: Rushing Yards per game (14)


I don't think I have to go through Brady's resume. As much as you may dislike him, he is one of the best QB's in the league. His rushing numbers are not as bad as you would think. But that wen't good enough to put him number 1 on the list. 

1. Aaron Rodgers: 36

Top 5 Rankings: 8
Top Ten Rankings: 10
Lowest Ranking: Passing Yards per Attempt(1)
Highest Ranking: Passing Yards  (7)


Its no secret that Rodgers is one of the best in game. But the numbers would tell you that he is the best. There is main reason he is number 1, he has no statistical weakness. He is a great passer and is also one of the better athletes at the position in the league. 

Scott Glick

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