What’s the most popular position in the NFL today? It’s the quarterback of course. The key for a team to become a winning franchise starts with having an elite signal-caller. I’ll be rating the signal-callers heading for the playoffs this season.
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best and 1 being a fumble, let’s rate the best quarterbacks capable of taking their team to a Super Bowl run.
AFC
Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill- 7/10
The former Texas A&M Aggie has carried himself nicely since arriving to the Music City. While Tannehill is a serviceable quarterback, he’s does not possess franchise quarterback abilities like a Josh Allen or a Patrick Mahomes. He does however fit the offensive scheme the Titans run where you manage the game and rely on running the ball at will with Derrick Henry. His career in Tennessee might not last as long because rookie Malik Willis has shown promise of replacing Tannehill as the starter. Willis is a duel threat, while Tannehill is mainly a pocket passer.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen- 9.5/10
Say what you want about Josh Allen and his struggles during the last two Bill’s games, but he is a human being. Allen plays a very reckless style reminiscent of a dare devil. It’s definitely more positive than negative for the team and the players. Those costly picks he threw against the Jets and the Vikings were key to their defeats. Without him, the offense can’t start the car without him putting the keys in the ignition. Just take a deep breath Bills Mafia. When you have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, the team has a short memory of what has happened in the past.
New York Jets
Zach Wilson- 4/10
The Jets maybe 6-3 and 2nd in the AFC East, but it’s not because of Zach Wilson. It’s because of their offensive formula of ground and pound and then spread it out when throwing. Wilson has had some horrific starts this year and only has a 59% completion rate. Oh, and some credit also goes out to their fantastic second-year head coach Robert Saleh who’s also a candidate for coach of the year. Wilson is going to have to improve his numbers and his play, or their potential first playoff game could be harder in January.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson- 9/10
Jackson has had some scary situations this year, but just like Allen, he is what makes the Ravens offense go. Jackson may be inconsistent and a bit wild, but he consistently plays winning ball. While some say he’s not as elite as Mahomes, he is the unsung hero of the Purple and Black.
New England Patriots
Mac Jones- 4/10
Looks like it’s a tough situation in year-two for “Mac Daddy” as the young signal-caller has had to rotate with rookie Bailey Zappe in what has led to an average 5-4 start for the Pats. He does have a chance to make the playoffs again like he did in his rookie year before an ugly 47-10 loss to the Bills in the wildcard game. In order to go farther this year, he needs to continue to mature in his leadership and rally his supporting cast by bringing them together on the same page.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes– 10/10
If you play like the best quarterback, then you are the best quarterback and that’s what we have in Patrick Mahomes. When he is under center, the Chiefs will most likely score 30+ against any team in the NFL. Mahomes can overcome any obstacle in his way. Even without Tyreek Hill, he still has the best tight end in the league in Travis Kelce and an emerging duo with Juju-Smith Schuster and Kadarius Toney. When it comes to football on Sunday’s it’s all Mahomes, Mahomes, Mahomes.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa– 7.5/10
Tua has shown to be a rapid fast learner as he has already seemed to get a handle on new coach Mike McDaniel’s offense. He may not have any games played in the playoffs yet, but does have a game winning, 4th and 23 touchdown to receiver Devontae Smith over the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 CFP National Championship game. Even though college is different than the NFL, Tagovailoa has shown to deliver in clutch situations. He is a very good player and an intelligent young man with a high football i.q.
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts- 8.5/10
Hurts has already made the playoffs in his rookie year and is playing at a high level. While it allows us to question how good this offense will do in the playoffs, it’s also true that Hurts makes this offense function quick and efficiently. Hurts and this offense may have all the talent to be historic team and win the Super Bowl, but they still have to accomplish that on the field.
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith- 7/10
Why is Geno Smith only rated a 7/10? Well, let me tell you. The 32-year-old is having a career year this year since taking over for Russell Wilson who was traded to the Denver Broncos this past offseason. It’s difficult to predict how far this team will go under Smith especially in the playoffs. Yes, they just lost to Tom Brady and the Bucs this past Sunday in Germany, but they look better in year one under Smith than they did all last year with Wilson. How will they do in the playoffs when the competition heats up?
Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins- 7.5/10
Boy, if all it took to win the Super Bowl was an inconsistent QB throwing to only one pro bowl receiver every play, the Vikings would have broken their 0-4 Super Bowl record earlier. Cousins has not had an “uh-oh” Cousins type of moment yet, as he and first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell are very in sync and are really working together.
Cousins is a very good quarterback when he is on and now it looks like he has the right coaching to help the Vikings end their Super Bowl drought.
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott- 8.5/10
Dak Prescott is among the premier passers in our game today. The Cowboys offense has been reincarnated since his return and Head Coach Mike McCarthy has done a good job keeping the glue together. While the Cowboys have struggled in their previous postseason appearances, Prescott would be the reason if the Cowboys win some big games in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady- 8/10
The Golden boy came back like a boomerang last Sunday and even at 45-years-old, he is still showing the world he can still play the game he loves. He’s not the same perfect 10 style of Brady, but he’s more of the “rookie year version” where he came in for an injured Drew Bledsoe and managed the game all the way to the Patriots Super Bowl 36 win.
New York Giants
Daniel Jones- 7.5/10
Daniel Jones is having a career season for the Giants, but give most of that credit to Saquon Barkley who has finally been healthy this year and is back to the old Barkley. Also, shout out to head coach Brian Daboll who was a great hire from the start, as he is working his magic with Jones and Barkley just like he did calling plays for Allen as the OC with the Bills.
San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo- 8/10
Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t just another pretty face. He’s reminds me of a younger and more mobile version of Brady. When he was drafted by the Patriots in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft, many experts thought for sure that he was going to replace Brady. But due to Brady’s success and ego, Garoppolo only made 3 starts and was 3-0 in those starts. Since being traded to the 49ers, Garoppolo has enjoyed some success, including leading his team to a berth in Super Bowl 54 vs the Kansas City Chiefs.
If he can stay healthy like he has this year, it’s possible they make another darkhorse Super Bowl run. And that’s a big “if”.
If all of these QB’s stay healthy and on track, maybe we will see one or two of them in the “Big Game”. Who do you think will be there?
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1 Comment
Looks good to me!