The NFL is a QBs world. It is especially true at this time of year. We are now in the divisional round of the playoffs, and there is something that the remaining eight teams all have…above average to elite quarterbacks. The remaining teams are the Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Eagles, Rams, Lions, Commanders, and Texans. The eight QBs on these teams consist of Mahomes who is the reigning back-to-back Superbowl champion, Jackson who is a two-time MVP, Allen who is a frontrunner for that award this year, Stafford who is a Superbowl Champion, and two guys in Hurts and Goff who have been to the Superbowl. The final two consist of the likely offensive rookie of the year Jayden Daniels and the second-year QB Stroud, who was the offensive rookie of the year last season…and has now won a playoff game in each of his first two years. Here is a breakdown for each QB remaining in the playoffs:
Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen: Rank A+
Allen hasn’t won a Superbowl yet, nor even even managed to get there. To make it to New Orleans this year, it will take a win against the Ravens and then, most likely, a road win against the Chiefs. And to win, they will likely be facing the 15-2 Lions. More than Mahomes, the Bills rely on Allen even more. He is the favorite to win the MVP this season.
Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson: Rank A
In regards to the MVP award, Jackson, the two-time winner, says, “Hold my beer”. Even though the Ravens record is worse than the Bills, 12-5, compared to 13-4, they are favored by 1.5 pts on the road in Buffalo. As great as he is, like Allen, Jackson hasn’t made it to the Super Bowl. One thing is guaranteed: either Jackson or Allen will again come up short, losing in this divisional round. For the losing QB, there will begin to be a stigma attached to them…which will be a bit unfair. Both QBs are in every top-five list, and most are in everyone’s top three. And each is headed to Canton, Ohio.
Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes: Rank A+
Mahomes is trying to make history this year, becoming the first QB to win three consecutive Super Bowls. They basically only lost one game this season, going 15-2, tanking the last game of the year. In some ways, they have more question marks heading into these playoffs than in prior years. Although they won 15 games, they only managed a +59 point differential. Based on that, they shouldn’t have more than 10 wins. It seems like every victory is a one-score game and a nail-biter. In many cases, it is only the greatness of Mahomes that is pushing them across the finish line. If they do win it all again, it will only be because of Mahomes.
Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts: Rank B
Hurts has accomplished something that neither Jackson nor Allen has…getting to a Superbowl. And if it weren’t for Mahomes’ greatness, he would have a Superbowl victory under his belt. He may not have the legs of Jackson or the arm of Allen, but he is a very solid QB and at the back end of just about everyone’s top 10 list. One of the great qualities of a good QB is that when it’s 3rd and 8, and the play breaks down; he can still get you the first down with his legs. Hurts has always been a fabulous off-schedule QB. And he’s one of the strongest QBs in the league, perfecting “the tush push.” The reason it’s so successful is due to Hurts’ size and leg strength.
Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford: Rank A-
Stafford is a bit long in the tooth and, at this stage of his career, outside of the top 10. But he’s still in the top half of QBs in the league, and when it comes down to having to win one game, there aren’t many better in the league. Other than Mahomes, Stafford is the only other Super Bowl-winning quarterback still in the playoffs. Although they are underdogs heading into Philadelphia, with a healthy core around him, I like their chances this week to keep this game close and possibly pull an upset.
Detroit Lions, Jared Goff: Rank B+
Although Goff hasn’t won a Super Bowl, he has made it to one. That wasn’t good enough for Rams HC Sean McVey, and he shipped him off to Detroit in a trade for Stafford. This was a classic win-win situation. The Lions have now re-tooled themselves to be one of the best teams in the league. And the Rams managed to get back to the Superbowl and win it all. Goff has always been somewhat maligned but is now just starting to get the credit he’s due. That will all change this week if the Lions falter. But that isn’t likely. They are facing off against the upstart Commanders with their rookie phenom, Jayden Daniels. He’s been nothing short of a magician this year, but the clock is going to strike midnight for Daniels and the Commanders. The lights haven’t been too bright up to this point, but Goff and his unending cast of offensive weapons will win this one going away.
Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels: Rank A
And speaking of Daniels, four of the other seven QBs on this list have at least made it to the Superbowl. As a rookie, this is obviously Daniels’ first crack at it. And although the journey will mostly end this weekend in Motown, I have a feeling we are going to watch his growth over the next 10-15 years and see him in the Big Dance at least once or twice. Don’t be surprised to see him in top 10 lists, supplanting names like Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott, and even Justin Herbert.
Houston Texans, CJ Stroud: Rank B-
Stroud was last year’s Daniels. And although his sophomore season wasn’t as eye-popping as his rookie campaign, he was still solid enough to lead his team to the AFC South’s division and another playoff victory. His yardage was down a bit, as were his TD passes…and his interceptions increased. But he was sacked 14 more times, and he had his WRs were injured for much of the season. He is still a dangerous QB, and although I can’t see them going to Kansas City and winning, it wouldn’t completely surprise me, considering how the Chiefs have been playing this year. They are currently an 8.5 underdog, but the Chiefs games always seem to end within one score. Take that for what it’s worth.
