The Top QB Tandems In The NFL

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SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 01: Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during practice as quaterback Alex Smith #11 and Shaun Hill #13 practice during the 49ers Minicamp at their training facilities on May 1, 2009 in Santa Clara, California.

Here are the five best QB tandems in the NFL.

The criteria is simple—proven starter, proven backup.

Don't comment about rookies or potential—this is a kinetic study. NFL teams that have two QBs who each have a body of work to hang their hat on.

I realize that there may be tandems out there that could possibly be more talented, but they do not have enough turf cred to make the list

5. Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH - MAY 01: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers jokes with Charlie Batch #16 during rookie training at the Pittsburgh Steelers Practice Facility on May 1, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Combined Games Played - 142

The Steelers have Big Ben Roethlisberger as the starter and Charlie Batch as his backup.

Ben has played in 72 games while Charlie has appeared in 70 over his career.

4. New York Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 28: Quarterback David Carr #8 of the New York Giants during a preseason game against the New England Patriots on August 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Combined Games Played - 158

The Giants are the only team in the NFL sporting two QBs that were chosen first overall in the NFL Draft.

Eli Manning has started every game for the Giants since Week Nine of the 2004 season.

He has played in a total of 73 games, while his understudy David Carr (pictured) has played in 85 NFL games.

3. Dallas

IRVING, TX - DECEMBER 14: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium on December 14, 2008 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Combined Games Played - 189

Tony Romo has played 61 games already for the Cowboys.

His backup is Jon Kitna, an NFL journeyman who has 128 games under his belt.

2. Tennessee

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Kerry Collins #5 of the Tennessee Titans throws the ball in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by An

Combined Games Played - 211

Kerry Collins (pictured) is a 15-year veteran who has played a total of 178 games for five different teams.

He assumed the Titans' starting job when 2006 first round pick Vince Young injured his knee last September. Young had played in 33 games prior to the injury.

1. New Orleans

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 9: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints watches play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 9, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Combined Games Played - 264

As the debate over who the league's best QB rages on, Drew Brees (above) continues to pile up the numbers. Brees has played in 107 games in his eight-year career, which began in San Diego with the Chargers.

Backup Mark Brunell, now in his 17th NFL season, has played in 157 games. He can still play, but the way Brees is going, he's not going to get to prove it.

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