2012 NFL Playoffs: Power Ranking All 12 NFL Playoff Quarterbacks

With the start of the 2012 NFL playoffs just days away, let's rank the quarterbacks—arguably the most important position in all of sports—who made the postseason. Spoiler alert, Tim Tebow is not No. 1.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

The likely NFL MVP, Rodgers had one of the greatest quarterbacking seasons in NFL history and also led the Packers to a 15-1 regular season record.

2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

The Saints' recording-breaking quarterback has been close to unstoppable since New Orleans lost at St. Louis, throwing 27 touchdowns against just four interceptions.  

3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

In a year without Brees, Brady would have broken Dan Marino's passing yards record. And despite recent struggles, few quarterbacks have been as good in the postseason as Brady.

4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

His game isn't as impressive as Rodgers', as technical as Brees' or as effortless as Brady's, but Roethlisberger always finds a way to get it done. Why aren't more people talking about the Steelers as Super Bowl contenders? 

5. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

It's hard to believe that Stafford threw for 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns this season and barely any one noticed. He deserved more national coverage.

6. Eli Manning, New York Giants

You're going to be hard-pressed to find a player that has had more impact late in games this season as Manning did in New York. No quarterback had a higher passer rating in the fourth quarter than Manning. 

7. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Ryan has started getting the ball to first-round pick Julio Jones more often, and it's paying off big time. The Falcons' rookie had six of his eight touchdowns over Atlanta's last four games. 

8. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

With a potential matchup with the Steelers looming sometime in these playoffs, can Flacco transition his regular season success against Pittsburgh into a win in the postseason?

9. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Smith was the primary reason why the 49ers tied the NFL record for least amount of turnovers in a season. He is the ultimate game manager on a team that can travel anywhere and win in the postseason. 

10. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Dalton wasn't as spectacular as Cam Newton during his rookie season, but you have to credit a first-year quarterback for taking a 4-12 team that was in shambles before the season to the playoffs in just one year.

11. T.J. Yates, Houston Texans

I nearly put Yates ahead of Dalton, as the Texans' fifth-round pick threw for 300 yards and led a game-winning drive against the Bengals. Yates has kept the Texans' ship afloat after Matt Schaub went out with a season-ending injury.

12. Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

Tebow is nothing more than a gadget quarterback. With the amount of film available on the Broncos offense, teams have begun shutting it down. It could be a long day for Tebow against the Steelers defense this weekend.