Report Card Grades for Every Starting QB on NFL Divisional Round Weekend

With the NFL's Divisional Round in the books, let's take a quick second to review and grade the performances from the eight quarterbacks:

DREW BREES, SAINTS

Brees threw for 462 yards and four touchdowns, but this was far from his best day. Two interceptions were huge, and Brees never did look comfortable against the 49ers pass rush. This grade might have been higher had the Saints held on.

Grade: B

ALEX SMITH, 49ERS

Smith capitalized early with touchdown passes following Saints' turnovers. After the two touchdowns in the first quarter to around the five minute mark in the fourth, Smith didn't accomplish much. But that hardly matters after Smith led the 49ers on two iconic touchdown drives to take the lead, with the latter winning the game. His quarterback sweep for a touchdown and the strike he delivered to Vernon Davis are the plays of the weekend.

Grade: A

TIM TEBOW, BRONCOS

Hard to say anything positive about the way Tebow played in New England Saturday. He completed just nine passes, wasn't a factor in the running game and generally looked rattled for the entire 60 minutes. He's got a long ways to go before he beats the likes of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. 

Grade: D

TOM BRADY, PATRIOTS

Six touchdown passes, including five in the first half, is all the information you really need about Brady's performance. A decent looking punt inside the 20 in the fourth quarter was icing on the cake. 

Grade: A+

T.J. YATES, TEXANS

I'll give the rookie credit for hanging in there against a really good defense and delivering some strikes. But in the end, the three turnovers from Yates were too much for the Texans to overcome. His last, on a first down pass into double coverage, was essentially the dagger. I'm betting he wants that throw back. 

Grade: C

JOE FLACCO, RAVENS

Outside of two easy throws for touchdowns in the first quarter, Flacco was the same inconsistent quarterback we've seen all season. The Ravens could have ran away with this game had Flacco played better during the final three quarters. However, he didn't turn the ball over once, and that was the difference in the game. With his defense, Flacco doesn't need to take a bunch of risks. 

Grade: C+

AARON RODGERS, PACKERS

Was rust a factor for Aaron Rodgers Sunday? Maybe. He'd never admit it. But he certainly missed on some throws against the Giants that he could have made in his sleep through the regular season. The league's presumptive MVP didn't play poorly, and used his legs to create plays more than we've seen. But he wasn't as perfect as he's been in 201, and in the end, the Packers couldn't survive without Rodgers playing his best game.

Grade: C+  

ELI MANNING, GIANTS

Take away one overthrow while getting decked by a blitzing Desmond Bishop, and Manning had another perfect playoff performance at Lambeau Field. What more can you say about the guy? He picked apart the Packers secondary and was careful with the ball save one throw. It's Eli Manning from January 2008 all over again. 

Grade: A