2012 NFL Playoffs: Which Quarterback Faces the Most Pressure to Win?

The quarterback is both the most criticized and most praised position in all of major professional sports.  It has the biggest learning curve and definitely the shortest time frame to master in the NFL. 

The success of a quarterback is typically judged by two things—how they handle the pressure and winning.

Of the four starting quarterbacks playing this weekend—Alex Smith, Tom Brady, Joe Flacco and Eli Manning—two possess Super Bowl rings while the other two are looking for their first title game appearance.  

When the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants all take the field on Sunday, which team’s quarterback will face the most pressure-filled situation?

4. Alex Smith

It’s been seven years of peaks and valleys for Alex Smith.  The former No. 1 overall pick has never lived up to expectations despite sporadic flashes of brilliance. 

Smith’s bags were packed and he was headed out of town when new 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to take a chance on him. 

Alex Smith is having the best season of his career.  He passed 3,000 yards for the first time and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 3-to-1 (17 touchdowns and five interceptions). 

The 49ers have already exceeded expectations by making the playoffs this season.  Going 13-3, winning the NFC West and making it to the NFC conference championship game is extra icing on the gridiron cake. 

There will be pressure on Alex to get the 49ers back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 17 years.  Even with that, I believe his 2011 performance, capped by his two stunning fourth quarter drives in the divisional round, has earned him the right to lead this team. 

All he needs to do is play well, give it his all and let the chips fall where they may.

3. Tom Brady

Tom Brady has already cemented his place in Canton; we are simply waiting for his retirement and five-year eligibility requirement. 

Brady has led the Patriots to a 3-1 Super Bowl record, 4-1 AFC championship record, and eight division titles. However, in recent years, the Patriots have struggled in the playoffs. 

The Patriots' pounding of the Broncos on Sunday marked their first playoff win since 2007, the season of Spygate.  In that time span, the Patriots were 0-2, losing both games at home, including a 33-14 loss to none other than the Baltimore Ravens. 

As I stated in a previous article, Brady is on a warpath of revenge this postseason.  The pressure will be on for him to bring the title back to Foxborough.  In order to do that, he must defeat a tough Ravens team that is not afraid of playing “Tom Terrific” on the road in the playoffs. 

In addition, he could face a potential Super Bowl rematch against the Giants, who eerily resemble the 2007 team that beat him. 

The Ravens, Giants and 49ers all present defenses that ranked in the top 10 in sacks during the regular season.  They love getting to the quarterback and will keep Brady busy trying to evade them.

2. Eli Manning

Has there been a bigger quarterback comparison topic than Eli Manning versus his brother Peyton Manning?  What’s even more ridiculous is that there is no comparison. 

After spending his first few years being described only as the weaker of the Manning brothers, he silenced many of the critics by beating the previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.  What came after that is an ongoing debate whether Eli is an “elite” quarterback. 

Three straight 4,000-yard seasons would suggest that he is. 

With all of the hoopla surrounding Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the fact that Eli fell 67 yards shy of 5,000 passing yards went completely unnoticed. 

He shocked the 15-1 Packers on the road and will try to do the same to the 49ers.  During this playoff run, he will look to silence the detractors once and for all. 

All eyes will be glued to Eli’s performance in this weekend’s NFC title game.  If he fails to perform, the naysayers’ claim that he lacks the big-game prowess to be considered elite will only get louder.

1. Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco feels he doesn’t get enough credit for his team’s success.  You know what, I agree with him. 

While Flacco has taken heat for some of his performances, his overall success is more than what one could expect for a fourth-year quarterback from an FCS—formerly Division 1A—school. 

Flacco has thrown for at least 3,600 yards, 20 touchdowns, completed at least 57 percent of his passes and has thrown no more than 12 interceptions in three of his four NFL seasons. 

Flacco’s passing yardage and touchdown totals in his four seasons are higher than New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ totals in his first four years as a starting quarterback with the San Diego Chargers. 

All of that said, Joe Flacco has now painted a target on his back with his recent comments.  If he wants to be credited with winning or making this team great, he must lead them to the Super Bowl title. 

Flacco has one year left on his current contract and has made it clear that he is unhappy with not getting an extension.  These last two potential games mean a lot for Joe. 

He’s playing for a ring.  He’s playing for respect.  He’s playing for a contract.  He’s playing to be a Raven.

Follow Walt J. as he gives his no-holds-barred opinions on the NFL and other sports topics on his blog, "Live From AREA 49." You can also follow him on Twitter @area49sports.