Top 10 Quarterbacks Going Into the 2010 NFL Season

Pardon My Bias Bleacher ReportAug 2, 2010

Here is my top 10 QBs of the 2010 NFL season. I have taken into account past successes (and failures) and have stated my projections for the QB the upcoming season. This is not a top 10 fantasy QB list, but merely a list of the top 10 QBs I would want on my team if I was looking to win a Super Bowl this season. Enjoy the list, and please pardon my bias.

1. Peyton Manning

Is there any question about this pick? With 10 Pro-Bowl selections and four NFL MVP awards, Peyton Manning is easily the best player in the NFL today. Despite his late-game mistake in the Super Bowl, Manning is capable of carrying this Colt team back to the Super Bowl to redeem themselves. With Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, and a healthy Anthony Gonzalez, expect Peyton to post another 4000 yard season with 30-35 TDs. This will be just another solid year in Manning’s legacy. When it is all said and done, Manning will own most of the NFL records held by a QB.

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2. Drew Brees

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Coming off his Super Bowl victory (in which he won the Super Bowl MVP award) and second straight Pro Bowl appearance, Drew Brees has established himself as one of the elite QBs in the game today. Being one of only two QBs to throw for over 5000 yards in a season, Brees is also only one of the few QBs in the NFL that can put the whole offense on his shoulders and carry them the distance. With Sean Payton letting Brees control more of the signal calling at the line, I expect Brees to throw for close to 4500 yards and 33-38 TDs this season.

3. Tom Brady

Brady is a three time Super Bowl winner and despite his knee injury that took him out of the whole 2008 season, he is still an elite QB. In his return last season, Brady showed flashes of that amazing 2007 season he had when he threw for 50 TDs and had a 117 QB rating. Brady wasn’t too shabby last season throwing for 4400 yards and 28 TDs and I expect him to build upon that this season. With Randy Moss still around, Wes Welker’s rehab ahead of schedule, and the emergence of Julian Edelman, Brady looks to lead the Patriots back to the Super Bowl. I expect Brady to throw for about 4300 yards and 28-33 TDs.

4. Aaron Rodgers

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This is the year Rodgers makes the leap from star to elite QB. Rodgers has increased his yardage and TD total while decreasing his INT total from his first season as a starter to his second season. Rodgers has a strong and accurate arm and he is the best QB in the league under 30 years old, and with an improved offensive line Rodgers will only be better this season. Armed with a good receiving corps including Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley, Rodgers might be able to take the Packers to the Super Bowl. I expect Rodgers to throw for over 4500 yards and 32-37 TDs this season.

5. Brett Favre

Brett Favre continues to drink from the fountain of youth. When Favre steps onto the field, there is no sign of they grey hair and a 40-year-old body. Favre is a gunslinger with a child-like exuberance that is infectious throughout the locker room. Last season was one of Favre’s best statistical seasons and he ended they year with a QB rating above 100 for the first time in his career. With Sydney Rice emerging as a star receiver and another year of experience for Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe, Favre will be able to spread the ball all across the field. And with Adrian Peterson in the backfield, expect Favre to post similar stats to last season. Expect Favre to throw for over 4000 yards and 25-30 TDs (if he does decide to return).

6. Matt Schaub

I’m anticipating a lot of criticism regarding this pick. Schaub is coming off his first Pro Bowl and led the league in passing yards last season. He has proven himself to be a very good quarterback, and with a healthy team around him, Schaub can make defenses pay. Schaub has extremely talented receivers to throw the ball to. Andre Johnson is one of the top three receivers in the league and it definitely doesn’t hurt Schaub to have him on the receiving end. Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels have established themselves as solid options as well and I see Scahub becoming even better this season. With a sub-par running game I expect Schaub to throw for about 4500 yards 30-34 TDs and less than 15 INTs.

7. Ben Rothlisberger

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Despite his off-the-field issues, Big Ben has become one of the best passers in the NFL today. He is definitely one of the most clutch quarterbacks, as he has won many games on the final drive, including one in a Super Bowl game just a couple years ago. Big Ben’s passing ability has turned a historically running Steelers offense into a pass happy offense. While he has lost Santonio Holmes, he still has the reliable Hines Ward and a very good tight end in Heath Miller. I also expect Mike Wallace to step up this year and be Rothlisberger’s No. 2 wideout. Since Rothlisberger is suspended for the first four games this season, I expect his numbers to be around 3100 yards and 23-25 TDs. And, like usual, I would be fearful of Ben in the postseason, that is when he has proven himself and becomes extremely dangerous.

8. Phillip Rivers

I know I will be getting a lot of flack from Charger fans claiming that I am ranking Rivers too low and that I am anti-Rivers. I obviously think Rivers is a talented QB and I have placed him in my top 10 NFL QBs. While Rivers has had a good career so far, I just feel like he has something else to prove. He had a very good 2009 season, but 2010 might be different. No Ladainian Tomlinson for defenses to respect, no Vincent Jackson for the first three games, and no solid WR options past Jackson. He still does have Antonio Gates and I expect him to throw that way a lot. Malcolm Floyd and Buster Davis will definitely need to step up this year and help Rivers out. With an unproven ground attack, I expect Rivers to throw about 4000 yards and 28-33 TDs.

9. Joe Flacco

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Flacco started last year hot, but he fizzled out towards the end. This year I expect him to carry that hot streak throughout the entire season. With new additions Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth to go along with Derrick Mason and Todd Heap, Flacco has a very talented receiving corps. He also has a Ray Rice who can catch the ball out of the backfield and instantly be a threat to go to the endzone. Flacco is a young QB with talent all around him and he should be able to take this team far. I think Flacco might be able to throw for about 3800-4100 yards and 25-28 TDs.

10. Tony Romo

I am not a huge fan of Tony Romo and I am not positive he can take the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. But he has three talented weapons at his disposal in Miles Austin, Jason Witten, and Dez Bryant. With these good receivers I can see Romo having a great season. He has started to make smarter plays and really cut his INT total down. The Cowboys passing attack was pretty formidable last year, I look for Romo to build upon that. I can see Romo throwing between 3700-4000 yards and 26-29 TDs.