The NFL’s Top 10 Quarterbacks Of 2010...They Aren't Who You Think They Are

If you've been a football fan for a while, you've likely engaged at least once in the debate of "Who's the greatest quarterback of all-time?"

Was it Montana with all his rings?

What about Elway?

Marino?

Favre?

Brady?

Manning?

Depending on the logic you choose to use, all of those current or future Hall of Famers have exhibited a level of "greatness" that most quarterbacks can't come close to. Do you base your opinion on Super Bowls? How about winning percentage? Fourth quarter comebacks? What about quarterback rating, passing yards, or touchdowns?

Truth be told, there is no single formula that will ever remove the ambiguity of what one stat fans see as more important than another, but let's give it a shot anyway.

This season, a case can be made for as many as five or six quarterbacks as the league's best. Some quarterbacks are putting up record-breaking passing numbers, but their teams aren't winning. Others are averaging less than 200 passing yds per game but their teams are marching towards the playoffs.

So who are the best quarterbacks to this point in the 2010 season? Here are my top 10 based upon the following calculation:

Quarterback Rating + 3rd down conversion percentage x Wins + Yards passing per game

#10. Vince Young: Tennessee Titans (536.1 Pts)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Quarteback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Young is the perfect example of a quarterback whose team wins (3-2) in spite of the fact that he doesn't throw the ball all over the field. He has passed for just 136.8 yds per game but he has been efficient, throwing for 6 TDs to just 2 Ints.

#9 Jay Cutler: Chicago Bears (597.6 Pts)

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears gets chased by Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cutler would've been much higher on the list if not for the concussion that forced him to miss last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. His passer rating of 102.2 is good for 5th in the league, and he's completing 67% of his passes.

#8 Kyle Orton: Denver Broncos (624.2 Pts)

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos delivers a pass against the Indianapolis Colts at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Broncos are 4th in the NFL in total yards, largely because of Orton's 346.6 yds passing per game. In fact, if not for Orton and the passing game Denver wouldn't have much on offense at all. What hurts Orton's score the most is the fact that for all the yards the offense has gobbled up this season, they've only put up 104 pts in five games and are 2-3.

#7 Aaron Rodgers: Green Bay Packers (635.7 Pts)

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The quarterback that many fantasy football owners believed would have a breakout season in 2010, Rodgers has the most interceptions of anyone on the list with 6. He has also been hurt by the loss of safety valve Ryan Grant and now tight end Jermichael Finley.

#6 Philip Rivers: San Diego Chargers (644.6 Pts)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers celebrates a Charger touchdown play against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 3, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 41-10.

Rivers is the 2010 version of Dan Marino in the mid-80s. He leads the league in yards per game (351.8) and touchdowns (11) but with only 2 wins, his team is the losingest of the remaining quarterbacks on the list.

#5 Mark Sanchez: New York Jets (695.2 Pts)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets in action against the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Ima

Probably the biggest surprise on the list, is the Jets' Sanchez at #5. Much like his college career at Southern Cal, he has done an excellent job of managing the offense for the Jets. His team is 4-1 this season and to go with his 8 touchdowns Sanchez is the only full-time starter in the league who has yet to throw an interception.

#4 Drew Brees: New Orleans Saints (707.1 Pts)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 30-

Last year's Super Bowl MVP continues to show the rest of the league he is one of the elite signal-callers in the NFL. Despite losing one of his most reliable weapons in the passing game in Reggie Bush, Brees continues to do a great job reading defenses and spreading the ball around as seven different Saints have caught double-digit passes.

#3 Tom Brady: New England Patriots (719.8 Pts)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during a the NFL season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty

Year after year, Brady is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL, and this year is no different. His 109.0 passer rating and his team's 55% conversion rate on third downs leads the league. Despite the recent trade of receiver Randy Moss, there's no reason to believe Brady will miss a beat after the acquisition of former teammate Deion Branch and the emergence of rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez.

#2 Peyton Manning: Indianapolis Colts (764.6 Pts)

Marc Serota/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws while taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 3, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

If Manning had to play against a Romeo Crennel coached defense each week, he wouldn't even be in the top 10. However, the Colts won't see the Crennel-led Chiefs' defense unless they meet again in the playoffs, and Manning will likely continue leading his team to yet another 10+ win season and trip to the playoffs.

#1 Matt Ryan: Atlanta Falcons (764.6 Pts)

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws to tight end Tony Gonzalez #88 against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Bet you didn't see this one coming, did you?

Ryan has one of the league's premier wide receivers in Roddy White, and tight ends in Tony Gonzalez to throw to. It also helps that the Falcons are more of a balanced offense behind the running of backs Michael Turner and Jason Snelling.

Of course, when the Falcons fortunes are put on the arm of Ryan, he usually comes through as evidenced by his 7:3 touchdown to interception ratio and his team's 46% conversion rate on third downs. Tied with Manning in points (764.4), he gets the nod by leading his team to 4 wins.