NFL Week 9 Report Cards: Breaking Down the Stars and Duds at QB

NFL Week 9 Report Cards focus in on quarterbacks now, and Tom Brady fans won't be surprised by his relatively low mark.

None of these grades should come as a surprise, even to the most loyal fan. Some good quarterbacks had bad days, and some questionable quarterbacks had questionable days.

While Brett Favre receives a decent on-field grade, Vikings fans should take note these grades don't reflect postgame press conference meltdowns by a quarterback or coach.

The preamble is done, though, so let's go ahead and start grading the quarterbacks from worst to first.

Chad Henne

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins looks to throw a pass during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Grade: F

Chad Henne had 231 yards, but he had no touchdowns and three interceptions. While the receivers may have been partially to blame on the picks, the fact is the Dolphins lost, and Henne couldn't seem to do much about it.

Matt Moore/Jimmy Clausen

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Grade: F

Matt Moore hasn't lit the place up, but his injury paved the way for Jimmy Clausen to show he's the quarterback of the future.

Yeah, that worked out real well as Clausen got benched in the fourth quarter for Tony Pike.

This from the team that drafted three quarterbacks this year. I guess they want to try and use them all.

Armanti Edwards can do more than catch the ball, so maybe he'll get a turn.

Charlie Whitehurst

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants at Qwest Field on November 7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Grade: D

Sometimes you have to manage expectations. While Charlie Whitehurst never will be an elite quarterback, he's really just a backup on a team that will have an almost complete roster turnover in the next few years.

That being said, Whitehurst struggled yesterday, and there's nothing much more to be gained by dwelling on it.

Maybe Carolina will give Seattle one of its half dozen quarterbacks.

Josh Freeman

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Grade: D

Josh Freeman has shown he can be a better quarterback than he was yesterday. Freeman had two touchdowns, but they were neutralized by two picks and less than 200 yards through the air.

It didn't help LeGarrette Blount got shut down as well, but Freeman's fourth quarter heroics of the last few weeks didn't show up versus Atlanta.

Jon Kitna

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 07: Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Grade: C-

The Cowboys' problems, if published in book form, would require a table of contents. However, Jon Kitna threw another two picks, and couldn't manage 200 yards in a pass-heavy offense.

Tom Brady

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is sacked by defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin #71 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Imag

Grade: C

Tom Brady wasn't getting any help from his receivers, but when Brady needed to make plays, he didn't come through, and the only reason the Patriots scored a touchdown late in the game was because of an interference call that gave them first down on the goal line.

This isn't a day Brady is going to want to relive all week in practice, but it's probable Bill Belichick will make him do that over and over again.

Matt Cassel

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Grade: C

Matt Cassel isn't a bad quarterback, but it's really tough to say anything really positive when his on-field play never is anything spectacular. The Chiefs needed some production out of their quarterback in overtime, and they couldn't even get a first down.

Derek Anderson

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 7: Quarterback Derek Anderson #3 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Grade: C+

Derek Anderson didn't do anything to directly lose the game, but it's hard to fish for compliments when he didn't really do anything to help win the game, especially when the Vikings were in such disarray coming into the game.

Favre's rally is on the defense, but Anderson didn't do anything to win the game when he had the chance.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after Corey McIntyre #38 (not shown) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Chicago won 22-19. (Photo by Rick Stewa

Grade: B-

Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to turn in decent performances for a very bad team in a losing effort. It's hard to grade Fitzpatrick lower because he's putting up fairly good numbers, but the record is what it is, and it's not like Fitzpatrick will be making the Pro Bowl.

Matt Schaub

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans t takes the snap against the San Diego Chargers at Reliant Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Grade: B-

Matt Schaub was on his way to leading the Texans to a game-winning drive when Lady Luck intervened on behalf of the Chargers and Andre Johnson bobbled the ball right into the Chargers hands.

If looks could kill, Schaub would be in jail today, but this is how it is in the NFL sometimes.

But Schaub ended up having no touchdowns on the day, and the one pick. Not the best way to win football games.

Jay Cutler

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Jay Cutler # 6 of the Chicago Bears scrambles ahead of Chris Kelsay #90 of the Buffalo Bills at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Chicago won 22-19. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Grade: B-

Cutler only took one sack, so that's an improvement. He didn't throw any picks, that's a big improvement.

Still, the Bears became the latest team to barely hang on to a victory over the Bills, and Cutler's grade reflects that.

Matt Ryan

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Grade: B

Matt Ryan was without Roddy White for much of the game, but he made it work with what he had, and Michael Turner proved to be the difference maker in the game.

Mark Sanchez

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 7: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 7, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Grade: B

Mark Sanchez was far from great, but he rose to the occasion at the end of the fourth quarter and in overtime. It was a good game for Sanchez, and he needed it after the debacle last week in Green Bay.

Matthew Stafford

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 07: Detroit Lions team doctor Kyle Anderson checks the right shoulder of Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions after leaving the game during the third quarter of the game at Ford Field on November 7, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Je

Grade: B

Prior to his injury, Stafford was having a pretty good game with 240 yards and two touchdowns, but he left his injured shoulder exposed on a big hit, and he couldn't finish a game that went into overtime.

Peyton Manning

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Grade: B

On the surface, this grade probably should be lower. But all things considered, what did you expect out of an offense missing most of its main components that then lost another one in Austin Collie during the first half.

Peyton can't do everything but managed to keep the Colts in the game until the end.

Colt McCoy

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns leaves the field after their victory over the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Grade: B+

Colt McCoy once again managed a great game, not making any mistakes and making plays when he needed to. He stood tall against the Patriots defense and showed the Browns fans that he has a real future in the NFL.

Joe Flacco

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 7: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 26-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Grade: B+

Joe Flacco threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns, moved the Ravens offense efficiently and didn't turn the ball over. This almost was an A, but the Ravens kicked too many field goals.

Jason Campbell

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders runs against Eric Barry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Ima

Grade: B+

Jason Campbell most likely locked down the starter's job with another good performance versus the Chiefs on Sunday. Campbell led a drive to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter before throwing another big pass to Jacoby Ford to help seal the victory.

Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

Grade: A-

Michael Vick ran for a touchdown, threw for a touchdown and basically looked like the Michael Vick of old in his return from a rib injury. Vick showed very little rust, and kept the Colts defense guessing the whole game.

Eli Manning

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 07: Tight end Kevin Boss #89 of the New York Giants is congratulated by quarterback Eli Manning #10 after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington.

Grade: A

Eli Manning had a good day. The Seahawks defense didn't. Let's just leave it at that.

Aaron Rodgers

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 07: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs for a first down between Keith Brooking #51 and Bryan McCann #37 of the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

Grade: A

Aaron Rodgers ran, threw, did dropkicks and even created world peace on Sunday night. It was a dominating performance against a Cowboys team that there aren't enough metaphors for to describe how bad their season has become.

Drew Brees

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints calls a play against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Grade: A

Another quarterback in a long string of quarterbacks on this list who had great days against inferior teams. Drew Brees did what he was supposed to do, and it's on to the next opponent.

Philip Rivers

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers looks for a receiver as linebacker Brian Cushing #56 of the Houston Texans applies pressure at Reliant Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Gett

Grade: A

Philip Rivers is nothing if not consistent. The Chargers put points on the board, and now they're seeing the wins to go along with the offensive success.

Rivers threw for 295 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Just a great day for the Chargers offense again.

Brett Favre

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 27-24 in overtime. (Photo by Stephe

Grade: A

Brett Favre rallied the troops, threw for 446 yards and didn't throw a game-changing interception. We won't talk about what happened after the game, but on the field, Favre was the best he's looked all year.