NFL Week 13 Power Ranking the 32 Starting Quarterbacks: Tom Brady on the Rise
It's been an exciting week of NFL action, including a very interesting tirade by Derek Anderson after the Arizona Cardinals lost to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
Now, it's time for some power rankings.
While many rankings will look at teams as a whole, I'll simply rank the quarterbacks. This is, after all, a quarterback-driven league, in which the rules unmistakeably favor the signal callers.
Please keep in mind that these rankings are not based on careers, including what the quarterbacks have done in the past. For example, Brett Favre and Donovan McNabb may be better quarterbacks than Michael Vick, but in all reality, if those guys aren’t as productive as the other guys are, then they are going to sit lower on this poll.
In addition, we aren’t looking at potential, but instead we are looking at real, tangible production.
We just need to keep in mind that this is not an “overall” talent poll. What Favre did last year was incredible but doesn’t factor into this poll. He may be more gifted that a guy like Vick, but if Vick is more productive and means more to his team, then he will rank higher.
Let the debate begin...
32. Jimmy Clausen (And Anyone Wearing a Panthers Uniform)
1 of 32
The Panthers fell just one point short of the Browns, but none of that came thanks to Jimmy Clausen. In fact, with his 16-for-28 completion rate, 195 yards and one interception, he didn't help them improve on their dead-last rankings in passing yards or touchdowns. They rank 31st in team interceptions with 17.
Last week: 32
31. Derek Anderson
2 of 32Regardless of what you feel about Anderson's tirade, whether you blame him or the reporter, you can't deny that his performance was bad.
The 49ers feature a very mediocre pass defense, but somehow Anderson was only able to manage 45.7 percent completions on 35 attempts, 196 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Blegh.
Last week: 31
30. Jake Delhomme
3 of 32
Make no mistake: This is Colt McCoy's starting spot as soon as he comes back. That never was more evident than this Sunday, when Jake Delhomme threw two very costly interceptions.
With Delhomme under center this past Sunday, I fear how bad this offense could have been without Peyton Hillis. This game would have gone from a 24-23 win to a 23-3 loss...to the Panthers.
Last week: N/A
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
29. Carson Palmer
4 of 32
For someone whose ceiling seemed to be so high coming out of the draft, Carson Palmer has fallen flat on his face this season. He did so yet again facing a mediocre Jets pass defense on Thanksgiving, throwing just one touchdown and two very characteristic interceptions (at least by his standard).
The injuries are mounting for the USC standout, and at this rate, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Bengals looked at a quarterback early in the 2011 draft.
Last week: 26
28. Bruce Gradkowski (And Anyone Wearing a Raiders Uniform)
5 of 32
Let's just say that this season, it really doesn't seem to matter who's wearing the Raiders uniform at quarterback, because they've all been less than mediocre. And that's putting it nicely.
Oakland's quarterbacks have combined for 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season while completing just 53.7 percent of their passes. Gradkowski wasn't much better against the Dolphins, throwing one touchdown and two picks on just 53.1 percent completions.
Last week: 29
27. Matt Hasselbeck
6 of 32
As mediocre as he's been this season, Hasselbeck was average even by his standards this week against the Chiefs. Two touchdowns were negated by two costly interceptions, and Hasselbeck completed just 54.1 percent of his passes.
Last week: 25
26. Donovan McNabb
7 of 32
In what has been a long season of inconsistent performances from Donovan McNabb, he put out another one in Week 12. With his play, he makes fans question more and more why he received a fat contract extension midway through the season.
Sure, the Vikings defense played well on Sunday, but they have been a mediocre defense all year. Thus, McNabb's iffy performance is unacceptable for the elite money he's making.
Last week: 24
25. Brett Favre
8 of 32
These are words that haven't been spoken all year, so brace yourself: Brett Favre had an efficient performance this week. No interceptions and 65 percent completions look good, but he only threw 23 times for 172 yards.
Under Leslie Frazier, the Vikings look to get back to ball control, something they haven't done very much of this year.
Last week: 28
24. Shaun Hill
9 of 32
The Lions needed Shaun Hill to have a good performance if they wanted to win their first Thanksgiving game in six years. Against the 28th-ranked Patriots defense, that seemed likely. It seemed all but certain, too, after the first half.
Two second-half interceptions right into the hands of Devin McCourty spelled a big comeback for the Patriots and another deflating loss for the Lions. It's safe to say everyone expected more out of Hill on Turkey Day.
Last week: 21
23. Troy Smith
10 of 32
After what was a subpar performance for Troy Smith against a lackluster Cardinals defense, it's becoming evident that he may not be the long-term answer at quarterback. He's completing a decreasing percentage of his passes, crashing from 63.2 percent in his first start to just 47.8 percent on Monday night.
Last week: 22
22. Chad Henne
11 of 32
Henne's return performance came against a Raiders defense which, despite its fifth ranking in passing yards, has given up 21 touchdowns this season. His stat line of 17-for-30, 307 yards, two touchdowns and an interception is enough to move him up a little bit, but let's not get ahead of ourselves in crowing him a new man just yet.
Last week: 30
21. Kerry Collins
12 of 32
I won't call Rusty Smith the starter based on his one start. Kerry Collins is moved around a bit by the performances of others.
Last week: 23
20. Jay Cutler
13 of 32
Cutler sent his critics into hibernation on Sunday with a big win over the Philadelphia Eagles, in which he accounted for all four of Chicago's touchdowns. The Eagles pass defense has been soft this season at times, but they rank first in the NFL with 19 interceptions.
Cutler threw none for the first time in three weeks, and looked every bit like the franchise quarterback the Bears traded for last offseason.
Last week: 27
19. Jon Kitna
14 of 32
After a pair of strong performances against the Giants and the Lions, Kitna put up over 300 yards and completed over 70 percent of his passes against the Saints, but was unable to throw a touchdown pass and had an interception in what was a one-possession game.
Despite that turnover, you can't ask for much more from a backup quarterback than what Kitna has given the Cowboys.
Last week: N/A
18. Mark Sanchez
15 of 32
How Sanchez was only able to manage 166 yards, one touchdown, one interception and 57 percent completions against the Bungles is beyond me. He still has completed more than 60 percent of his passes in only two games this season. He has thrown at least one interception in each of the last six games.
Clamor about his clutch play if you want, but those turnovers will start to hurt his team unless he can eradicate them.
Last week: 19
17. Ryan Fitzpatrick
16 of 32
We can't blame Fitzpatrick for Stevie Johnson's "Why God, why" drop that could have won the game. We can, however, hold him accountable for completing just a shade over 50 percent of his passes against the 22nd-ranked pass defense in the league.
The impact of his lone touchdown throw was wiped away by his interception, which came with Buffalo driving for what could have been a game-winning score. Plays like that just can't happen if you want to be considered among the elite quarterbacks in the league.
Last week: 15
16. Kyle Orton
17 of 32
The Rams pass defense has been spotty, but Orton blew the doors off on Sunday with his sixth game this season of over 300 passing yards.
His three touchdowns and clean turnover sheet were also marks that gave the Broncos a fighting chance in this game, but in the end, the deficit proved just too much to overcome.
Last week: 18
15. David Garrard
18 of 32
Yes, Garrard's poor performance came against a top-ranked pass defense in the New York Giants, but with the Jaguars on a three-game tear and the Giants on a two-game losing skid, I expected more out of him—especially after a 17-6 halftime lead left New Meadowlands Stadium very quiet.
His touchdown run in the first half was nifty, but Garrard simply couldn't get the ball moving in the second half, and threw a costly interception.
Last week: 13
14. Josh Freeman
19 of 32
By no means did Josh Freeman put his team in a hole, but completing just 45.9 percent of his passes certainly didn't help his team's chances. Keeping his interception sheet for the day is respectable, and not much more can be expected of a sophomore quarterback facing the seventh-ranked pass defense in the league.
Still, with some good performances from other quarterbacks, Freeman slides down a few spots.
Last week: 12
13. Matt Cassel
20 of 32
Some felt as though Cassel didn't get the necessary love last week. With four touchdown passes, no interceptions, and a 68.8 completion rate, I couldn't help but move Cassel up a few spots.
He may have some help from a top-ranked rush attack and "a triple Dwayne-Bowe" (bad pun) but there's no denying this young signal-caller is coming into his own under Charlie Weis.
Last week: 16
12. Sam Bradford
21 of 32
Bradford climbs up the charts after posting his first 300-yard game as a pro. It may have come against a Broncos pass defense that ranks 20th in the league, but three touchdowns and a clean turnover sheet are nothing to sneeze at, especially for a rookie.
Week after week, Bradford proves that the sky isn't the limit, it's just the beginning.
Last week: 14
11. Matt Schaub
22 of 32
Schaub's performance was outshined by the brawl that happened between Cortland Finnegan and Andre Johnson, but his performance was nothing to sneeze at. He completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, without a pick.
Of course, the Titans defense has taken a hit over the past few weeks after starting very strong, but his efficient performance is enough to keep his spot from last week.
Last week: 11
10. Eli Manning
23 of 32
Eli had a very efficient performance and led a game-winning drive, but that's no miracle against a Jaguars defense that has been as vulnerable as just about any in the league against the pass. In fact, they rank 27th in the league against the pass, and have allowed 22 touchdowns through the air.
Manning eliminated the errant throws and turnovers against the Jaguars, but slides down a spot nonetheless.
Last week: 9
9. Joe Flacco
24 of 32
After a good performance against one of the better pass defenses in the league, Flacco moves up a couple of spots. He may have thrown an interception, but his 71.4 percent completion rate proves that his name belongs among the ranks of the elite. In fact, he's completed more than 71 percent of his passes in three of the past five games.
He's on pace for career bests across the board, and a career high in passes, proving that his coaches also have gained confidence in him.
Last week: 10
8. Ben Roethlisberger
25 of 32
It was a nail-biter for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, and Roethlisberger's failure to post a touchdown pass certainly didn't help matters. Yes, the Bills rank 11th in pass defense by forfeiting just 210 yards per game, but that's more due to the fact that they currently have the fourth-fewest passes thrown against them.
I'd expect more than 20-for-33 and no touchdowns from Roethlisberger against the Bills defense.
Last week: 6
7. Drew Brees
26 of 32
Brees led a great comeback drive, albeit against the Cowboys' 23rd-ranked pass defense. He could only manage one touchdown pass against a defense that's allowed 23 of them this season, and was picked off once as well.
He completed less than 60 percent of his passes for the first time all season, but still managed to amass over 350 yards passing.
Last week: 5
6. Peyton Manning
27 of 32
The San Diego Chargers are Peyton Manning's bugaboo, kryptonite, or whatever word you want to find for "weakness." Regardless, four interceptions is just unacceptable, especially at home.
Yes, San Diego's pass defense is top-notch and allows just 193 yards per game, but Peyton Manning is supposed to be better than that.
He has thrown six touchdowns and seven interceptions in the past two weeks, and is free-falling down my power rankings.
Last week: 4
5. Aaron Rodgers
28 of 32
Rodgers had another superbly efficient performance, marking his third consecutive game with over 70 percent completions, and his fourth consecutive game without an interception. He accounted for both of Green Bay's touchdowns, running for one and throwing another to Jordy Nelson.
It's not as though the Falcons defense is striking fear in the heart of anyone, but you have to tip your hat to his late-game touchdown drive that left the Packers defense with a tie. It's not his fault they gave up a field goal and, subsequently, the game.
Last week: 8
4. Matt Ryan
29 of 32
They don't call him "Matty Ice" for nothing. His late-game heroics are becoming something of a trend in Hot-Lanta, and his buzzer-beater drive against the Packers is no different. He only had four incompletions all day against the Packers' 10th-ranked pass defense, which only gives up 208 yards per game and has only allowed 10 passing touchdowns all year.
While his stat line may not have been gaudy, he's proving that he's every bit the field general that every team wants to have under center.
Last week: 7
3. Michael Vick
30 of 32
Michael Vick threw his first interception since 2006...of course, there's that whole two years of prison in between.
Yes, the Bears feature one of the best defenses in the league this season. Still, despite a late-game comeback surge, Vick looked uncharacteristically human by comparison to the rest of the season.
Last week: 2
2. Philip Rivers
31 of 32
Rivers falls out of the top spot after failing to throw a touchdown or to throw for over 200 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. Largely, he was very efficient as a game manager, not quite the game changer he's been in past weeks.
He's no longer on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season passing record, but that does little to tarnish the stellar season he's having. I'd take him over 30 of the quarterbacks on this list.
Last week: 1
1. Tom Brady
32 of 32
After giving Patriots fans 158.3 reasons to be thankful on Turkey Day, I couldn't help but bump Brady up a spot. Especially after the poor performances from Peyton Manning and Michael Vick.
Brady's season becomes much more sterling when put into this context: He hasn't thrown a single non-Hail Mary interception since the Randy Moss trade. Fact.
Last week: 3
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")