Tom Brady vs. Philip Rivers: Who Is the Best QB in the NFL Today?

A great debate question every time that it's asked: who is the best QB in the NFL today?

Normally the argument would be between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. This year, though, Manning has really struggled for a variety of reasons. Stepping up to take over Manning's spot this year has been Chargers QB Philip Rivers. He has been having an outstanding year, one worthy of MVP consideration.

Tom Brady has been one of the best in the league since he got his chance to play in 2001. He started out as a great game manager, who was very poised in the pocket. Now he has some of the best tools and attributes of any QB in football.

This argument will be based on a number of categories including physical and mental attributes of the game. So who is the best QB in the NFL today, Tom Brady or Philip Rivers?

Arm Strength

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-1

Both guys have tremendous arm strength. For a long time, that was thought to be the weakest part of Brady's game. Then the Patriots got Randy Moss and Brady was throwing the ball way downfield and showing off an impressive arm.

Philip Rivers has one of the strongest arms in all of football. When he was drafted in 2004, it was said that he had the strongest arm of any of the guys that were coming out that year, a class that included Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. He can throw the ball downfield as well as anyone in the NFL and that includes Brady.

Advantage: Rivers

Accuracy

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachu

The weakest part of Rivers game has been his accuracy. He's not an inaccurate passer by any stretch of the imagination but of everything that he does his accuracy is not his strong suit. He has really gotten better, sitting in the 65% range for completion percentage the last three years.

Brady has really improved by leaps and bounds with his accuracy since 2001. He started out completing around 60% of his passes. In the three years that he has played since 2006, he was out for all but 8 passes in 2008, his lowest completion percentage for a season was 65.7% in 2009 which is better than any of Rivers best seasons.

Advantage: Brady

Pocket Presence

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with teammate Julian Edelman #11 after a touchdown in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

This one is almost unfair to ask because it's not very close. Rivers is very good at being aware of what's going on around him in the pocket and when to get rid of the ball before getting hit. However, Tom Brady is the best that I have ever seen about being aware of when he is going to get hit and delivering the ball. He can side step and create more time better then any QB in the NFL today.

Advantage: Brady

Ability To Read Defenses

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls out signals during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Philip Rivers understands the way that defenses in the NFL work, if he didn't he wouldn't be as successful as he has been. He knows how to read the complexities of a defensive package and make smart decisions based on what he is shown.

Tom Brady feasts on defenses, no matter how good they are. He picked apart the Steelers defense a few weeks back like no one else has been able to do this year. He understands a defense as well as most defensive players do.

Advantage: Brady 

Toughness

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers throws a pass during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tom Brady doesn't get enough credit for his toughness because he is viewed as a "pretty boy." He has an edge to him that he doesn't show very often but will bring out when he feels it necessary. He can get hit hard and he will pop right back up and get in your face.

Philip Rivers is the toughest QB in football today. He looks like a linebacker playing quarterback. He will get in your face and let you know what he thinks about you. Plus, he played an entire game (the 2007 AFC title game against Brady and the Pats) with a torn ACL. If that's not tough then I don't know what is.

Advantage: Rivers

Leadership

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a Detroit Lions turnover during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Leon

Both these guys leadership styles are very similar. They aren't going to humiliate a teammate if they make a mistake but they will find them, even if it's in the middle of a game, and let them know what they did wrong and how to correct it. They will lead by example when they have to as well. They know when to speak up and when to let things be.

Advantage: Push

Two-Minute Drill

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Another category that is not particularly close. Philip Rivers can lead his team to a score when he has to but he is not an all-time great...yet. Tom Brady is among the three or four greatest QB's in history at running the two-minute drill and getting a score when his team needs it. You can put him up there with guys like Elway and Montana when it comes to running a two-minute offense.

Advantage: Brady

Final Tally

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after teammate BenJarvis Green-Ellis runs the ball in for a touchdown in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/G

When the smoke is cleared and the votes are tallied we see that Brady beats Rivers in these categories 4-2 with 1 tie. Obviously no slight is intended to Philip Rivers, who is a great QB in his own right, but Tom Brady is on a whole other level than anyone else in the NFL right now.

Winner & Best QB in the NFL today: Tom Brady