NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Rating Michael Vick, Matt Ryan and the NFC QBs
It's Tuesday and that means another installment of my weekly power rankings. I try to focus on a different aspect of the NFL every week to keep things interesting.
This week, we power rank all 16 NFC quarterbacks through week 14 and heading into week 15. Remember, the best QBs are determined by a combination of scoring, caring for the ball, team success, and other things.
Enjoy.
No. 16) Moore/Clausen/St. Piere/Pike
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Carolina's quarterback struggles have been well documented this season. The Panthers are 1-12 going into week 15 and have the worst offense in the NFL.
Carolina has a -174 point differential and has only scored a total of 164 points this season. Compare that to New England's league-leading 415 points this season and it's no wonder the Panthers have struggled.
The use of four quarterbacks so far this season probably isn't a good sign either.
No. 15) Anderson/Hall/Skelton
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Arizona's quarterback carousel has been anything but fun for the Cardinals this season. However, it has been entertaining to those outside the desert.
Derek Anderson's post game press conference after a Monday night loss to the 49ers made headline news after he blew up on a reporter after television cameras caught him laughing on the sideline in the fourth quarter.
The statistics are even more outrageous. Anderson and Hall have combined for eight touchdowns and 16 interceptions this season. Kurt Warner anyone?
No. 14) Favre/Jackson
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It's been a nightmare season for the Vikings. The roof of the Metrodome caving in on Sunday wrapped the season up somewhat nicely. Unfortunately for Minnesota, there are still three weeks left to go before vacation.
Brett Favre began the season as Minnesota's quarterback but for the first time in nearly 300 games he sat from the sidelines on Monday night. Marking the end of an era that won't soon be forgotten.
Enter Tarvaris Jackson, the "franchise" quarterback drafted by Brad Childress a few seasons ago. Jackson has struggled in his short time as Viking's quarterback throwing just three touchdowns.
The single most problematic factor that Favre and Jackson have contributed to the sinking Vikings: The turnover bug. The two have combined for 22 interceptions and five fumbles this season.
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No. 13) Donovan McNabb
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McNabb has thrown the ball this season. He just hasn't thrown it well. His 3,377 passing yards are second most in the NFC. But his 14 touchdowns to 15 interceptions speak louder to the Redskins 5-8 record.
McNabb has also thrown more balls into the dirt than usual. He currently sports a 58.3 completion percentage. Also, let us not forget there was a Rex Grossman sighting with two minutes left in Detroit earlier this season.
Moving on to some un-McNabb-like numbers. McNabb's quarterback rating is extremely disappointing at just 77.1. Also, Jay Cutler (43) is the only NFC quarterback with more sacks this season than McNabb (37).
No. 12) Alex Smith/Troy Smith
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Mr. and Mr. Smith haven't been spectacular for San Francisco this year. Combining for just over 2,800 yards passing, 16 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, they could be better.
However, the 49ers have shown flashes of improvement and newly crowned starter Troy Smith has a chance to get the Niners into the postseason for the first time in a long time.
Though the quarterback play kept them down early and still isn't their strong suite, the NFC West can be very forgiving.
No. 11) Matt Hasselbeck
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Similarly to Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck has thrown the ball all over the field for the Seahawks, just not well enough to win games.
Hasselbeck is closing in on 3,000 yards passing for the year, but his 15 interceptions to only 12 touchdowns have Seattle tied for the NFC West lead when they could have it wrapped up with three weeks left to play.
At 6-7, the Seahawks have hardly been overwhelming but with little time remaining in the season, Hasselbeck is the most experienced and proven signal caller at the helm of an NFC West squad. Redemption?
No. 10) Tony Romo/Jon Kitna
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The only thing more surprising then the Cowboys' 4-9 record through 14 weeks is the fact that Jon Kitna is responsible for three of those wins.
Tony Romo was playing decent football before he went out for the season with a shoulder injury, but it wasn't winning football for the Cowboys.
Kitna, 38, has earned a lot of respect from NFL fans this season by playing exceptionally well in wins over the Giants, Lions, and Colts.
Glancing at the statistics, we find that Kitna has had nearly the same impact as Romo this season if not greater. Romo has 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Kitna has 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Combined they have 3,550 yards passing but the mistakes seem to cover that up.
No. 9) Hill/Stafford/Stanton
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The three lions have been pretty solid for the Detroit Lions. Lost in their 3-10 record has been the quarterback play.
First overall draft pick Matthew Stafford began the season hot as fire for Detroit, throwing for over 500 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception. But an injury has since sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Back up Shaun Hill came in and has been one of Detroit's biggest weapons offensively, throwing for over 2,200 yards and 13 touchdowns. Though his 11 interceptions remind us why the Lions have lost 10 games already this season.
Stanton has been decent backing up Hill when he has been banged up, but together the three make up a complete quarterback staff.
No. 8) Jay Cutler
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Jay Cutler has rebounded nicely from a tough start to the season. He has been sacked more than any other quarterback thus far and has held onto the ball too long on more than one occasion resulting in turnovers.
Still, Cutler has the Bears at 9-4 and atop the NFC North division. His 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions aren't eye-popping but it's been enough for the Bears' offense. Chicago has gone 5-1 in it's last six games.
Also, just remember that Todd Collins threw for 68 yards, five interceptions, and zero touchdowns in the short time Cutler was out with a concussion.
No. 7) Sam Bradford
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Bradford has the St. Louis Rams tied for the division lead with three weeks left in the season. And to think he was the first overall pick in last spring's draft.
Bradford looks like the the Rams' next franchise guy. In his first season, he already has 17 touchdowns to his name and only 12 throws he would like to have back (interceptions).
Bradford is also closing in on 3,000 yards passing and has a decent 60.3 completion percentage in large part to the short passes he completes successfully. If there is one knock on Bradford so far this season it's his lack of a big play threat.
Bradford averages just over six yards per completion. However, the Rams are in the playoff picture with him under center and that's all you can ask of him.
No. 6) Eli Manning
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Manning has been the usual Eli this season throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and already 24 touchdowns but he has shown way too many glimpses of the old Eli with 19 interceptions through 13 games.
Manning has the Giants at 9-4 and hot on Philadelphia's tail for the NFC East crown. A lock to start every week, Eli has single-handedly carried the Giants' offense at times when the running game has struggled.
With a defense that isn't exactly what it used to be, Manning has done extremely well to have New York within reach of a first round bye come playoff time.
No. 5) Aaron Rodgers
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If there is one thing to dislike about Aaron Rodgers, it's that maybe he is a little too much like Brett Favre. Rodgers suffered his second concussion of the season last weekend and might have to miss the Packers' next game at New England.
Rodgers plays a wide open style that lends itself nicely to injuries and mistakes. Still Rodgers has thrown the Packers' offense into contention without any thought of a running game. Rodgers has nearly 3,300 yards passing and 23 touchdowns this season.
His big play threat is also quite visible as he has 43 throws of 20+ yards this season.
No. 4) Josh Freeman
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Josh Freeman has the Bucs at 8-5 and in the wild card hunt. Tampa Bay won three games all last year but the big-frame quarterback has done enough to win this season.
Freeman has 17 touchdown passes to only six interceptions. That's taking care of the ball. When you're a team of overachievers like the Bucs it's important to limit your mistakes.
But Freeman hasn't held anything back this season, either. He has thrown for over 2,700 yards and has been a major part of the Bucs offense, not just a game manager.
No. 3) Drew Brees
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Brees struggled early on throwing the ball to the other team a few too many times but a six-game winning streak has Brees back to his old ways, the good ways.
Brees leads the NFC in passing yards and touchdown passes at 3,855 and 28 respectively. His 18 interceptions are uncharacteristic to say the least, but once one notices his 10 plays of 40+ yards, they begin to realize that Brees is still himself.
The Saints are 10-3 and still in contention for the NFC's no. 1 seed, and it's in large part because of Drew Brees.
No. 2) Matt Ryan
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Matt Ryan (who I will refuse to call "Matty Ice" until he wins a playoff game) has been among the league's best quarterbacks this season. Ryan has lead more two minute game-winning drives than anyone else this year.
His 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions have been huge for Atlanta and have them a couple wins away from home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
His 90.7 quarterback rating and 3,147 yards passing speak for themselves. But all eyes will be on Ryan come postseason time. Let's see if he's ready.
No. 1) Vick/Kolb
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Though the thought of Kevin Kolb quarterbacking the Philadelphia Eagles has been gone ever since Michael Vick returned to form this season, he is just as responsible for the Eagles 9-4 mark.
Vick's 17 touchdowns and four interceptions are rather mind-boggling, but it's his 11 plays of 40+ yards that remind us just how explosive he can be.
Kolb threw for over 1,000 yards in his short time as Eagles quarterback and won a few games for Philly. But there is little question who the starter is or should be at the moment.
Vick is in sync with his receivers and has a sixth sense when defenders are closing in on him that allows him to break free for big plays.
The NFC has plenty of talent at quarterback, but none better than what we have seen from Michael Vick this season.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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