2011 NFL Playoffs: Ranking the Potential QB Matchups On the Road to Dallas

The NFL is dominated by great quarterbacks. They control the game and are the leaders on the field. 

These NFL Playoffs are highlighted with some great quarterbacks. There will undoubtedly be a fantastic matchup in the Super Bowl. We've already had some splendid matchups, and the second round has just started. 

But which ones would be the best? And how likely is it that they will occur? 

10. Matt Hasselback vs. Jay Cutler

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 18: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against the Chicago Bears at Qwest Field on November 18, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Sunday’s Seahawks at Bears game will come down to the play of the quarterback. Which one will step up and which one will falter?

Hasselback has been in the league for 12 years and has thrown for just under 30,000 yards. Cutler is having one of the best seasons of his career, throwing for 3,274 yards and 23 touchdowns. His decision-making has been much better than in years past. We are watching a future great quarterback develop right before our eyes.

Can the young guy out play the old one? Or will the veteran get the best of the kid? Should be an interesting game tomorrow. 

9. Mark Sanchez vs. Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets elludes the pass rush of Tully-Banta-Cain #95 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Round three, here we go.

Mark Sanchez has played well this season. I honestly thought we would see a sophomore slump from this guy but he’s gotten the Jets back in the playoffs. He’s led the Jets to some miraculous comebacks this season. Does he have another in him?

Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks to ever toss the pigskin around. He’s split games against Sanchez this season. Round two for these gentlemen was a thrashing by the Patriots. Brady and company pummeled New York.

Sunday evening we’ll know which pretty boy comes out on top. 

8. Joe Flacco vs. Ben Roethlisberger

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BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 14: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens meets with Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 14, 2008 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 13-9. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Gett

Another rematch of quarterbacks. Last time they played the Steelers came out on top. Flacco was unable to lead his team to victory. On fourth and two, Flacco threw too short of Ed Dickson.

They’re currently playing against one another and are playing pretty equal. This game will come down to the fourth quarter and who has it in them to guide their team to victory. 

These two guys will be going head to head for many years to come. So far it’s been Big Ben coming out on top. Can the third year starter from Delaware take the reigns? Only time will tell.

7. Aaron Rodgers vs. Jay Cutler

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is congratukated by quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

A reoccurring theme we have here. Divisional match ups making their way into the playoffs. The Bears have to beat the Seahawks and the sixth seed packers will have to upset the number one seed in the Georgia Dome.

Both are great quarterbacks and can easily win their games this weekend. If these two do happen to play one more time, it will be to head to the Super Bowl.

They split games against each other this season. If they get a chance to play against one another again, we’ll know who the better QB of this season is. 

6. Jay Cutler vs. Tom Brady

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

A young star against and already proven one. If they get a chance to go head to head, it will be in the Super Bowl. And this time there won’t be any snow.

It was an easy victory last time as Brady excels while playing in the snow. Cutler had one of those days, throwing two interceptions and only 152 yards. Clearly snow is not for him.

Cutler and the Bears will be looking for revenge if they meet up with the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Playing in a dome on a neutral field makes it a little more of a fair match up.

We know Brady is better, but Cutler could use this game to prove he belongs in the talks as one of the greats. 

5. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Aaron Rodgers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Another potential Super Bowl match up. These two pro bowlers know what it takes to lead their teams to victory. Big Ben has had a little more success but Rodgers is hungry to prove he can win the big one.

Rodgers is having an outstanding season, throwing for just under 4,000 yards. He will surely surpass it after tonight’s game.

Big Ben has done a tremendous job after serving his suspension to start the year. Both will have to beat some really good teams along the way, but they would make for an exciting Super Bowl. 

4. Aaron Rodgers vs. Matt Ryan

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rushes upfield away from Corey Peters #91 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Tonight’s game features two future super stars. Currently we rank Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the best two QB’s of the league. But in five years we’ll be debating which two of these is the better.

They played against each other earlier this year and Rodgers led his team to a go ahead score. However, he left too much time for Matty Ice who led the Falcons to victory.

There’s no doubt in my mind we will see another great game tonight. These two quarterbacks are the future greats of the NFL.  

3. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

A matchup of the leaders of AFC's number one and number two. The Steelers rely on Big Ben to lead the way just as the Patriots put all their trust in Brady.

Typically Brady owns the Steelers, only losing to them once in his career. But playoffs are a different atmosphere and he will see the toughest defense in the NFL if these two teams meet.

This AFC battle would be to play for the championship. There’s no question it would be one of the highest rated football games ever watched as these two quarterbacks know how to play and win. 

2. Matt Ryan vs. Tom Brady

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ATLANTA - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the preseason game against the New England Patriots at the Georgia Dome on August 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Number one in the NFC takes on number one of the AFC. What a Super Bowl match up this would be.

On one side we have a third year starter looking to solidify himself as one of the best in the NFL. On the other is a QB who has won three Super Bowls and was the MVP of two of them.

Matt Ryan knows how to win. He is 20-2 as a starter at home in the Georgia Dome. He is a pro bowl quarterback and will one day be labeled as one of the best. He studies the game more than anyone, and is very hungry to win it all.

Will he rise up enough to lead his team all the way to the Super Bowl? 

1. Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

We know why Tom Brady is here. He is one the best quarterbacks of all time. Six time pro bowl selection, two time Super Bowl MVP, and Sportsman of the Year in 2005. He was one win shy away from achieving a perfect season.

Aaron Rodgers comes in at number one as well because he is the Green Bay Packers. What was once Brett Favre’s team is now his. He has stepped in, done well, and made the people of Green Bay forget about Favre.

The next step for Rodgers is winning it all. Can he prove that belongs as one of the great ones?

If these two meet in the Super Bowl it will be a phenomenal game. Rodgers has done it all this year with virtually no running game. Brady is playing lights out for the Patriots with no big name talents surrounding him.

These two are the faces of their franchises, and boy would they make for one heck of a Super Bowl.