NFL Predictions Week 3: Who Will Emerge as the League's Top 5 QBs?

It seems like the number of elite, or at least statistically outstanding, quarterbacks in the NFL has skyrocketed.

Everyone considers Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger to be the cream of the crop.

But those four guys aren't even the quarterbacks making headlines in the NFL right now. With Peyton Manning still out, a newer generation of top-notch quarterbacks is taking center stage—and producing.

The Detroit Lions have been the most impressive team in the league so far, beating the Buccaneers on the road and then destroying Kansas City.

Matthew Stafford has been the centerpiece, completing 65.3 percent of his passes for 599 yards and seven touchdowns in two games. A healthy Stafford, with his cannon arm, looks like an elite quarterback so far.

But is Stafford top-five material? Getting the Lions off to an unprecedented 3-0 start might convince fans.

Another guy that deserves consideration is Atlanta's Matt Ryan. Ryan has more fourth-quarter comebacks in the past four seasons than any other quarterback in the league. That statistic lines up with the first four years of Ryan's career.

Impressed? He again showed us, against Philadelphia, just how valuable he is. Even during an otherwise bad game, Ryan was able to turn the lights on and carry the team to victory with a no-huddle offense.

Ryan's analysis and play-calling turned the team around. That's been his niche for the past few years—but he still has to win a playoff game. Unlike Stafford, Ryan has been there twice.

Both times he fell short and was underwhelming. Today's game against an equally tough Buccaneers team, and Josh Freeman, should produce a new perception of the winning quarterback.

Matt Schaub, the gutsy Tony Romo and the ever-resurging Michael Vick also deserve serious consideration. Had Vick stayed in the game last Sunday night, we might be talking about him as an MVP candidate. He's clearly a well-rounded quarterback compared to his past, and that's scary.

Here's the top five list, pending this weekend's performances (and excluding the injured Peyton Manning):

1) Tom Brady

2) Aaron Rodgers

3) Drew Brees

4) Ben Roethlisberger

5a) Michael Vick

5b) Matt Ryan

5c) Tony Romo

Others to consider: Matt Schaub, Josh Freeman