Why Aaron Rodgers, Not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, Is Best QB in the NFL

What Aaron Rodgers has done for the Green Bay Packers over the past two seasons (and through four weeks of this season) has been simply remarkable. In a 49-23 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Rodgers not only took his team to 4-0 and earned the Packers their 10th straight win, he also carved up the Broncos secondary and further showed that he may have elevated himself to the position of best quarterback in the NFL.

Rodgers was almost perfect on Sunday, completing 29 of 38 passes for 408 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for two scores and finished the day with a quarterback rating of 134.5.

So far this season, Rodgers has completed 103 of 141 passes (73.1 percent) for 1,325 yards, with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His NFL-best quarterback rating of 124.6 is more than13 points higher than Tom Brady's second-place number (111.3).

When you consider the numbers Rodgers has put up since 2009 (just his second year as a starter) it becomes clear that he has been as good as anyone over that span, and may be the best.

Here is a list of the top four quarterback statistically in that time and how they match up to Rodgers.

Rodgers: 736-for-1,119 (66.1 percent), 9,681 yards, 70 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, quarterback rating of 105.0.

Peyton Manning: 843-for-1,250 (67.4 percent), 9,200 yards, 66 touchdowns, 33 interceptions, quarterback rating of 95.5.

Tom Brady: 804-for-1,220 (65.9 percent), 9,851 yards, 77 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, quarterback rating of 104.2.

Philip Rivers: 781-for-1,184 (66 percent), 10,250 yards, 63 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, quarterback rating of 101.0.

Drew Brees: 931-for-1,346 (69.2 percent), 10,418, 77 touchdowns, 37 interceptions, quarterback rating of 99.6.

Looking at the numbers there isn't much difference between those five guys, but Rodgers has the fewest interceptions and Brady is the only one close to him in quarterback rating. In fact, Rodgers currently holds the highest career quarterback rating in NFL history at 100.5 and it isn't even close. Steve Young is in second place (96.8), Rivers is third (96.6) and Brady is fourth (95.7).

When you factor in just how much the 27-year-old has improved through the playoffs last year and the first four games of this season, it's hard to argue there is anyone better in the NFL right now.

Brady has thrown five interceptions this year, including four during a Week 3 meltdown against the Buffalo Bills. Rivers has found the opposition six times already this season, while Brees has thrown four picks. Considering that Manning is likely out for the year, there isn't much of an argument for anyone but Rodgers.

Watching him dissect the Broncos on Sunday it was clear that the Cal product is supremely confident in his abilities, and he should be. He makes throws into windows that barely exist and his accuracy is impeccable. He can make every throw and makes his receivers look much better than they are.

Rodgers has everything you want in a stud quarterback and at this point I believe he is the best the NFL has to offer under-center.