NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting QBs Who Will Own the Postseason

With Week 16 now in the books, it is almost time for the NFL to switch into postseason mode. That is the point where real leaders emerge and step up. 

The one position on the field where that leadership is most needed is quarterback, where one shaky performance can sink an entire season's worth of hopes. As I see it, there are three signal-callers who can and should dominate when January rolls around. 

Here is my list of the three quarterbacks who can and should own the playoffs.

Drew Brees

We all know what kind of a season Drew Brees is having after breaking Dan Marino's single-season passing yardage record last night. On the season, Brees is leading the NFL in attempts (622), completions (440) and passing yards (5,087). He has also thrown for 41 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions and is second in the league in passer rating (108.4). 

Brees' Saints are now 12-3, and they clinched the NFC South with last night's 45-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans has now won seven-straight games, and the team is peaking at just the right time. 

Brees has a litany of weapons at his disposal, as his team leads the NFL in total offense (457.1 yards per game). 

Having already led the Saints to a win in Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, we know Brees can be dominant in the postseason. I expect this year to be no different, as the 32-year-old signal-caller is playing as well as he has at any point during his career.

Aaron Rodgers

Drew Brees would be a lock for the MVP award this season if not for Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers may be in the midst of the greatest season by a quarterback in NFL history, and we shouldn't expect that to change in the postseason.

Through 16 weeks, Rodgers has completed 343-of-502 passes (68.3 percent) for 4,643 yards, with a league-high 45 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also leads the NFL in yards per attempt (9.25), and his passer rating of 122.5 is a ridiculous 14.1 points higher than second place (Brees, 108.4). 

Rodgers has led the Packers to a 14-1 record and the top seed in the NFC. His play this season has been inspired, as he has found a way to get all of his weapons involved. Seven different players have 25 or more catches for Green Bay this season, which is just flat out insane.

After leading the Packers on a miraculous Super Bowl run last season, it wouldn't be a surprise if Rodgers put his team on his back for another deep run this year.

Tom Brady

While Brees and Rodgers have their teams playing well, Tom Brady has the New England Patriots on a seven-game winning streak, and they are on pace to lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Like the other two quarterbacks on this list, Brady is having a remarkable season. The 34-year-old has completed 378-of-576 passes (65.6 percent) for 4,897 yards, with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His quarterback rating of 105.1 ranks third among NFL passers. 

The thing is, we've seen this type of season from Brady before, and no one can question what he's done in the postseason. The Michigan product has led the Pats to four AFC titles and three Super Bowl championships. No matter what he does in the regular season, Brady just always seems to elevate his game in January. 

I expect him to have New England firing on all cylinders when the playoffs roll around.