Now that the regular season is over, let’s take a look at the year’s best and worst NFL quarterbacks (minimum 160 attempts).
Best
5. Philip Rivers: Between the change in location and coaching staff, the Los Angeles Chargers’ dismal 0-4 start was no surprise. But LAC gained sea legs and won 9 of its final 12 games. Phillip Rivers was a big part of that turnaround: the Chargers led the league with the highest net passing yards. With Rivers under center, expect more of the same next season.
Performance of the Year: Week 12, Dallas, 27-33, 434 yds, 81.8%, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 149.1 rating
Regular Season: 360/575, 62.6%, 4,515 yds, 28 TDs, 10 INTs, 96.0 rating
Courtesy: The Inquisitr
4. Carson Wentz: The Eagles’ breakout star outperformed all expectations in his sophomore year in Philadelphia. Wentz’s numbers were remarkable: he finished second in touchdown passes and was in the top 20 in passing yards. To improve, Wentz has to improve ball security. He was responsible for nine fumbles this season (and three lost).
Performance of the Year: Week 5, Arizona 21/0, 70%, 304 yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 126.3 rating
Regular season: 265/440 60.2%, 3,296 yds, 33 TDs, 7 INTs, 101.9 rating
3. Alex Smith: Smith’s season was deja vu: an underachieving team marred by offensive inconsistencies. After a hot 5-0 start, many analysts and fans thought KC would make a run deep in the playoffs. They squeezed into the post-season after winning only 5 of their last 11 games, but the season ended in a dramatic (and frustrating) fashion with a home loss to Tennessee. With rookie Patrick Mahomes waiting in line, Smith’s days in Kansas City are most likely over.
Performance of the Year: Week 1, New England 28/35, 80%, 368 yds, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 148.6 rating
Regular Season: 341/505, 67.5%, 4,042 yds, 26 TDs, 5 INTs, 104.7 rating
Courtesy: NBC Sports
2. Tom Brady: Brady is still dominant at the quarterback position. He led the league in passing yards and finished second–by only one pass–to Drew Brees in pass completions. Brady had the best season in NFL history by a quarterback over the age of 40. He’s on pace to shatter records, including most passing completions, passing touchdowns, and passing yards by a quarterback over 40 years of age.
Performance of the Year: Week 3, Houston 25/35, 71.4%, 378 yds, 5 TDs, 0 INTs, 146.2 rating
Regular Season: 385/581, 66.3%, 4,577 yds, 32 TDs, 8 INTs, 102.8 rating
1. Drew Brees: Brees and his explosive passing attack secured an NFC South title for the Saints. It was the team’s first title since 2011. Along the way, Brees led the league in passing completion percentage and completed passes. The Saints finished second in total yards (6,259) and yards per game (391.2). The 39-year old has announced he’ll return next season–despite his free-agent status.
Performance of the Year: Week 11, Washington 29/41, 70.1%, 385 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT 1062.2 rating
Regular Season: 386/536, 72.0%, 4,334 yds, 23 TDs, 8 INTs, 103.9 rating
Worst
5. Trevor Siemian: The Broncos’ problems at quarterback date back to the 2015 playoff run during Peyton Manning’s final season. Of the four quarterbacks to play since Manning’s departure, Siemian has accumulated the most starts, but he has played inconsistently, earmarked by a penchant for faulty decision-making. His future in Denver is in doubt.
Performance of the year: Week 2, Dallas 22/32, 68.8%, 231 yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 116.0 rating
Regular Season: 206/349, 59.0%, 2,285 yds, 12 TDs, 14 INTs, 73.3 rating
Courtesy: The Sporting News
4. Tom Savage: Texans’ fans everywhere are waiting for Deshaun Watson’s return. Savage wasn’t the answer for Head Coach Bill O’Brien and it may take time for Watson to win. Unfortunately for Texans’ fans, they may have to endure another season of inconsistent offense.
Performance of the year: Week 11, Arizona 22/32, 68.8%, 230 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 97.1 rating
Regular Season: 125/223, 56.1%, 1,412 yds, 5 TDs, 6 INTs, 71.4 rating
3. Brett Hundley: Hundley was thrust into the spotlight during his third season in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers’ broken collarbone kept him sidelined for a good part of the year and Head Coach Mike McCarthy had to rely on Hundley. The UCLA grad didn’t have much help, either: the Packers didn’t have much of a running game. The result: 7-9 overall with no playoff berth.
Performance of the year: Week 15, Cleveland 35/46, 76.1%, 265 yds, 3 TDs, 0 INT, 111.2 rating
Regular Season: 192/316, 60.8%, 1,836 yds, 9 TDs, 12 INTs, 70.6 rating
2. CJ Beathard: The arrival of rookie Head Coach Kyle Shanahan rejuvenated the Niners’. But on-the-field results came only after Jimmy Garoppolo arrived from the Patriots. Before that, Shanahan rotated Brian Hoyer (now with the Patriots) and Beathard. Those two struggled to produce. At least Beathard was able to win a couple of games as a starter.
Performance of the year: Week 10, New York Giants 19/25. 76%, 288 yds, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 123.4 rating
Regular Season: 123/224, 54.9%, 1,430 yds, 4 TDs, 6 INTs, 69.2 rating
Ravens’ Za’Darius Smith (90) sacks DeShone Kizer (7) (photo, WTOP.com)
1. Deshone Kizer: Kizer’s introduction to the NFL couldn’t have been any more difficult. The Browns finished 0-16 and Kizer’s struggled, largely because several bad habits at Notre Dame resurfaced in Cleveland–throwing into double coverage and forcing the ball into tight windows instead of utilizing his check down option and finding a better option. The return of Josh Gordon and hiring former Steelers’ offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, will help next year. But how long will the Browns stick with Kizer?
Performance of the year:Week 16, Pittsburgh 16/30, 53.3%, 314 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 98.5 rating
Regular Season: 255/476, 53.6%, 2,894 yds, 11 TDs, 22 INTs, 60.5 rating
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Passing stats compiled from: http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?statisticCategory=PASSING
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/leaders.htm
