Fan Bias

Conventional wisdom has it that the NFL is now most definitely a passer’s league. Although wild card weekend demonstrated that teams such as the Jets and the Ravens can still use the age-old formula of defense and punishing run games to grind out victories, the league is experiencing a renaissance in the quality of its QB play. Just think about the names no longer even in the hunt for the title this year – guys like Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb, Aaron Rodgers, and Carson Palmer — and you realize just how deep the league is in starting QB play (backup QBs are a whole different story.)

So, I thought I would rank the QBs still left in the playoffs and place them in general tiers. Here’s what I came up with.

Surefire Hall of Famers

These quarterbacks have done it all. They’ve put up impressive regular season numbers; they’ve won playoff games; they’ve won the Super Bowl; and, they’ve won multiple league MVP awards. If their careers were to end today, their fans could make hotel reservations for Canton five years from now. Not surprisingly, these men are also the elder statesmen of the 2009-2010 NFL playoffs.

1. Peyton Manning — Is he the greatest signal-caller ever? One more Super Bowl win would cement that status. Super Bowl winner and four-time NFL MVP.

2. Brett Favre – Maybe the most charismatic and entertaining quarterback (on the field and off) of his generation. Two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl victory, and three-time NFL MVP. He also holds numerous NFL career records including passing TDs, passing yards, and completions.

3. Kurt Warner — There isn’t a better rags to riches story in the NFL in the last 20 years. He’s succeeded with multiple teams, winning with a fun passing style. Three Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl victory, and two-time NFL MVP.

Elite Statsheet Stuffers (& Fantasy Gems)

These guys are still young and in the primes of their careers. However, they’ve yet to have that one season that sets them apart from their peers and have yet to win the big one. But, they are fan pleasers and they rack up the wins (and the stats) en route to consistently top notch performances year in and year out. None, in my opinion, are Hall of Famers right now, but let’s see what they do over the next five years.

4. Drew Brees — Has won many a championship for ecstatic fantasy football owners. Despite not being the physically biggest QB around, he’s proven he can spread the ball all over the field. He’s won playoff games, but is now poised to take his career to the next level.

5. Philip Rivers — Gritty, tough, and a winner. He plays with emotion and is now starting to come into his own under Chargers head coach Norv Turner. Could this be the year he wins the Super Bowl and begins his march to the Hall? The Chargers certainly have the team to make that dream a reality.

6. Tony Romo — This season has been a breakthrough for Romo, who’s spent just as much time in the pages of tabloids as he has in the sports section of mainstream newspapers. He won big games in December and last week notched his first playoff victory. He can throw and run and has tantalized Cowboys fans with his potential for years. Now, it seems that Romo just may be ready to put the P word (potential) behind him.

Game Managers

The final two QBs in the playoffs are youngsters in their first two years in the NFL. While both show tremendous upside, they’ve been fortunate to be put in positions where they are not asked to win games, but rather manage them. Both play for teams with remarkably similar blueprints — stingy defenses and stellar multi-pronged running attacks. Think of these guys as young, modern-day Trent Dilfers with upside. But, it’s way too early to know what either of their careers will end up looking like.

7. Joe Flacco — Gets the nod over Sanchez mostly because he’s got an extra year under his belt and has improved somewhat during that year, most importantly landing in the playoffs for the second straight year. While Flacco’s playoff win-loss record is an impressive 3-1 (giving him something neither Aaron Rodgers nor Carson Palmer can claim — a playoff victory), his individual playoff stats are not impressive. While Flacco has shown he can beat the mediocre to bad teams in this league, the next step is to prove that he can play well against the good to great teams. In the meantime, he can enjoy the ride while the Ravens running game and defense carry the day.

8. Mark Sanchez — Only a rookie, Sanchez has had his share of ups and downs in his first NFL season. Down the stretch, however, he’s been steady and made big plays when he’s had to. And, he’s already got a playoff victory under his belt. The Jets are hot at the right time but make no mistake about it, Sanchez is more witness than participant as they make a strong Super Bowl push.