Our series on the top 15 quarterbacks of 2014 concludes with the top five NFL signal callers of the year whose performances spoke for themselves.
For Quarterbacks 15-11 click here.
For Quarterbacks 10-6 click here.
The Top 15 Quarterbacks of 2014 (5-1)
- Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
Stats: 373/582 (64.1 completion %), 7.01 ANY/A, 4,109 yards, 33 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 97.4 Passer Rating, 74.32 Total QBR
Through the first four games of the season, the 37-year-old Tom Brady looked completely washed up only throwing for four touchdowns and not intimidating any defenses. His accuracy was at a career low as he was overthrowing and underthrowing his receivers, he had zero trust in his offensive line, and critics everywhere were wondering if Brady had declined. This was apparent in Week 4 against the Chiefs, where Brady looked awful.
Then, the Patriots moved onto Cincinnati. With the help of Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, as well as an improved offensive line, Brady sparked a ten-game streak of at least two touchdown passes, as he returned to his top 5 form. Though his style of play has never been spectacular, at his best, Brady delivers the ball quickly with solid 10-20 yard passes with receivers that can explode for yards after the catch, which was what happened in 2014.
Brady’s decision making in the pocket was noticeably improved over 2013, electing for quarterback runs and a few side steps in the pocket, something we haven’t seen as much from him in the past. His dominant streak helped secure the top seed for the Patriots.
Brady is one of the five greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, and this season has continued his terrific and competitive legacy.
Best Game: Week 9 Against The Chicago Bears: Brady and company absolutely embarrassed the Chicago Bears in Foxboro, as his connectivity with Rob Gronkowski was second to none. He finished 30/35 for 354 yards, five touchdowns, zero interceptions, a 148.4 passer rating, and a 98.8 Total QBR.
- Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Stats: 408/608 (67.1 completion %), 7.82 ANY/A, 4,952 yards, 32 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 103.3 Passer Rating, 72.48 Total QBR
Long under the shadows of the big 4 quarterbacks (Peyton/Brady/Brees/Rodgers), Big Ben made clear he was still one of the league’s top quarterbacks and had his greatest season yet in 2014.
With a variety of weapons at his disposal in Antonio Brown, Le’veon Bell, Heath Miller, and the terrific rookie deep ball/intermediate threat Martavis Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger advanced the ball in ways never seen with the modern day John Elway. In addition to his unique backyard football style of play, where he’s famously bought time to extend plays, Ben was the heart of perhaps the best offense of 2014.
Big Ben’s efficiency and accuracy were at an all-time high, and if there’s anyone asking why he’s as high as fourth, he passed for six touchdowns in TWO STRAIGHT GAMES (an NFL record), and became the only quarterback in NFL history to have 2 500+ yard games. Roethlisberger was also consistent down the road in December, leading the Steelers to their first playoff spot since 2011. He also tied with Drew Brees for the most passing yards of 2014, with 4,952 (yes, tied).
In my opinion, Ben Roethlisberger is a hall of fame quarterback, and if that wasn’t clear before, his career best 2014 season has confirmed it.
Best Game: Week 8 Against The Indianapolis Colts: What else needs to be said? Go ahead and watch the game highlights. Ben Roethlisberger was flawless in this game, going 40/49 for 522 yards, six touchdowns, 0 interceptions, a 150.6 passer rating, and a 99.0 Total QBR. Wow.
- Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)
Stats: 395/597 (66.2 completion %), 7.68 ANY/A, 4,727 yards, 39 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 101.5 Passer Rating, 77.25 Total QBR
The definition of a field general himself, Peyton Manning has always been the premier quarterback of the 2000’s. Look at his numbers again and consider he played one of the roughest schedules of the season.
We all know Peyton’s arm strength isn’t where it used to be, but his decision-making and audibles have aged like wine. The “weapons” don’t matter if you don’t have a quarterback capable of making super quality throws that make his receivers better, which is ultimately what Peyton has continued to possess. And we all know the famous touchdown record Brett Favre once held is in good hands.
An MVP candidate for most of the season, Manning committed several turnovers during a few critical moments which took him out of the MVP race, including an ugly four interception performance against the Bengals in week 16, and relied on CJ Anderson and the run game as he went on autopilot. However, the talks of a possible decline are pure rubbish, and although his touchdown volume decreased in December, he still possessed the ability to advance the ball in ways no other quarterback can even dream of doing.
In three seasons with the Broncos, Manning has thrown 14,863 yards, 131 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions. That’s 33 less touchdowns than Troy Aikman’s entire career. Peyton Manning has once again put together a tremendous season, and is without a doubt the greatest quarterback to play the game of football.
Best Game: Week 7 Against The San Francisco 49ers: It should be obvious that the game where Manning broke Favre’s record is the best game of his 2014 season. Manning connected perfectly with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, as he went 22/26 for 318 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, a 157.2 passer rating, and a 99.4 Total QBR. The Sherriff.
- Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys)
Stats: 304/435 (69.9 completion %), 8.06 ANY/A, 3,705 yards, 34 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 113.2 Passer Rating, 82.75 Total QBR
Everyone loves to hate him, but long has Tony Romo been an underrated quarterback. The team around him in previous years failed to remain stable, and his defenses collapsed historically as Romo fell under the pressure. It looked that way again in week 1 when Romo threw three interceptions as the Cowboys lost 28-17 in San Francisco. People were calling for Romo’s benching, and many wondered why Dallas passed on Heisman winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.
That all changed. Starting in week 2, the Cowboys won 12 of their next 15 games to secure the NFC East title and shock the entire NFL nation in Romo’s greatest season. In 2014, Romo finally had a cast comparable to the ones Troy Aikman had in the 90s, as Dallas was built well enough to avoid the fourth quarter and December collapses that made the more recent teams a laughing stock. Running back DeMarco Murray also added fuel to the offense as workload.
But make no mistake; Romo wasn’t relegated to a game manager in 2014. In fact, the Cowboys relied on him more than ever before. His accuracy, mobility in the pocket, and extremely fast throws elevated Dallas in a competitive NFC East, and his jukes against Houston and Seattle were absolutely textbook. HE AVOIDED J.J. WATT. HOW MANY QUARTERBACKS CAN SAY THAT? He was a monster in Sunday Night Football games, and led three fourth quarter comebacks along with four game winning drives on the season.
But it was Romo’s December play that really stands out. Throwing 12 touchdowns and only one interception (that probably shouldn’t have counted because it was in a week 17 matchup when the Cowboys were already up huge) in a brutal primetime filled schedule, Romo emerged as a huge MVP candidate, going down to the wire with other players. He’s had his best season, and this says a lot because Romo’s best season is better than Aikman’s best season.
It just goes to show that unless he gets a ring, Romo will never get the respect he truly deserves. But his 2014 season has been a season to remember, elevating himself as the second best quarterback of the year.
Best Game: Week 11 Against The New York Giants: In a Sunday Night thriller against the rival Giants, Romo was perfect in connecting with superstar Dez Bryant, including the game winning touchdown drive, where Romo bought all sorts of time stepping on his toes in the pocket, delivering a beautiful touchdown throw to Dez. He finished 18.26 for 275 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, a 143.4 passer rating, and a 92.2 Total QBR.
- Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
Stats: 341/520 (65.6 completion %), 8.65 ANY/A, 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 112.2 Passer Rating, 82.64 Total QBR
There are few things as fun to watch as seeing Aaron Rodgers play the game of football.
He is the most athletically gifted of the elite quarterbacks, able to make any football field his personal playground with expert defensive reads, mobility, scrambling, and the best deep ball in the business with the one-two punch in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and a running game threat in Eddie Lacy.
Despite a rough first three games of the season, Rodgers RELAXED and went on an incredible run, torching defenses and delivering accurate long balls that no one else in the league could ever accomplish. An awful game aided by 7 dropped passes from his teammates against the Bills put in doubt who between Peyton, Romo, and Rodgers was most deserving of the MVP, but ARod answered the debates in week 17, playing on an injured calf, where he carried the Packers to their fourth straight NFC North division title, throwing 17/22 for 226 yards, two touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, a 139.6 passer rating, and a 97.5 Total QBR, preventing the threat of the Lions from taking away the NFC North for good.
Consider that Rodgers threw five interceptions on the season, and threw interceptions in only 3 games. His entire career efficiency numbers are insanely good, and 2014 validated that statement.
People will be debating whether Rodgers’ 2011 or 2014 season was his best. I’d take 2011 overall, but only because it’s that damn good. Aaron Rodgers’ 2014 is awfully close, and if there’s one guy that should win the MVP in 2014, it’s him. Few players have ever played as impressively as him, and few players will ever play as impressive as him in the future.
That’s just how Aaron Rodgers has worked his magic, and he is the best quarterback of 2014.
Best Game: Week 10 Against The Chicago Bears: Nothing needs to be said other than Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdowns in the first half, going 18/27 for 315 yards, a 145.8 rate, and a 99.8 Total QBR. Watch the highlights for more.
Stats via pro-football-reference.com, espn.com, and hosted.stats.com.
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