What a season. Considering all the uncertainties it’s brought us, who would’ve guessed the kinds of years the NFL’s field generals would have?
Well that’s exactly why I wrote this list. The quarterback is the most important and valuable position in the NFL, and 2014 brought us at least five career seasons (and yes, the five guys I’m talking about are on this list).
I wrote this list based on playing styles, quality of games, second half improvement, pure dominance, and how much the high moments of each quarterback impressed me. So without further delay, I present my 15 best quarterbacks from the 2014 season which has been split into three different sections. You can find links to the other two (quarterbacks ten though six and five through one) below.
The Top 15 Quarterbacks of 2014 (15-11)
- Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions)
2014 Stats: 363/602 (60.3 completion %), 6.03 ANY/A, 4,257 yards, 22 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 85.7 Passer Rating, 55.1 Total QBR
I’m very weary about the 15th spot on this list, but felt like Matthew Stafford the gunslinger deserved it the most. Having said that, I was disappointed by the outcome of his season, having expected him to elevate with new additions such as Golden Tate and Eric Ebron. Nevertheless, I was impressed by his high moments this season more than other guys such as Cam Newton and Andy Dalton.
Matthew Stafford’s style of play can be described as a mobile pocket passer mixed with gunslinger. He can give you the big throws (and the big mistakes) with his arm strength, and can run a money bootleg with relative ease, and quarterback run as good as the elites. 2014 showed most of this.
While Stafford continued to frustrate critics and fans alike on his throws, he was very reliable in the clutch, as he led the NFL in fourth quarter comebacks (five) and game winning drives (five). His game winning touchdown pass against the Dolphins combined pure mobility with a perfect side arm pass in the end zone to running back Theo Reddick.
As said before, his high moments were very high, and his low moments were just as low. It would’ve been easier on him if Calvin Johnson didn’t miss three games, the offensive line didn’t give up 45 sacks on him (fourth most in the NFL), and his receivers didn’t drop 24 passes (same as Cam Newton’s Panthers). The game against the Patriots is a prime example.
All in all, Stafford had an elite defense to back him up this time around, and his protection of the ball wasn’t great, but was far better this year (20 turnovers this season as opposed to 31 in 2013), and did enough to help bring the Lions to the playoffs. I like Stafford, and feel as if his ceiling hasn’t been reached yet. We shall see for years to come.
Best Game: Week 1 Against the New York Giants: Stafford was lights out in the first game of the season, throwing 22/32 for 346 yards, two touchdowns, no picks, a 125.3 rating, and a 97.5 Total QBR, as well as a rushing touchdown. He was pure money on his deep ball passing to Megatron, as well as his mobility.
- Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings)
Stats: 259/402 (64.4 completion %), 5.46 ANY/A, 2,919 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 85.2 Passer Rating, 50.16 Total QBR
Before the season and even before the draft, I said Teddy Bridgewater was the most NFL-ready of the quarterbacks in the 2014 NFL Draft. Apparently Mike Mayock and others didn’t agree with me, as his pro day was heavily criticized as “poor.” (as an indication of how stupid that is, JaMarcus Russell’s pro day was praised by Mayock as one of the best he’s ever seen).
Bridgewater started off pretty damn rough, but in the second half of the season lived up to his anticipated rookie season and impressed the hell out of me. From what I’ve seen, Teddy isn’t the most talented or athletic quarterback from this year’s class, but in terms of accuracy, he’s ahead of the pack, and even ahead of several veteran quarterbacks.
As the season progressed, Teddy’s performances in a system requiring him to use a big boy NFL playbook gradually improved despite poor pass protection and a talented yet inconsistent run game. He mirrored the incredible rookie seasons of Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson and actually made his teammates better with a combination of screens, intermediate passes, and deep balls. His decision making, footwork, passing under pressure, and pure accuracy of course were also impressive. In his last five games, he completed at least 68% of his passes, and at least 70% in four of those last five games, despite a few dropped passes that led to interceptions.
Give me Teddy Bridgewater over the other rookies anyday. The Vikings have plenty of young talent on offense that’s gelled over the course of the season, and a bright future is in store for the land of a thousand lakes. Consider me a Teddy fan.
Best Game: Week 4 Against The Atlanta Falcons: Teddy’s first start was his finest, as he was in control of advancing the ball, and even got a touchdown run in. He finished 19/30 for 317 yards, a 98.9 rating and an 85.6 Total QBR.
- Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins)
Stats: 392/590 (66.4 completion %), 5.83 ANY/A, 4,045 yards, 27 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 92.8 Passer Rating, 59.09 Total QBR
One of the few bright spots on a team considered to have the worst locker room in the offseason, Ryan Tannehill has been a pleasant surprise in 2014 after nearly being benched after a poor first three games, contributed by countless drops from his receivers.
Tannehill’s deep ball accuracy is still a concern, but with the help of new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor (quarterback coach for Nick Foles’ 27 touchdowns, two interception season on the 2013 Eagles), Tannehill’s overall quality of play drastically improved. His mobility has always been as good as Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson’s, but his accuracy has actually increased; his completion percentage was 66.4% in 2014 as opposed to 60.4 in 2013. That’s coming with 28 drops from his receivers, seventh most this season.
Despite getting sacked 46 times, Tannehill’s meltdowns were fewer and farther in between this time around, and his progression has been a treat to watch considering he’s part of an iconic 2012 quarterback draft class. With the help of Lazor’s playcalling, this has been made possible.
Now imagine Tannehill with a head coach that actually knew how to control a locker room, an improved run game, and wide receivers that weren’t overpaid and actually want to play the game of football (looking at you, Mike Wallace). While he’s failed to reach the playoffs for the third straight year, this season has finally indicated that Tannehill is taking steps into the right direction.
Best Game: Week 9 Against The San Diego Chargers: In a 37-0 shutout, Tannehill threaded the needle perfectly, with top-notch mobility, scrambling, and velocity as he was Steve Young-esque with a long 22-yard run. He finished 24/34 for 288 yards, three touchdowns, no picks, a 125.6 passer rating, and a 94.5 Total QBR.
- Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)
Stats: 415/628 (66.1 completion %), 6.71 ANY/A, 4,694 yards, 28 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 93.9 Passer Rating, 66.98 Total QBR
It was another rough year for the Falcons, as they finished the season 6-10, but Matt Ryan showed he was still capable of being an above average quarterback on a terrible team.
Matty Ice’s interceptions were very awful (his interception against Detroit and his two pick sixes in week 17 against the Panthers are three of the worst throws I’ve ever seen), but he was generally terrific in ball movement, advancing the ball well with solid arm strength despite his limited mobility and athleticism. Ryan won’t run for 20 yards, but he’ll do a little side step or step up in the pocket when the front seven rushes at him.
There were multiple times throughout the season where Ryan threw a perfect pass, only to have it dropped or fumbled away. And with close loses against Detroit and Cleveland decided by former head coach Mike Smith’s abysmal clock management, Atlanta was close to winning eight games, which could’ve have gotten them first place in the worst division in football: the NFC South.
Aside from week 17, Matt Ryan had a solid December, and it’s a shame the problems with the offensive line and the entire defense hampered an improvement from Ryan’s 2013 season.
Best Game: Week 3 Against The Tampa Bay Buccaneers: One of the biggest blowouts of the year, Matt Ryan’s arm strength, decision making, and pure accuracy were of out of this world in a 56-14 massacre over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ryan finished 21/24 for 286 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, a 155.9 passer rating, and a 99.7 Total QBR.
- Eli Manning (New York Giants)
Stats: 379/601 (63.1 completion %), 6.67 ANY/A, 4,410 yards, 30 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 92.1 Passer Rating, 70.93 Total QBR
Much like Philip Rivers in 2013, Eli Manning looked very much revived in a new offense for the 2014 season, even if the Giants’ 6-10 record didn’t reflect that.
In Ben McAdoo’s west coast offense, Eli looked like the guy we’re used to seeing, with excellent velocity on his passes. While his gunslinger mistakes were many, Eli was also screwed by dropped passes out of the get-go, witnessing his receivers drop 30 of his passes (sixth most in 2014). An injury to an ineffective Victor Cruz also ended his season early.
While rookie sensation Odell Beckham, Jr. certainly helped, Eli looked fresh before Beckham took off, stretching the field with solid intermediate passes and a few deep bombs. I counted at least 4 dropped passes that resulted in interceptions from the Giants’ first 4 games.
The one reason Eli doesn’t rank a lot higher than he should is mostly because of the seven game losing streak that eliminated the Giants from playoff contention. While the talk will be mostly that of Beckham’s sensational season, and while the 70.0 completion percentage goal was ludicrous, the Giants should be very pleased that Eli has been revived.
Best Game: Week 4 Against The Washington Redskins: Eli Manning was perfect in this game, controlling the tempo of the Giants offense and contributing in a number of ways, including a perfect third and 15 pass with six seconds left in the second quarter to Victor Cruz, who got out of bounds with a second to spare. This gave the Giants a field goal to end the first half. Eli went 28/39 for 300 yards, four touchdowns, one interception (that should’ve been a touchdown), a rushing touchdown, a 117.5 rating, and a 97.5 Total QBR.
Quarterbacks ten through six can be viewed here.
My top five of 2014 can be seen by clicking here.
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