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NFL Power Rankings: 10 best quarterbacks in the league

By Brad Rowland

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shake hands after the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shake hands after the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates a passing touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates a passing touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order)

  • Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears – Despite an injury during the 2013 campaign, Cutler played extremely well, and under the direction of Mark Trestman in Chicago, his ceiling has been lifted a bit. There are still flaws in his game (12 INT in 11 games last season), but there is no doubting Cutler’s arm talent, and he is more than capable of leading the Bears to a deep playoff run.
  • Eli Manning, New York Giants – Eli was an absolute mess last season. The entire New York offense suffered throughout the year, but Manning was the catalyst with 27 interceptions (!) against just 18 touchdowns and a completion percentage under 60% for the year. Still, he is a two-time Super Bowl winner who has proven that he is effective in this league, and one bad season can’t undo that. The leash is short, however.
  • Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers – Newton is right on the edge of this list, and he is an incredible talent. The former number one overall pick isn’t just a “running quarterback”, he has a big time arm and the ability to overpower rush defenders with his big-time size and strength. Carolina isn’t blessed with anything in the way of a go-to target for Newton, but he’s still growing and the ceiling is high.
  • Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers – If this was a 2013 list, Rivers would be higher, but it is tough to ignore the significant dip he took during previous seasons. With that said, the side-armer led the NFL in completion percentage last season (69.5%) and he did so without a superstar wide receiver or tight end at his disposal. Many left Philip Rivers for dead before last season, but he reminded the NFL world of how good he can be when things align.
  • Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions – Stafford is a hit or miss player, but when he hits, the fireworks are outlandish. The Detroit signal-caller threw for more than 4,600 yards in 2013 (good for third in the NFL), and while he does have Calvin Johnson to help, the secondary targets are nothing to write home about for the Lions. Stafford is prone to carelessness (19 INT last season) and inaccuracy at times, but he has an incredible arm and has shown the ability to put up gaudy numbers on quality teams.
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