NFL QB Rankings: Top 10 signal-callers of 2014

By Will Osgood | Feb 9, 2015

Sep 21, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greet in the middle of the field after the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Denver 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs for a first down as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Josh Mauro (73) and ]a57#2 defend during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

It would be easy to look at the numbers and come away thinking that Russell Wilson digressed in 2014. And as a passer he did to an extent. But that argument is based mostly on productivity numbers, not necessarily efficiency.

As stated already he finished in the top-10 in standard QB Rating. At 95.0 he finished ahead of two players on this list: Ryan and Philip Rivers. His touchdown numbers were down, as they were for percentage of pass attempts resulting in a touchdown.

But Wilson offered a value to his offense that no other quarterback on this list offered (at least to the same extent): running ability. Wilson was the leading rusher among quarterbacks in the NFL in 2014.

He rushed for 849 yards and six touchdowns—which would be pretty solid for a running back nowadays—and finished with an incredibly impressive 7.2 yards per rush average, significantly better than his career high.

And despite the interception at the end of the Super Bowl, Wilson should be credited for playing his best football at the most important times. For the regular season he notched two fourth quarterback comebacks and five game-winning drives, according to Scott Kacsmar’s research on Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Next: Started out hot as MVP candidate then slipped

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