Fansided

NFL power rankings: Starting quarterbacks from best to worst

By John Buhler

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philip Rivers

Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers

Get this guy some help. The Los Angeles Chargers have a future Pro Football Hall of Famer at the quarterback position in Philip Rivers. He’s not getting younger. His time to compete in and win Super Bowls is now if that avenue hasn’t already passed him by.

The Chargers move from San Diego to Los Angeles was controversial, but there is reason to believe that Los Angeles could be a sneaky-good team in 2017. They can’t possibly be as ravaged by injuries as they were last year. Rivers has weapons to work with on offense and the defense has some playmakers entering their prime.

While he has no mobility and a quirky side-armed throwing motion, Rivers isn’t afraid to sling it to help the Chargers win big next fall. In 2016, he made his sixth trip to the Pro Bowl by completing  60.4 percent of his passes for 4,386 yards, 33 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Unfortunately, his team wasn’t any goo. The Chargers went 5-11 in their final year in San Diego.

As long as Rivers doesn’t see his new head coach Anthony Lynn micromanage offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt’s passing game, Rivers can guide the Chargers to the AFC Playoffs. Having former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley running the defense should help Los Angeles be more balanced.

Rivers’ career will be one of the greatest case studies in the history of NFL quarterbacks. He has thrived for years in utter chaos. Rivers has been the lone focal point of stability for the franchise since his arrival in 2004. He’s never had an elite head coach. His body of work is all the more impressive when viewed through that lens.

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