NFC Playoff QB Power Rankings
Image from with.org (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Unlike my AFC rankings, the NFC rankings were much more difficult. The NFC has tighter margins between quarterbacks and there is a mix of veterans and young guns who are vying for a spot in the Super Bowl on February 12th in Glendale, Arizona. While the NFC does not have the same flashy numbers as the AFC quarterbacks there is no doubt that they are still fun to watch. It should be an extremely entertaining playoff season this year.
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts has put up MVP-type numbers this season, he has thrown for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns compared to only six interceptions with a 66.7 quarterback rating (QBR). This is good enough for fourth-best in the league. The Eagles are built for the playoffs because they have few if any weaknesses in their entire roster. What Jalen lacks in playoff experience, he makes up for in leadership. He has put this team right where it wants to be and we will see if they end up in Glendale come February.
His career playoff numbers: 258 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions with a passer rating of 60.0 in one career game.
Tom Brady
By no stretch am I saying that Brady is the second-best QB in the NFC; if I could choose anyone from NFL history to lead my team in the playoffs, it would be him. He has done it countless times over his illustrious 23-year career. Tom Brady has played in a shocking 47 playoff games and still counting. That is about 2.76 seasons of playoff games. Many quarterbacks do not reach that amount in regular season games let alone playoff games. I refuse to bet against him until he retires. The Buccaneers have not impressed this year and they are the only team under the .500 mark (8-9) in the playoffs. That being said, his stats say it for themselves, the man knows how to win in January and February.
His career playoff numbers: 13,049 yards, 86 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions with a passer rating of 90.4 in 47 games.
Brock Purdy or Jimmy Garoppolo
The San Fransico 49ers have the best problem they could ever imagine. Their third-string quarterback is playing too well. The Niners enter the playoffs on a 10-game winning streak, credit to Mr. Irrelevant for stepping in and producing. Now that Jimmy G may be able to return, the Niners can sit back and wait for one of them to play poorly and just switch them. Both guys are playing like elite game managers. Purdy has done just enough to keep the Niners rolling as Jimmy G has done for them the last six years. In my opinion, you can not go wrong with either, but whoever the QB may be, the Niners are poised for a Super Bowl run.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s playoff numbers: 962 yards, four touchdowns, six interceptions, with a passer rating of 74.1 in seven games
Brock Purdy’s regular season stats: 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions, with a 65.6 QBR in nine games.
Kirk Cousins
This list becomes extremely hard after Purdy and Garoppolo came off the board. Statistically, Kirk Cousins is the next best, but the playoffs have not been kind to him. Many people have criticized Cousins for not being able to rise to play during big games and there may be some truth to it. Still, Kirk teeters on the edge of the elite quarterbacks and seems to be knocked off and put back on that pedestal multiple times a year. He put up modest numbers this season as he was fourth in yards with 4,547, 29 touchdowns (tied for fifth), with 14 interceptions (tied for 30th). There is not much flash to his game and it certainly helps him that the Vikings have a plethora of weapons featuring arguably the best WR in the league in Justin Jefferson. I could not tell you what his stat line will look like Sunday but the Vikings will need him to step up if they want to go anywhere past the first round.
His career playoff numbers: 774 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, with a passer rating of 86.6 in four games.
Geno Smith
If you told me that Geno Smith would be leading the Seattle Seahawks to the playoffs before the season, I would have told you to go away. But here we are, the Seahawks have a date with the 49ers on Saturday. Geno has done incredibly well this season to the surprise of everyone. He has not been posting the numbers that he did earlier in the season but he has still impressed. It will be his first playoff appearance in his ninth season on his fourth different team. The Seahawks were supposed to be in a rebuild but find themselves in the playoffs, Smith will have to go above and beyond on Sunday if Seattle wants to continue their surprising run.
This will be Geno’s first playoff action so here were his regular season numbers: 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 61.1 QBR in 17 games.
Daniel Jones
I am just going to come out and say it, I am a huge Giants fan, they have been my team since I can remember. He takes the sixth spot on this list because I am trying to be unbiased. Daniel took a big step this year despite having little to no weapons around him. He cut down on turnovers and has opened up his arm and athleticism this year. Credit to Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka for putting him in spots to succeed. He is the fourth QB in NFL history to post 3,200-plus passing yards, 65-plus completion percentage, and 700-plus rushing yards in a single season. That is nothing to sneeze at although he gets his flack for not being the most flashy or polished quarterback. Danny Dimes and Saquon Barkley need to be the catalysts for this Giants' offense if they are to keep this revolutionary season alive.
This will be Daniel’s first playoff action so here were his regular season numbers: 3,205 yards passing, 15 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, with a 60.7 QBR, 708 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
Dak Prescott
Last but not least, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys. He has had an underwhelming season being tied for 33rd in interceptions (there are only 32 teams) and it has been a glaring issue for him. The team around him is well-built and star-studded, they just need their captain to right the ship. He has not had much luck in the playoffs and they are facing a veteran-led Buccaneers squad on Monday night. Dak is a no-doubt-born leader but his play has not backed his leadership. The Cowboys are in win-now mode and they’ll need Prescott if they are to get to their goals.
His playoff numbers: 1,048 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, with a passer rating of 87.9 in four games.