NFL quarterback rankings, Week 16: Matt Ryan is the MVP
The NFL MVP award is going to be bantered about, but nobody deserves it more than Matt Ryan, who is having a career year in Atlanta.
As always, these are based off this year’s play with a dash of historic context. Here’s the link to last week’s rankings.
Blake Bortles Memorial Division
32. Blake Bortles
Steve Pelluer Division
31. Jared Goff
Goff made some really nice throws against the Seahawks, but he also missed a wide-open touchdwon and looked lost in the second half. It’s ugly for the first-overall choice.
30. Matt Barkley
Bears fans have finally gotten rid of Jay Cutler, but now they have a guy who throws interceptions without the yardage. Not pretty.
29. Bryce Petty
Petty is simply keeping the seat warm for the next quarterback in New York. Thus far, he’s done nothing to distinguish himself.
28. Tom Savage
Yes, he beat the Jaguars. No, he’s not the future. Houston’s quarterback situation is a mess.
27. Robert Griffin III
Griffin once looked like a great player in the making. Now, he’s a shell of his former self. Sad.
26. Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick has been uninspiring for the 49ers, and his time on the free-agent market is looming. His suitors should be thinking about a backup role.
Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warms-up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Rob Johnson Division
25. Carson Wentz
Wentz started the season en fuego. Since, he’s been all kinds of inconsistent and conservative. The Eagles have to hope he matures throughout the offseason.
24. Trevor Siemian
The overall numbers aren’t terrible for Siemian, but the Broncos have scored one touchdown in two games. At some point, that falls on the quarterback.
23. Matt Moore
Moore has always been a solid backup, and he showed why against the Jets. Throwing four touchdowns on the road is impressive, regardless of opponent.
22. Sam Bradford
Bradford was acquired for a first-round pick, and at this point, Philadelphia got the better end of the deal by a longshot. The Vikings got blown out by the Colts, and Bradford was a bystander.
21. Tyrod Taylor
Taylor is going to be a fascinating name on the market. Buffalo isn’t paying him $27 million next year. How much can he get as a free agent? Currently, Taylor has 14 touchdowns and 2,694 passing yards.
Jon Kitna Division
20. Alex Smith
Smith was brutal against the Titans, completing 15-of-28 for 163 yards and an end zone interception. He’s holding back a Super Bowl-caliber roster in Kansas City.
19. Cam Newton
Newton is a great athlete, but his accuracy and attitude leaves plenty to be desired. It’s fair to wonder if we’ve seen the best of newton despite his young age.
18. Carson Palmer
At this juncture, one wonders if the Cardinals will move on. Palmer is still top-10 in yardage (3,694) but has 13 interceptions. He’s also not getting any younger.
17. Joe Flacco
Flacco is having an odd year. He’s checking down like Alex Smith, but his occasional deep throws are still hitting. All told, hes got 3,788 yards and 19 touchdowns, but with 13 interceptions.
Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball in the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis Colts beat the Tennessee Titans 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Plunkett Division
16. Marcus Mariota
The second-year man didn’t do much in his first cold-weather game, but his stats are impressive. Throwing for 25 touchdowns and only nine interceptions is terrific.
15. Andy Dalton
Dalton has been inconsistent this season. He started out red-hot, but things have slowed as the Bengals have faded into oblivion. The loss of A.J. Green hasn’t helped, either.
14. Eli Manning
Manning continues to do the smart thing. He’s relying on his defense and when he has the ball, it’s going to Odell Beckham Jr. early and often. Does he have another Super Bowl in him?
Donovan McNabb Division
13. Philip Rivers
Rivers is a deserving Hall of Fame candidate, but he’s leading the league in interceptions and the Chargers are 5-9. He has to take some of the heat.
12. Jameis Winston
If Winston could ever learn to check the ball down, he would be virtually unstoppable. Still, the former national champion has thrown for 3,611 yards and 25 touchdowns. He just has to curtail the interceptions.
11. Dak Prescott
Going 32-of-36 will stop people from talking about Tony Romo. The rookie is getting the job done in spades, although he must stretch the field more in January.
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Bart Starr Division
10. Matthew Stafford
Staffor has been enjoying a great year, but he’s dealing with torn ligaments in his right middle finger. It’s tough to peg how good he can be the rest of the way, and that’s why we drop him here.
9. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben continues to do enough for the Steelers. He was slow to start on Sunday, but revved up in the win over Cincinnati. With 26 touchdowns, there’s a good chance for another 30-touchdown campaign.
8. Kirk Cousins
Cousins continues to show he’s more than a one-year wonder. The former Michigan State star was challenged with the franchise tag and now has a chance to finish top-three in passing yardage.
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Troy Aikman Division
7. Russell Wilson
Wilson is often looked at as a game manager, but he’s going to surpass 4,000 passing yards and is averaging 7.70 yards per attempt. He’s underrated across the country. Wilson is tremendous.
6. Andrew Luck
Luck was sublime in Minnesota, keeping the Colts alive in the AFC South. The fifth-year pro has thrown for 3,631 yards and 27 touchdowns, despite a horrid offensive line. Now, Oakland awaits.
5. Derek Carr
Carr was once the leader in the MVP race, and while he’s fallen off a touch he remains a terrific quarterback. With 3,705 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, Carr has the Raiders in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Montana Division
4. Drew Brees
The Saints are terrible, but Brees continues to be a beacon of shining light in New Orleans. Brees is leading the NFL with 4,559 yards while completing more than 71 percent of his throws. Incredible.
3. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has continued to move the Packers towards an improbable NFC North title. After a slow start, Rodgers has amassed 3,781 yards with 32 touchdowns against seven interceptions. If Green Bay gets in the playoffs, look out.
2. Matt Ryan
Ryan is the absolute correct choice for MVP. He’s second in the league with 4,336 yards with an NFL-best 9.33 yards per attempt. Ryan also has 32 scores and seven picks, showcasing his brilliance. If he doesn’t win MVP this year, there’s no hope.
1. Tom Brady
While Ryan is the MVP, Brady is quite possibly the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He’s in a league of his own, and is only second in the MVP race because he sat out the first four games of the campaign.
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