Third Quarter NFL MVP

With 12 games down and 4 left to go, I would like to present the Award for the 3rd Quarter NFL MVP. Some things have changed, some have remained the same. We have seen teams and players stay the course. At the same time, there have been teams and players that have fallen slowly fallen off the course during the grueling 16 game season. This is the time where teams are either clinching their division or fighting for playoff contention. Now, I would like to present those players that have been the brightest stars in the 3rd Quarter of the Season.

Cam Newton:

Completions: 218

Attempts: 374

Percentage: 58.3%

Passing Yards: 2,797

Touchdowns: 25

Interceptions: 10

QB Rating: 93.2

Cam Newton has been turning things up another notch towards the final stretches of the Season. While his numbers as a passer might not be as polished and refined as some of his peers, Cam Newton has improved by his own standards with a QB Rating of 93.2. Newton is making himself known as a leader in other ways besides passing, such as scrambling and his sheer will to be the best that he can be. Cam's intangibles as a leader are the things that are really carrying this team to the highest heights possible as they remain undefeated (12-0). Along the way, Carolina has slaughtered the likes of the Titans, Redskins, Cowboys, and division rival New Orleans. Newton continues to keep his play steady while being the general of an undefeated team. Carolina also holds a victory over the Packers led by fellow MVP Candidate Aaron Rodgers. Cam continues to be a hero for his team.




Tom Brady:

Completions: 323

Attempts: 507

Percentage: 63.7%

Passing Yards: 3,912

Touchdowns: 31

Interceptions: 6

QB Rating: 102.8

Tom Brady continues to keep his production strong in spite of a recent two-game losing streak at the hands of the Broncos and the Eagles. Brady has maintained a very firm and consistent pace throughout the season. New England continues to be the toast of the AFC, especially within their division. The Patriots continue to outclass the rest of their division. Brady continues to climb the ladder of NFL History as he just surpassed Dan Marino on the Career Touchdowns List. Tom's numbers have been shaky as his QB Rating has fluctuated between the 90s and 70s in these last four games.

Andy Dalton:

Completions: 252

Attempts: 381

Percentage: 66.1%

Passing Yards: 3,191

Touchdowns: 25

Interceptions: 6

QB Rating: 107.4

Andy Dalton continues to be the silent choice in the MVP Race. After a two-game losing streak, the Bengals rebounded with two straight victories over the St. Louis Rams and division rival Cleveland Browns in dominating fashion. In the loss against the Texans, Dalton experienced his lowest QB Rating of 61. Meanwhile, Andy enjoyed his best QB Rating of 146.8 in the game against Cleveland. The Bengals are still the cream of the crop for the AFC North at 10-2. Out of the top MVP Candidates so far, Dalton has the best QB Rating (107.4) with a completion percentage of 66.1%. The Red Rifle continues to be a very sharp shooter.



Aaron Rodgers:

Completions: 260

Attempts: 426

Percentage: 61%

Passing Yards: 2,957

Touchdowns: 26

Interceptions: 5

QB Rating: 97.3

Aaron Rodgers continues to maintain his case among the MVP Race. Despite his team's roller coaster ride lately, Rodgers continues to produce at an elite and efficient rate as a QB. Aaron is stuck in the middle when it comes to his case as MVP. On one end, he has better numbers than Cam Newton, who is gaining more coverage for MVP. On the other end, Green Bay is four games behind the undefeated Carolina. The Packers are 8-4, and are holding on to their division lead by a thread with the Minnesota Vikings at a very close second with 8-5. Rodgers has gone from being my choice for 1st Quarter MVP (first 4 games) to slowly falling in the ranks. At least he is still in the conversation, so that helps. 


My 3rd Quarter NFL MVP goes to: 

Cam Newton:

When it comes to being a difference maker for the success of his team, Cam Newton is the MVP for these last four games. His pure leadership mentality has elevated this team even when he has had games that were not his best. It also helps that Newton is a double threat as a QB. Cam also leads the NFL in most rushing yards for a Quarterback. The Defense is great, but there is no telling where the Offense would be or where the team would be without Cam's presence. He has been a sensation all across the NFL not only for his popularity, but for what he means to this team as well. While looking for ways to help his team improve, Cam has found many ways to improve his game and these last four games have been proof. 

Second Quarter NFL MVP

We are now finished with the second quarter of the NFL Season (8 games). This is better known as the first half of the Season. Now, it is time to look at the players who have produced the best season within this timespan.

Tom Brady:

Completions: 225

Attempts: 328

Percentage: 68.6%

Passing Yards: 2,709

Touchdowns: 22

Interceptions: 2

QB Rating: 113.5

Tom Brady continues his rampage in the NFL  as he currently ranks first in QB Rating at 113.5, while ranking fourth in completions (225), third in passing yards (2,709), and first in touchdowns (22). Through this first half, Brady has only thrown two interceptions. This run is remarkable as Tom continues to make both the Defense and Roger Goodell pay. Brady is on a mission to terminate his opponents pass by pass as he leads the Patriots to an 8-0 start. In 16 Seasons, Brady is hardly slowing down at all. Tom already has two MVP's to his Resume, and he would have no problem adding a third.

Aaron Rodgers:

Completions: 163

Attempts: 252

Percentage: 64.7%

Passing Yards: 1,937

Touchdowns: 19

Interceptions: 3

QB Rating: 108.2

Aaron Rodgers continues to play at MVP form as the Green Bay Packers still reign over the NFC North. He is still producing at top form but has had a bit of a fall off in the past two games with losses against the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. The way that the Broncos dominated the Packers gave a slight blow to Aaron's stock as MVP. At 6-2, Green Bay is still very lethal.

Andy Dalton:

Completions: 174

Attempts: 258

Percentage: 67.4%

Passing Yards: 2,226

Touchdowns: 18

Interceptions: 4

QB Rating: 111.0

"The Red Rifle" Andy Dalton continues to fire away leading Cincinnati to a perfect 8-0 record, making them one of the small handful of undefeated teams that still exist. Andy continues to float around the MVP conversation which helps his stock grow exponentially. In the midst of his peers like Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck and others, Dalton shines the brightest.

Cam Newton:

Completions: 132

Attempts: 246

Percentage: 53.7%

Passing Yards: 1,820

Touchdowns: 14

Interceptions: 9

QB Rating: 81.4

With the way that Carolina is taking a hold of their division, Cam Newton shares a great deal of the responsibility for their success. Cam has emerged as an MVP Candidate compared to where he was at the start of the season. Newton is playing the finest football of his career at this point as he is silencing his critics with great field generalship. Cam may not have the most aesthetically pleasing numbers compared to his contemporaries, but he gets the job done. Newton has improved his football IQ and instincts as a QB.

My 2nd Quarter MVP goes to:

Tom Brady:

The race is still ultimately between him and Aaron Rodgers, but Brady has pulled ahead by keeping his team undefeated. 

First Quarter NFL MVP

We are now finished with the first four games of the NFL Season, which makes that the 1st Quarter. Now, it is time to look at the players who have had the most outstanding seasons within that timespan.

Tom Brady:

Completions: 96

Attempts: 133

Percentage: 72.2%

Passing Yards: 1,112

Touchdowns: 9

Interceptions: 0

QB Rating: 119.6

Tom Brady has the New England Patriots riding high as usual, leading the AFC East at 3-0. Tom has been absolutely brilliant in these first 4 games of the season, completing 72% of his passes for more than 1,000 yards, 9 TD's and 0 INT's. If the suspension was still approved, Brady would have fallen behind obviously along with his team. If anything, that has fueled his competitive fire to do what he has done for his whole 15-year career, silence the critics. The Patriots have enjoyed a Bye Week, but they look to continue their momentum. After all, there are still 12-13 more games in the season but for now, Tom has played at MVP level in the early stages.

Aaron Rodgers:

Completions: 89

Attempts: 123

Percentage: 72.4%

Passing Yards: 995

Touchdowns: 11

Interceptions: 0

QB Rating: 125.9

Perennial MVP Candidate Aaron Rodgers continues to lead his team while destroying defenses with his combination of passing and mobility. Rodgers is one of the ultimate double threats at Quarterback. The Packers continue to throw deep passes even without go-to WR Jordy Nelson. Still, nothing has slowed Aaron down from raising the game of his other receivers. Three of Green Bay's first four games were won in convincing fashion. Aaron's QB Rating is another indication of how dangerously precise he really is.

Julio Jones:

Receptions: 38

Receiving Yards: 478

Average YPC: 12.6

Touchdowns: 4

Julio Jones has certainly been the MVP for the Atlanta Falcons with his dominance over the secondary. His physical presence creates nightmares for opposing Defensive Backs while standing at 6'3" 220 lbs. Julio leads the NFL in Receptions (38) along with Receiving Yards (478) as well as yards per game (119.5). He ranks 2nd in Touchdown receptions with 4. The Falcons are currently tied with the Panthers for first place in the NFC South with a record of 4-0. Without question, Jones has taken the mantle of the Best WR this season with Cowboys stud Wideout Dez Bryant out for most of the season and Calvin "Megatron" Johnson suffering on a Lions team that is 0-4. Those are the three key receivers in the current NFL Landscape, but Julio is having a breakout season. Along with fellow WR Roddy White, the Falcons Wide Receiving Combo has made Matt Ryan look more valuable as a QB.

Andy Dalton:

Completions: 78

Attempts: 116

Percentage: 67.2%

Passing Yards: 1,187

Touchdowns: 9

Interceptions: 1

QB Rating: 123.0

The "Red Rifle" Andy Dalton has been a straight shooter as he has led the Cincinnati Bengals to a 4-0 record to lead the AFC North. Dalton has been vital in his team's success, as he ranks among the top 3 in Passing Yards (1,187). Dalton is nominated as a candidate for 1st Quarter MVP because of how his production has translated into his team's success along with the other players nominated such as Brady, Rodgers, and Jones. The Bengals are 4-0 for the first time since 2005, as they average 30.2 points. Led by Dalton, Cincinnati ranks second in total yards as they pile the points on the opponents. The Bengals are currently at the top of the class of an otherwise struggling AFC North Division, and The Red Rifle is the prime cause offensively.

 The 1st Quarter MVP Award goes to:

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has the Green Bay Packers standing tall at the top of the NFC North at 4-0 and leads the NFL in TD Passes (11) and QB Rating (125.9). The race is still tight, especially between him and Tom Brady. As for now, Aaron wins the award because of his efficiency and versatility. 

Tom Brady Reaches 400

This past week, Tom Brady reached a new milestone in his illustrious career. On Sunday, Brady threw his 400th Career Touchdown Pass to Danny Amendola in the second quarter for 1-yard in New England’s 51-17 obliteration of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tom ripped the Jaguars open going 33-42 for 358 yards with 2 Touchdowns and 0 Interceptions. His other TD pass was a 13-yard pass to Keshawn Martin in the third quarter. Brady became the fourth player in NFL History to throw for 400 Career TD’s. The others include Peyton Manning (533), Brett Favre (508) and Dan Marino (420). In fifth place is Saints QB Drew Brees, who is two shy of the milestone with 398. Brees missed last Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.

In the midst of an offseason filled with controversy after winning his 4th Super Bowl, this has been the highlight of Brady’s season thus far.

Here is a look at Tom Brady’s TD Milestones over his Career:

1st TD: Week 5, 2001- 21 yard TD to Terry Glenn in 2nd Quarter vs. Chargers

100th TD: Week 2, 2005- 1 yard TD to Daniel Graham in 1st Quarter vs. Panthers

200th TD: Week 3, 2009- 36 yard TD to Chris Baker in 4th Quarter vs. Falcons

300th TD: Week 17, 2011- 7 yard TD to Rob Gronkowski 4th Quarter vs. Bills

400th TD: Week 3, 2015- 1 yard TD to Danny Amendola in 2nd Quarter vs. Jaguars

This accomplishment is a testament to Brady’s longevity, durability, and consistency in production. Regardless of the controversy surrounding him, Tom Brady has been an outstanding Quarterback from the time that he received the Starting Job after Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury during the 2001 Season. From that point going forward, Brady has become the face of the Patriots Franchise whether fans liked it or not.

Over the course of his career, Tom Brady has had a revolving door of Wide Receivers. He has never had a consistent number 1 Target to throw to the way that Joe Montana and Steve Young both had Jerry Rice, etc. However, Brady has made the most of what has been given to him as he has become the most constant factor of Bill Belichick’s Offensive Equation.

At one point, Tom had Randy Moss, but that was not on a long term basis.

Lately, things have changed with the addition of Tight End Rob Gronkowski. Rob has been the most consistent weapon that Brady has had the pleasure to throw to. Gronk is helping to extend Tom’s success.

Like his counterpart Peyton Manning, Tom Brady continues to add to his incredible legendary status as a first-ballot Future Hall of Famer.

Week 1 Review (Brady Returns, Comeback Cowboys, Super Mariota )

This NFL Season got off to a unique start. Tom Brady came out of the gate firing away at all cylinders as he completed 25 of 32 passes for 288 yards and 4 Touchdowns while torching the Steelers Defense in a 28-21 victory at home in New England.

Brady clearly had a chip on his shoulder with plenty to prove coming off the heels of the recent Deflategate scandal that further tarnished his image among fans. Pittsburgh put up a battle on the Offensive side, but the score does not tell the full story of the game.

The Steel Curtain looked like the Shower Curtain when Tom was finished with them. Ben Roethlisberger went 26-38 for 351 yards and 1 Touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins start the season with a new Starting Quarterback: Kirk Cousins. After a rocky run with RG III as the QB, the Redskins have changed the guard with Cousins.

However, the results were not very different as Washington lost the Home Opener to the Miami Dolphins 17-10. Cousins went 21-31 for 196 yards and 2 Interceptions.

The Offensive Line was horrible. That goes to show that they are just as responsible for the past failures as Bob Griffin III (RG III). The Skins had a 10-0 lead in the second quarter but allowed 17 unanswered points from that point moving forward.

Miami is not a special team either. Ryan Tannehill is not even close to the Echelon of Russell Wilson, or Andrew Luck let alone Aaron Rodgers but the Skins Defense made him look like a much more valuable QB.

In this game, Tannehill went 22-34 for 226 yards. Redskins WR Desean Jackson was out for most of the game after tearing his left hamstring.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills pulled a major upset over AFC Powerhouse the Indianapolis Colts 27-14. Rex Ryan went from being the Cartoon Character Coach for the New York Jets to a nearly defensive genius in this game. It looks like the joke was on everybody else.

Ryan's Defense crashed down on Andrew Luck. Andrew went 26-49 for 243 yards, 2 TD's and 2 INT's. It was not his finest hour.

On the other hand, Bills QB Tyrod Taylor orchestrated three touchdown drives as he went 14-19 for 195 yards and 1 TD.  The highlight for Taylor was his 51-yard Touchdown pass to WR Percy Harvin.

The Colts were limited to 148 yards of Offense and nine first downs on its first five drives before they scored two Touchdowns in the final 16 minutes. Things were not clicking for Indy.

 Another upset came when the St. Louis Rams defeated back to back NFC Champions the Seattle Seahawks 34-31 in OT. The Rams overcame Seattle's 18-point 4th Quarter rally for the win. Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson took a pounding as he was sacked six times in this game. He still managed to go 32-41 for 251 yards and 1 TD.

Down 31-24, St. Louis tied the game after Seahawks defensive back Dion Bailey stumbled on Lance Kendricks 37-yard touchdown catch. The Seahawks are also having problems in-house, because of Kam Chancellor's contract situation.

Meanwhile, Titans QB Marcus Mariota displayed signs of brilliance in an outstanding performance as the Tennessee Titans rout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 42-14 (Routed and Scouted). Mariota went 13-16 for 209 yards and 4 Touchdowns as he outplayed 1st Overall Pick Jameis Winston.

Mariota and Winston have been linked together because of their history together in College. Jameis Winston was the 2013 Heisman Trophy Winner while Marcus Mariota won the Award in 2014.

This game was nearly a mirror image of the Rose Bowl when Mariota's Oregon Ducks wiped out Winston's Florida State Seminoles 59-20. History practically repeated itself eight months later.

The Sunday Night Season Opener took place at Cowboys Stadium as the Dallas Cowboys hosted the New York Giants. Cowboys vs Giants games have always been interesting to say the least and this was no different.

Neither team was at their best. Odell Beckham Jr. was not setting the defense on fire with his playmaking. Instead, he was silent during this game.

The Giants had the lead on Dallas for much of the first half going into the second. However, their poor decision making came back to bite them.

On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys were shooting themselves in the foot with dropped passes, fumbles, etc.

Franchise WR Dez Bryant left the game following after breaking a bone in his foot. Bryant underwent successful surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Meanwhile, The Cowboys overcame three turnovers that led to easy points for the Giants as Tony Romo threw an 11-yard touchdown to Jason Witten with 11 seconds left in the game. Dallas drove 72 yards with just 1:27 on their way to the game-winning score. Romo went 36-45 for 356 yards and 3 Touchdowns. The Cowboys overcame their own obstacles while rallying their comeback drive.

Eli Manning went 20-36 for 193 yards and 0 Touchdowns. The Cowboys are 8-0 vs. The Giants in Season Openers.

As for Monday Night Football, the Night started with the Atlanta Falcons hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. After making waves in the offseason by signing Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray along with other moves, the Eagles looked very dominant during pre-season.

When the Season started, Philly looked like a totally different team. It looked like a tale of two teams once the season went underway. DeMarco Murray learned the hard way how the Cowboys Offensive line made such a difference for him in his success last season.

Coach Chip Kelly's up-tempo Oregon like Offense fizzled in that first half against the Falcons. QB Sam Bradford rallied the Eagles in the second half, but in the end nothing else really mattered.

Falcons WR Julio Jones was virtually unstoppable during this game, especially the first half. The Defense clamped down for a moment in the second half, but they could not fully slow him down. During the game, Jones had 9 receptions for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns.

In the second Monday Night Game, the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Minnesota Vikings at Levi Stadium. The Star of that game was Running Back Carlos Hyde, who recorded 26 Carries for 168 Yards and 2 Touchdowns. Colin Kaepernick went 17-26 as he added 165 passing yards as he played a fairly safe game.

The Niners unveiled new Black & Red Alternate Uniforms. They would look better if the helmets were the same color. Enough with the fashion talk, back to the game.

Adrian Peterson returned to the field after a year-long suspension from a child abuse case along with paid leave. He was clearly rusty in this game with 10 carries for only 31 yards. Bad news for Fantasy Football Owners that have him on their team.

As if that wasn't bad enough. The sloppy first half included Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater running into his own teammate for a 10-yard sack. Things were just downright awful for Minnesota.

San Francisco put the clamps on Minnesota in a 20-3 win in the Home Opener.

Teflon Tom Rides Again

Recently, Tom Brady was acquitted of charges related to his involvement in the "Deflategate" scandal. Originally, Tom was suspended for the first four games of the NFL Season because he had knowledge of the Patriots deflating footballs to gain an edge on their opponents.

The allegations surfaced after it was discovered that the Patriots deflated 11 out of 12 footballs during their 45-7 demolition of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game.

Tom was heavily scrutinized by reporters, players, and former players for supposedly "not knowing" about the footballs being deflated. The Patriots already have a black eye on their legacy for the "Spygate" controversy.

Now, they have another controversy tied to their name with the deflated footballs. From that point moving forward, New England became the center of many jokes about things being deflated.

Brady's legacy has been criticized by many people because of these issues. Tom managed to dodge a bullet with "Spygate". This time, he has dodged a silver bullet that you could say was more severe than "Spygate".

A few weeks ago, a sketch artist drew a court sketch of Tom Brady that went viral across Social Media. During that first court meeting, he once again became the brunt of many jokes.

However, Tom's fortunes have changed after Commissioner Roger Goodell lifted his Suspension after a Judge ruled in his favor. The Judge said that Goodell was too harsh in his punishment of the Super Bowl Champion QB.

I guess the Judge must be a fan of his, but that's none of my business. Brady would have been suspended for being a "cheater". Now that his suspension has been dropped, this adds to the mystique of "Teflon Tom". Brady has officially been acquitted of cheating.

The biggest concern involving Brady not being penalized is the fact that it could encourage others to cheat. This could teach kids in school that it is fine to willingly cheat because you could be excused for it. They could think "If Tom Brady got away with cheating, so can I".

The NFL has been plagued with a legion of scandals. From Ray Rice to Adrian Peterson, the Shield has been hit many times. However, Tom Brady is able to skate away from trouble. I guess Brady the money making machine is above being sidelined for the first quarter of the Season.

After all, Brady is considered "America's Quarterback" since he plays for a team called the Patriots.

Commissioner Goodell did his best to serve justice without any form of favoritism. You might as well call Tom Brady the Al Capone of the NFL because he is truly "Untouchable".

Tom Brady is without question a future First-Ballot Hall of Famer. He has accomplished enough to reach Legend Status in his Sport. However, the perception of his legacy has been skewed.

This just goes to show that certain players have been put on a pedestal to be above reproach. It looks like Brady is one of them.

Top 10 Quarterbacks of All-Time

1. Joe Montana
2. Peyton Manning
3. Johnny Unitas
4. Tom Brady
5. Brett Favre
6. John Elway
7. Dan Marino
8. Steve Young
9. Roger Staubach
10. Troy Aikman

*AP-Associated Press, PFW-Pro Football Weekly, UPI-United Press International

1. Joe Montana- 16 NFL Seasons
Completions: 3,409
Attempts: 5,391
Percentage: 63.2%
Passing Yards: 40,551
Touchdowns: 273
Interceptions: 139
QB Rating: 92.3
Super Bowl Champion (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV)
Super Bowl MVP (XVI, XIX, XXIV)
4x NFC Champion (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 8 (1981, '83-'85, '87-'90, '93)
3x AP First-Team All-Pro ('87, '89-'90)
2x AP Second-Team All-Pro ('81, '84)
NFL AP MVP (1989-'90)
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year (1989)
2x AP Sportsman of the Year (1989, '90)
Sporting News Sportsman of the Year (1989)
Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (1990)
NFL 1980's All-Decade Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
Member of Pro-Football Hall of Fame (2000)

2. Peyton Manning- 17 NFL Seasons
Completions: 5,927
Attempts: 9,049
Percentage: 65.5%
Passing Yards: 69,691
Touchdowns: 530
Interceptions: 234
QB Rating: 97.5
Super Bowl Champion: (XLI)
Super Bowl MVP (XLI)
3x AFC Champion (2006, 2009, 2013)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 14 ('99-2000, 2002-2010, 2012-2014)
7x First-Team All-Pro (2003-2005, 2008-2009, 2012-2013)
3x Second-Team All-Pro ('99, 2000, 2006)
NFL AP MVP (2003-2004, 2008-2009, 2013)
2x NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year (2004, 2013)
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year (2012)
4x NFL Passing TD Leader (2000, 2004, 2006, 2013)
Indianapolis Colts Career Leader: Career Wins, Completions, Attempts, Passing Yards, TD's
NFL All-Time Leader in Touchdown Passes
Tied for Most Pro-Bowl Appearances by any player
Pro-Bowl MVP (2005)
NFL 2000's All-Decade Team
Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2013)

3. Johnny Unitas- 18 NFL Seasons
Completions: 2,830
Attempts: 5,186
Percentage: 54.6%
Passing Yards: 40,239
Touchdowns: 290
Interceptions: 253
QB Rating: 78.2
Super Bowl Chamion (V)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 10 (1957-'64, '66-'67)
5x AP First-Team All-Pro ('58-'59, '64-'65, '67)
2x AP Second-Team All-Pro ('57, '63)
NFL AP MVP (1959, '64, '67)
3x Pro-Bowl MVP ('59, '60, '63)
NFL Man of the Year (1970)
NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 1960's All-Decade Team
Member of Pro-Football Hall of Fame (1979)

4. Tom Brady- 15 NFL Seasons
Completions: 4,551
Attempts: 7,168
Percentage: 63.5%
Passing Yards: 53,258
Touchdowns: 392
Interceptions: 143
QB Rating: 95.9
Super Bowl Champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX)
Super Bowl MVP (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX)
6x AFC Champion (2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 10 (2001, '04-'05, 2007, 2009-2014)
2x First-Team All-Pro (2007, 2010)
1x Second-Team All-Pro (2005)
NFL AP MVP (2007, 2010)
3x NFL Passing TD Leader (2002, 2007, 2010)
2x NFL Passing Yards Leader (2005, 2007)
Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2005)
Sporting News Sportsman of the Year (2004, 2007)
AP Male Athlete of the Year (2007)
2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010)
3x AFC Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010, 2011)
AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009)
New England Patriots Career Leader: Career Wins, Completions, Attempts, Passing Yards, TD's,
NFL 2000's All-Decade Team
29 career playoff starts for quarterback
29 career playoff games for quarterback
9 career NFL conference championship appearances for quarterback
6 career NFL conference championship wins for quarterback
Most career Super Bowl touchdown passes
Most career Super Bowl passing yards
Most first half pass completions in single Super Bowl
Most career Superbowl pass completions
Most career Superbowl pass attempts
Most pass completions in single Super Bowl
12 career division titles for quarterback
21 career playoff wins for quarterback
Most career postseason passing yards

5. Brett Favre- 20 NFL Seasons
Completions: 6,300 (1st)
Attempts: 10,169 (1st)
Percentage: 62%
Passing Yards: 71,838 (1st)
Touchdowns: 508
Interceptions: 336
QB Rating: 86.0
Super Bowl Champion (XXXI)
2x NFC Champion (1996-'97)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 11 ('92-'93, '95-'97, '01-'03, '07-'09)
3x First-Team All-Pro ('95-'97)
3x Second-Team All-Pro ('01-'02, '07)
3x NFL AP MVP ('95-'97)
5x NFC Player of the Year ('95-'97, 2002, 2007)
4x NFL Passing TD Leader ('95-'97, 2003)
NFL 1990's All-Decade Team
Most Career NFL Starts: 298
Most Career Wins by a QB: 186
Career Leader in Completions
Career Leader in Pass Attempts
Career Leader in Passing Yards

6. John Elway- 16 NFL Seasons
Completions: 4,123
Attempts: 7,250
Percentage: 56.9% (57)
Passing Yards: 51,475
Touchdowns: 300
Interceptions: 226
QB Rating: 79.9
2x Super Bowl Champion (XXXII, XXXIII)
Super Bowl MVP (XXXIII)
5x AFC Champion (1986-'87, '89, '97-'98)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 9 ('86-'87, '89, '91, '93-'94, '96, '97-'98)
3x AP Second-Team All-Pro ('87, '93, '96)
4x PFW First-Team All-AFC ('87, '93, '96, '97)
NFL AP MVP (1987)
2x UPI AFC Offensive Player of the Year ('87, '93)
Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (1992)
Walter Camp Man of the Year (2009)
NFL 1990's All-Decade Team
Denver Broncos Ring of Fame
Member of Pro-Football Hall of Fame (2004)
Denver Broncos Career Leader: (Wins, Completions, Attempts, Passing Yards, TD's, INT's)

7. Dan Marino- 17 NFL Seasons
Completions: 4,967
Attempts: 8,358
Percentage: 59.4%
Passing Yards: 61,361
Touchdowns: 420
Interceptions: 252
QB Rating: 86.4
NFL Rookie of the Year (1983)
NFL AP MVP (1984)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1984)
AFC Champion (1984)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 9 ('83-'87, '91-'92, '94-'95)
3x First-Team All-Pro ('84-'86)
3x Second-Team All-Pro ('83, '94-'95)
2x UPI AFC Player of the Year ('84, '94)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1994)
Walter Payton Man of the Year (1998)
12x Miami Dolphins MVP (1983-'92, '94-'95)
1st Player to throw for 5,000 yards in a single season (1984)
1st Player to throw 40 TD's in a single season (1984, 1986)
Holds 31 Miami Dolphins Records
Holds Numerous NFL Records
Pro Football Hall of Fame (2005)

8. Steve Young- 15 NFL Seasons
Completions: 2,667
Attempts: 4,149
Percentage: 64.3%
Passing Yards: 33,124
Touchdowns: 232
Interceptions: 107
QB Rating: 96.8
3x Super Bowl Champion (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
Super Bowl MVP (XXIX)
3x NFC Champion (1988-'89, '94)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 7 ('92-'98)
3x AP First-Team All-Pro ('92-'94)
3x AP Second-Team All-Pro ('95, '97-'98)
UPI Second-Team All-NFC (1996)
2x NFL AP MVP (1992, '94)
AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1992)
2x UPI NFC Player of the Year ('92, '94)
Most TD Passes in a Single Super Bowl: 6 (SB XXIX)
Most Consecutive Passing Titles: 4 (1991-'94)
Most Career Rushing TDs by a QB: 43
Most Career Passing Titles: 6 (Tied w/Sammy Baugh)
Most Seasons with a Passer Rating Over 100, Career: 6 ('91-'94, '97-'98)

9. Roger Staubach- 11 NFL Seasons
Completions: 1,685
Attempts: 2,958
Percentage: 57%
Passing Yards: 22,700
Touchdowns: 153
Interceptions: 109
QB Rating: 83.4
2x Super Bowl Champion (VI, XII)
Super Bowl MVP (VI)
5x NFC Champion ('70, '71, '75, '77, '78)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 6 ('71, '75-'79)
2x AP All-NFC (1971, 1976)
NFC Player of the Year (1971)
1971 Bert Bell MVP Award
NFL 1970's All-Decade Team
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Inductee (1983)
Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985)
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

10. Troy Aikman- 12 NFL Seasons
Completions: 2,898
Attempts: 4,715
Percentage: 61.5%
Passing Yards: 32,942
Touchdowns: 165
Interceptions: 141
QB Rating: 81.6
3x Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Super Bowl MVP (XXVII)
3x NFC Champion (1992-'93, '95)
Pro Bowl Selections: 6 ('91-'96)
Sporting News First-Team All-Pro (1993)
All-NFC Second Team (1994, 1995)
Walter Payton Man of the Year (1996)
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Inductee (2005)
Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006)
Dallas Cowboys All-Time Leader (Wins, Pass Completions, Attempts, Interceptions)
Most Wins for any QB in NFL History of any Decade (90 wins in 1990's)

Peyton Under Fire

After losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, I said that the Peyton Manning haters & detractors would come out full force from their holes. As it turns out, I was right because he was blasted by Disn-ESPN the Monday after the loss. On SportsCenter, OTL (Outside The Lines), and fanboys over the Internet aimed their guns, zeroed in and fired the blame at Peyton without looking at the entire picture. However, other more objective analysts, such as Dan Patrick, etc put everything in the proper perspective, instead of using foolish hyperbole, calling him a "Choker". Yes, Peyton does have a 9-11 Career Playoff Record, with 8 losses starting a playoff run. However, we have to look at the game itself against the Ravens in perspective. During the game, the officiating was downright horrible, with pass interference & holding penalties that were not called against Baltimore. The Broncos secondary did a horrendous job during the game, with Champ Bailey getting burned numerous times by receivers, such as Torrey Smith. Rahim Moore blew a key interception, and did not fully keep up with his assignment. Von Miller, their best pass rusher, was assigned to the run, which made no sense either. Yes, Peyton threw a crucial interception, but that does not even tell a fraction of the story. I am NOT a Peyton Manning homer, but I give the man his due. He is without question, the best player of this current generation. The man is an Icon in our sport. True, his 1 Super Bowl win, and record do not give him the best case as the greatest QB of all time, whether fair or unfair. Dan Patrick addressed that issue as well with his legacy. However, he is still a Top 3 QB in NFL History.

Peyton Manning's Case:
12-Time Pro Bowler
6-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Over 50,000 Career Passing Yards
Over 400 Career Touchdown Passes
Super Bowl MVP Trophy
4-time NFL MVP
49 Career Game Winning Drives
38 Career 4th Quarter Comebacks
Led the NFL in Passing Yards Twice
Two Seasons over 3,000 Yards
Twelve Seasons over 4,000 Yards
Led the NFL in Touchdown Passes 3 Times
Led the League in Passer Rating 3 Times
Career QB Rating: 95.7
Career QB Record of 154-70-0


It irritates me every time people bring up rings when talking about Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Outside of rings, Peyton has been the more consistent and prolific passer.

vs. Tom Brady:
8-Time Pro Bowler
2-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Over 40,000 career passing yards
Over 300 career touchdown passes
3-time Super Bowl MVP
2-time NFL MVP
37 Career Game Winning Drives
26 Career 4th Quarter Comebacks
Led the NFL in Passing Yards twice
One Season over 5,000 Yards
Four Seasons over 4,000 Yards
Five Seasons over 3,000 Yards
Led the NFL in Touchdown Passes 3 Times
Career QB Rating: 96.6
Career QB Record: 136-39-0

With the exception of his rookie season, the 2005 season, and his inactive 2011 season, Peyton Manning has been a perennial 4,000 yard passer for his career. He has had one streak of 6 consecutive 4,000+ yard seasons, and another streak of 5 straight 4,000+ yard seasons. (1999-2004, 2006-2010, 2012) Manning's overall body of work is greater than that of his rival.

The media refuses to point to the times where Tom Brady has played poorly in the playoffs, but his team bails him out. No one mentions how poorly he played in the "Tuck Rule Game" vs Oakland (32-52, 312 yards, 0 TD's, 1 INT), or how minimal he was in the AFC Championship game vs Pittsburgh (12-18, 115 yards, 0 TD's, 0 INT's), leading to the Patriots' first Super Bowl victory (SB XXXVI). He was sub par in that game as well (16-27, 145 yards, 1 TD). Also, no one brings up how Peyton outplayed Tom in the 2004 AFC Divisional Playoffs, in spite of how Manning's team let him down. (Manning- 27/42, 238 yards, 1 INT, Brady- 18/27, 144 yards, 1 TD)The year before, in the same round, they played evenly. (Manning- 23/47, 237 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT's, Brady- 22/37, 237 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) The media, fan boys, and ring counters also refuse to mention how Peyton Manning led his Colts to defeat Brady's Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship game, to advance to win the Super Bowl. (Manning- 27/47, 349 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, Brady- 21/34, 232 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

It makes me cringe even more when people compare him to his brother Eli, because his brother has two rings to his one. When the media props up Eli, they always use the narrative "Little Brother has one more ring than Big Brother". People confuse Eli as a more "clutch QB" with having a better supporting cast. Eli's Defensive line carried him to those "two Super Bowl wins". Ironically, in the same season that Peyton became the all-time leader in 4th Quarter Comebacks, Eli has had numerous games where he blew the lead for his team. Another funny thing about this, is the fact that Peyton led his team to the playoffs in his return, while The Giants missed the postseason, right after winning the Super Bowl. So, who is the REAL choker? Comparing Eli to his megastar brother is an insult to Peyton Manning's brilliant legacy. This is like comparing Lil' Wayne (Eli) to Tupac Shakur (Peyton), or Dwyane Wade to Michael Jordan. Since they are brothers, with all due respect, Eli is like Owen and Peyton is like Bret. The older brother is not only the predecessor, but an extremely high standard that is out of reach for his younger sibling, or successor.

Should I really have to do this comparison? Should I really have to embarrass little Eli, to show how much he pales in comparison to his brother, when you take away the rings? (Rings are a TEAM ACHIEVEMENT) Fine, I will.

vs. Eli Manning:
2-Time Pro Bowler
Over 30,000 Career Passing Yards
Over 200 Career Touchdown Passes
2-Time Super Bowl MVP
28 Career Game Winning Drives
24 Career 4th Quarter Comebacks
5 Seasons over 3,000 Yards
3 Seasons over 4,000 Yards
Career QB Rating: 82.7
QB Record: 78-57-0

After 9 seasons, Eli Manning already has 57 losses? So much for being "clutch". Meanwhile, his awesome older brother has 70 losses to go along with his 154 wins, after 15 seasons. Eli also has 211 Touchdowns, but 144 Interceptions. (He has 70 more TD's than INT's) However, Peyton has 436 Touchdowns, along with 209 Interceptions. (He has 227 more TD's than INT's) Along with that, little brother Eli has only made TWO Pro Bowls for his career, without a SINGLE All-Pro Selection. So much for being "Elite". Eli Manning's numbers are pedestrian at best. For the record, I am not "hating" on Eli Manning. I am simply responding to the massive media hype, by putting things in perspective. Even though his career is not over yet, those are enormous shoes to fill. Eli cannot even shine Peyton's shoes or his helmet, let alone be mentioned in the same sentence as him.

Even during his return this season to a new team (Denver Broncos), Peyton Manning was still highly effective, and showed everyone why he is still to be considered the best QB in the game. Manning still put up MVP level numbers, after four neck surgeries which could have ended his career. Technically, he is out of his prime from a physical standpoint, but he put the entire NFL on notice, as every other QB took a step back this season. Tom Brady is a Hall of Fame Quarterback as well, but Peyton Manning is the cream of the crop for Quarterbacks of this era. His game speaks for itself. The facts speak for themselves as well. We are witnessing a Living Legend & Icon of our time, Mr. Peyton Manning.