AFC Starting QBs if the playoffs started now

It's startling to look at the list of starting AFC QBs if the playoffs started today...although the Steelers may get in and Luck and/or Dalton could return, none of those are certain.

Tom Brady, Patriots
AJ McCarron, Bengals
Brock Osweiler, Broncos
Matt Hasselbeck, Colts
Alex Smith, Chiefs
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets

Compare that to 2014, when every QB was pro bowl caliber and all were indisputable franchise QBs.

Tom Brady, Patriots
Peyton Manning, Broncos
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Andrew Luck, Colts
Andy Dalton, Bengals
Joe Flacco, Ravens

Good thread! Ben could get in as well but he would be the only other guy who is really all that good.

My order of the 7 potential guys

Brady > Ben >>>>>>> Fitz > Hasselbck > Smith >Brock >>>>> McCarron > Manning (if they are dumb enough to play him)

Questionable QBs, but some serious defenses

Steelers will get in IMO and they are definitely the true threat come playoff time. Could be a tough matchup but I like our chances in Gilette if/when we get there.

Big Ben will get in. He is the one QB I will be really worried about facing.

Joey007 said:

Big Ben will get in. He is the one QB I will be really worried about facing.

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Big Ben has missed 4 games already this season (foot, then discussing concussions after the Seahawks). With games against the Donkeys and Ratbirds (both good for the occasional cheap shot), I would worry about him if he makes it to the playoffs uninjured.

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

It's startling to look at the list of starting AFC QBs if the playoffs started today...although the Steelers may get in and Luck and/or Dalton could return, none of those are certain.

Tom Brady, Patriots
AJ McCarron, Bengals
Brock Osweiler, Broncos
Matt Hasselbeck, Colts
Alex Smith, Chiefs
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets

Compare that to 2014, when every QB was pro bowl caliber and all were indisputable franchise QBs.

Tom Brady, Patriots
Peyton Manning, Broncos
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Andrew Luck, Colts
Andy Dalton, Bengals
Joe Flacco, Ravens

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ESPN is reporting that Dalton is likely done for the season.

Hasselback has a Rib injury doesnt he? It would be Charlie Whitehurst for the Indiana baby horses

BobDigital said:

Good thread! Ben could get in as well but he would be the only other guy who is really all that good.

My order of the 7 potential guys

Brady > Ben >>>>>>> Fitz > Hasselbck > Smith >Brock >>>>> McCarron > Manning (if they are dumb enough to play him)

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I'll go

Brady > Ben > Smith > Fitz > Brock > Manning > Hasselbeck > McCarron

Although the lineup of QBs is certainly much, much worse overall than 2014, looking at it from a playoff perspective makes it interesting.

Manning and Dalton are masters of one-and-dones. Combined 11-17 playoff record with THIRTEEN one-and-dones. Combined they have 18 playoff tries with 13 resulting in one-and-dones. That's just unbelievable to comprehend.

Sometimes these younger guys with nothing to lose, like a McCarron or Osweiler, tend to surprise in the playoffs. Mark Sanchez won some games. Fitzpatrick is such a hot-cold guy, too. Just saying, these guys are certainly capable of handling the playoff pressure better than some of the more established players who have proven they can't handle the stage.

Concussion Protocol said:

Questionable QBs, but some serious defenses

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Except for the Dolts, yes

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

It's startling to look at the list of starting AFC QBs if the playoffs started today...although the Steelers may get in and Luck and/or Dalton could return, none of those are certain.

Tom Brady, Patriots
AJ McCarron, Bengals
Brock Osweiler, Broncos
Matt Hasselbeck, Colts
Alex Smith, Chiefs
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets

Compare that to 2014, when every QB was pro bowl caliber and all were indisputable franchise QBs.

Tom Brady, Patriots
Peyton Manning, Broncos
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Andrew Luck, Colts
Andy Dalton, Bengals
Joe Flacco, Ravens

Click to expand...

Let's look at all the current starting QBs for teams that would be in the playoffs right now if the season ended today:

AFC
1. NE - Brady
2. Cin - McCarron
3. Den - Ostweiler
4. Ind - Hasselbeck
5. KC - Smith
6. NYJ - Fitzpatrick

NFC
1. Car - Newton
2. Ari - Palmer
3. GB - Rodgers
4. Was - Cousins
5. Sea - Wilson
6. Min - Bridgewater



But then look at these teams in terms of their combined rank defensively (points allowed rank + yards allowed rank divided by two):

AFC
1. NE - Brady - def 7.0
2. Cin - McCarron - def 6.0
3. Den - Osweiler - def 1.0
4. Ind - Hasselbeck - def 29.0
5. KC - Smith - def 6.0
6. NYJ - Fitzpatrick - def 7.5

NFC
1. Car - Newton - def 3.5
2. Ari - Palmer - def 6.5
3. GB - Rodgers - def 12.0
4. Was - Cousins - def 19.0
5. Sea - Wilson - def 2.5
6. Min - Bridgewater - def 11.5

Take out the two crappy teams (Ind/Was), where SOMEBODY has to win those divisions, and you're looking at basically the best defenses in the NFL. Average combined defensive rank of those 10 other teams: 6.35.

So it sure looks like this year the key to winning is to have a great defense, not necessarily a great quarterback.

I was told there'd be no math.

Amazing isn't it during the regular season the Patriots are always steady and great like their usual self. Come playoff time though they have the most dangerous player at their disposal the GOAT if anyone is in real great shape is us Brady pretty much kills the competition in terms of starting playoff QBs no one comes close to his production and degree of success.

More importantly, it looks like if we can get the bye and navigate these final 3 weeks, we will have a FULLY healthy offense and defense come the divisional round at home.

Mccourty, hightower, collins back together on defense. And edelman,gronk,amendola with the emergence of white on offense.

I know random young players can go on playoff runs and I agree that Defenses are key in so many games... but there is something to be said for experience and "having been there" and "not just being excited to be there"... when the spotlight is strong and all eyes are on the QB, I'll be happy to rely on TB instead of Fitz.

RIpats88 said:

More importantly, it looks like if we can get the bye and navigate these final 3 weeks, we will have a FULLY healthy offense and defense come the divisional round at home.

Mccourty, hightower, collins back together on defense. And edelman,gronk,amendola with the emergence of white on offense.

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A lunch-pail crew that loves to do their jobs.

the AFC is horrible

bunch of tomato cans

Not much different than the majority of the QBs the pats have faced all year lol, trash. This is funny tho.

Gronkowski123 said:

the AFC is horrible

bunch of tomato cans

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Is the nfc really that much better?