As the preseason is well underway in the NFL, it is time to take a look at the landscape of the NFL. The only way to start is to take a look at the most important position in the game, the quarterback. For the next few weeks, we will be going division by division ranking quarterbacks. With the NFC taken care of, it’s time to move onto the AFC, specifically the AFC West.
Philip Rivers
That’s right, Philip Rivers is ahead of Patrick Mahomes on this list. Before you disagree, let me explain my reasoning in one simple word: Consistency. It may very well happen that by next year, Mahomes is at the top of this list. For now, though, Rivers has been in the NFL and done it longer than Mahomes. If we see another year of brilliance from Mahomes, I may be forced to reconsider my position.
That being said, Rivers career is that of a first-ballot Hall of Famer’s. Rivers has thrown for over 54,000 yards and 374 touchdowns to only 178 interceptions. As impressive as that is, perhaps his most impressive accomplishment has boiled down to sheer availability.
Rivers has started every Chargers game since 2006. That’s right, Rivers has not missed a start in 208 games. That’s good enough for him to be tied with Peyton Manning for third all-time. With three consecutive starts this season, he will be alone in second place all-time behind only Brett Favre.
With no Melvin Gordon in the foreseeable future and Derwin James hurt for a long while, will the Chargers be able to squeeze into the playoffs?
Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is heading into his third year after a record-breaking 2018 campaign. Andy Reid’s young signal-caller looks like the future of the NFL. I think Mahomes is supremely talented, but with a phenomenal coach like Andy Reid, we should give it time before we start preparing his bust in Canton.
Mahomes put up gaudy stats in what has now become an increasingly passer-friendly league. In 2018, Mahomes threw for over 5,000 yards, 50 passing touchdowns, and only 18 interceptions. Mahomes looks to build on that already impressive resume.
The Chiefs did him a favor and brought Mecole Hardman into the fold as well. I expect more of the same from the young starter in 2019. Not only does Mahomes have impressive arm talent, QB instinct, and throwing ability, but he also has one of the most underrated coaches in the NFL. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes will be an incredible duo to watch for years to come,
Derek Carr
Derek Carr had a pedestrian first year under Jon Gruden. This year, with new weapons at his disposal and just one year left until the Raiders make the move to Las Vegas, Carr will look to keep his job with the Raiders.
With rumors that the Raiders were going to trade him when they signed Jon Gruden as head coach, the speculation has only served to heighten the anticipation for Raiders fans this year. In my opinion, Carr has the tools on and off the field to be the face of a franchise, but Jon Gruden has full rights over the team and is the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to personnel.
During his time with the Raiders, Carr’s numbers have been average at best. Since 2014, Carr has 122 touchdowns, 18,000 passing yards, and 54 interceptions. Not exactly cause for celebration. However, in that time span, Carr has had three different head coaches. There is still hope for Carr, but patience for most Raiders fans is wearing thin.
Joe Flacco
The Broncos signed Joe Flacco and no one really knows why. What does general manager John Elway expect from Flacco? The Broncos have had a great defense for quite a few years now and even though age has started to cause some changing of the guard, the pass rush especially is very much alive and well.
That being said, does Flacco give them a chance to compete in a tough division? I think for most people, the clear answer is no. The Chargers and Chiefs will be tough to contend with and the name Joe Flacco doesn’t do much to inspire confidence.
With all things considered, we don’t really know what to expect from the veteran. Elway did draft Drew Lock this year. Is Lock the QB of the future or are the Broncos just biding their time until next year when the QB class is rife with talent? Either way, it will be interesting to see what happens if Flacco begins to struggle. Do we get to see Lock at all this season or are the Broncos calling it quits on 2019 and drafting a QB?
One Response
Gotta be honest, I’m taking Flacco over Carr…. Carr has 1 good season under his belt and Flacco consistently throws for 3800 yards, 20 TDs and 12 ints. Flacco has a career record as a starter of 98-67, hes won a Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP, and finally, he was brought up in the Ravens franchise that preaches hard nose football with running, offensive line, and strong defense as its core building blocks. Those tools have proven to be the Ravens keys to a super bowl, but his best weapons ever in Baltimore were old Steve Smith, Old Anquan Bolden, Old Benjamin Watson, John Brown and Torrey Smith. Flacco > Carr