Championship games are up in arms
Four top quarterbacks will be on display in this week’s conference title matchups to determine which two come to Houston for Super Bowl LI. A look at how they compare:
Tom Brady, Patriots
He missed the first four games of the season to serve his NFL suspension for Deflategate, but an 11-1 record on his return and 28 touchdown passes with only two interceptions were solid reminders that hs is on a mission for a fifth Super Bowl ring.
2016
28 TD passes (T-8th) 112.2 QB rating (2nd) 296.2 yards per game (4th)
Career
4 Super Bowl titles 23-9 playoff record 8,244 playoff yards (1st)
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Just the week before the Packers played the Texans, he said the Packers could “run the table.” They haven’t lost since Nov. 20, and so much of it is thanks to Rodgers and his arm. During the eight-game winning streak, Rodgers has 21 TDs, one interception and 2,385 yards.
2016
40 TD passes (1st) 104.2 QB rating (4th) 276.7 yards per game (5th)
Career
1 Super Bowl title 9-6 playoff record 4,172 playoff yards (8th)
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
His numbers didn’t quite match with the other three, but he’s won two Super Bowls and has shown his own brand of toughness — a torn meniscus cost him only two weeks instead of four — and a winning touch — see his winning drive vs. the Ravens to clinch the AFC South.
2016
29 TD passes (7th) 272.7 yards per game (7th) 95.4 QB rating (12th)
Career
2 Super Bowl titles 13-6 playoff record 4,473 playoff yards (7th)
Matt Ryan, Falcons
He’s the only one of the four without a Super Bowl on his résumé, but in his ninth season as a starter, he put up career highs in touchdowns and yards and a career low in interceptions and is considered a front-runner for the league’s MVP award.
2016
38 TD passes (2nd) 117.1 QB rating (1st) 309.0 yards per game (2nd)
Career
0 Super Bowl titles 2-4 playoff record 1,568 playoff yards (45th)