4 QBs left have skills, but also some flaws
There are some overlooked truths about the four superb quarterbacks left chasing a Super Bowl title:
Tom Brady’s career AFC Championship Game stats hardly should scare an opposing defense, nor should his deep-throw efficiency in the playoffs.
Ben Roethlisberger becomes rather ordinary when being blitzed.
Aaron Rodgers is hardly the king of the fourth-quarter comeback, no matter his recent Hail Mary completions and a certain final-seconds, throw-on-the-run play.
Matt Ryan produces interceptions nearly as often as TDs when trailing late.
There’s a lot of talk heading into Sunday’s conference-title games about the accomplishments, skills and legacies of the four starting QBs, which makes sense. New England’s Brady, Pittsburgh’s Roethlisberger, Green Bay’s Rodgers and Atlanta’s Ryan are as good as it gets today at the NFL’s most important position.
“Watching these quarterbacks play has been extraordinary,” said Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott, a teammate of Joe Montana’s on four Super Bowl champions with the 49ers. “They’re very good at identifying: ‘OK, I see an opening. I recognize it. Now I’m going to deliver it.’ They’ve shown their ball skills. They’ve shown their foot skills. They’ve given us a little bit of everything . ...
“That’s, for me, where this game has evolved. You’ve got quarterbacks that can be a combination of Joe Montana, Steve Young and Brett Favre.”
They share attributes, such as reading a defense, arm strength, leadership skills and more. And each member of this quartet has unique abilities, too. That’s why they’re the four QBs with the most wins since 2008, and by next month, why they’ll own a combined 12 Super Bowl appearances, eight titles and quite possibly five league MVP awards.
This season, Ryan led the NFL in passer rating at 117.1, the fifth-best ever, followed by Brady at No. 2 and Rodgers at No. 4, with Roethlisberger No. 11. Rodgers led in TD passes with 40, two more than Ryan. Brady set a record for best TDto-interception ratio with 28 scores and two picks. Among QBs with at least 250 passing attempts, Brady ranked No. 1, Roethlisberger No. 3 in fewest sacks. Ryan was No. 3, Brady No. 5 in completion percentage.
These QBs are not perfect, though. They make mistakes. And chances are, one or more will do so again Sunday. Here are some of the negatives: Brady: In 10 conference-title games, owns 76.3 passer rating with 12 TDs, 12 picks. On postseason deep throws (more than 20 yards in the air) since 2007: 50.6 rating; 26 completion percentage, four TDs, six picks. Roethlisberger: Can be troubled by blitzes: 78.6 passer rating this season, 24th in the league. Brady, in contrast, led the NFL at 126.8, according to Sportradar; Ryan No. 2 at 122.5. Rodgers: Only 17-36 with a game-winning drive or comeback opportunity, a .321 winning percentage that’s by far the worst of this bunch, according to Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders. Ryan: Threw only seven interceptions this season, but four came in losses: three in the final four minutes; another was a pick-six late in the first half. Trailing by one possession in the fourth quarter, career passer rating is 81.9, with 16 TDs, 14 picks. Is 2-4 in playoff games, with seven interceptions. Around the league: Atlanta All-Pro receiver Julio Jones says a sprained toe won’t keep him from playing in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against Green Bay . ... The Los Angeles Rams confirmed Wade Phillips is their new defensive coordinator . ... Miami hired longtime NFL assistant coach Frank Bush as assistant head coach and linebackers coach . ... Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck underwent surgery on the right shoulder that has bothered him the past two seasons and should be ready for the 2017 season . ... Cleveland hired former Pro Bowler Clyde Simmons to coach the defensive line.