The following is a piece in a series of articles ranking each division’s starting quarterbacks.
Aaron Rodgers is the big cheese of the QB Class for the NFC North. The reigning MVP’s stock took a bit of a hit with the loss of receiver Jordy Nelson, but it doesn’t drop him from the top ranking in the division.
GuruQB ranks the entire starting QB Class for the NFC North, one through four.
4- Jay Cutler, Chicago
Despite all the funny memes posted about Jay Cutler, here’s the reality- he had a very solid 2014 season, including throwing for a career high in touchdown passes, and posting the second best QB rating of his career. And things should be looking up for Cutler with Adam Gase now the offensive coordinator (was the OC during Peyton’s 2013 record setting season), but here’s the problem: the Bears are hurting at wide receiver. Rookie Kevin White is expected to a chunk of the season, and Alshon Jeffrey is hurting from a calf injury, and oh yeah, he’s never been a No. 1 wide receiver.
3- Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota
Teddy turned in a nice rookie season for the Vikings, tossing for nearly 3,000 yards in just 13 games. Add deep threat Mike Wallace, a healthy Kyle Rudolph at tight end, and running back Adrian Peterson, and there’s no question Bridgewater’s stock is on the rise. And he’s got a great coaching mind in Norv Turner to run the offense.
2- Matthew Stafford, Detroit
The Detroit Lions played in 17 games last season (including the playoffs), and finished 11-6. Five of those six losses were on the road, and against some of the toughest defenses in football. In those six losses, Stafford tossed just six touchdowns to five interceptions. This year, the road schedule is brutal. Aside from divisional games, the Lions have dates at Seattle on Monday night, Kansas City and Green bay in back-to-back weeks, and St. Louis and New Orleans in back-to-back weeks. Three of their final four games are on the road.
You cannot be an elite QB in the NFL if you can’t win on the road. 2015 is the year Stafford can take that next step.
Until then…
1- Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers leads the NFC North again. He’s the big cheese, the head honcho, the bees knees. Yes Jordy Nelson is out, but that only allows Davante Adams, newly signed James Jones (former Packer), and rookie Ty Montgomery the chance to step up their game. The Packers will be fine so long as No. 12 is firing the pigskin, and as long as he is, he’ll be the cream of the crop in the division.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
