2014 NFL Quarterbacks: More or Less

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

In last week’s More or Less article, I selected some of the 2014 rookies and I compared them to some of the 2013 rookies. This week’s More or Less article will be focusing on strictly quarterbacks.

All statistics will be taken from nfl.com

Like I said last week, feel free to post your own More or Less questions in the comment section and i’ll do my best to answer them for you (or use #SpinZoneMOL on Twitter)!

Last season, Peyton Manning set an NFL record for single season touchdown passes with 55. So the question is pretty obvious, will Peyton Manning throw for More or Less than 55 touchdowns in 2014?

Sorry, Peyton. I have a hard time believing that you’ll throw for more than 55 touchdowns in 2014. High 30’s or low 40’s? Definitely. But with the loss of Eric Decker and Wes Welker getting another year older, I don’t foresee Peyton Manning surpassing the numbers he posted last year.

Peyton Manning will throw less than 55 touchdowns for the Denver Broncos in 2014.

During his first two years in the league, Robert Griffin III has played in 28 out of a possible 32 games. That averages out to 14 starts per year. The question is this: Will RG3 start More or Less than 14 games in 2014?

First off, I firmly believe that Jay Gruden will use RG3 more cautiously than the previous regime did. He’s already stated that the offense won’t feature the read-option quite as much as it did before. It will still have sprinkles of it, though (they’d be foolish to take away the threat completely). The upgrades along the offensive line are good, too.

With that being said, I believe that Robert Griffin III will play more than 14 games for the Washington Redskins in 2014 (full season is my prediction).

Cam Newton has now been in the NFL for 3 seasons. During that span, he has rushed for 28 touchdowns, which averages out to 9.33 per season. Will Cam run for More or Less than 9 touchdowns in 2014?

With so much change at the wide receiver position, it might take Cam a few weeks to become comfortable with his new weapons. I wouldn’t be surprised if Newton leans on his running ability early in the season because of this reason. Actually, let me rephrase that. Cam Newton will look to run more often early in the season because of this reason. 

9 rushing touchdowns is a lot to ask of a quarterback, but not when you’re a quarterback like Cam Newton. I believe that he’ll have more than 9 rushing touchdowns for the Carolina Panthers in 2014.

Without Aaron Rodgers at the helm for 7 games last season, the Green Bay Packers still managed to win 8 games and the NFC North title. With Rodgers back and healthy, the Packers should be able to win 8 games. But what about 10? Will Aaron Rodgers lead the Green Bay Packers to More or Less than 10 wins in 2014?

In a division as competitive as the NFC North, this is a hard one. Matthew Stafford has a stocked offense in Detroit, Jay Cutler has arguably the best pass-catching duo in the NFL in Chicago, and Minnesota still has Adrian Peterson. The division won’t be easy to win and it definitely won’t be easy to win more than 10 games. 

Can Aaron Rodgers come in and lead the Green Bay Packers to an 11 win season? Hell yeah he can. The dude was the MVP just a few years back and is definitely more than capable of getting back to that level of play.

Aaron Rodgers will lead the Green Bay Packers to more than 10 wins in 2014.

Since we’re talking about the NFC North, let’s shift our focus to Matthew Stafford in Detroit. The former first overall pick has posted strong numbers throughout his career. With the additions of Golden Tate and Eric Ebron, it looks like the Detroit Lions will be looking to throw even more in 2014. With a lot of passing comes a lot of interception opportunities, though. And the statistics reflect that.

Stafford has thrown more than 15 interceptions in a season 4 out of his 5 years in the NFL. Will Matthew Stafford throw More or Less than 15 interceptions in 2014?

When you’re talking about a gunslinger like Matt Stafford, it’s pretty hard to say. But I have faith in Stafford. Bringing in Tate and Ebron should definitely help. He won’t have to desperately heave the ball in Calvin Johnson’s direction every play. Tate has some of the surest hands in the NFL and will demand attention. Eric Ebron has the size, speed, and potential to be a Vernon Davis type of tight end and will also have to be accounted for. Don’t forget about Reggie Bush, either.

The Lions have assembled what should be one of the best offenses in the NFL and with a plethora of pass-catching options, Stafford won’t have to force passes like he has in the past.

I’m predicting that Matthew Stafford has a monster year and throws less than 15 interceptions for the Detroit Lions in 2014.

Well, that’s all, folks. What do you think? Agree or disagree with my More or Less answers? Let me know in the comment section below (also, feel free to post any More or Less questions you may have)!