NFL Playoff QB Power Rankings: Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers in front
Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
8. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
What a season for Stafford. Without Calvin Johnson for a month, he was able to win games with clutch throws – over half of Detroit’s wins came after trailing in the fourth quarter – and the Lions only won those games because of Stafford’s heroics. Stafford is a top ten quarterback in the league and he should have a good game in his second-ever playoff game.
Stafford is playing Dallas, a team which he has dominated – the latest meeting ending with some 4th quarter heroics. Now Dallas’s defense is much improved, but Stafford has the ability to burn any defense, especially with the receiving group he has.
7. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
In that second half of the Kansas City game last year, Luck was absolutely incredible. Maybe it’s because the Chiefs were missing some corners due to injury, or Luck has ice water in his veins. It’s probably a combination of the two. Anyway, besides those two quarters of football, Luck’s been an average quarterback in the playoffs. He couldn’t do much against the Ravens in the 2012 playoffs, and aside from a few throws, he played a subpar game against New England last year.
Luck could clean up some parts of his game to limit those turnovers, but he’s asked to do so much within the Colts’ offense that the large number of turnovers is inevitable. Watching Luck play is always fun, and should be able to beat Cincinnati this weekend.
Next: QBs 5 and 6