2021 NFL Playoffs: Ranking every quarterback in Divisional Round
6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
It’s weird ranking Lamar Jackson this low, but that’s how stacked the quarterbacks are for this weekend’s matchups. Jackson finally got the “can’t win in the playoffs” monkey off his back and he did it against a team that had dealt him fits in the past year. Now he’ll truly get a chance to show if he’s still that MVP player from a year ago when he and his squad travel to Buffalo.
Jackson wasn’t spectacular airing it out last weekend in Nashville, but he was his usual dominant self when it came to running the ball. On the ground, Jackson finished with 136 yards and a touchdown, but he was also sacked five times.
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As long as he’s tentative with throwing the football, Jackson is going to have to continue to rely on his legs to get the job done and some teams have shown the blueprint when it comes to bottling him up. That’s why he’s on the lower end of the rankings here.
5. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
This could be the final time we see Drew Brees suit up and play an NFL game, as the rumors of retirement grow stronger. Brees was fine against the Bears over the weekend, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns, but it was definitely the defense that rose to the occasion and gave the Saints a clear path to victory.
Brees faced the Buccaneers two times in the regular season and has yet to throw an interception against them. Tampa’s secondary has improved down the stretch and while Brees hasn’t thrown an interception in his last Week 16, the Bucs will be looking for vengeance in this one.
Brees is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, but as mentioned before, the divisional round is stacked with talented quarterbacks, so he lands in the bottom half.