My top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL right now

Quarterback is the most important position in all of sports.

With the retirements of franchise icons such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, & others in recent years, there’s been a change of the guard at QB.  There is no longer a clear consensus on which quarterbacks are amongst the elite at the position. The AFC is loaded with quarterback talent, while there are only a few obvious NFC standouts. Here is my attempt at doing the impossible in ranking the top ten QBs in the league right now. These rankings are based on previous track record, 2022 stats, & outlook for the 2023 season.

#1: Patrick Mahomes

2022 stats: 5,250 passing yards, 41 TDs, 12 INT, 67.1% completion

It’s Patrick Mahomes’ world in the league these days, and we’re all simply living in it. Mahomes led the league in passing TDs, yards per attempt (8), & passer rating (105) last year. The reigning league MVP and Super Bowl LVII MVP continues making his case for Canton.

#2: Joe Burrow

2022 stats: 4,475 passing yards, 35 TDs, 12 INT, 68.3% completion

This is where the real debate begins, as opinions certainly vary about whether to have Burrow, Allen, or Hurts in this #2 spot behind Mahomes in the top ten quarterback rankings. Burrow gets my vote after finishing 2nd in the NFL in completion % (68) & TDs (35) in 2022. He’s elevated the Bengals from obscurity to Super Bowl contending status in just three seasons.

#3: Josh Allen

2022 stats: 4,283 passing yards, 35 TDs, 14 INT, 63.3% completion

Allen also rushed for 762 yards & 7 TDs last season, which is such a remarkable feat. This means that he actually had almost as many TDs (42 total) as Mahomes (45) did last year.  He needs to take better care of the ball (25 turnovers) in order to get over the proverbial hump.

#4: Jalen Hurts

2022 stats: 3,701 passing yards, 22 TDs, 6 INT, 66.5% completion

Hurts rushed for 760 yards & 13 TDs in 2022, showcasing dynamic playmaking ability.  His outstanding performance in Super Bowl LVII earned him a lucrative payday this offseason. There’s no doubt that he’s the best quarterback in the NFC, & there’s still room for growth here.

#5: Justin Herbert

2022 stats: 4,739 passing yards, 25 TDs, 10 INT, 68.2% completion

Herbert is as tough as nails, playing through fractured rib cartilage & a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder while leading his team to a 10-7 mark & an AFC Wild Card playoff berth. He’s been brilliant through three seasons, & it’s not his fault that the Chargers can’t play defense.

#6: Aaron Rodgers

2022 stats: 3,695 passing yards, 26 TDs, 12 INT, 64.6% completion

The four-time NFL MVP is coming off a down year by his standards; however, my belief is that he will bounce back this season after reuniting with OC Nathaniel Hackett in New York. Rodgers still has the ability to carry a team on his shoulders, but he shouldn’t have to for the Jets. Would it really shock anyone if, in six months from now, Rodgers wins his 5th NFL MVP Award?

#7: Lamar Jackson

2022 stats: 2,242 passing yards, 17 TDs, 7 INT, 62.3% completion

I’m still a believer in the 2019 NFL MVP, but he needs to stay healthy over a full season. Health has been an issue for Jackson, & it’s the only thing keeping him from achieving greatness. The Ravens have done their part this offseason in supporting their superstar QB by paying him & giving him better weapons to work with, & the pressure is now on Lamar to make things happen.

#8: Trevor Lawrence

2022 stats: 4,113 passing yards, 25 TDs, 8 INT, 66.3% completion

Let’s credit Doug Pederson for Lawrence’s career revival last season, as the former No. 1 overall pick made huge strides in his second season under the former Super Bowl winning coach. The Jaguars went from worst to first last year due to these dynamic changes, culminating in a 9-8 record, an AFC South division title, and a 31-30 comeback win over the Chargers in the playoffs. There’s potential for Lawerence to be even better in year three with new offseason additions.

#9: Matt Stafford

2022 stats: 2,087 passing yards, 10 TDs, 8 INT, 68.0% completion

Stafford is probably the 2nd best QB in the NFC now behind Jalen Hurts after the recent retirements of Tom Brady & Drew Brees, along with Aaron Rodgers’ offseason trade to the Jets. He’s certainly got the track record as a Super Bowl winning QB; however, his injury history & inconsistent play mean that his outlook for 2023 isn’t as rosy as some of the others on this list. Still though, the last time we saw a fully healthy Stafford he was leading the Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI while throwing for 4,886 yards, 41 TDs, & 17 INT during the regular season.

#10: Jared Goff

2022 stats: 4,438 passing yards, 29 TDs, 7 INT, 65.1% completion

Goff was an afterthought player in the Matt Stafford trade a couple years ago, & although that move worked out pretty well for the Rams, it’s also worked out rather well for the Lions too. Remember that Goff is still just 28 years old, and he has a Super Bowl appearance on his resume. He also has three Pro Bowl selections and a solid track record of QB performance under his belt.

Also considered: Kirk Cousins (Vikings), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Geno Smith (Seahawks)

The Atlanta Falcons “9 to 5” Offense

The Falcons have spent several premium draft picks on offensive skill position players in recent years, including the use of their last three first round draft picks in acquiring TE Kyle Pitts (#8), WR Drake London (#5), and RB Bijan Robinson (#7). Combine the numbers of those players with K Younghoe Koo (#6) & QB Desmond Ridder (#9), & you get a Falcons’ “9 to 5” offense that has explosive on-field potential.

All members of the 9 to 5 are under age 30, with Younghoe Koo (29) being the oldest. In fact, most of these guys are under the age of 25, with Desmond Ridder (23), Kyle Pitts (22), Drake London (22), & Bijan Robinson (21) rounding out the offensive unit. After years of relying on aging veterans such as Matt Ryan & Julio Jones to carry the offense, this bold strategy should be welcome news to the ears of most Falcons fans.

These five guys will account for 90-95% of the team’s offensive production in 2023. Growing pains are inevitable with a first year starter at quarterback (Ridder), a rookie running back (Robinson), & a couple youngins’ (Pitts & London) in the unit. That said, there’s still a lot to like about this offensive unit’s elite potential in 2023.

Kyle Pitts already has one 1,000 yard season under his belt, & Younghoe Koo has established himself as one of the league’s best kickers since joining Atlanta in 2019. Drake London had the third most yards among rookie WRs (866) last year despite catching passes from the ever-so-inaccurate Marcus Mariota for most of the season. Finally, rookie RB Bijan Robinson is projected by PFF to lead the league in rushing!

Add all of this up, and it’s clear that while it might take some time, this offense has sky high potential for this upcoming season and possibly even further beyond that.

Can Spencer Strider win the NL Cy Young?

Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider is a contender for the NL Cy Young Award, an honor which goes to the best pitcher in the National League at the end of the season.

The simple answer here is yes, as Strider’s currently leading the majors in strikeouts (227), wins (14), & FIP (2.87), while also claiming the 9th best ERA (3.57) in the game. He’s assumed the role of Braves ace in the absence of Max Fried, & he’s pitched well. ESPN’s Cy Young Predictor ranks him 2nd in terms of probability to win this award. Let’s take a look into where Strider’s performance ranks amongst award contenders.

Devin Williams, the Brewers closer, is the current frontrunner in the Cy Young race. Williams has a miniscule of 1.53 ERA with 7 wins and 29 saves on the season so far. He’s been unbelievable for the Brew Crew, but it’s rare that relievers win a Cy Young. Since its inception in 1956, only eight relievers have ever claimed a Cy Young Award. That’s why it’s hard for me to believe that a reliever will accomplish the feat in 2023.

Strider’s other competition consists of four relievers, a Braves teammate (Charlie Morton), and a handful of starters with whom his stats stack up quite well against. For example, his strikeout total of 227 bests Zac Gallen (168) by a wide margin (59), & he’s started more games (25) than both Justin Steele (22) & Clayton Kershaw (18). He’s tied with Steele for the MLB lead in wins (14), with Gallen (13) the runner-up. Spencer has the highest ERA (3.57) among qualifiers, but there’s time to get it right.

My belief is that the best pitcher in baseball playing for the best team in baseball deserves to win the NL’s coveted Cy Young Award, wouldn’t you agree with me? Strider just needs to keep on doing what he’s been doing, & he should win the honor.

Life lessons that my mom taught me

Full disclosure, this article (as the title suggests) will not discuss any sports whatsoever. My plan is to get back to doing what I love to do (sportswriting) soon enough; however, today I feel called to use my Sports Beacon platform as a personal healing opportunity. My mom unexpectedly passed away three months ago due to complications in surgery. She was one of my best friends, a fantastic mother, & a wonderful person on the planet. Writing about my mom won’t be an easy task for me personally, but here goes nothing. Without further ado, here are several important life lessons that my mom taught me.

The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s fear

I remember hearing my mom discuss this topic for the first time & being perplexed; however, upon hearing her motivation & reasoning behind her opinion it made sense. You see, there’s a very thin line between love & hate that is oftentimes tough to define. In the wise words of Joey Tribbiani, “you can’t even see the line, the line is a dot to you.” My mom went on to explain that since there’s such a close relationship between love & hate, these terms are not really opposites at all, but instead two sides of the same coin. She went on to define fear and note that you simply cannot love what it is that you fear. Fear is dangerous, and it can trigger “fight, flight, or freeze” mechanisms in our bodies. Also, a person’s behavior changes when confronted by someone or something they fear. Fear is detrimental to a person’s conduct & behavior, and it is the polar opposite of love.

Love is showing interest

My mom showed that she loved my brother & I very much in a variety of different ways. One of the ways that she showed her love for us was by taking interest in our interests. She knew who all of my friends were growing up, which TV shows that I was watching at any given time, and which activities that I was participating in all throughout my life. The same goes for my brother Matt, as we were both spoiled in having her as our mom. This is because she cared, and when you love someone, you care about their wellbeing. Her vast knowledge of our favorite things, hobbies, activities, & interests was uncanny. That’s why my mom was also the BEST at giving presents for Christmas & our birthdays. There’s nothing that says “I love you” more than showing your loved one that you care.

Love is spending time

Mom & I spent a lot of time together during the Covid lockdown, as she was working from home as a counselor while I was laid off from my job as a production assistant. Neither of us went anywhere during this time period due to fear of catching the virus. Fortunately for us, we loved spending time together watching TV shows & hanging out. So that’s what we did for over a year, and looking back now I’ll cherish that time forever. There were times where we just about drove each other crazy being cooped up in the house together 24/7, but true love is about spending time together in adverse situations. Life is hard, and spending time with your loved ones helps you pull through adversity.

Be very careful-a!

Don’t ask me why she always added an extra “a” after the word “careful,” but before I drove off to work, school, or anywhere else she always gave me one simple message before I headed out, “you be very ‘careful-a’, stay safe, & text me when you get there.” Later on, she explained that my brother & I were like pieces of her heart walking around on the planet, so she just wanted us to stay safe, be happy, and enjoy our lives. Unfortunately, I finally broke this rule after 28 years due to a car accident back in July. Thankfully, the other driver & I were okay, though my car was totaled in the process. My feeling is that my guardian angel from up above was watching over me that day.

NFL players that own another team

This article was inspired by The Game Day NFL’s post about “players that have ownership stakes in other NFL teams,” which is an ideal offseason topic for discussion. Aaron Rodgers saying “I still own you” to the Bears demonstrates this concept in action. There are NFL players that just dominate against a specific team(s) for whatever reason. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the list of NFL players with heavy bragging rights. Note that this discussion will focus on current NFL players with relevant dominance.

Aaron Rodgers vs the Bears (25-5 record)

Rodgers seems to have some sort of personal vendetta against the Bears, as he threw for 6,965 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 30 games against them. Fortunately for Bears fans, they don’t have to see the Boogey man again until next year. That’s because the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers this offseason, ushering in a new era. Perhaps Rodgers’ dismissal from the NFC North will spawn new life within the division.

Patrick Mahomes vs the Broncos (11-0 record)

Mahomes really owns the entire league right now as the reigning MVP and Super Bowl LVII MVP looks to further build upon his Hall of Fame worthy credentials in 2023. His stats aren’t gaudy against the Broncos, but he’s just had their number ever since he started his first career NFL game against them back towards the end of the 2017 season. He’s made plays like this one look easy against them, but he also does this to everyone.

Derrick Henry vs the Jaguars (see stats)

Henry’s dominance against the Jaguars isn’t measured by his team’s record vs. them (6-7), but check his statistics against the Jags: 1,373 yards & 16 touchdowns in 13 games. His career against them has also been defined by great plays like this one and this one. There’s been a changing of the guard in the AFC South recently, but the Jaguars should remain fearful of the Titans for however long as King Henry resides in their division.

Cameron Jordan vs the Falcons (12-12 record)

The Falcons-Saints rivalry has been one of the best in football for several years now. It’s easy to see why, as Jordan has a career 12-12 record vs. the Dirty Birds in 24 games. His 23 sacks in those 24 games though paint a much different picture of Jordan’s impact. ESPN further illustrates this dominance, noting that, “Jordan [has] sacked [Matt] Ryan 23 times…. [which is] a record for the most times a quarterback has been sacked by a single player. Jordan’s sacks of Ryan account for a whopping 20% of his career total.” Unfortunately for the Falcons, Jordan averages basically a sack per game against them. Until that figure changes, the Falcons will never rally past the Saints in the NFC South.

Can the Falcons win the NFC South in ’23?

Falcons fans should be cautiously optimistic right about now.

            Anything is possible for the Dirty Birds right now given the lousy state of their division. The Buccaneers are set to host a training camp QB battle between Baker Mayfield & Kyle Trask. They’re now firmly in rebuilding mode following Tom Brady’s latest NFL offseason retirement. Meanwhile, the Panthers feature a new head coach (Frank Reich) & a rookie QB (Bryce Young). Their roster has some talent but trading away star WR D.J. Moore to the Bears wasn’t optimal. That leaves the Falcons & the Saints as realistic contenders for the NFC South division crown. Let’s take a look at why the Falcons & Saints should be considered the division’s frontrunners.

            The Falcons were at the bottom of the division last year, finishing with a 7-10 record. Why in the world should they be considered amongst the division’s frontrunners in 2023 then? Well, for starters, they added a bunch of talent this offseason in the form of RB Bijan Robinson, S Jessie Bates III, DE Calais Campbell, DE Bud Dupree, WR Mack Hollins, & LB Kaden Ellis. The team should also lead the league in rushing this year after featuring a top-five-unit last year. That’s not all, as Ryan Nielsen replaces Dean Pees as the team’s defensive coordinator this year. Nielsen was with the Saints from 2017-2022, and during that time his unit recorded the second most sacks in the league (281), & consistently ranked top-five in sacks (per atlantafalcons.com). Put all of these factors together, and there’s a lot to like about the Falcon’s 2023 division odds.

            The NFL is all about stellar quarterback play though, and it’s possible that the Saints have the Falcons beat there when comparing veteran Derek Carr to second-year pro Desmond Ridder. The Falcons clearly believe in Ridder, or they would’ve pushed harder to sign Lamar Jackson. That said, his growth (or lack thereof) in year two will clearly define the team’s 2023 campaign. Will Ridder make the leap this year to surpass Derek Carr as the best QB in the South division? Answering that question likely also determines whether or not the Falcons are able to win the division in 2023.

The Braves just scored 40 runs in four days

The Braves lineup was about as hot as this baseball in their series against the Rockies.

            That’s an average of 10 runs per game for the Braves at home against the Rockies, folks. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Braves flat out dominate a team like that in a four-game set. None of the games were particularly close, despite the Rockies scoring six runs in the final game. The Braves were firing on all cylinders, as the Rockies managed just 12 runs in the entire series. Shoot, things got so bad for the Rockies that starter Dinelson Lamet got DFA’d  by the team on Saturday after giving up 8 runs in his four innings of work against the Braves on Friday night.

            Ozzie Albies set the tone for the series as his bases clearing double in the second inning on Thursday night scored three runs in the team’s eventual 8-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Travis d’Arnaud followed up Albies’ act with an encore of sorts in the form of a two-homer night (including the 100th  HR of his career), driving in four runs in the team’s 8-1 win on Friday night. Not to be outdone, Matt Olson heated up at the plate after being demoted to the No. 5 spot in the lineup for Saturday’s game. His grand slam in the first inning was the difference in the 10-2 win.  Finally, Eddie Rosario & Michael Harris II saved the best for last in Sunday’s afternoon finale. Rosario finished with two HR & six RBI, while Harris went 5 for 5 with 3 RBI in the contest.

            What’s next for the Braves? Well, an off day today (Monday) for starters, followed by a road trip to face off against the Phillies & Reds, who are 3rd & 2nd in their respective divisions. The Braves & Phillies series is one to watch, as both teams have won 13 of their past 15 games. With the new MLB schedule where each & every team plays each other over the course of the season, these divisional games mean so much more in terms of determining the final standings. Getting Austin Riley going in this series is key, as he was such a nonfactor in the Rockies series. I’m hopeful that the Braves bats don’t cool off too much heading into an important road series.

Throwback Thursday: Does defense win championships?

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            Throwback Thursdays is a new weekly series that I’ve started during the offseason where I will post older content from my Macro Sports days on this website. Enjoy this article from June 2021 that was behind the Macro Sports paywall at the time.

You’ve surely heard the NFL cliché “defense wins championships,” but has anyone ever investigated the topic? This is my investigation into the topic, where I look at the defenses from the past 5 Super Bowl winners. I’m analyzing their season statistics (points per game, yards per game, turnovers, sacks), Super Bowl team stats, and individual player stats in the Super Bowl. Without further ado, here is my answer to the question, “does defense win championships?”

Super Bowl LI Winner: New England Patriots

  • 2016 stats: ppg (1st, 16) pass ypg (12th, 238) rush ypg (3rd, 89) TO (14th, 23) SK (16th, 34)
  • Super Bowl stats: 28 points, 5 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, 8 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
  • Key player: DE Trey Flowers (6 TKL, 2.5 SK, 2.5 TFL, 5 QBH)

These defensive stats certainly support the notion that defense wins championships. The 2016 Patriots defense wasn’t perfect, but the unit was an elite scoring & rushing defense while being average in other defensive metrics. Tom Brady led them to a comeback win, but the Patriots DEF certainly supported him along the way. Their biggest play was a fumble recovery by DE Alan Branch in the 3rd quarter at the Falcons 25-yard line. This play really changed the momentum of the game & helped in securing the Patriots win.

Super Bowl LI Winner: Philadelphia Eagles

  • 2017 stats: ppg (4th, 18) pass ypg (17th, 227) rush ypg (1st, 79) TO (4th, 31), SK (16th, 38)
  • Super Bowl stats: 33 points, 1 SK, 6 pass breakups, 9 QBH, 1 FR
  • Key players: DB Jalen Mills (9 TKL, 2 PBU) & Derek Barnett (1 FR)

The 2017 Eagles defensive stats support the notion that defense wins championships; however, this one wasn’t as clear cut as the Patriots defense was the year prior. Their overall stats are comparable, as the Eagles unit was elite in terms of scoring, rushing, & turnovers while being average in other defensive metrics. They gave up 33 points in the Super Bowl though, & their offense put up 41 points to win. That being said, the unit had 9 QB hits & 6 pass breakups which helped in securing the win. DE Derek Barnett made the biggest defensive play of the night with a late 4th quarter fumble recovery at the Patriots 28-yard line.

Super Bowl LIII Winner: New England Patriots

  • 2018: ppg (6th, 20) pass ypg (22nd, 246) rush ypg (11th, 113) TO (5th, 28), SK (30th, 30)
  • Super Bowl stats: 3 points, 7 TFL, 12 QBH, 4 SK, 8 PBU, 1 INT
  • Key players: DB Jonathan Jones (8 TKL, 1 SK, 1 TFL, 1 QBH)

Defensive metrics for the 2018 Patriots are inconclusive in supporting the defense wins championships argument. The defense played well in the Super Bowl, but they weren’t very helpful in helping the team get to the big game. They were mediocre in terms of passing defense, rushing defense, & sacks. This is a vast difference from the defenses mentioned previously. That being said, the unit showed up & played lockdown D in the title game.

Super Bowl LIV Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

  • 2019: ppg (7th, 19) pass ypg (8th, 221) rush ypg (26th, 128) TO (11th, 23) SK (11th, 45)
  • Super Bowl stats: 20 points, 4.5 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 SK, 6 PD, 2 INT
  • Players: DB Breeland (7 TKL, 2 TFL, 1 PBU, 1 INT), DB Fuller (4 TKL, 2 PBU, 1 INT)

Patrick Mahomes & the Chiefs offense gets most of the credit, but it was their defense that supported them in winning their 2019 championship. They were an above average unit in terms of points, passing yards, takeaways, & sacks. Most importantly, their coverage was phenomenal in the Super Bowl with 6 pass breakups & 2 interceptions. This was highlighted by Kendall Fuller’s late 4th quarter INT on the Chiefs 42-yard line that sealed the Chiefs win.

Super Bowl LV Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2020 stats: ppg (8th, 22) pass ypg (21st, 247) rush ypg (1st, 81) TO (28th, 25), SK (5th, 48)

Super Bowl stats: 9 points, 5 TFL, 10 QBH, 3 SK, 9 PBU, 2 INT

Key player: LB Devin White (12 TKL, 2 TFL, 1 PBU, 1 INT)

            Listen, the Bucs defense was great against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl; however, were they the main reason why the team made it to the big game?  I argue no because the defense was awful against the pass & in creating turnovers, so this is inconclusive for me. That being said, their title game performance was historic. LB Devin White was all over the field in the big game.

Closing Statements

            Defense WINS championships! This is a strange development, given that the NFL has become a passing league & that offensive minded head coaches are all the rage right now. Most of these defenses impacted both the team getting to the big game & them finally winning it. All of these defenses feel massively underrated after writing this piece. Shame on me because I never really thought that defenses played such a pivotal role in teams winning the Super Bowl.

Breaking News Item No. 2: Yardbarker

            Yardbarker is a reputable sportswriting website that covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, & more. I recently joined the Yardbarker team as a freelance contributor, and my first two articles are already published on their website! They created a profile for me where people can follow along with my sportswriting journey on their website. I’m looking forward to what comes next.

            That said, I won’t be writing as much for The Sports Beacon in the interim. Life is pretty busy for me currently, and writing for Yardbarker is my primary focus at the moment. Don’t worry, all of my articles are still free and not behind a paywall, but you’ll just find me writing for Yardbarker more frequently than this website for the time being. Please continue supporting my sportswriting journey at the following links below. Thank you as always for reading & tuning in.

Yardbarker Profile

https://www.yardbarker.com/authors/tyler_deakin/1037

Yardbarker Article No. 1

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/five_nfl_teams_that_could_win_the_offseason/s1_13132_38468677

Yardbarker Article No. 2

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/could_odell_beckham_jr_return_to_the_new_york_giants/s1_13132_38480819

Breaking News Item No. 1: TSTPC Podcast

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            Are you a big podcast listener? Do you listen to podcasts while at work, driving, or at the gym? Well then, do I have good news for you. I recently made my first ever podcast appearance on The Second Thought Podcast! My friends Kevin, Justus, & Myles graciously hosted me on the most recent episode of the podcast, where they interviewed me about my sportswriting process, my origin story on how I became a sportswriter, and so much more during our conversation.

            The episode is available now on all platforms (Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple Music, etc.) Please go support my friends & their entrepreneurial ventures, just as they have done so for me. Check out the podcast episode at the links below, and as always thank you for supporting The Sports Beacon.

The Second Thought Podcast Website:

https://www.tstpcatl.com/

TSTPC on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/tstpcatl/?hl=en

TSTPC episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HVcIpkNI9HuZ4v22bVIQl?si=918b01a3803a41d4&nd=1

TSTPC episode on SoundCloud:

TSTPC episode on Apple Music:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-thought-podcast/id1482571439