CARSON PALMER.
Say what you will about Palmer, he stepped into a team that won 4 straight to start the season last year but finished 5-11, and went on to win 10 games this season. Although the season started rough he eventually made magic with receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. Palmer posted a completion percentage of 63.3 while throwing for 4,274 yards and 24 touchdowns.
MATT RYAN
Yes, the Atlanta Falcons ended the 2013 campaign with one of the worse records in the league, however the truth of the matter is that it's no fault of Ryan's. Ryan finished 4th in the league in yards with 4,515 yards and 27TDs with a QBR of 61.1. Injuries ultimately became the cause of death to the season of Atlanta, not the production of their Pro Bowl QB.
Other Honorable mentions include: Mike Glennon (Bucs), Andy Dalton (Bengals), Jay Cutler (Bears) and Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins). Without further ado, HERE WE GO.
10.
Before the Romo bashers say that I am being biased as a Cowboys fan lets take a really close look and be realistic here. Yes, the Cowboys didn't make the playoffs, Yes, They finished the season 8-8, AGAIN and Yes they also, for the 3rd straight year lost the division on the final game of the season. BUT, that is of NO FAULT of Tony Romo. Romo finished the season with 3,828 yards well on his way to his 3rd straight 4,000+ yard season and his 5th in 8 seasons. He also threw for 31 TDs and only 10 ints and a QBR of 59.5
9.
The Carolina Panther's QB took a major step forward from his slumping sophomore season, After setting an NFL Rookie record (That was later broken by Andrew Luck) In passing yards in 2011-12 Cam slumped big time in 2012. In 2013 He reminded everyone that he was not only 2 years removed from a NFL Rookie of The Year Honor but also 3 years removed from an NCAA National Championship. With regular season wins over the 49ers, Patriots and Saints; Cam proved he was the real deal, stealing the NFC South title from the Grasp of the revamped Saints. Cam finished his season with 3,379 yards passing with 24 TDs although he did throw 13 ints, he did have a QBR of 56.2 and won 11 of his last 12 games.
8.
There is nooooooooooo question who is the leader of the Green Bay Packers, that was made clear when Rodgers went down to injury. Not just offense but the entire team went on to struggle, when he returned he went on to struggle for about a quarter and a half. He finished the season throwing 2,536 yards and only 17TDs but A QBR of 68.7 finishing in the top 10.
7.
surprisingly, I have come to find there are few people who don't like Kaepernick's style of play. Say what you want about the youngster he is very talented, still young and is elevating very quickly. The consensus is that Jim Harbaugh held Kaepernick back to prevent injury, which is believable because he started the season without his primary weapon. However he finished the season strong and came a tip ball away from making back to back Super Bowl appearances. Kaepernick finish this season with 3,197 yards 21 TD's to only 8 ints, a rating of 91.6 with a total QBR of 68.6
6.
RUSSELL WILSON
Kind of crazy that some people criticize Colin Kaepernick for the season he had yet praise Russell Wilson, when the truth of the matter is they have played very similar seasons. Wilson finished the season with 3,357 passing yards 26 TDs to 9 ints with a rating of 101.2 and a QBR of 58.9. The Difference between the two is that Wilson helped lead his team past Kaepernick's 49ers in the NFC Championship game to elevate the Seahawks to the Super Bowl on Feb 2. Thus giving him the edge in 2013 over his San Francisco counterpart.
5.
Talk about surprises, Ok, I am pretty sure I wasn't the only one that didn't see that coming. Yes, the same guy that threw 47 interceptions in his previous 3 seasons found a way to look like the guy that the Bolts selected to replace Drew Brees back in 2004. Rivers found the fountain of youth and had arguably his best season as a pro. Throwing for 4,478 yards, 32 TDs and only 11 ints, Rivers showed that he is still among the elite QBs in the NFL, not only leading the Chargers to their first playoff appearance since 2009 but winning a road playoff game against the Bengals. Rivers finished the season 4,470 yards, 32 TDs and 11 ints with a QBR 71.7.
4.
Credit where its due or De Ja Vu? Both. Yes, De Ja Vu, remember back in 2010 when due to injury the Eagles were forced to play the backup QB? At the time it was Mike Vick, well what goes around definitely comes around as the same happened this year. Nick Foles was inserted into the lineup after Vick went down with an hamstring injury and never looked back. Foles statistics and all around play was nothing short of amazing given the fact that this was a new head coach, new offensive coordinator and all around new system. Foles finished the season with 2,891 yards passing and 27 TDs to only 2 ints and a QBR of 69.0 and one of the highest passer ratings in NFL history of 119.2. Tying NFL records with the most TDs thrown in a single game with 7 and most TDs thrown before throwing an interception with 20 en route to the Eagles first NFC East crown since 2010.
3.
At this point its just Brees validating what seems to be a Hall of Fame career. Now he's just determining which ballot he wants to make that possible on. Brees put together another incredible season leading the Saints to victories in 9 of the team's first 11 games. Although they slacked at the end of the season allowing the Carolina Panthers to slide by them to the division crown, Brees still found a way to impress even in defeat. Brees finished the 2013 campaign with another 5,000+ yard passing season, his 3rd straight and 4th in the last 6 years. Bress finished the season with 5,162 yards, 39 TDs to only 12 ints, with a QBR of 70.5.
2.
Probably the MVP of the entire NFL if it was the "Who could do more with less" award. If you told me before the season you would take Aaron Hernandez from him, he would get Rob Gronkowski back mid-season only to lose him for the rest of season 6 games later, he would lose the league's leader in catches and replace him with Danny Amendola and his 2 starters at receiver would be two rookies, I'd probably say expect a down year from 12. But Brady has a habit of making fools out his nonbelievers. Brady started slow but as chemistry built so did his game, throwing for 4,343 yards and 25 TDs while having a QBR of 61.1. Not to mention leading a Patriots team that lost so much offensive fire power and both it's defensive captains to season ending injuries to the AFC Championship game. Once again stating claim to being arguably the greatest to ever play the position.
1.
Any surprise here? In 2013 Manning more than likely solidified himself as the greatest regular season QB in NFL history. En route to his 5th regular season MVP award (Most in league history) Manning tied and broke multiple regular season and single game records this year. Passing for 462 yards in the season opener against the defending Super Bowl champions (Baltimore Ravens) and tying a single game record with 7 TDs. Manning wouldn't stop there, tying a league record with most touchdowns thrown before throwing the 1st interception (20), threw the equivalent to the NFL's perfect game against the eagles with a flawless Passer Rating, breaking the NFL's single season touchdown record with 55, breaking the NFL's single season passing yardage record with 5,477 yards all while maintaining a QBR of 82.9. Peyton finished the season 17 TDs away from tying Brett Favre's all time record, 768 completions from eclipsing the all time record and 6,874 yards from surpassing Favre, both he'll break in the next 2 seasons if he decides to play that long. With Manning leading the Broncos to the Super Bowl he also stands to be the only QB in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with 2 different NFL franchises. Realize with a victory over the Seahawks we could very well be witnessing not only the greatest regular season Quarterback in history but arguably the greatest of All Time!
