For continuity's sake carrying over from the recurring "Power 7" (or one-time "Super 7") segment from the prior incarnation of the QB Corner, here are my overall quarterback power rankings for the 2016 season. The list will also be a permanent feature on the throw_ology homepage. It will be updated for the offseason after the conclusion of the playoffs.
1. Matt Ryan
Statistically speaking, Matt Ryan was the best QB in the NFL by a significant margin in 2016. He enjoyed career highs in almost every category, including touchdowns, yards, completion percentage, yards per attempt, yards per completion, and QB rating. Efficient and explosive are the words that best explain his sublime year, perfectly exemplified in his NFL single-season record and truly mind-boggling 9.3 yards per attempt. There was no better passer over 17 weeks this year than Matty Ice.
2. Tom Brady
TB12 surprised absolutely nobody by ripping through the league upon his return from DeflateGate repercussions. His 2 interceptions in 12 starts is the rallying cry for New England fans campaigning for Brady to win MVP. But I'm more impressed with the advanced stats. Brady was 7-0 with 18 TDs & 0 INTs in road games, had a 127.7 passer rating on 3rd downs, was at his sharpest in the red zone (20 TD/1 INT/69.35%/112.0 rating), completed over 72% of his passes while trailing and held a 113.1 rating in the fourth quarter. Head spinning yet? Yea, this was a great season.
3. Aaron Rodgers
It truly was a tale of two seasons for the Packers QB. I never doubted him but I also can't just ignore his sluggish start. For almost half the season I didn't feature Rodgers in QB power rankings at all and for him to finish the year this high truly is a testament to his season-ending run. Which was backed up by his strong suggestion that the team could run the table. His running performance should also be noted, as he rushed for 26 first downs, 4 TDs and 369 yards on a 5.5 yards per carry average. Final numbers on the win streak: 15 TDs, 0 INTs, 6 wins, 1 playoff berth.
4. Derek Carr
Before the season, I doubted DC & the Raiders as a legitimate breakout candidate, instead thinking a smaller step forward was a more reasonable expectation for the constantly-surprising young QB. I was obviously very wrong as Carr established himself as an "elite" player in 2016 and his immense value to the franchise was only reinforced by their pathetic performance without him in Week 17. The numbers are there (especially his 106.4 rating/0 INTs in the fourth quarter and 109.4 rating/9 TD/0 INT marks while trailing) but he impressed in the eye test as well with consistently impressive throws in critical spots all season, showcased in his 7 game-winning drives.
5. Matthew Stafford
Like Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford also took a step forward into the upper crust of NFL quarterbacks this season in leading the Lions to the playoffs for the third time in his eight year career. An unfortunate injury to his throwing hand prevented him from finishing the season as strong statistically as he could or would have, but he still showed more than enough to claim fifth on this list. Particularly impressive was his late-game poise, as he owned a 97.0 passer rating while trailing in the final FOUR minutes, a 106.3 rating while trailing in the final TWO minutes and a 156.9 rating in OT. He also led the league with 8 game-winning drives.
6. Dak Prescott
It was a fairy tale season for the Cowboys quarterback, who posted one of the best rookie campaigns in the history of the league. While his role was at times fairly limited in a run-first offense, he demonstrated great poise and clutch play throughout the season. His 104.9 passer rating was surpassed by only Matt Ryan and Tom Brady, and he threw no interceptions while the team was trailing. His fourth quarter numbers were also staggering (6/0/66.67%/106.4 rating) and included five game-winning drives.
7. Ben Roethlisberger
It was another solid season from the perennially underappreciated maestro of the Steelers offense. His overall numbers were solid but not overwhelming (29/13/64.4%/95.4 rating). But he once again guided the Steelers to the playoffs and consistently came through on third down (11/2/58.7/108.0 rating) and in the fourth quarter (10/2/69.6/113.9 rating). In fact, his numbers were actually at their best in these situations.
8. Drew Brees
If everyone else gets credit for their numbers, Brees needs kudos too. Even if the Saints are annually the most frustrating team in the NFL. He led the league in passing yards, completed a silly 70.0% of his attempts and was one of the five QBs who finished the season with a QB rating over 100. He was great in the red zone, great on third down, great in fourth quarters. Heck, he might even have been a darkhorse MVP candidate if the team played any defense at all. But there are also plenty of garbage time and not-so-relevant numbers on the top of this pile.
9. Kirk Cousins
It was a really disappointing end to another impressive season for Kirk Cousins. For the second straight year, the Redskins QB demonstrated his ability to gain tons of yards through the air (4,917 to be exact) and complete passes with a remarkably high percentage. He was one of only three quarterbacks (along with Ryan and Brees) to average over 300 yards per game, and his completion percentage was a very impressive 67.0%. His Week 17 performance put a damper on those numbers and will haunt him heading into some nerve-wracking contract negotiations.
10. Andrew Luck
It could have been Mariota, it honestly could have been Bradford. It might have even been Ryan Tannehill (yes I mean this). But Mariota and Tannehill fell by the wayside down the home stretch, as did the entire Vikings team. Which was not necessarily on Bradford, but he was powerless to stop it. Andrew Luck returned to his 2014 form this season, slightly improving in some areas, slightly regressing in others. But he struggled in an inexcusable home loss to the Texans in Week 14 and laid an egg in Oakland with the season on the line in Week 16 on his way to crashing out of the playoff picture. Even still, his 31/13/63.5%/96.4 rating stat line is good enough to get him on this list, and a stronger performance down the stretch would have taken him even higher.