The AFC West has quickly become one of the best divisions in football. One of the reasons why is because of the overwhelming amount of talent on both sides of the ball.
Today, we are taking a look at the five quarterbacks in the division, ranking them from 5-1. So without further ado, let us begin.
5. QB Tyrod Taylor, Chargers
Coming in at No. 5 is a new addition to the AFC West in Tyrod Taylor of the Los Angeles Chargers. Taylor signed with the Chargers this offseason to backup Phillip Rivers, and he is more than qualified for that job. He’s started 46 games in the NFL, posting a career passer rating of 89.6 while averaging seven yards per passing attempt.
Taylor is a former Pro Bowl selection (2015) who can get it done with both his arm and his legs. While he may never be a top-end starter in the NFL, he’s almost overqualified to be a backup.
If anything happens to Rivers during the season, the Chargers are in good hands with Taylor as their backup quarterback.
4. QB Joe Flacco, Ravens
At No. 4 is Joe Flacco, who the Denver Broncos traded for earlier this offseason. Flacco is likely to open the season as the team’s starter as they wait for rookie Drew Lock to take over at some point.
On the field, Flacco’s play has been shaky, at best. Since being named the Super Bowl MVP during the 2012 season, his game has gone downhill. Over the last four seasons, he has failed to average more than seven yards per attempt, and his passer rating has never surpassed 85.
Given his recent slump, as of late, you can actually make a case that Tyrod Taylor deserves to be higher on this list. But as of now, Flacco ranks fourth and is pretty clearly the worst starting quarterback in the AFC West.
3. QB Derek Carr, Raiders
Coming in at No. 3 is Oakland’s Derek Carr. After a slow start to the season, Carr improved dramatically in the second half of the season as he was suddenly completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. While the rest of the Raiders’ roster was having a down season, Carr finished the season with a passer rating of 93.9, the second-highest of his career.
Carr’s play has dropped some since the 2015 and 2016 season, but he remains one of the most accurate and efficient quarterbacks in the short to intermediate parts of the field. With a much improved surrounding cast in 2019, look for him to possibly post career number this season.
2. QB Philip Rivers, Chargers
At No. 2 is Philip Rivers, who had arguably the best season of his career in 2018. At 37-years old, Rivers threw 32 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions as he finished the season with a passer rating of 105.5.
While Rivers may be the least physically talented quarterback on this list, he is, by far, the most competitive quarterback in the league. With his fiery attitude and ability to get the most out of his teammates, Rivers is still one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL.
As long as Rivers is under center for the Chargers, look for them to remain competitive in the AFC West.
1. QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Finally, at No. 1 it’s none other than Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. In his first and only year as the Chief’s starting quarterback, Mahomes posted record-breaking numbers as he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
In 2018, Mahomes threw for more than 5,000 yards and scored 52 total touchdowns, leading the Chiefs to a 12-4 season. With Mahomes’ incredible arm talent and ability to make plays in and outside of the pocket, he is going to be a thorn in the side of every other team in the AFC.
