Quarterbacks
This years NFL playoffs are unique because we have the rare opportunity to see 7 of the best 8 quarterbacks in the game. Let's not even mention the high paying quarterback in Texas, and I'm not talking about the rookie. Brock Osweiler is just god awful, plain and simple. However every quarterback in these playoffs has something that will define their careers. Most of these are what ifs, but at least one of these scenarios will come true.
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The first game features Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. If Matty Ice and the Falcons win this game and then eventually the Super Bowl, it would cap one of the greatest seasons ever for a quarterback. Not only that, but it would finally get the monkey off of Ryan's back in the playoffs. He's always been looked at as a great regular season quarterback, but like Peyton Manning or Dan Marino, could never get it done in the postseason where he is 1-4, with his lone win against the Seahawks. If he can pull of three straight wins and win the Super Bowl, he will finally be regarded as one of the great quarterbacks of our generation.
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On the flip side, if Russell Wilson can pull off another miracle and bring the Seahawks the trophy again, Wilson will be a Hall of Fame quarterback. He may already be at that stage, but if he could win this Super Bowl, he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. He would be leading Seattle to three Super bowls, where he would win two of them. He has already lead Seattle to 8 postseason wins and would make it 11 if he could pull it off this year. His regular season numbers may not be there but Terry Bradshaw is in the Hall and he didn't have the great regular season numbers, but had 3 Super Bowls.
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On Saturday evening we have Tom Brady and the Patriots. If he can bring the Patriots to their 7th Super Bowl and 5th Super Bowl win under his reign, then there will no longer be an argument about the greatest quarterback of all time. Even as a 49er fan and a Joe Montana fan, I have already put Brady as the best quarterback ever. He's already led the Patriots to 4 Super Bowl wins and could've won 2 more if it wasn't for Eli Manning leading comebacks. If he can win another, it would put all the doubters to rest.
The only thing I can mention about Brock Osweiler is if he wins this Super Bowl his entire contract will be worth it. He will have beat the Patriots and Tom Brady, then either Pittsburgh or Kansas City and then the best team in the NFC. The odds are out of this world for the Texans to win it all, but if Osweiler can pull it off then all the criticism about him will be gone.
Aaron Rodgers will become the king of Green Bay history and will also be considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. People already think he is one of the best quarterbacks ever, but if he can bring the Packers another ring then he will be another first ballot Hall of Famer and will have the perfect combination of regular season quarterback and postseason quarterback.
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The 4th round pick has already lead Dallas to the best record in the NFC and has had one of the greatest rookie seasons ever. He's already come out of nowhere to become an instant sensation and lead one of the best offenses in the league. If he can lead the Cowboys to a 6th Super Bowl (please don't) then he will have the greatest rookie season ever. Its already one of the greatest rookie seasons ever but it would put him over the top and should get Dallas fans excited for the years to come.
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The former 49er quarterback has been look at as a laughing stock for most of his career. The first overall selection was always looked at as not Aaron Rodgers, until Jim Harbaugh turned his career around. Now if he wins the Super Bowl with the Chiefs he will become the number 1 pick that everyone hoped he would be. He will have revitalized his career and become the true star that he was pictured to be. That and the 49ers would look even dumber than they already are.
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I keep mentioning quarterbacks in the greatest ever category, but Big Ben is one those. Ben has already won 2 Super Bowls and is one away from being the best Steeler quarterback ever. We could say well Bradshaw has 4 rings and Big Ben would tie him. Ya, but Ben has the full package, including the regular season and postseason resume to back up his excellence. If he's able to give the Steelers their 7th Super Bowl, he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Only Montana, Brady, Aikman and Bradshaw have won more than 3 Super Bowls. Big Ben would join that elite company.
