Power Ranking the NFL’s 10 Best Quarterbacks

3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Brady has had a long, successful career, and while he is past his prime, he is still a dominant quarterback.

Despite missing out on the top five in passer rating, Brady continued to torch opposing defenses and set records. Brady threw 34 touchdowns and was intercepted just eight times, and he threw for 4,827 yards in 2012. Only three quarterbacks threw for more yards, and Tony Romo and Matthew Stafford, two of those three quarterbacks, are clearly worse than Brady. The other is Brees.

Brady has won more playoff games than any other quarterback (17), has played in more playoff games than any other quarterback (24), and has won more playoff games than any other quarterback with the same head coach (17). He won his 17th this year, beating the Houston Texans 41-28 with another stellar performance.

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts after throwing an interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

As I mentioned, Brady is past his prime. However, he has done some remarkable things and continues to do some remarkable things. Brady is one of the NFL’s smartest players, and he continues to frustrate opposing defenses while winning games (New England went 12-4 in 2012).

There are quarterbacks who put up better stats than Brady, but there are barely any that are better than him. Brady is at least the second-smartest quarterback in the NFL, and he should always be mentioned in a conversation of elite quarterbacks.

However, he should not be placed higher than third in a conversation about elite quarterbacks.