Week 16 NFL QB Report Card: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady Pitch Throwback Weekend for the Ages
Cameron Smith

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Time and again we've heard the critique: "Sure, the ColdHard Quality Stats are great, but sometimes they don't seem to take a performance in a game into context." Well, now they will at the most important position on the field, thanks to the weekly CHFF QB Report Card. We break the prior week's starting quarterbacks into four tiers, from the elite to the ugly, and provide that performance's place within the broader body of work from across the season, as represented by the Quality Stats Real Quarterback Rating and Offensive Passer Rating.
Now, as the playoffs loom, so do Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers coming off epic weeks in what could be their last action of the regular season:
Note: Touchdown totals include passing and rushing touchdowns.
THE JOE MONTANA/JOHNNY UNITAS TIER
QB/TEAM | W/L | REAL QBR/RANKING | OPR RANKING | TD/INT/FUM (if) | GRADE |
Aaron Rodgers, Packers | W | 110.07 (1st) | 1st | 4/1 | A+ |
Tom Brady, Buccaneers | W | 95.14 (6th) | 9th | 4/0 | A+ |
Josh Allen, Bills | W | 98.90 (4th) | 3rd | 4/0 | A+ |
Andy Dalton, Cowboys | W | 81.29 (22nd) | 20th | 3/1 | A+ |
Lamar Jackson, Ravens | W | 89.21 (13th) | 13th | 2/0/1 | A |
C.J. Beathard, 49ers | W | 75.56 (26th) | 23rd | 3/0/1 | A |
Brandon Allen, Bengals | W | 77.63 (23rd) | 24th | 2/0 | A- |
Deshaun Watson, Texans | L | 97.88 (5th) | 2nd | 3/0/1 | A- |
Anyone excited about going and playing Green Bay in the cold? Really? You're really ready for that? We question that logic with the way Aaron Rodgers is playing. Here's a hint: It's probably not going to end well if you aren't a Packers fan. The case for playing the Buccaneers is more of an open question because Tampa will likely have to compete its way through the NFC on the road, but Brady's recent performances have at least been impressive. No more impressive than Josh Allen, though, as his thorough depantsing of a Bill Belichick defense proved on Monday night. Andy Dalton's post-COVID resurgence has ressurected Dallas' playoff chances and maybe, just maybe, saved Mike McCarthy's job in Dallas. Lamar Jackson continues to look more and more like his 2019 self, while C.J. Beathard turned in what may be the second or third-best performance by a 49ers quarterback this year in the win against the Cardinals. Brandon Allen is somehow 2-0 for the Bengals, and Deshaun Watson is about to finish with the best quarterback statistics for a passer to lose 10 games in history. It's a remarkable accomplishment that underscores both what may draw coaches to take the Texans job, but also the depth of rebuilding they are going to have to take on.
THE ROGER STAUBACH/BRETT FAVRE TIER
QB/TEAM | W/L | REAL QBR RANKING | OPR RANKING | TD/INT/FUM (if) | GRADE |
Kirk Cousins, Vikings | L | 87.90 (15th) | 8th | 3/0 | A- |
Russell Wilson, Seahawks | W | 93.48 (7th) | 5th | 2/0 | B+ |
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers | W | 87.82 (16th) | 17th | 3/0 | B+ |
Derek Carr, Raiders | L | 90.45 (11th) | 10th | 1/0 | B |
Matt Ryan, Falcons | L | 83.96 (19th) | 18th | 2/0 | |
Sam Darnold, Jets | W | 67.42 (29th) | 30th | 2/0 | B- |
Taylor Heinecke, Washington | L | 69.52 (28th) | 27th | 1/0 | B- |
Justin Herbert, Chargers | W | 88.09 (14th) | 14th | 1/0 | B- |
THE TRENT GREEN/MARK BULGER TIER
QB/TEAM | W/L | REAL QBR/ RANKING | OPR RANKING | TD/INT/FUM (if) | GRADE |
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins | W | 89.39 (12th) | 15th | 1/0 | B- |
Mitchell Trubisky, Bears | L | 77.51 (24th) | 25th | 2/1 | B- |
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs | W | 101.17 (2nd) | 4th | 2/1 | B- |
Philip Rivers, Colts | L | 92.34 (9th) | 12th | 1/1/1 | C+ |
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers | W | 86.73 (17th) | 19th | 1/1/1 | C+ |
Kyler Murray, Cardinals | L | 93.13 (8th) | 16th | 0/1 | C+ |
Cam Newton, Patriots | L | 77.42 (25th) | 29th | 1/0 | C |
Daniel Jones, Giants | L | 66.83 (30th) | 28th | 1/0 | C |
THE TIM COUCH/RYAN LEAF TIER
QB/TEAM | W/L | REAL QBR RANKING | OPR RANKING | TD/INT/FUM (if) | GRADE |
Mike Glennon, Jaguars | L | 74.21 (27th) | 26th | 2/2 | C |
Baker Mayfield, Browns | L | 84.81 (18th) | 11th | 0/0 | C- |
Ryan Tannehill, Titans | L | 99.20 (3rd) | 6th | 1/2 | C- |
Jalen Hurts, Eagles | L | 64.12 (31st) | 31st | 1/2/1 | C- |
Drew Brees, Saints | W | 92.24 (10th) | 7th | 0/2 | C- |
Drew Lock, Broncos | L | 63.26 (32nd) | 32nd | 0/2 | F |
Chase Daniel, Lions | L | 83.63 (20th) | 21st | 0/0 | F |
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins | W | 89.39 (12th) | 15th | 1/0 | INC |