Familiar faces top ranking of NFL playoff quarterbacks

They're a classy bunch, these playoff quarterbacks.

They range from the sure Hall of Famers (with MVPs and Super Bowls and Super Bowl MVPs to their credit) to rookies some predict will be inducted in Canton, Ohio, someday.

Here's how they rank heading into the postseason, with input from two NFL scouts:

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Positives: He has three rings. He's Tom Brady. He threw eight interceptions this season.



Negatives: Since getting fitted for that third ring, he and Bill Belichick are 7-6 in the postseason.



What's ahead: Brady-Peyton Manning Part XIV? Oh, please.

2. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

Positives: He's arguably the best quarterback of this generation. Oh, and he might be the league's MVP this season. Plus, he's spreading the ball around as well as he ever has.

Negatives: The schedule hasn't exactly been the most challenging. He's been sacked only 11 times in the last 11 games. Perhaps some consistent pressure might shake him up.

What's ahead: A trip to his hometown of New Orleans for his second Super Bowl title.

3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Positives: The two guys ranked above him are playing in better overall offenses, but Rodgers' skill set is still the best in the league.

Negatives: None with him, per se, but that offensive line (he was sacked a career-high 51 times) might get him killed.

What's ahead: A tough run into the thick of the NFC elite for a battered, incomplete team.

4. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Positives: He has the best trio of targets in Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez. Plus, he's a lot more comfortable in Dirk Koetter's offense than in any system he's had.

Negatives: Ryan did not play well in the postseason the last two years.

What's ahead: Proving he — and the entire team — can play well in January, especially since he won't have to take a snap outdoors. They're headed to New Orleans.

5. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Positives: He still has arguably the best arm in the league and has an assortment of receivers to hit, including Anquan Boldin.

Negatives: With a new contract hanging out there, he's working under an offensive coordinator with less than a month's experience.

What's ahead: Flacco and the offense are too inconsistent for a run.

6. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

Positives: He's smart beyond his years. Yeah, we know that's being said about Russell Wilson and Robert Griffin III, too. We also know what's been asked of Luck, who has handled it all as well as could be imagined.

Negatives: With a shaky offensive line, big hits are likely coming.

What's ahead: Postseason success. Just not this season.

7. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Positives: He flat-out makes good decisions. And he'll just let his feet do the thinking. He oozes swagger, so don't expect him to melt.

Negatives: We're not sure he and his receivers can make it happen.

What's ahead: An end to an unexpectedly successful season. They're favored to win Sunday, but the Washington Redskins defense is smart and experienced up front.

8. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

Positives: It's the perfect offense for him, and he has proved the accuracy he showed in college wasn't a fluke. He has the swagger gene, and the team believes in him.

Negatives: He's still not totally recovered from a knee injury.

What's ahead: If Griffin can get a win and continue getting healthier, look out. But we foresee limitations to that offense at some point.

9. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans



Positives: He has experience in the offense, has Andre Johnson on the other end of his passes, can hand off to Arian Foster, never throws a lot of interceptions and threw for 4,008 yards this season.

Negatives: Right now he's mentioned as the weak link on a Super Bowl-caliber team.

What's ahead: Schaub is going to play well Saturday and then play the no-respect card.

10. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

Positives: He's a playmaker who put the "arguably" in our assessment about Flacco's arm.

Negatives: Can he handle the biggest spot of his playing career?

What's ahead: Beating the Falcons might be too much to ask.

11. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Positives: If he and A.J. Green can connect often, the Bengals will be in business.

Negatives: Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is giving Dalton only half of the field to read at times. Good defenses will recognize that.

What's ahead: It could be one-and-done for Cincy.

12. Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings

Positives: His handoffs to Adrian Peterson are perfectly executed.

Negatives: Decision-making, mechanics and no big-time threats other than Peterson.

What's ahead: They beat the Texans and Packers to get into the playoffs, but it ends Saturday.