NFL Playoffs: Quarterback Trust Rankings Part II

In wake of the AFC and NFC Wild Card weekend, TSFJ provided the first edition of the Quarterback Trust Power Rankings. Like most lists or rankings, it ignited some controversy. To no surprise, some quarterbacks climbed near the top while others remained stagnant. So let's take a look at our second edition of the rankings for the NFL Divisional Round.

8. Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans

Last week's quarterback duel between Osweiler and Connor Cook was one for the ages. I'm kidding.The matchup between both signal-callers resembled a clash between famed movie quarterbacks Shane Falco and Uncle Rico. While neither Osweiler nor Cook set the world on fire, someone had to come out victorious. To no surprise, that was Osweiler and the Texans thanks to Oakland being riddled by injuries. With that said, the $72 million quarterback has one more playoff victory than Andy Dalton, but he’s still unreliable.

7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak makes his playoff debut against the Packers. We’ve witnessed rookie quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Sanchez (not a typo) and Joe Flacco have some success in the postseason, but on the other hand, rookie quarterbacks in the postseason aren't a standard. For Dak it won't surprise me if he remains his usual cool self, but in the playoff pressure-cooker, it remains an unknown.

6. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

In a Sunday showdown against Pittsburgh, Alex Smith and the Chiefs have their work cut out for them. They face a team that humiliated them in route to a 43-14 defeat in Week 4. For Kansas City, it’s imperative not to mirror the play from earlier in the season — that is to say the often-criticized quarterback has to play at a high level. Even though Alex has shown the ability to produce in the postseason, the matchup against the Steelers might be too much to handle.

5. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

As an eye-opener, Matty Ice crept up in the rankings without playing. The reason is because the MVP candidate is playing at home. As seen in Wild Card Round, all home teams came out victorious. It also helps that he’s had playoff success against the Seattle Seahawks. In 2013, he defeated them in the Divisional Round, which also happens to have been Atlanta’s last playoff victory. Granted, this is a totally different Seattle team, but any mental edge is needed — especially when you haven’t had much playoff success.

4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Despite Ryan’s rise in our rankings, he hasn’t done enough to surpass Wilson. With a victory in last week’s Wild Card game, Russell’s playoff record stands at 8-3. The playoffs are where he and Seattle thrive — therefore, it’s easy to trust him on the road this weekend.

3. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Roethlisberger and the Steelers waltzed through a victory against the Dolphins. This weekend, he and Pittsburgh face a true test in playing the Chiefs. Kansas City has one of the best defenses in the NFL, but that isn't enough to stop the potent Steelers offense. Although Ben is nursing a foot injury, his playoff experience and supporting cast allow his trust level to stay where it was a week ago.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

I'd like to apologize to Rodgers and Packers faithful for ranking him so low last week (he was ranked fifth). After fending off his recent playoff hex, it’s safe to say that his postseason swagger is back. Green Bay torched the New York Giants for 38 points, led by the golden arm of Rodgers. This weekend, he and the Packers take their aerial show on the road to Dallas. Although the Cowboys are the No.1 seed, it’s hard not to trust Rodgers in the role of the underdog.