Quarterback class warfare on display

By Kevin Braig
The QuantCoach

Don’t look now but the only people left who can keep Jack Harbaugh’s boys from knocking the so-called “Year of the Quarterback” on its backside is Tom Brady and … wait for it … Eli Manning.

Prior to the commencement of the current NFL season, ESPN — the “E” stands for “Emperor” — decreed that henceforth the year formerly known as 2011 would be known “The Year of the Quarterback.”  In doing so, ESPN—the “E” stands for “[His] Excellency”—had in mind quarterbacks like Brady, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rogers.

Manning had the audacity to suggest that he belonged with them at the Quarterback Round Table.

“I consider myself in that class," Manning told Michael Kay in an August radio interview on WEPN-AM 1050 in New York.

On Sunday, Manning proved he certainly is in that class as New York dominated defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay, 37-20.  The victory advanced the Giants to the NFC Championship Game.

Manning shredded the Packers’ defense.  He intimidated Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy into attempting an onside kick early in the second quarter to keep the ball out of his hands.  In the past, such Belichickian respect has been reserved for his older brother, Peyton.

Brady did his part to uphold the honor of the “The Year of the Quarterback” in New England’s 45-10 demolition of Denver that returned the Patriots to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2007. Brady, who tossed six touchdown passes, took whatever he wanted from the Broncos over-matched defense.

In comparison, the quarterbacks that will oppose Manning and Brady on their quest to reprise Super Bowl XLII are relative serfs.

San Francisco signal-caller Alex Smith has struggled for much of his career.  On Sunday against New Orleans, that was his story for much of the game.  Smith did enjoy a quick start with a touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis and took advantage of Saints’ defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ late, suicidal blitzing to lift his team to a heart-stopping 36-32 win.  In between those moments? Nothing.

Coach Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers will play in the NFC Championship Game against New York mostly because defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's bone-rattling defense shook five turnovers loose from New Orleans.

Likewise, older brother John Harbaugh’s Ravens will take on Brady and New England in the AFC Championship because Houston rookie quarterback T.J. Yates gave Baltimore three interceptions in the Ravens 20-13 win over the Texans.  Houston punt-returner Jacoby Jones also helped out by fumbling away a punt to set up Baltimore’s first touchdown.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL during his four years in the league.  Look at Flacco’s statistics.  During each of the past three years, Flacco has passed for between 3,610 and 3,622 yards, between 20  and 25 touchdowns, and 10 or 12 interceptions.

Flacco is the quintessential “[A Little Above] Average Joe.”

So, in the championship games, two of pro football’s most well-worn clichés will collide head-on.

“To win the Super Bowl, you have to have an elite quarterback,” holds one cliché.

“Defense wins championships,” holds the other.

Something has to give.

It is down to Manning and Brady to prevent “The Year of the Quarterback” from turning into “The Fortnight of the Harbaughs.” 

---

---

Read more: Eli Manning New York Giants; Tom Brady; New England Patriots; Alex Smith; San Francisco 49ers; Joe Flacco; Baltimore Ravens; Jim Harbaugh; John Harbaugh, NFL