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Welcome to the first inaugural "XML's Best"! Here we will highlight who was the best at their respective positions, and award them accordingly. In this series, there will be 3 candidates up for the award at each position. Also, please note, there was some pretty good Quarterback play this season, so there are some players that don't make the cut. Difficult decisions were made to find the players who performed the best. Without further ado, here are the 3 candidates who are up for Best QB:
1) Colin Kaepernick - Miami Dolphins (11-5): 183-288, 64% completion, 3236 pass yds, 18 TDs, 14 INTs, 102.4 QBR
In his first season as a starting QB, Colin Kaepernick was able to shine like few thought he ever would. GM Soopershake was able to acquire Kaepernick in a blockbuster trade that sent stud QB Drew Brees packing. However, Kaepernick was more efficient this season than his predecessor was during his time in Miami (Brees: 18 TDs, 22 INTs, and 2,573 yds - Kaepernick: 18 TDs, 14 INT, and 3,236 yds). In fact, Kaepernick was the most efficient QB in the XML this season, posting a Quarterback Rating of 102.4. As good of a season as Kaepernick has had, he will need to step up just a bit more if Miami expects to take the next step from playoff team, to AFC Champions.
Best Single Game Performance: Week 15 @ Cincinnati (W 31-24) -- 15-17, 300 pass yds (158 QBR), 2 TDs, 0 INT, 1 rush TD
2) Matt Schaub - Houston Texans (7-9): 239-370, 65% completion, 3472 pass yds, 28 TDs, 19 INTs, 98.8 QBR, 1 rush TD
The Houston Texans took a step back this season, but none of that can be blamed on QB Matt Schaub, who took a few leaps forward. Schaub was able to increase his completion percentage (58 to 65), Touchdowns (23 to 28), passing yards (2466 to 3472) and Quarterback Rating (96.3 to 98.
. Schaub also ranks top 5 in the XML in passing yards (5th), touchdowns (4th), QBR (3rd), and completion percentage (2nd). If Schaub is able to maintain his high level of play next season, and gets just a little bit of help from his struggling defense, there's no doubt the Texans will reclaim their place among the AFC's elite.
Best Single Game Performance: Week 10 @ Pittsburgh (W 27-24) -- 30-34, 291 pass yds (131.7 QBR), 3 TDs, 0 INT
3) Ben Roethlisberger - Denver Broncos (12-4): 236-366, 64% completion, 3464 pass yds, 26 TDs, 21 INTs, 95 QBR
In Big Ben's first season as the Broncos' field general, he showed the entire XML just how valuable an elite QB can be for a team with a less-than-spectacular roster. Roethlisberger saw his production take a huge jump in his initial season away from the Steel City. Big Ben led an absolutely explosive offense that led the XML in points per game and pass yards per game, and second in the league in offensive yards per game. Not to mention, Roethlisberger's XML ranks were also impressive: 6th in passing yards, 4th in QBR, and 3rd in completion percentage. In the undisputed best -- and abnormally loaded -- division in the XML, Roethlisberger was the difference-maker that catapulted the Broncos to the AFC West title. Denver is undoubtedly going to be in the hunt next season with Big Ben leading the way.
Best Single Game Performance: Week 13 v. Miami (W 24-31) -- 18-25, 286 pass yds (136.4 QBR), 2 TDs, 0 INT
So, who do you feel was this season's Best Quarterback? Vote in the poll above!
1) Colin Kaepernick - Miami Dolphins (11-5): 183-288, 64% completion, 3236 pass yds, 18 TDs, 14 INTs, 102.4 QBR
In his first season as a starting QB, Colin Kaepernick was able to shine like few thought he ever would. GM Soopershake was able to acquire Kaepernick in a blockbuster trade that sent stud QB Drew Brees packing. However, Kaepernick was more efficient this season than his predecessor was during his time in Miami (Brees: 18 TDs, 22 INTs, and 2,573 yds - Kaepernick: 18 TDs, 14 INT, and 3,236 yds). In fact, Kaepernick was the most efficient QB in the XML this season, posting a Quarterback Rating of 102.4. As good of a season as Kaepernick has had, he will need to step up just a bit more if Miami expects to take the next step from playoff team, to AFC Champions.
Best Single Game Performance: Week 15 @ Cincinnati (W 31-24) -- 15-17, 300 pass yds (158 QBR), 2 TDs, 0 INT, 1 rush TD
2) Matt Schaub - Houston Texans (7-9): 239-370, 65% completion, 3472 pass yds, 28 TDs, 19 INTs, 98.8 QBR, 1 rush TD
The Houston Texans took a step back this season, but none of that can be blamed on QB Matt Schaub, who took a few leaps forward. Schaub was able to increase his completion percentage (58 to 65), Touchdowns (23 to 28), passing yards (2466 to 3472) and Quarterback Rating (96.3 to 98.
. Schaub also ranks top 5 in the XML in passing yards (5th), touchdowns (4th), QBR (3rd), and completion percentage (2nd). If Schaub is able to maintain his high level of play next season, and gets just a little bit of help from his struggling defense, there's no doubt the Texans will reclaim their place among the AFC's elite.Best Single Game Performance: Week 10 @ Pittsburgh (W 27-24) -- 30-34, 291 pass yds (131.7 QBR), 3 TDs, 0 INT
3) Ben Roethlisberger - Denver Broncos (12-4): 236-366, 64% completion, 3464 pass yds, 26 TDs, 21 INTs, 95 QBR
In Big Ben's first season as the Broncos' field general, he showed the entire XML just how valuable an elite QB can be for a team with a less-than-spectacular roster. Roethlisberger saw his production take a huge jump in his initial season away from the Steel City. Big Ben led an absolutely explosive offense that led the XML in points per game and pass yards per game, and second in the league in offensive yards per game. Not to mention, Roethlisberger's XML ranks were also impressive: 6th in passing yards, 4th in QBR, and 3rd in completion percentage. In the undisputed best -- and abnormally loaded -- division in the XML, Roethlisberger was the difference-maker that catapulted the Broncos to the AFC West title. Denver is undoubtedly going to be in the hunt next season with Big Ben leading the way.
Best Single Game Performance: Week 13 v. Miami (W 24-31) -- 18-25, 286 pass yds (136.4 QBR), 2 TDs, 0 INT
So, who do you feel was this season's Best Quarterback? Vote in the poll above!
