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On the heals of Sports Illustrated and the Monday Morning Quarterback releasing their quarterback Power Rankings, FOXSports.com didn't want to feel left out of the party and released their Top 10 quarterbacks heading into the 2015 NFL season.
The only issue with these rankings is the odd, and head-scratching, placement of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the list. FOXSports has Roethlisberger as the 8th best quarterback in the league, but what is most bothersome is who they feel are better than Roethlisberger.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, take a look at what FOXSports had to say about Roethlisberger being ranked 8th on the list:
8. Ben Roethlisberger
Much like Eli Manning, he has won two Super Bowls (and played in one more, unlike Eli) and is somewhat underrated. He's 106-52 in his career and is coming off career highs in passing yards (4,952) and touchdowns (32) while throwing just nine interceptions, a career low in a season where he made 16 starts. His 10-5 playoff record is also excellent.
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Read that description again, sure sounds like a quarterback worthy of being in the back half of the Top 10, right? Obviously not. If strange justification of the ranking isn't enough, let's take a look at who FOXSports thinks is better than Roethlisberger.
Take a look at the Top 10:
10. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
9. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
8. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Eli Manning, New York Giants
6. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
5. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
2. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Take another look at the list and see the names listed above Roethlisberger. In FOXSports' reasoning behind placing Roethlisberger 8th, they not only include career statistics, but also throw in current statistics after Roethlisberger's tremendous 2014 season. Putting a player like Tony Romo and Andrew Luck above Roethlisberger is downright laughable. To add insult to injury, they also placed Eli Manning, who has thrown 41 interceptions in the past two season, above him.
When the dust settles, these rankings mean nothing. Nonetheless, Steelers fans everywhere have been clamoring for Roethlisberger to get the credit he deserves, and even after nearly throwing for 5,000 yards, leading his team to a division title and an 11-5 record, winning a 3rd Super Bowl - and Pittsburgh's 7th - must be the only thing stopping Roethlisberger from getting his due credit.