The Five Best NFL Quarterbacks of 2011

Few quarterbacks in NFL history have had the year Aaron Rodgers has had in 2011. The Green Bay Packers star began 2011 with three straight playoff victories on the road over Philadelphia (21-16), Atlanta (48-21), and Chicago (21-14) before taking out the Pittsburgh Steelers (31-25) in Super Bowl 45. Rodgers has thrown for 4,643 yards and 45 Touchdowns with only 6 interceptions while leading the Packers to a 14-1 record and home field advantage in the NFC Playoffs.

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Tom Brady is the gold standard for quarterbacks entering the NFL Draft from college or those already in the league. His yardage is second to Drew Brees and touchdowns are third behind Brees and Rodgers. Brady has a cast of no names around him on offense and a defense that is one of the worst in the league. The Patriots are 12-3 and look to return to the Super Bowl after a four year absence.

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Drew Brees like the top two quarterbacks on this list are future Hall of Fame inductees. Brees had his best season in the year of the quarterback in the NFL breaking Dan Marino's single season passing yards record that held up for 27 years. Brees' 5,087 yards and 41 Touchdowns should give him the best shot in winning the NFL's Most Valuable Player.

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Only in his rookie season, Cam Newton established himself over every rookie and most quarterbacks in the league with his gutty performances and breaking every expectation set for him. Many considered Newton the next Jamarcus Russell, but let's get real about Cam. He is just damn good. Newton broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing record and has amassed nearly 4,000 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He  has also rushed for 674 yards and 14 touchdowns in leading the Panthers from a 2-14 record in 2010 to 6-9 this season.

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Matthew Stafford has been the catalyst for a resurgent Detroit Lions franchise that has made the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Stafford has been injury prone in his first few seasons, but has kept off the injured list to throw for 4,518 yard with 36 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in the 2011 season.