By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

When it comes to sports, it feels like we have a statistic for just about everything. Such and such is shooting this particular percentage from beyond the arc in the right corner. This particular batter has a certain batting percentage when there are two on two out, facing a left handed batter. That team has a record of whatever when playing on the third Sunday of the month of the season, on the road, against a divisional opponent, when the game is at 4:00 and nationally televised.

For the most part, all the stats that teams take a lot of stock in are useful, but to me, nothing beats the eye test. So, I am going to attempt to write about why I think the best collection of quarterbacks in the NFL currently reside in the NFC South, without using a single stat to back it up.

To start with, let’s go ahead and eliminate the obvious divisions that are inferior when it comes to the overall play of their QB’s: NFC West (Rams and 49ers), NFC North (Bears), and the  AFC North (Browns).

That’s not to say there isn’t some fantastic quarterback play coming from those divisions. It’s just that when you’re receiving the type of craptastic play those teams I mentioned are giving, you can’t really argue they’re stronger than the NFC South.

The next two divisions that won’t make it past the second round are the AFC East and AFC South. The East has arguably the best quarterback in NFL history with Tom Brady, but Fitzpatrick is playing like the guy nobody wanted to pay this offseason; Tannehill is inconsistent, and Taylor’s play gets me about excited as watching Once Upon A Time with my better half.

As for the South, I like Luck, Mariota, and Bortles, but I’m not sold on Osweiler. Throw in Blake’s disappointing season so far, and they’ll be getting their “Thanks for playing” card in the mail any day now. I will say this though, in another three years or so you may not find better quarterback play than in the AFC South.

Now, if my math is correct that leaves only two divisions left: AFC West and NFC South. I like all the quarterbacks in the West, but Winston, Brees, Newton, and Ryan are better than anyone Denver or Kansas City can throw out there. Carr is probably the only one I’d halfway consider taking over any NFC South quarterback, and that would probably be just Winston.

The NFC East is the only division I think comes all that close. Prescott and Wentz have both surprised me with how quickly they have adjusted to the league and look like they are going to be around for a while.

Cousins seem to be able to play the part, but there’s just something about him that prevents me completely buying in. And as much as I have rooted for Eli over the years, his statute of limitations for his two Super Bowls has about run out. He can still be an effective quarterback, but as of right now, he’s probably the worst of the four. Ok, maybe they’re not as close as I thought.

When they’re all on their game, the NFC South has three of the top quarterbacks in the NFL (yes, this year I’m including Ryan in the conversation) and a young QB with tremendous upside. They may not be the league’s strongest quartet down the road, but for right now they are. If you don’t believe me, I’m sure there are some stats out there to prove my point.