Ben Roethlisberger's performance on Monday night against the Denver Broncos further showed how the NFL is currently blessed with some great quarterbacks.
Three current starters are locks for the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady - with two or three more as good bets along with a handful more that are heading in the right direction.
You may have to go back 15 years to the 1994 season to see so many Hall of Fame-type quarterbacks having strong seasons. Seven of the eight top passing leaders from 1994 are currently or will be in the Hall of Fame, and an eighth, Warren Moon, was third in the league in passing yardage.
Here's a look at 10 current NFL starting quarterbacks that have already solidified a spot in Canton, Ohio, or could be on the right track, along with a comparison to an already Hall of Fame QB:
1. Peyton Manning-Dan Marino: Manning, like Marino, has produced staggering numbers for one team. He was also known for not winning a Super Bowl until he did it three years ago.
2. Tom Brady-Joe Montana: Brady has won multiple Super Bowls and has played for s well-coached team. He has boyish looks and a calm demeanor in the clutch.
3. Ben Roethlisberger-John Elway: Roethlisberger is adept at creating big plays out of the pocket. He has a great won-loss record, multiple Super Bowls and is a strong fourth-quarter comeback QB.
4. Brett Favre-Johnny Unitas: Favre has enjoyed a long, durable career, playing mostly for one team. He's a tough competitor who's 1-1 in Super Bowls but has a higher interception rate than many of the all-time greats.
5. Drew Brees-Dan Fouts: Brees has had three 4,000-yard seasons on teams that can be offensive juggernauts. Like Fouts, he has yet to play in a Super Bowl.
6. Philip Rivers-Sonny Jurgensen: Rivers is kind of an unorthodox-type of quarterback with good numbers who hasn't taken his team all the way yet. Like Jurgensen, he is overshadowed by bigger names.
7. Kurt Warner-Len Dawson: Warner, like Dawson, took several years to bloom and has both won and lost Super Bowls. He is still strong in his late 30s and a good guy.
8. Eli Manning-Bob Griese: Manning has won a Super Bowl despite not being a great imposing quarterback. He is surrounded by great players and doesn't produce the high passing numbers.
9. Donovan McNabb-Fran Tarkenton: McNabb, like Tarkenton, has thrown for more than 30,000 yards and rushed for more than 3,000. He has played in many big games but has yet to win the biggest.
10. Carson Palmer-Jim Kelly: Palmer faced the prospect of turning around a losing team and, like Kelly, has had an early up-and-down career with potential for bigger things.
