5 great NFL teams whose potential was wasted by poor QB play
The quarterbacks are the most important players in the NFL. Elite quarterbacks have the ability to make any team good, even when the rest of their roster is mediocre or worse.
Bad quarterbacks, on the other hand, can completely waste a team’s chances when the rest of the roster is elite. Here are five of the best teams in NFL history whose fates were doomed by poor quarterback play.
#5 - 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars
Like many of the teams who will appear on this list, the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars were powered by a dominant defense. They were the top-ranked defense in the AFC and the second-ranked defense in the NFL during the 2017 season based on points allowed per game.
Their defense, led by Jalen Ramsey, carried them to a 10-6 record in the regular season and all the way to the AFC Championship game in the playoffs.
Jalen Ramsey explaining to @AqibTalib21 how the entire Jags locker room disliked Tom Coughlin. This pod is worth every minute and then some. https://t.co/0aXO4ifekE
Blake Bortles was mediocre at best during the 2017 regular season, throwing 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He completed less than 60 percent of his passes in the playoffs. While he didn't necessarily hurt the Jaguars, he wasn't helping either. A legitimate quarterback could have resulted in a Super Bowl ring.
#4 - 2010 New York Jets
The New York Jets made it all the way to the AFC Championship game for consecutive years, in the 2009 and 2010 NFL seasons. Head coach Rex Ryan and his notoriously aggressive style of defense was their trademark.
The 2010 Jets team is one of the best in franchise history. Their only problem was a below-average quarterback, as they were solid everywhere else. Mark Sanchez completed less than 55 percent of his passes for just 17 touchdowns with 13 interceptions that season. That was, interestingly, one of his best seasons.