When the NFL schedule maker set out to make the 2022 schedule, clearly they had the same thought that many fans had–the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos looked like two teams that just needed a little help–ideally in the form of quarterback upgrades–to take the next step in challenging for an AFC title. The Broncos only finished 7-10 last year, but played in arguably already the most difficult division in the league–and had a stingy defense that only allowed 322 points against. The Colts finished 9-8 and just missed the playoffs after choking against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17–a loss (and end of season slide) that many attributed directly to Carson Wentz.
Enter Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan–a matchup that led to the NFL making the week 5 matchup between the Colts & Broncos the prime time, Thursday night matchup. And led to many social media posts like this one, seen on Facebook actually this morning–after the…lackluster performance by both teams:
So last night’s putrid effort notwithstanding, the question is as good now as it was earlier–is this fantasy football writer correct–was last night’s game a matchup of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks?
Ryan, a 14 year veteran with the Atlanta Falcons, had a 120-102 record, a career 65.5% completion percentage, 367-170 TD-INT ratio, and had thrown for just under 60,000 yards in his career. He is a four time Pro Bowler–somewhat inexplicable in today’s age of no quarterbacks even wanting to play–and a one time All-Pro, and one time MVP winner, both coming for his 2016 season, which ended with his leading the Falcons to their infamous 28-3 Super Bowl collapse to the New England Patriots. He was acquired by the Colts for a 2022 3rd round pick.
Wilson, a 10 year veteran with the Seattle Seahawks, had 104-53-1 record, a career 65% completion percentage, 292-87 TD-INT ratio, with just over 37,000 yards thrown for in his career. More mobile than Ryan, he’d added almost 4,700 yards rushing and another 23 TDs in his career. He’s a nine-time Pro Bowler (impressive in 10 seasons), but with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Ryan, Cam Newton, Joe Burrow…he’s never been a first team All-Pro. He has one won Super Bowl in 2014 (2013 season) with a rather pedestrian performance, followed by an improved performance in the following year’s game–a possible MVP performance marred by a bad play call/bad interception in a loss to the Patriots. He was also the 2020 Walter Payton award winner. He was acquired by the Broncos with a 2022 4th round pick for a haul–1st, 2nd and 5th round picks in 2022, 1st and 3rd round picks in 2023, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris and Drew Lock.
Let us know what you think in the comments & poll below.
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I think Wilson as a winner and athlete will make the HOF but he has to continue to win for the Broncos and the team is really struggling right now. Much of the blame is going to Wilson but the head coaching has been equally bad and needs to change quickly for a successful season.
Ryan has had a great career but just short for the HOF in my opinion. HOVG yes but has never been clutch enough in the biggest games, losing a 17-0 lead in an NFC Championship game and the infamous 28-3 lead in the SB, though his coordinator had some dubious playcalling with a chance to run down the clock …
I agree Brian. Numbers especially in today’s game of pass heavy Offenses don’t always tell the tale like with Matt Ryan. Can you say Ken Anderson with an MVP and lost SB? He comes up short so far. Wilson has done enough to pass the eye test for me though not a first ballot IMO.
Any chance we can get new fresh thread of the class of 2023 election? Thanks