What if I told you that the most elite red zone quarterback in 2016 wasn't MVP Cam Newton or the ageless Tom Brady?
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Surely you'd say, "Well, it's probably Aaron Rodgers, right? Maybe even Carson Palmer?" Nope. You'd likely run through 10 quarterbacks before you realized that it was Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford who was the best red zone quarterback in the NFL.
Yeah, that Matthew Stafford.
It's true that Brady led all quarterbacks in red zone touchdowns with 27, but he threw five interceptions as well. Stafford also completed over 65 percent of his passes inside the 20-yard line, and a sweltering 75 percent from inside the 10, according to Pro-Football Reference. By comparison, Brady only completed 53 percent, Rodgers 46 and Newton 54 percent—all from inside the 10.
Someone should ask Brandon Marshall if he thinks Stafford is elite because these numbers say he is.
