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A lot of hype has been going on with these Peyton Manning articles and those Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady ones. Some say Manning was better in 2004 than Brady’s 2007. Then there was Section 233’s article of being tired of Manning.

Did every quarterback perform outstanding in 2004? Facts help. This is the talk, the NFL talk, that is.

Well, did every quarterback do outstanding in 2004? Yes they did. Today, these rankings will be based off of the 15 quarterbacks with the best passer rating.

You are now entering one of the best class quarterbacks who did amazing in this one crazy year. The year of the quarterbacks.

15. Jake Plummer, Denver Broncos: 303-521, 58 percent completion rate, 4,089 yards, 27 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, 84.5 rating

After Jake Plummer’s close friend and hero to the NFL Pat Tillman died in 2004, Plummer wanted to make the season as best as he can play in. It was a rollercoaster year! He broke some of John Elway’s records here and there, but it struck him with the 20 interceptions.

He led the Denver Broncos to a 10-6 record to earn the team the sixth seed in the playoffs. But unfortunately, they lost to the Colts, 49-24. Plummer did great overall, thus giving him the 15th overall rating.

14. Kurt Warner, New York Giants: 174-277, 62.8 percent completion rate, 2,054 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions, 86.5 rating

Warner was released by the Rams on June 1, 2004 and was later signed to the Giants to a two-year deal. Even though they acquired Eli Manning from a draft trade that year, Warner was given the starting job.

He helped out little.

Warner started and won five of his first seven games, but was later benched due to poor performances and a two-game losing streak. The Giants were at 5-4 when they benched Warner, and went 1-6 with Manning at starter. They finished 6-10.

I really don’t know why Warner made the list, but he had the passer rating to make it. And remember, this list is going by passer rating. The stats may not look so good, but the passer rating says it does.

The bottom line is Warner had an OK year. It went up and down, but many more quarterbacks had many more great stats in 2004.

13. Billy Volek, Tennessee Titans: 218-357, 61.1 percent completion rate, 2,486 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, 87.1 rating

Along with Dan Marino, Dan Fouts, and Phil Simms, Volek became the only quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 400 yards in two consecutive games. This feat was matched by Matt Cassel later on in 2008.

On Dec. 17, 2004, the Titans announced that Volek would be the starter for the rest of the season because of the Steve McNair injury. Volek played solid game, but his team didn’t, finishing last in the AFC South with a 5-11 record.

Volek did pretty well filling in for McNair, giving him a shot at a starting quarterback job for a team right now.

12. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers: 310-533, 58.2 percent completion rate, 3,886 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, 87.3 rating

In 2004, Delhomme’s Panthers had its ups-and-downs, just as Warner’s individual performances. He posted career highs in pretty much every passing category, but the Panthers had many injuries, including five different lineups on the offensive line.

Then, disaster struck more after the Panthers went from 1-1 to 1-7, with losses of DeShaun Foster and Stephen Davis to injuries. Steve Smith was out as well, which made a tsunami on the team. However, the Panthers came back, stabilizing to 6-2 in their final eight games of the season, finishing 7-9.

In the 6-2 run, Delhomme had seventeen touchdowns and only four picks. They had the playoff berth, but lost in the last game of the season to the New Orleans Saints.

If they had won that, Carolina would be in the playoffs with an 8-8 record. This arguably classifies as one of Delhomme’s geratest seasons. Same for Volek, which is his best season, too. Everyone did great.Thus, Delhomme has made the list.

11. Chad Pennington, New York Jets: 242-370, 65.4 percent completion rate, 2,673 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, 91.0 rating

This is probably one of Pennington’s best seasons, like Volek and Delhomme had in their career. It was not just stats, but money, signing a seven-year $64.2M deal. Pennington started with a 5-0 start for the Jets. Unfortunately, he was also injured a little for the season, letting Quincy Carter come in and be 2-1 for his absence.

If Pennington played those games, he would have had great career-highs. Even though Pennington struggled sometimes because of shoulder problems during his return, the Jets still maintained a playoff spot with a 10-6 record in the Wild Card. Chad also came off a 20-17 win over the Chargers in overtime with his ailing shoulder in the first round of the playoffs.

With a bad shoulder, Chad was 23-for-33 for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Then there was a battle between the Jets and 15-1 Steelers. After a 10-0 deficit, the Jets came back with seventeen points, but still lost with Doug Brien’s crucial misses for game-winning field goals. They lost in overtime, which was the Jets’ third straight overtime game.

10. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers: 346-540, 64.1 percent completion rate, 4,088 yards, 30 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, 92.4 rating

Favre has always been good. This was another great season, but it was not his best.

It started out with a bad 1-3 record, the first time they had that record since 1995. During the third consecutive loss, Favre suffered a concussion. Despite it, he did throw a fourth down 28-yard touchdown pass to Javon Walker.

Favre did not return, and said he could not remember throwing the touchdown pass. He ended the season with a 10-6 record but lost in the first round of the playoffs. It was an OK year for Favre, he could have done better, but this was as good as it was.

9. Tom Brady, New England Patriots: 288-474, 60.8 percent completion rate, 3,692 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, 92.6 rating

Even though I hate Tom Brady because I am a Colts fan, this is one of his best years.

Not quite as good as his year in 200,. but this article sticks with 2004.

It started out with 21 straight wins for the Patriots, including the 2003 season, and is now memorialized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brady was also voted to his second straight Pro Bowl and the Patriots finished 14-2 , moving on to win the Super Bowl against the Eagles, 24-21.

Yeah, that was a good year.

8. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams: 321-485, 66.2 percent completion rate, 3,964 yards, 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, 93.7 rating

After Kurt Warner was gone, Bulger was finally given a chance to shine. This, to me, was probably Bulger’s best season. The often-injured quarterback also made the 2004 Pro Bowl, in which he was the MVP of as well.

Bulger had an outstanding season, leading the 8-8 Rams to the playoffs, but losing in the divisional round. He will look to gain back his “2004-ness” in the 2009 season.

7. Trent Green, Kansas City Chiefs: 369-566, 66.4 percent completion rate, 4,591 yards, 27 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, 95.2 rating

Trent Green was without Priest Holmes that year. His passing total was second, behind Daunte Culpepper.

Green was just solid, arguably the best playing of his career.

Even though the Chiefs did finish with a 7-9 record, Green established himself as the man for the Chiefs. I just wish he can be like that now, but he is now a free agent.

It was just a fabulous year for Green, and that is how he made this list with his amazing passer rating.

6. Brian Griese, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 233-336, 69.3 percent completion rate, 2,632 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, 97.5 rating

Brian Griese is another one of the quarterbacks on this list in which 2004 was their best season in their career.

He set a lot of franchise passing records, helping the Bucs to their only wins of the season. Brian led them to a 5-1 record, which resulted in a 5-11 tornado, but went down with a torn ACL and was cut in 2006.

If he had played more, he would have been higher than the sixth spot he is at. He has since returned with the Bucs and looks to do the stats and make a better record with no injuries with the Bucs in the 2009 season. Or of course, he will just mentor Josh Freeman.

5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: 196-295, 66.4 percent completion rate, 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, 98.1 rating

Big Ben was named Rookie of the Year in ‘04, starting 13-0 as a rookie (an NFL record.) He led the Steelers to a 15-1 record. It was actually very surprising, but Big Ben proved everyone wrong.

The Steelers were close to a Super Bowl that year, but lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, 41-27. This is probably one of Roethlisberger’s best seasons. Most likely, this falls as his third best, along with his two Super Bowl winning seasons.

This is an example of another great year for a quarterback in 2004.

4. Donovan McNabb, Philidelphia Eagles: 300-469, 64 percent completion rate, 3,875 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, 104.7 rating

This is an example of a fabulous year. To me, this is probably McNabb’s best season of his career.

McNabb became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw over 30 touchdown passes and throw for fewer than 10 interceptions.

How great can it get? Oh right! A Super Bowl!

With a 13-3 record, and with a stud like Terrell Owens, the Eagles went on to the Super Bowl, but lost in a close one, 24-21. McNabb looks to do the same in 2009 with a new stud, Jeremy Maclin.

3. Drew Brees, San Diego Chargers: 262-400, 65.5 percent completion rate, 3,159 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions, 104.8 rating

Brees and company were able to return a little dignity to the AFC in 2004 through solid play and consistency.  In addition, their coach was named Coach of the Year. It was all good for San Diego. There was also that 12-4 record, which qualified them as the number one in the AFC West.

Sadly, they lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to Chad Pennington and the Jets. This is probably Brees’ second best season because of the 5,000-yard season he had in 2008. Brees looks to bring back the 2004 playoff record to New Orleans.

2. Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings: 379-548, 69.2 percent completion rate, 4,717 yards, 39 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, 110.9 rating

Wikipedia, and I agree with them, calls this season for Culpepper “historic.” He holds the Vikings record for most touchdowns in a season, breaking Dan Marino’s record of combined passing and rushing yards (5,123).

The Vikes finished 8-8, making the playoffs actually, but lost in the divisional round to the Eagles, 27-14.

Now here is the moment you have all been waiting for….NUMBER ONE!

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: 336-497, 67.6 percent completion rate, 4,557 yards, 49 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, 121.1 rating

This is the second best season ever for a quarterback, behind Tom Brady.

The Colts were incredibly consistent overall this year. The real thing happened in the 34-31 overtime win over the Chargers, in which Manning broke Marino’s 20-year-old record with a touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley.

Damn. One hell of a season it was for him.

The Colts, though, ended up losing to the Patriots in the playoffs of the divisional round in a 20-3 rout. This was a crazy year for Manning. Manning was the quarterback of 2004.

Conclusion

Fifteen quarterbacks finished 50 percent or higher in completions. Thirteen quarterbacks finished 60 percent or higher in completions. Zero quarterbacks finished 70 percent or higher.

Fifteen quarterbacks finished 2,000 passing yards or higher. Ten quarterbacks finished 3,000 passing yards or higher. Five quarterbacks finished 4,000 yards or higher. Zero finished 5,000 or higher.

Fifteen finished five touchdowns or higher. Fourteen finished ten touchdowns or higher. Eleven finished 20 or higher and four finished 30 or higher. One finished 40 touchdowns or higher and zero finished 50 or higher.

Fifteen had an 80.0 rating or higher. Eleven had a 90.0 rating or higher. Four finished 100.0 or higher. Two finished 110.0 or higher and one finished 120.0 rating or higher.

Ten quarterbacks had their best season ever in 2004. It was just a great season. Just one hell of a season for every quarterback in the National Football League. Will 2009 be it, too? We’ll find out soon!

It was a great year and my favorite NFL year.

Agreed? Comment and see what you think!