How good does your QB have to be to win a super bowl w/ a great defense and running game?

Not that great, apparently.

From 1992 - 1995, Troy Aikman had an average (between games) quarterback rating of 94 -- this does not count playoff games. In that period, the Cowboys won 3 Super Bowls and went to an NFC Championship. If we look at consistency, Aikman had a game-to-game variation of 0.29 (standard deviation divided by mean).

In 2011 and 2012, Alex Smith has an average (between games) quarterback rating of 93 -- this does not count playoff games. If we look at consistency, Smith ALSO had a game-to-game variation of 0.29 (standard deviation divided by mean).

The league-wide QB rating is about 4% higher today than it was then, so you can say that Troy Aikman had an inflation-adjusted QB rating of 97.

From 1992 - 1995, Dallas was in the Top 5 in defense and in the Top 5 in rushing every single year. Sound familiar?

So boys and girls, you need a good quarterback to go all the way with a great defense and a great running game. That's it. This idea that Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson are the only two non-great QBs to ever win a super bowl is simply uninformed.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AikmTr00/gamelog//

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitAl03/gamelog//

Originally posted by nickbradley:
Not that great, apparently.

From 1992 - 1995, Troy Aikman had an average (between games) quarterback rating of 94 -- this does not count playoff games. In that period, the Cowboys won 3 Super Bowls and went to an NFC Championship. If we look at consistency, Aikman had a game-to-game variation of 0.29 (standard deviation divided by mean).

In 2011 and 2012, Alex Smith has an average (between games) quarterback rating of 93 -- this does not count playoff games. If we look at consistency, Smith ALSO had a game-to-game variation of 0.29 (standard deviation divided by mean).

The league-wide QB rating is about 4% higher today than it was then, so you can say that Troy Aikman had an inflation-adjusted QB rating of 97.

From 1992 - 1995, Dallas was in the Top 5 in defense and in the Top 5 in rushing every single year. Sound familiar?

So boys and girls, you need a good quarterback to go all the way with a great defense and a great running game. That's it. This idea that Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson are the only two non-great QBs to ever win a super bowl is simply uninformed.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AikmTr00/gamelog//

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitAl03/gamelog//

It's a different league now. Teams pass so much that they eventually break out for a couple quick scores, especially with the types of QB's that play in the playoffs. The passing game was not this dynamic back then. It is much more difficult for teams to win big games with safe or average QB play.

Aikman had a much stronger arm, much greater accuracy, more pocket presense, more clutch at the end of games, could come from behind, more so than Alex Smith.

Originally posted by Joecool:
It's a different league now. Teams pass so much that they eventually break out for a couple quick scores, especially with the types of QB's that play in the playoffs. The passing game was not this dynamic back then. It is much more difficult for teams to win big games with safe or average QB play.

As I pointed out, that's just not true. The league wide QB rating is only 4% higher

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Aikman had a much stronger arm, much greater accuracy, more pocket presense, more clutch at the end of games, could come from behind, more so than Alex Smith.

Because you don't like Smith?

Aikman had a QB rating nearly identical over his super bowl years.

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Aikman had a much stronger arm, much greater accuracy, more pocket presense, more clutch at the end of games, could come from behind, more so than Alex Smith.

That dude was pin point accuracy and the arm strength is not even close. Right now I think ALex probably has one of the weakest arms in the league, and with poor accuracy not a good combination.

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by Joecool:
It's a different league now. Teams pass so much that they eventually break out for a couple quick scores, especially with the types of QB's that play in the playoffs. The passing game was not this dynamic back then. It is much more difficult for teams to win big games with safe or average QB play.

As I pointed out, that's just not true. The league wide QB rating is only 4% higher

Yes but in the playoffs, the defenses are also better. So, your QB doesn't have to be great, but he does need to throw the ball in tight coverages or his own team won't score either if the play design isn't producing wide open Receivers.

Can't compare Smith to Aikman, passer ratings or not

Aikman had 16 4th Quarter comebacks in 165 games...9.7%.

Alex Smith? 10 in 77 games (not all starts). 13%.

Originally posted by Joecool:
Yes but in the playoffs, the defenses are also better. So, your QB doesn't have to be great, but he does need to throw the ball in tight coverages or his own team won't score either if the play design isn't producing wide open Receivers.

Alex Smith has a higher playoff passer rating than Troy Aikman

If your qb is good enough to keep the opposing defense from knowing what's coming next; and they respect the possible drop back to throw: then your team should be good enough with your other qualities mentioned to win the prize.

Originally posted by JTsBiggestFan:
Can't compare Smith to Aikman, passer ratings or not

Why?

Originally posted by nickbradley:
Aikman had 16 4th Quarter comebacks in 165 games...9.7%.

Alex Smith? 10 in 77 games (not all starts). 13%.

Use your eyes man and you can tell the difference.



The eyes chico, they never lie.

Originally posted by McLovinAlexSmith:
Use your eyes man and you can tell the difference.



The eyes chico, they never lie.

I just think that you don't remember the early 1990s Dallas Cowboys:

- Top 3 defense
- Road-grading offensive line
- all-pro running back

PLEASE DO NOT compare Troy Aikman to Alex Smith...................the comparisons are not even close

Troy Aikman= 3x Super Bowl Champion

Alex Smith= 7x Captain Checkdown Champion