The Worst QBs Over 40 (Passes)

The Worst QBs Over 40 (Passes)

Why Pittsburgh Should Keep Roethlisberger’s Pass Attempts Under 40

With Pittsburgh running back LeVeon Bell questionable for Saturday’s AFC wild-card game against Baltimore, the Steelers offense may be forced to lean more heavily on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger . The last time Roethlisberger played the Ravens, he threw six touchdown passes. But the key to the Nov. 2 game was the number of passes Roethlisberger threw: 37.

During his 11-year career, Roethlisberger and the Steelers are 43-19 (.694) when he attempts between 30 and 39 passes in a game, which is close to his career record (116-56, .674). But when Roethlisberger attempts 40 or more passes, the Steelers are just 10-27 (.294)—including 1-4 this season, including losses to the lowly Buccaneers and Jets. The Steelers have also lost all three postseason games in which Roethlisberger has thrown 40 or more passes.

Tasking any quarterback with videogame style pass attempts however, may be a losing strategy. The Count looked at the career records of the quarterbacks expected to start in this season’s NFL playoffs (except Arizona’s Ryan Lindley, who only has six career starts) and found that only New England’s Tom Brady (39-24, .619) and Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck (11-11, .500) have records of at least .500 when attempting 40 or more throws.

Even Peyton Manning, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, has only won 42 of the 90 games in which he has attempted 40 or more passes.

Perhaps, the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks have the right approach. Quarterback Russell Wilson has never attempted 40 or more passes, while going 40-13 over his three-year career.

—Josh Planos

The original link to this article with comments can be found at:  http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-worst-quarterbacks-over-40-passes-1420137165