In the grand scheme of things stats don’t matter, wins do. We would all be lying if we said we didn’t care about stats however. In this series we will be looking at the statistical leaders of each division in the NFL. To kick things off we’ll start with passing leaders. True gun slingers are hard to come by and the box score is an easy way to tell who is one of those unicorn quarterbacks. Without further adieu, let’s get into it.
AFC North: QB Joe Burrow- Cincinnati Bengals
Perhaps this could surprise some people but I am a big Burrow believer. This Bengals offense is sporting an impressive group of playmakers with people like Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and C.J. Uzomah for Burrow to target. In a prolific passing scheme, with a much improved offensive line, and a second year superstar in the making under center, the Bengals are poised to put up some numbers.
Joe Burrow Passing Projection: 4,613 Yards
AFC South: QB Ryan Tannehill- Tennessee Titans
The offseason addition of Julio Jones was just the cherry on top for this Titans offense. Tannehill is wildly underrated for his passing ability. He’s got a big, live arm and a dynamic duo in Jones and A.J. Brown to lean on. Derrick Henry will still be the shining gem in this offense but a healthy run game is just going to open up the passing game for Tannehill.
Ryan Tannehill Passing Projection: 4,287 Yards
AFC East: QB Josh Allen- Buffalo Bills
I think Allen has what it takes to be one of the best passers of this generation. Josh Allen is sporting a military grade rocket launcher for an arm and has built quite the rapport with Stefon Diggs. Gabe Davis, Emmanuel Sanders, and Cole Beasley are all above average options outside of Diggs and Dawson Knox and Jacob Hollister look to form a decent tight end duo. Watch out world, Josh Allen is on a war path.
Josh Allen Passing Projection: 5,217 yards
AFC West: QB Patrick Mahomes- Kansas City Chiefs
This is a much tighter race than most people think. I wouldn’t really be surprised if Justin Herbert took the title as the most passing yards in this division, but I had to give the edge to Mahomes. KC is boasting a revamped offensive line, Tyreek Hill, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Travis Kelce, and Mecole Hardman. I fully expect to see Mahomes back in the Super Bowl this year and he’s gonna blow up the box score on his way there.
Patrick Mahomes Passing Projection: 5,337 yards
NFC North: QB Aaron Rodgers- Green Bay Packers
After a dramatic offseason Aaron Rodgers is set to play this season. With an offense that includes DaVante Adams, Robert Tonyan, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Aaron Jones, and Amari Rodgers (who I am very high on), Rodgers is in the perfect position to put up some mind boggling numbers. This could be his last season in Green Bay and I expect him to go out with a bang.
Aaron Rodgers Passing Projection: 4,576 Yards
NFC South: QB Jameis Winston- New Orleans Saints
I think Winston actually edges out Tom Brady and Matt Ryan in terms of passing yards this season. He is one of only eight quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for 5,000+ yards in a season and I think he continues his dominance through the air in NOLA. With Michael Thomas, Marquez Callaway, Alvin Kamara, and Adam Trautman at his disposal and not to mention Sean Payton orchestrating the offense, I think Winston will have a terrific season in terms of numbers.
Jameis Winston Passing Projection: 4,873 Yards
NFC East: QB Dak Prescott- Dallas Cowboys
Barring injury set backs, I think there is no chance anyone in the East out passes Dak. With a group like CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Ezekiel Elliott, one of them is always open. Dak has a live arm and is great once the play breaks down. If Mike McCarthy can get in a groove and start calling the right plays, I think Dak could have a huge year.
Dak Prescott Passing Projection: 5,018 Yards
NFC West: QB Matthew Stafford- Los Angeles Rams
One of the eight quarterbacks to pass for over 5,000 yards in an NFL season is Stafford and he could very well be the last piece the Rams need to get back to the Bowl. With the loss of Cam Akers, the Rams will rely heavily on their passing attack and Stafford has quite a few weapons to go after. Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, and Tutu Atwell is quite the arsenal at the reciever position an each of theme bring a unique element of explosiveness to this offense. This is going to be a ton of fun to watch.
Matthew Stafford Passing Projection: 4,971 Yards
