Image via Complex Original
Even the best in the world have an off day.
Nobody's perfect, and when you're an NFL quarterback—arguably the most difficult position in team sports—there are going to be games where you don't throw for the number of touchdowns you want. Or the number of yards you want. Or you throw too many interceptions.
Or you go 1-11 for zero yards in a 37-0 loss to the Jets.
These things happen, even to the best signal callers on the planet. Don't remember the time Tom Brady threw four picks in a 31-0 shutout L to the Bills? Scroll and learn some history.
Cam Newton
Game: 2016 vs. Minnesota L 10-22
Stats: 21-35, 262 Yards, 0 TD, 3 INT, 8 Sacks, 47.6 QBR
The 2015 NFL MVP started the game a perfect 8 for 8 passing for 123 yards. Then the Vikings defensive line happened, forcing Newton to struggle for the rest of the game by constantly pressuring him in the pocket. Kelvin Benjamin, who had 13 receptions and three touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season, was held to zero catches. Minnesota's line totaled eight sacks and forced Superman to throw three interceptions.
Russell Wilson
Game: 2012 vs. St. Louis L 13-19
Stats: 17-25, 160 Yards, 0 TD, 3 INT, 2 Sacks, 45.8 QBR
Constantly praised for his poise in the pocket throughout the season, this Rams game was an obvious exception. Coming into the game as the favorites on the road, Wilson's inexperience showed as he struggled against a Rams defense that forced him to leave the pocket and make difficult throws. Three picks and only 160 yards later, the Rams would come away with the upset.
Drew Brees
Game: 2012 vs. Atlanta L 13-23
Stats: 28-50, 341 Yards, 0 TD, 5 INT, 1 Sacks, 37.6 QBR
Coming into the game, Drew Brees was hoping to extend his record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Instead, he left with a career-high five interceptions and no more touchdown streak. Early on in the game the Saints fell behind 17-0 and were trying hard to catch up the rest of the day. Spoiler alert: They didn't.
Aaron Rodgers
Game: 2014 vs. Buffalo L 13-21
Stats: 17-42, 185 Yards, 0 TD, 2 INT, 1 Sacks, 34.3 QBR
In 2014, the Buffalo Bills were able to hold Aaron Rodgers to perhaps the worst performance of his career. Rodgers threw two interceptions and went 4-14 on third down conversions, and even though his receivers dropped five key passes, A-A-Ron's stat line speaks for itself.
Ben Roethlisberger
Game: 2006 vs. Cincinnati L 20-28
Stats: 18-39, 208 Yards, 0 TD, 3 INT, 3 Sacks, 30.7 QBR
Facing their division rivals, the Steelers seemed to start out hot as Willie Parker ran in the first score of the game. Little did they know that would be the high point of the game. Roethlisberger threw three interceptions during this nightmare, the third of which would end the Steelers' comeback drive and seal the game for Cincinnati.
Tom Brady
Game: 2003 vs. Buffalo L 0-31
Stats: 14-28, 123 Yards, 0 TD, 4 INT, 2 Sacks, 22.5 QBR
After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Patriots were hoping to rebound. However, this game made it seem like things would be even worse than before. Facing division rival Buffalo, they were trampled to the tune of 31-0. Brady struggled throughout the whole day, completing only 50 percent of his passes and throwing four interceptions.
PS—The Patriots would later go 14-2 and win their second Super Bowl in three seasons.
Philip Rivers
Game: 2006 vs. Kansas City W 20-9
Stats: 8-23, 97 Yards, 0 TD, 2 INT, 2 Sacks, 12.4 QBR
While the TV cameras picked up Philip Rivers mouthing what he believed was his “Worst Day Ever” in 2011, his actual "worst game ever" came against against the same team back in 2006. Although the Chargers would ride the back of Ladainian Tomlinson to win the game, Philip Rivers had day he'd like to forget, throwing for only 97 yards and adding a pair of interceptions. Completing only 35 percent of his passes, Rivers earned a career low 12.4 QBR, which is slightly worse than the 80.7 he earned in the game he called his “worst ever.”
Andy Dalton
Game: 2014 vs. Cleveland L 3-24
Stats: 10-33, 86 Yards, 0 TD, 3 INT, 2 Sacks, 2 QBR
During a season where quarterbacks on average completed 63 percent of their passes and threw for 243 yards per game, Dalton had one of the worst performances by a quarterback in NFL history. Thirty percent passing for 86 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions? That's...not good. His QB rating was 2. No, that's not a typo.
Eli Manning
Game: 2004 vs. Baltimore L 14-37
Stats: 4-18, 27 Yards, 0 TDS, 2 INTS, 2 Sacks, 0 QBR
Out of all the quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL, Manning is the only player to have earned a QBR of 0.0. Facing the Baltimore Ravens back in 2004, Manning was shut out only completing 4 out 18 passes for 27 yards. He would also throw two interceptions.
FUN FACT: Both Peyton and Archie Manning, Eli's brother and father, have also earned a QB rating of 0.0.
Carson Palmer
Game: 2009 vs. Jets L 0-37
Stats: 1-11, 0 Yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 0 Sacks, 1.7 QBR
Facing the Jets in 2009, Carson Palmer was able to accomplish a feat many of us never thought possible—HE THREW FOR ZERO YARDS IN A GAME. Both Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell, the NFL’s biggest busts, threw for at least some yards in all of their games. Palmer would play so bad that he would be replaced by backup J.T. O’Sullivan, who—if you've heard of him—is not a good quarterback.