Who was a better quarterback between Dan Marino and John Elway?

Question

Who was a better quarterback between Dan Marino and John Elway?

Answer 1

h**l of a question depends on what you're looking for in a quarterback though, Dan Marino was by far a better passer then John Elway, but Elway was a better leader and clutch preformer then Marino.  I'm not a big fan of measuring a player by championship rings but Elway does have two to Marino's zero, however Marino never had a good supporting cast, running back, or a good defense while he was in Miami and it would be interesting to see if he could have won those two superbowls Elway lost with those Broncos teams.  Anyways statistical wise Marino is the clear favorite but as I stated earlier he never really had a running game so he passed a lot more then Elway.  He are some key figures to help you to determine who was the better quarterback.

John Elway - 15 seasons

9x Pro Bowl selection (1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998)

5x All-Pro selection (1986, 1987, 1993, 1996, 1997)

NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

1987 NFL MVP

Super Bowl XXXIII MVP

2x UPI AFL-AFC Offensive Player of the Year (1987, 1993)

NFL Hall of Fame class of 2004

career stats - 7,250 att.,  4,123 comp. 56.9 comp.%, 51,475 yards

300 touchdowns, 226 int. 47 forth quarter comebacks, quarterback rating of 80.0

Dan Marino - 16 seasons

9x Pro Bowl selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995)

8x All-Pro selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1995)

1984 NFL MVP

1984 PFWA MVP

1984 NEA MVP

1984 NFL Offensive Player of the Year

1994 UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year

1984 UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year

1998 Walter Payton Man of the Year

1994 NFL Comeback Player of the Year

NFL Hall of Fame class of 2005

career stats - 8,358 att., 4,967 comp., 59.4 comp%, 61,361 yards  420 touchdowns, 252 ints. Was the NFL leader in almost all passing catagories when he retired in 1999 (most of those records have been surpassed by Brett Favre now)

As much as I hate to say it to me Elway was the better overall quarterback having more wins then Marino and playing one less season, both are Hall of Fame quarterbacks and were part of the best NFL draft for quarterbacks ever in 1983 (5 hall of fame quarterbacks total).  Hope this helps you make your choice for who you think is the better of the two.

Answer 2

i would say elway, although marino had the quicker release and the better numbers, elway could scramble to get out of trouble and has 2 superbowl championships, as well as taking 3 other broncos teams to the superbowl when they were really not that talented

Answer 3

Joseph D had the best answer.  They were both very very good but Elway had the better overall team.  Comparing quarterbacks only and not the whole team I'd say Elway by the thinnest of margins because he was more mobile.  

Answer 4

Both amazing quarterbacks, but I have to go with Dan Marino.

Answer 5

Both were great.  Both would rank in my top 5 best QBs ever.  Marino has the records but Elway had the better physical skills, the more wins, more playoff wins, 5 SB appearances, 2 SB wins.  Elway carried 3 not so good Denver teams to the SB on his shoulders alone.  Something Marino could not seem to do.  Overall I'd say Elway was the better QB.

Answer 6

John Elway fo sho

Answer 7

Elway...he took the Broncos to 5 superbowls. Marino only one. Ya Marino had great numbers but I'm sure that he would rather have a ring then some of those records.

Answer 8

Dan Marino by a yard. Both were great!

Answer 9

very close but i'd say Elway has the edge.

Answer 10

Marino was great, but Elway could run, throw and he has two rings too show for it.

Answer 11

Marino may have been the best pure passer the NFL has ever seen, but Elway had everything...strong, accurate arm, great mobility, nerves of steel, the ability to carry mediocre teams to the Super Bowl, and is probably one of the smartest QBs to ever play the game.

Elway was superior to Marino.

Answer 12

John Elway.

Answer 13

John Elway