Ranking the best quarterbacks in NFL history #32. Ken Anderson

32. Ken Anderson: Anderson was selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1971 draft.  He spent his entire 16-year career with the Bengals and was the starter for 13 of those seasons.

His most impressive seasons came in 1974, ’75 and ’81.  In ’74, Anderson led the NFL in completion percentage (64.9) and passing yards (2,667) while throwing for 18 touchdowns.  A year later, Anderson made his first Pro Bowl after while throwing for a league-leading 3,169 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 60.5 percent of his passes.  ’81 may have been his best year of all as Anderson led the Bengals to a 12-4 record in the regular season while setting career highs in passing yards (3,754) and touchdown passes (29).  Anderson also took the Bengals to the Super Bowl that season before falling to the San Francisco 49ers 26-21.  For his efforts that season, Anderson earned numerous awards.  He made the Pro Bowl, was named First-Team All-Pro and won the AP NFL MVP as well as the AP Comeback Player of the Year.

For his career, the four-time Pro Bowler completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 32,838 yards and 197 touchdowns while carrying the ball 397 times for 2,220 yards and 20 scores.  Anderson has a been a finalist for the Hall of Fame on two occasions thanks to his remarkable on-field accomplishments.

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