Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow showed out for NFL fans during the pre-Sunday slate of games. They were bright spots in what was otherwise poor football during Christmas week.
Once the weekend arrived, the quarterback play picked up. Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield showed the league that they aren't messing around. NFL fans got to enjoy serious offensive output as a result.
The stars in the league are showing that they are ready for the playoffs. Many other quarterbacks are displaying that they are ready for Cancun. Let's take a look at where everyone stands heading into Week 18.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
1. Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen began Week 17 against the Jets slowly. However, he and the Bills did not take long to click and completely dominate. The win locked the Bills into the No. 2 seed in the AFC and allowed them to have a pseudo-bye next week.
2. Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson was hyper-efficient in Week 17. He only threw 15 passes and ran the ball four times. That was enough for him to sniff 300 total yards and score two total touchdowns. The MVP race is far from over with Jackson continuing to play like this.
3. Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals
"Joe Burrow threw three touchdowns once again" seems to be the new theme. This guy is masterful and had a 400-yard and three-touchdown performance in Week 17. The Bengals still need help to make the playoffs, but if they do, the AFC better watch out.
4. Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Jared Goff's special season continued in Week 17 in a huge win over the 49ers. Goff and the Lions avenged their 2023 NFC Championship loss to this team. They will look forward to wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the NFC against the Vikings on Sunday night.
5. Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the AFC on Christmas. Despite Mahomes having his worst statistical season, well, ever, he has continued to make plays and seems to have the Chiefs peaking at the right time.
Patrick Mahomes realizing if the Chiefs lose to the Broncos on purpose, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are out of the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/69sHg7F4hW
— At The Buzzer (@AtTheBuzzer1) December 29, 2024
6. Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
What a game for the ages. Jayden Daniels must be sore from carrying the team on Sunday night. He put together a masterful performance with three touchdown passes to will the Commanders to the playoffs. Daniels also broke the rookie quarterback rushing record while he was at it.
7. Sam Darnold - Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold tossed just his second interception since Week 10 on Sunday. However, that was the one downside to his game against the Packers. He threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Vikings left themselves in position to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
8. Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts was forced to miss Week 17 with a concussion. The Eagles need Hurts fully healthy once they reach the postseason, and this team is not in pole position to move up in the standings. Some rest would do the star quarterback a lot of good. It seems as though Hurts is likely to receive rest in Week 18 with the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) December 30, 2024
9. Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love almost quarterbacked the Packers to a fourth-quarter comeback against the Vikings in Week 17. However, the defense could not come up with a pivotal stop. If Love and the Packers had figured things out earlier in the game, things likely would have been different.
10. Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is peaking at the perfect time for the Chargers. He threw three touchdown passes in a massive win over the Patriots. The Chargers have locked themselves into the playoffs. With Jim Harbaugh at the helm, NFL fans should be excited about what a prime Herbert can do in the postseason.
11. Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield was lights out in Week 17. The Buccaneers rolled to a huge victory over the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield tossed five touchdowns. He was clearly on a mission to keep the Bucs' playoff hopes alive.
12. Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out of Week 17 with a hip injury. Tyler Huntley took over in Tagovailoa's stead. Huntley was solid. He kept the Dolphins alive in the playoff race. It sets up a Week 18 in which Tagovailoa has a chance to propel Miami into the playoffs with some help from the Chiefs.
13. Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford continues to deliver modest passing output while leading the Rams to victory. The Rams won an ugly 13-9 game over the Cardinals in Week 17 to clinch a playoff berth. Still, the Rams will not be able to win games in this fashion in the postseason.
14. Russell Wilson - Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson was off his game again in Week 17. The Chiefs had the Steelers' number and blanketed Wilson all day. The Steelers were bludgeoned on Christmas as a result. Wilson's recent play has pushed the Steelers into a tough spot in the AFC divisional race.
15. Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to the Lions in Week 17. However, it was interceptions that sunk Purdy once again. He threw two more this week to bring his total on the season up to 12. Most notably, Purdy has thrown four in the last three games.
16. Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
Bo Nix continues to demonstrate that he is a rookie while simultaneously displaying his exceptional potential. Nix went toe-to-toe with Joe Burrow in Week 17. He threw a costly late interception and then proceeded to make perhaps the most unlikely throw of the NFL season. Even if the Broncos do not make the playoffs, they have a lot to be excited about in the future.
BO NIX ABSOLUTE CINEMA.
📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LpdaNr6sVi— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
17. C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud and the Texans have the makings of a one-and-done team in the playoffs. The Ravens had their way with the Texans all day on Christmas. The Texans did not manage to score a single offensive point. Stroud has looked poor this season behind a bad offensive line and questionable play-calling.
18. Geno Smith - Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith and the Seahawks were a part of the most boring game of the week in Week 17. Smith only quarterbacked the Seahawks offense to six points against the Bears. Those six points resulted in a win no less, as the Seahawks stayed alive in the playoff race.
19. Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
So, is Kyler Murray any good? Over the first half of this season, Murray displayed the talent of a high-end franchise quarterback. However, the second half of this season has been a disaster marred by interceptions and an inability to get the ball to No. 1 wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The questions around Murray will continue into next season.
20. Cooper Rush - Dallas Cowboys
Cooper Rush seems to have an issue with playing the Philadelphia Eagles this season. The Eagles smothered Rush all day and forced two interceptions. In an opportunity to play spoiler, Rush and the Cowboys were routed by the Eagles.
21. Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams was under duress all day on Boxing Day. He was sacked seven times and could only seem to complete short screen passes. The Bears have officially turned into a dumpster fire after losing 10 games in a row. The defense only allowed six points to the Seahawks this week and it was still not enough to win.
22. Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers
Young and the Panthers were dominated by the Buccaneers all game long in Week 17. However, Young had a solid game. He dropped several dimes into various receivers throughout the day. It was excellent to see Young continue his strong ending to the season.
Bryce Young has been the best QB in his draft class this year pic.twitter.com/VIqOeQtrR4
— Big Game Bengal (@BengalYouTube) December 29, 2024
23. Michael Penix Jr. - Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. put together another solid game in Week 17 against the Commanders. He will need to clean up some errant throws, but the Falcons should be happy with what they have seen from Penix thus far. He might have led a game-winning drive if it was not for poor clock management down the stretch.
24. Drake Maye - New England Patriots
Drake Maye was quiet in Week 17 as the Patriots were blown out by the Chargers. The Patriots only scored seven points, and Maye was limited to just 117 yards passing. Maye continues to be a fighter through all of the problems with the Patriots. He has a bright future.
25. Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson was forced to sit out of Week 17 with back spasms. He watched as Joe Flacco slung the ball around. The Colts were ultimately eliminated from playoff contention by the lowly New York Giants. It is time to look ahead toward the future of this promising young quarterback.
26. Aidan O'Connell - Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O'Connell continues to deliver for the Raiders. He threw for 242 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a big win over the Saints. O'Connell is showing serious promise as a bridge quarterback or high-end backup in the NFL.
27. Mac Jones - Jacksonville Jaguars
Mac Jones once again delivered a solid outing this week. His rapport with rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been a joy to watch. He was able to quarterback the Jaguars to a victory over the division-rival Titans. Perhaps the Jaguars will consider holding onto Jones as a backup next season.
28. Aaron Rodgers - New York Jets
Oh boy, was Aaron Rodgers bad in Week 17. He threw another two interceptions and was ultimately yanked in favor of Tyrod Taylor in the second half. If Rodgers wanted to prove he is still a high-end quarterback, he certainly has done himself no favors over the last couple of weeks.
The Jets benched Aaron Rodgers since the score was 40-0 during the Bills game and backup Tyrod Taylor scored IMMEDIATELY in his first drive… pic.twitter.com/CShGeCWrJp
— vanessa (@assenavmarie) December 29, 2024
29. Drew Lock - New York Giants
Where did that output come from? Drew Lock delivered five total touchdowns in a huge win over the Colts in Week 17. Lock and the Giants could not be stopped. He continuously made huge plays to extend drives and generate points. Hats off to Lock.
30. Mason Rudolph - Tennessee Titans
Mason Rudolph was very average in Week 17. He was held under 200 passing yards, but he played well enough to keep the Titans in the game against the Jaguars all afternoon. He has continued to deliver a solid audition to the rest of the league.
31. Spencer Rattler - New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler made a couple of solid plays throughout the Saints' Week 17 loss to the Raiders. Still, the offense only generated 10 points. Even so, Rattler has shown that he has promise as a developmental prospect.
32. Dorian Thompson-Robinson - Cleveland Browns
Dorian Thompson-Robinson was once again not good in Week 17. DTR was unable to push himself over a 50% completion percentage until garbage time in this game. He has shown that he is not ready for the NFL by any stretch.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis