RADIO
The quarterback landscape continues to shake up as we head into the final two weeks of the NFL season. From poor quarterback play from franchise quarterbacks to injuries and benchings, the landscape across the league at the most important position looks significantly different than it did in Week 1's edition of the RotoBaller quarterback power rankings.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, Tua Tagovailoa has a lead on the passing yardage crown (164 yards ahead of Brock Purdy). Dak Prescott (30) and Brock Purdy (29) are neck and neck in the passing touchdown race, while Sam Howell (17) leads the league in interceptions with Josh Allen (15) capable of catching up.
Week 16 saw big names like Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes put up stinkers while unheralded heroes such as Joe Flacco and Mason Rudolph shined. Former starters Tommy Devito, Sam Howell, and Russell Wilson all find themselves on the bench as we head into Week 17. Let's dive into RotoBaller's power rankings of the league's starting quarterbacks from top to bottom.
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1. Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson soared into position to hold down the status of MVP front-runner with all eyes on his Ravens on Monday night. Jackson and the Ravens marched into San Francisco on Christmas and dismantled the 49ers 33-19, controlling the entire game. Jackson completed 23-of-35 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 45 yards on seven carries. Jackson looks in line to win the second MVP of his career, with the other coming in 2019.
"Most Valuable Player is about the word valuable to me..
If we're going with pure value to their team I think it's Lamar Jackson" ~ @JJWatt #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/aBeGLTCLPh
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 27, 2023
2. Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa continues to play solid football, fresh off of a 22-20 win over Dallas in which the Dolphins scored only one touchdown. Tagovailoa went 24-of-37 for 293 yards and a touchdown, dissecting the mighty Dallas defense that continued to bend but not break. Ultimately they bent too hard, as Tagovailoa led a game-winning field goal drive with just over three minutes on the clock to get Miami to 11-4.
3. Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott may have dropped out of the MVP running with Dallas dropping back-to-back games, but he remains one of the league’s top quarterbacks in a season where quarterback play is down across the board. Prescott played well in Miami, completing 20-of-32 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, but lost a fumble on the goal line early in the game that wound up costing the game in the grand scheme of things. Prescott will look to lead Dallas back onto the right track on Saturday against the Detroit Lions.
4. Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford and the Rams are red-hot at the right time. Since Stafford returned from injury, Los Angeles is 5-1 with the lone loss coming to Baltimore in overtime. Stafford’s latest show was a Thursday night beatdown in which he completed 24-of-34 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns against a Saints’ defense that had been hot. The Rams still have the Giants and 49ers on the schedule before likely playing on Wild Card weekend.
The highest-graded QB in the NFL for week 16...
Matthew Stafford is cooking 👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/tbCXD4Glz5
— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) December 27, 2023
5. Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen did not stuff the stat sheet through the air on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, but the gunslinger kept Buffalo hot by leading a five minute game-winning field goal drive to win 24-22. Allen completed 15-of-21 passes for 237 yards with a touchdown and an interception and also ran five times for 15 yards and two touchdowns. Allen and the Bills will take their three-game winning streak back home for a divisional matchup with the Patriots on New Year’s Eve.
6. Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers
With the MVP on the line, Brock Purdy crumbled in San Francisco on Monday night. Purdy completed 18-of-32 passses for 255 yards but tossed four interceptions, headlining the 49ers’ 33-19 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. Once the front-runner for the NFL’s most prestigious award, Purdy likely threw his chances away with the poor showing. He will look to get his season back on track against the Washington Commanders on New Year’s Eve.
BROCK PURDY THROWS HIS 4TH INTERCEPTION pic.twitter.com/Xfwf1EpHaN
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 26, 2023
7. Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
The fall of Patrick Mahomes continued on Christmas, as the Chiefs lost their first game to the Raiders since 2020 to drop to 9-6 on the season. Mahomes completed 27-of-44 passes for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception while also leading the team in rushing with 53 yards on the ground. Mahomes will look to build some momentum on New Year’s Eve against the Cincinnati Bengals, who need a win to stay in the playoff hunt.
8. Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles snapped their three-game losing streak on Christmas with a 33-25 victory over the New York Giants. Hurts stuffed the stat sheet on a 24-of-38 passing day, throwing for 301 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 34 yards and a touchdown. Hurts will look to finish the season strong against the Cardinals and Giants over the next two weeks before heading into the playoffs.
9. C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud has now missed two games in a row due to a concussion but should be back in Week 17 on New Year’s Eve against the Tennessee Titans in a pivotal matchup. Houston is still in the playoff race, but a loss to Tennessee would likely be the writing on the wall for the Texans. If Stroud can return to action after his two-game absence, the rookie of the year front-runner will look to propel Houston into the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
CJ STROUD IS RETURNING TO PRACTICE TODAY pic.twitter.com/jhcFEbiYlL
— Jacob (@Stroud4ROTY) December 27, 2023
10. Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions locked up the NFC North on Christmas Eve with a 30-24 win over the Vikings. Goff completed 30-of-40 passes for 257 yards and a score to lead the Lions to a second-straight win. Detroit takes on the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday in a battle between two teams that already have their playoff spots solidified. The game should be a fun playoff preview, as both teams will be playing for seeding position. Goff has had a successful season, leading Detroit to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
11. Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield dominated on Sunday, completing 26-of-35 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns in a massive win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the win, Tampa Bay improved to 8-7 and now sits alone on top of the NFC South. Mayfield earned himself the QB1 role in Tampa going forward, as it was reported that there is mutual interest between the two sides for a return in 2024. He will look to lead the Buccaneers to the playoffs in his first year under center with matchups against the Saints and Panthers remaining.
12. Justin Fields - Chicago Bears
Justin Fields impressed again on Christmas Eve as he led the Bears to a 27-16 win over Arizona. Fields completed 15-of-27 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception and also carried the ball nine times for 97 yards and another score. The dual threat quarterback has games against the Falcons and Packers remaining before Chicago will make a pivotal decision on the future of their franchise heading into the offseason. Whether they pay Fields or not, the young signal-caller has earned himself a starting job somewhere in the league.
13. Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence’s up-and-down season hit a valley on Sunday as the Jaguars were blown out 30-12 by Tampa Bay. Lawrence completed 17-of-29 passes for 211 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and also left the game due to a shoulder injury. Lawrence’s status next week is in doubt, which would thrust C.J. Beathard under center for Jacksonville in a big matchup with the Carolina Panthers. Jacksonville is in a three-way tie in first place in the AFC South with Indianapolis and Houston, making next week extremely pivotal for the playoff race.
Trevor Lawrence on his post-game comments from Sunday.
"I don't regret saying it ... I think it's true. And for myself, it's not like I'm saying I'm playing great and it's everybody else. It's myself too. There's things that are happening that can't happen." pic.twitter.com/AfmEbcBMXd
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) December 27, 2023
14. Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love led the Packers to a game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, winning 33-30 to stay afloat in the NFC playoff race. Love completed 17-of-28 passes for 219 yards and two scores and also ran in a touchdown in the impressive win. The Packers’ improbable chase for a playoff spot continues on Sunday night against the Vikings in a game that the loser will see their playoff hopes evaporate.
15. Joe Flacco - Cleveland Browns
The story of the season is building in Cleveland as 38-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco has gotten up off his couch and revived his career to put the Browns in playoff position. Flacco has averaged 326.8 passing yards per game in his four starts for Cleveland in which he has strung together a 3-1 record. The veteran will be in the national spotlight on Thursday night against the New York Jets.
Joe Flacco's 91.5 PFF grade vs. the Texans was his highest-graded game since 2014 🤯 pic.twitter.com/b9Wq2c4ZbC
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) December 27, 2023
16. Geno Smith - Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith returned to action on Christmas Eve to hand the Seahawks a game-winning touchdown with under a minute in the game, winning 20-17. Smith was an effective 25-for-36 for 227 yards and two touchdowns as Seattle advanced to 8-7. Seattle plays against Pittsburgh on New Year’s Eve in a big game as both teams seek to punch their playoff tickets on opposite sides of the league.
17. Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray played well on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but his efforts were not enough for the now 3-12 Cardinals to keep the game competitive. Murray completed 24-of-38 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns while also scrambling for 32 yards. The young signal-caller will hope to add more weapons over the offseason to an offense that is lacking support.
18. Derek Carr - New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr came alive late in the Saints’ Thursday night loss to the Rams, but his efforts were too little too late as New Orleans fell 30-22. Carr completed 27-of-40 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns with an interception in the late comeback attempt. If Carr can lead the Saints to a win this weekend against Tampa Bay, the team will hang onto their playoff hopes heading into Week 18’s divisional matchup with the Falcons. A loss to Tampa likely eliminates New Orleans from postseason contention.
19. Mason Rudolph - Pittsburgh Steelers
Mason Rudolph drew his first start since 2021 and the results were astonishing. The 28-year-old quarterback completed 17-of-27 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 34-11 beatdown of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers are now 8-7 and remain alive in the AFC playoff hunt with games against Seattle and Baltimore remaining. Rudolph has already been announced as the starter for Week 17’s matchup against the Seahawks and will look to keep Pittsburgh alive for another week.
Ain’t no WAY the @steelers fans are singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer for Mason Rudolph. 😭 pic.twitter.com/EUqikZo655
— Brandon Maffitt (@brandon_maffitt) December 24, 2023
20. Jake Browning - Cincinnati Bengals
Jake Browning struggled on Saturday in the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Browning completed 28-of-42 passes for 335 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions, struggling with turnovers in the loss. The Bengals’ postseason hopes are alive heading into Week 17, but winning in Arrowhead is no easy feat. The remaining games against Kansas City and Cleveland are sure to be tests for Browning.
21. Jacoby Brissett - Washington Commanders
For two weeks in a row, Jacoby Brissett has replaced Sam Howell under center for Washington and two weeks in a row, he has ignited the offense. Brissett brought Washington back from a 20-0 deficit all the way to a late 28-27 lead that was lost with five seconds remaining in the game. Brissett completed 10-of-13 passes for 100 yards and a score in the narrow defeat. Brissett was officially announced as the starter for Week 17’s game against San Francisco on Wednesday, replacing the struggling Howell to make his first start of 2023. Now sitting in position to secure the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Washington will more than likely pick a quarterback, which would likely end Brissett's short stint as QB1.
The #Commanders are making a QB change with two games left. Following his impressive performance on Sunday, Jacoby Brissett will start against the #49ers, coach Ron Rivera is announcing.
Sam Howell to the bench. pic.twitter.com/hZ1P8Rfwfl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
22. Taylor Heinicke - Atlanta Falcons
Taylor Heinicke kick-started the Falcons’ offense, completing 23-of-33 passes for 229 yards and a score in the 29-10 win over the Colts. The Falcons now sit at 7-8 and will look to ride Heinicke’s play into Week 17 against the Bears to get to .500 and keep playoff hopes afloat. The Week 15 loss with Desmond Ridder under center significantly hindered Atlanta’s playoff chances, but Heinicke will look to finish the season strong.
23. Gardner Minshew - Indianapolis Colts
Gardner Minshew was without star receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Sunday, which hindered his production in the 29-10 loss to Atlanta. Minshew completed 20-of-37 passes for 201 yards and an interception in the defeat, dropping the Colts to 8-7 on the season and into a three-way tie on top of the AFC South. Minshew will look to keep the Colts in the playoff hunt against the Raiders on New Year’s Eve.
24. Will Levis - Tennessee Titans
Will Levis missed Tennessee’s Sunday loss to Seattle with an ankle injury that was suffered in Week 15’s overtime loss to Houston, but all signs point towards a return in Week 17 against the Houston Texans. Ryan Tannehill started in place of Levis but was unable to pull off a win as the Titans fell to 5-10.
25. Jarrett Stidham - Denver Broncos
Sean Payton announced that the Denver Broncos will be benching Russell Wilson over the last two games for financial flexibility in favor of Jarrett Stidham, the 27-year-old quarterback out of Auburn and Baylor. Stidham took over under center for Derek Carr in Las Vegas over the last two games a season ago in a similar situation and played well, passing for 584 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions over two starts. The fourth-year professional will take the opportunities against the Chargers and Raiders to prove that he belongs in the league and to audition for other teams as a potential trade chip.
Change in Denver: Broncos’ HC Sean Payton has informed his team that Jarrett Stidham will start Sunday vs. the Chargers, with Russell Wilson as the backup, per sources.
With a 1-3 record in the last four games, Denver is looking to spark its offense and see what it has in… pic.twitter.com/P6X2DO0jT7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2023
26. Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young played the best game of his young career on Sunday in a narrow loss to the Green Bay Packers. Young completed 23-of-36 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns and scored a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game with four minutes remaining. Young has now won a game and surpassed the 300 yard mark in the past two weeks, two minor stepping stones in what has been a disappointing rookie campaign.
27. Bailey Zappe - New England Patriots
Zappe hour was in full effect on Sunday night. Patriots’ quarterback Bailey Zappe completed 25-of-33 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns in the Christmas Eve win over the Broncos, leading the team to a game-winning field goal with two seconds on the clock. While his job as the QB1 in New England may be short-lived, Zappe will likely have two more games under center in 2023 (Buffalo, New York Jets).
Bailey Zappe and Bill Belichick couldn't have more different reactions to the game-winning FG if they tried 😂 pic.twitter.com/76cDlRj4Bz
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2023
28. Aidan O'Connell - Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell put together a true Christmas miracle on Monday as the Raiders took down the Chiefs 20-14 in Arrowhead. O’Connell completed 9-of-21 passes for 62 yards and did not record a single passing yard after the first quarter but still managed to pull out the impressive win. The Raiders are now 7-8 and surprisingly on the cusp of the playoff race. Remaining games against the Colts and Broncos are both must-wins for the rookie signal-caller.
The fact the Raiders beat the Chiefs in a game where the offense failed to score a TD plus Aidan O’Connell didn’t complete a pass in the final 3 quarters is the definition of a Christmas miracle
— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) December 26, 2023
29. Tyrod Taylor - New York Giants
Tyrod Taylor replaced a struggling Tommy Devito on Christmas and ignited the Giants’ offense. Taylor completed 7-of-16 passes for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception while also scrambling for 21 yards on two carries. It was announced on Wednesday that the 34-year-old quarterback will remain as the starter for the final two games of the season as the Giants take on the Rams and Eagles to close their disappointing 2023 campaign.
The #Giants are starting QB Tyrod Taylor on Sunday, coach Brian Daboll tells reporters, sending QB Tommy DeVito to the bench.
One of the NFL’s best stories, the rookie DeVito held his own for several games. Now, Taylor takes over. pic.twitter.com/YfoH7zMFoy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
30. Trevor Siemian - New York Jets
Trevor Siemian remained composed under center for the Jets on Sunday, completing 27-of-49 passes for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 30-28 win over Washington. Siemian will be back under center on Thursday night as the Jets face a surging Cleveland Browns team looking to wrap up a playoff spot.
31. Nick Mullens - Minnesota Vikings
On a day where game script favored the pass for Minnesota, Nick Mullens passed for 411 yards and two touchdowns. The downside? He also threw four interceptions, which ultimately kept the Vikings from defeating the Lions in the 30-24 loss. Mullens will be in prime time on New Year’s Eve against the Packers in a game that the loser’s playoff hopes are extinguished.
32. Easton Stick - Los Angeles Chargers
Easton Stick nearly led the Chargers to a thrilling upset victory over the Buffalo Bills, but Buffalo came back late to win 24-22. Stick completed 23-of-33 passes for 215 yards and also ran for 25 yards and a score. The showing was a step in the right direction after the 63-21 disaster that led to Brandon Staley’s firing, but Stick is now 0-2 in his career as a starting quarterback. He will look to get one in the win column against the Broncos and Chiefs as the Chargers close out their disappointing 2023 campaign.
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