Is Aaron Rodgers washed up? Is Trey Lance a bust? Will Geno Smith win MVP? Ranking the best and the worst of all 32 NFL quarterbacks after their first games of the season always garners wild overreactions but it’s important to keep in mind that unexpected early season woes and hot streaks have and always will be a part of the game. With that said, there are quite a few risers and fallers after one week, all with an indicator of their movement from last week’s rankings.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (↑2)
Tyreek Hill or not, Patrick Mahomes is remarkable. Mahomes and the Chiefs didn’t miss a beat as they dominated the Cardinals 44-21. Mahomes threw for 360 yards on 30/39 passing with 5 touchdowns. While the touchdown numbers are a bit inflated due to some goal-line shovel passes, Mahomes was still unstoppable and as impressive as ever.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (↓1)
Similar to Week 1 of last season, the lack of preseason play for the Packers starters left some rust on Rodgers and company vs the Vikings. Rodgers finished 22/34 for 195 yards and 1 interception but his resume keeps him from dropping too far as he looks to host the Bears in Week 2.
3. Josh Allen, Bills (↑1)
While Allen did throw two interceptions in the season debut against the Rams, one of them was questionable on if he should be to blame. Outside of those, Allen finished with 26/31 comp/att, 297 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He looked phenomenal throughout the game and should continue his play in the Bills’ home opener vs the Titans next week.
4. Tom Brady, Buccaneers (-2)
Brady had a quiet game overall, playing with the lead and leaning on a run-heavy offense for most of the night. He finished 18/27 for 212 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. While it wasn’t his best game, he did get the victory over the Cowboys and still looks fresh at 45 years old.
5. Justin Herbert, Chargers (↑1)
Herbert looked like a ten-year veteran against the Raiders in Week 1, throwing for 279 yards on 26/34 passing with 3 touchdowns. Throwing the ball all over the field, he completed multiple passes to 9 different receivers. An extremely early MVP candidate, Herbert looks ready to terrorize the AFC West.
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6. Russell Wilson, Broncos (↓1)
Wilson played a more than respectable game vs his former team on Monday night. While he didn’t get the win, he finished 29/42 for 340 yards and 1 touchdown. Missing on only a small handful of throws, Wilson showed that, despite the homecoming nerves, he’s still a top-tier playmaker.
7. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (↑1)
Amid all the contract negotiation rumors, Jackson put together a fairly decent game against the Jets on Sunday. Relying on his arm more than his legs, Jackson went 17/30 for 213 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The one interception was made on an incredible defensive play so it doesn’t warrant too much concern in what was a relatively easy win for the Ravens.
8. Joe Burrow, Bengals (↓1)
Burrow had possibly his worst game as a pro and still put his team in the position to win on multiple occasions. He finished 33/53 with 338 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 5 total turnovers. Rarely given a clean pocket, Burrow struggled to get into a rhythm but will look to bounce back vs the Cowboys in Week 2.
9. Matthew Stafford, Rams (⎯)
Stafford had a more than forgettable game against the Bills on Thursday night. He finished 29/41 for 240 yards with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Stafford was pressured all night but should return to form against a weak Falcons defense next week.
10. Kirk Cousins, Vikings (↑4)
Cousins put on a show in Kevin O’Connell’s new offense, throwing for 277 yards on 23/32 passing and 2 touchdowns. A very impressive performance that he’ll hope carries over into next week’s game in Philadelphia on MNF.
11. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (↓1)
Prescott’s night was clearly less than ideal. Not only will he miss multiple weeks with injury, but he also had a rough night moving the ball anywhere vs Tampa Bay. Dak finished 14/29 for 134 yards and 1 interception in their 19-3 loss. Hopefully, he can get fully healthy soon and showcase his full talent.
12. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (⎯)
In an ugly loss to the Chiefs, Murray performed fine but struggled to gain real yardage on any passing play. Finishing 22/34 with 193 yards and 2 touchdowns, Murray was also the Cardinals leading rusher with 29 yards. In an offense too talented to regularly underperform, look for Murray to bounce back in next week’s game against the Raiders.
13. Derek Carr, Raiders (⎯)
Carr had an interesting game, to say the least. He finished 22/37 with 295 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Carr was streaky throughout the game, having some very impressive plays while also some head-scratching turnovers. While he didn’t have the best game in the loss to the Chargers, his chemistry with Davante Adams is already turning heads.
14. Jameis Winston, Saints (↑2)
Winston and the Saints were relatively quiet for the first half but put up a 20-point second half to steal the win away from the Falcons with a last-second field goal. Winston looked sharp overall, going 23/34 for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns.
15. Matt Ryan, Colts (⎯)
Ryan led an impressive 17-point 4th quarter comeback against the Texans and has a clear number one receiver in Michael Pittman Jr., but couldn’t finish the job and come out with the win. Ryan had an up-and-down game overall, throwing 50 times and completing 32 passes, 352 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Along with the pick, he fumbled the ball 4 times, losing possession once.
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16. Mac Jones, Patriots (↑1)
Jones sustained a back injury at some point during the game, whether that affected his play or not is unknown. Regardless, Jones put together a fairly solid day on paper. While the Patriots offense struggled on crucial downs, Jones finished 21/30 for 213 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception in the 20-7 loss vs the Dolphins.
17. Jalen Hurts, Eagles (↑2)
While the passing numbers don’t seem incredible, it’s clear that Hurts is improving every year. He finished 18/32 for 243 yards and added 17 rushes for 90 yards and 1 touchdown. Hurts had a great connection with new addition A.J. Brown at wide receiver and put some very impressive deep throws on tape in the win against the Lions.
18. Ryan Tannehill, Titans (↑3)
Although the Titans did finish with a loss, Tannehill proved many doubters wrong with his performance vs the Giants. Pushing the ball down the field and being efficient while doing so, Tannehill finished 20/33 for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns. Setting up the Titans for a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation, Tannehill impressed enough to silence the “Malik Willis” chants for at least the time being.
19. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (↓1)
While Lawrence didn’t necessarily play a bad game by any means, he did have some struggles. He finished 24/42 for 275 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception in the 28-22 loss to the Commanders. Only one game into the Doug Pederson era for Jacksonville, there is still plenty of hope for the highly touted prospect of last year.
20. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (↑4)
One of the most dramatic risers of the week, Tua put together a rock solid performance in the win vs the Patriots. He finished 23/33 for 270 yards and 1 touchdown. With an offensive scheme built around him and possibly the second-best wide receiver in the NFL in Tyreek Hill joining the team, Tagovailoa looks poised for the breakout season we’ve all been waiting for.
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21. Carson Wentz, Commanders (↑1)
While Wentz’s turnover problem persists, he had some impressive plays in the win over the Jaguars. Finishing 27/41 with 313 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, Wentz did put together a game-winning touchdown drive to give the Commanders their first win of the new season.
22. Trey Lance, 49ers (↓2)
In a very difficult game to judge because of heavy rain in Chicago affecting both offenses, Lance still had an underwhelming game overall. He finished 13/28 for 164 yards and 1 interception. Missing a couple of wide-open throws proved to be crucial in the 19-10 loss.
23. Baker Mayfield, Panthers (⎯)
Baker’s revenge game didn’t exactly go as planned but he did have a decent game, overall. Throwing 16/27 for 235 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, Mayfield was streaky but showed some promise against a tough Browns defense.
24. Davis Mills, Texans (↑4)
Mills went 23/37 with 240 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Week 1 tie vs the Colts. Mills looked very impressive early but went scoreless in the 4th quarter and overtime. Regardless, Mills showed enough in the first 3 quarters to warrant a rise in the rankings.
25. Mitch Trubisky, Steelers (⎯)
In the wildest game of Week 1, Trubisky finished 21/38 for 194 yards and 1 touchdown. While the Steelers’ offensive play-calling didn’t do him any favors, Trubisky didn’t make enough plays to get excited about the Pittsburgh offense yet.
26. Jared Goff, Lions (↑1)
Goff struggled to find a consistent rhythm against the Eagles early, however, he almost led the Lions to a comeback after falling down 31-14 early in the 3rd quarter. Goff finished 21/37 for 215 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Falling only 3 points shy of a comeback and scoring 35 against a talented Eagles defense is worth moving up, even in a loss.
27. Justin Fields, Bears (↑2)
In an up-and-down game due to rain and various other factors, Fields finished 8/17 for 121 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Finishing much stronger than he started, Fields will look to carry the momentum from the Week 1 win into next week’s game vs the Packers.
28. Marcus Mariota, Falcons (↑2)
While his passing was decent, Mariota did most of his damage with his legs in the season opener against the Saints. He went 20/33 for 215 yards and rushed 12 times for 72 yards and 1 touchdown. While the Falcons were close to a win, Mariota will need to be more consistent in the passing game for them to win many games this season.
29. Geno Smith, Seahawks (↑3)
Smith had a career game against a talented Broncos defense. While the offense was specifically schemed so he could have quick, one-read plays, Geno executed it almost to perfection. The first half was much better than the second, however, he did finish 23/28 for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. It’ll be interesting to see if he can sustain momentum once he loses the home crowd next week at San Fransisco.
30. Daniel Jones, Giants (↑1)
Jones led the Giants to a win against the Titans in Week 1, throwing 17/21 for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 turnovers. Jones played an average game but can look to improve his consistency moving the ball down the field when he faces the Panthers in Week 2.
31. Jacoby Brissett, Browns (⎯)
Stepping in for the suspended Watson, Brissett finished 18/34 with 147 yards and 1 touchdown. While his performance was subpar overall, he managed the game fine and, most importantly, didn’t turn the ball over once.
32. Joe Flacco, Jets (⎯)
Flacco left a lot to be desired after his first game stepping in for an injured Zach Wilson. Flacco finished 37/59 for 309 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception in the 24-9 loss to the Ravens. While his stat line may not look awful, it’s important to keep in mind that the Jets didn’t score their first touchdown until 1 minute left in the game.
