When you love good quarterback play, I hope you did not miss the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens go at it on Sunday. It was the sort of recreation that reminded us why we find time for soccer.
Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow each appeared to know the final man with the ball was going to win. Defenses did not actually matter. And whereas it — briefly — appeared like that man can be Burrow, it ended up being Lamar — and a Ravens’ win.
And it was a pleasant piece of redemption, due to what we noticed in Week 1 when Lamar dueled with Patrick Mahomes and Isaiah Doubtless’s toe was an inch out of bounds on the ultimate drive because the Chiefs gained. So, whereas that end result went towards the Ravens, this one ended of their favor. And this win is a giant motive why Baltimore is again on monitor to make a playoff run.
By now, you may in all probability guess who remains to be sitting atop this week’s QB Inventory Market.
For these rankings, we weigh this week’s efficiency with 30% significance with 70% utilized to the remainder of 2024. One query holds significance above all others: What have you ever executed to your crew recently?
1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (↔)
2. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (⬆️ 3)
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (⬆️ 5)
What else can Joe Burrow do?
It is not his fault the Bengals will not pay Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. It is not his fault the Bengals let Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd, Jonah Williams, Chidobe Awuzie and D.J. Reader signal elsewhere in free company this yr. It is not his fault Zac Taylor has confirmed incapable of recreating the success he had en path to Tremendous Bowl LVI.
All Burrow did on Sunday was drop 392 passing yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception.
You do not actually see this: Burrow is an elite QB taking part in extraordinarily properly — and but he is on a 1-4 crew. What a waste. Cincy is letting Burrow’s prime cross them by.
4. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (⬆️ 3)
5. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (⬇️ 2)
In opposition to the Jets, Darnold performed just a little bit just like the man New York not wished.
Robert Saleh’s protection was capable of generate 19 pressures, 4 sacks and three QB hits, together with one which injured Darnold. The Jets additionally swallowed up Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in protection.
However within the moments the place the New York protection was beatable, Darnold did not seize his alternatives. On one explicit third down within the first quarter, he stared down his open, major goal lengthy sufficient to let the rushers get dwelling. On one other third down within the fourth quarter, he threw an uncatchable ball to a large open Addison. It might have been a primary down — and doubtless a landing.
After which there was a possible 83-yard TD late within the fourth quarter that Darnold missed proper earlier than he threw an interception. It might’ve been a outstanding landing — nevertheless it was there for him to hit.
Darnold’s hesitancy and inaccuracy gave life to a possible Jets’ comeback. It is the second week in a row we have seen him open the door to an opponent — quite than assist the Vikings slam it shut.
6. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (⬇️ 4)
7. Josh Allen, Buffalo Payments (⬇️ 3)
8. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (⬇️ 2)
There have been cracks within the basis of Stroud’s efficiency on Sunday. As you may see, I am not panicked. I nonetheless have him within the high 10. However … I wasn’t precisely reassured.
The Texans, for instance, didn’t rating a landing following the departure of Nico Collins. Stroud was 5 of 5 for 111 yards and a landing (to Collins) previous to the WR’s harm. After that? He was 17 of 27 for 220 yards with an interception and a fumble.
It is not like Stroud fell aside. However the explosive performs got here to a halt.
We’d simply see how essential Collins is to Stroud within the coming weeks if the receiver has to overlook time. And we would simply see whether or not Stefon Diggs remains to be the WR1 that he was — or whether or not he is misplaced a step.
Stroud misplaced his deal with on the sport towards the Payments after Collins’ exit. And due to that, Buffalo practically pulled off a win.
9. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (⬆️ 1)
10. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (⬆️ 11)
For one night time, Cousins discovered what it felt prefer to be 2007 Tom Brady.
Cousins had the Falcons offense firing. Timing. Precision. Anticipation. Nevertheless it wasn’t all protected throws. Cousins was pushing the ball into site visitors and taking dangers the place he noticed match.
After Week 1, the Falcons appeared flat and Michael Penix appeared like a throw away from taking on. However this week, Cousins was the NFL’s greatest pocket passer — higher even than Burrow. It was a delight to see Cousins go 42 of 58 for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception. And he acquired the W.
11. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (⬇️ 2)
12. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (⬆️ 2)
That may not have been classic Mahomes from his explosive days early in his profession. However that was completely 2023 Mahomes when he was affected person and methodical in taking solely what the protection gave him.
He registered 300 of his 331 passing yards on passing underneath 15 air yards within the Chiefs win over the Saints, per Subsequent Gen Stats. Usually, I might current that stat to point out an overcautious, underconfident quarterback. However given how groups play Mahomes, that is really Ok.C.’s recipe for some good BBQ. In keeping with Subsequent Gen, Mahomes did not throw into a good window on any of his 39 passes — not even his interception when a Saints defender poked out JuJu Smith-Schuster’s reception.
That is boring, game-manager Mahomes. However when he retains his decision-making in examine, the Chiefs demolish groups. Like they did with the Saints.
13. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (⬇️ 1)
14. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (⬆️ 12)
15. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (⬆️ 3)
16. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (⬇️ 5)
17. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (⬇️ 4)
18. Daniel Jones, New York Giants (⬆️ 4)
19. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (⬆️ 1)
20. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (⬇️ 4)
21. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (⬇️ 2)
22. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (⬆️ 3)
23. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (⬇️ 8)
24. Jordan Love, Inexperienced Bay Packers (⬇️ 7)
Love has been as erratic as any quarterback within the NFL. I am undecided the Packers can maintain this.
The state of affairs did not come to a head Sunday as a result of Love and the Packers eked out a win. However the movie for Love wasn’t fairly. Maybe due to the knee harm, he was misfiring on easy throws, most notably on out-routes close to the sideline the place he overthrew or threw extensive.
After which his greatest throw was one among his worst selections. When he wound up for a 53-yard bomb to Jayden Reed, the protection was clearly sending a message: Do not throw the ball. Reed was tripled, with Ahkello Witherspoon in place to notch an interception. However Love acquired fortunate: Witherspoon could not monitor the ball. The play offered an enormous chunk. It was the mistaken course of leading to the proper outcomes. However that is not one thing the coaches will construct on.
On simply 121 drop backs, Love has six turnover-worthy performs and solely 4 big-time throws, per Professional Soccer Focus. He additionally has three passes batted on the line of scrimmage.
The Packers ought to take one other have a look at the Malik Willis recreation plan. They stored issues easy and environment friendly and Willis stored the ball out of hurt’s method. That may really assist Love get again on monitor after a pair of dizzying performances.
25. Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts (new)
26. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers (⬇️ 3)
27. Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots (⬇️ 3)
Brissett is taking part in each week just like the Patriots have the lead. Like he can coast to victory with throwaways and protected decision-making. However New England has been trailing or tied for 130 of their 300 minutes this season, 12 most. And so the irony is that Brissett’s conservative play is contributing to New England’s incapability to win.
That is why coach Jerod Mayo needs to be at the very least contemplating beginning rookie Drake Maye.
The case to bench Brissett is apparent: The season is over. Get the child in there to start out giving him actual, recreation reps. His progress might go exponential with that have.
The case towards benching Brissett can also be apparent: The season is over. Preserve the child out of hurt’s method. The extra the Patriots lose, the upper they will decide within the draft. That’ll assist Maye subsequent season when he is the undisputed starter.
I might wager Maye makes an look in rubbish time in Week 6.
Then he will get his first begin in Week 7.
28. Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders (⬇️ 1)
Just like the Patriots, the Raiders are mulling who to start out at quarterback. It is unclear whether or not Minshew or Aidan O’Connell will begin subsequent week.
In contrast to New England, it would not really feel like Las Vegas’ resolution will materially change its season — or its franchise. It was already clear going into the yr that the Raiders didn’t have a franchise QB or perhaps a man who might get them to the playoffs. (Neither O’Connell nor Minshew have began a postseason recreation.)
So, why did not the Raiders decide a QB in 2024?
Their resolution to take Brock Bowers in Spherical 1 was already unusual. However their resolution to not transfer up the board and get one among these QBs? I hope they like what they see from Quinn Ewers, Shedeur Sanders and Carson Beck.
29. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (↔)
30. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (↔)
31. Tyler Huntley, Miami Dolphins (⬆️ 1)
32. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (⬇️ 1)
Henry McKenna is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent seven years overlaying the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports activities Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Comply with him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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