2023 NFL Week 18 QB Power Rankings Packers Jordan Love nears top five Lamar Jackson Brock Purdy lead way
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2024 9:14 pm
Quarterbacks. We love them. We debate them. And we do it because they're the most important ingredient in a championship recipe. Not that it's impo sible to win without an elite signal-caller, but history tells us that it's much easier otherwise. So we're keeping tabs on all 32 starters throughout the 2023 season.Which ones are the best of the best? Which ones are decidedly not? All QBs are partly a product of their respective situations, but this is how we'd sort today's signal-callers right now. These power rankings, unlike offseason QB lists, are focused more on current standing than the bigger picturein an effort to tell the story of each QB's respective rise and fall. Without further ado, the latest pecking order:2023 NFL QB Power Rankings1 Baltimore Ravens QB Your MVP favorite. The pa sing numbers don't tell the story of a guy beating up on teams through the air, but his accuracy and effortle s touch on key throws have been apparent all year. It's that natural athleticism translating inside an improved structure, and of course also excelling outside it, where he's up over 750 rushing yards for the fifth straight season. (+1)2 San Francisco 49ers QB If is the best combo of efficient and dynamic QB play in the Marquis Haynes Jersey , Purdy is a close second, and he might even warrant the edge because most of his work comes through the air. His confidence can be shaken, as we've seen in a few turnover spurts, but it always returns. He controls and slings the rock like a guy destined to contend for a title. (+1)3 Buffalo Bills QB He's had some duds, as the 16 picks would indicate. But most of the time, he's a human wrecking ball with a rocket arm for the better. He's up to 4,400+ total yards and 42 total scores, just three TDs fewer than in 2022. (-1)4 Dallas Cowboys QB Only one QB has more than 30 pa s TDs and fewer than 10 picks this year. That would be this guy. Now the big stage awaits. The most encouraging development for Dallas fans is probably the way he's used his legs to extend snaps.5 Houston Texans QB How fortunate fans must feel to have this rookie under center for an unofficial playoff game with the in Week 18. No matter what happens, his veteran-level confidence and pocket presence should bring high hopes for 2024. (+2)6 Green Bay Packers QB Remember around midseason, when everyone was concerned he might never fill ' shoes? Now he's got 30 TDs on a team with young, injury-prone weapons and a porous "D." The unteachable pa sing zip is a sight to behold. (+4)7 Kansas City Chiefs QB Maybe hitting a deep shot against the will finally spark his downfield connection with a young pa s-catching group. After an uncharacteristically frustrating, mistaken-laden year, he can't be counted out as a playoff superhero. (+4)8 Philadelphia Eagles QB When one thing works with the , something else breaks. Much like Mahomes in K.C., Hurts has traded rocky outings with clutch ones, Jeremy Chinn Jersey often struggling to match 2022's dominance. Can his rugged, resilient spirit revive their season?9 Miami Dolphins QB Nothing he's done has been small this year. When things are clicking, he's dropping deep dimes to to light up the scoreboard. When he pre ses, the giveaways add up. Ball security will be even more paramount moving forward. (-4)10 Los Angeles Rams QB Turns out he's still got plenty in the tank. Without his fearle s gunslinging, in fact, L.A. would probably already be prepping for a fuller 2024 rebuild. Picking his spots, however, will be key to playing spoiler in the playoffs. (-4)11 Detroit Lions QB If not for their trickery late against Dallas, which saw the officials erase a perfectly executed walk-off score, he and the might be trending upward as road contenders. Goff's challenge will be staying calm if/when more pre sure comes. (-2)12 Chicago Bears QB The may or may not buy into Fields' late-season renai sance beyond 2023, but somebody will (and should). The turnover track record is Ikem Ekwonu Jersey undeniable, but so are his physical gifts and growth mindset. Chicago has a big decision here.13 Seattle Seahawks QB Talk about a tough season for the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year. He's fought hard, gutted through injuries and delivered several clutch wins, only to be consistently let down by an iffy defense. Will he get another crack at it in 2024?14 Jacksonville Jaguars QB The former No. 1 pick mi sed the first start of his career against the , with keeping Jacksonville's playoff hopes alive. Odds are he'll return to close the year, hopefully with better communication as a downfield thrower.15 Cleveland Browns QB The probably deserve even more attention as potential AFC disruptors, the way Flacco's airing it out. With a solid "D" on his side, he's taken an aggre sive approach, attacking every level. Imagine if he makes another title push. (+1)16 Arizona Cardinals QB The best thing that could've happened to his development -- and his odds of remaining their QB for the long term -- was a matchup with the Eagles defense. Murray was totally at ease, using both arm and legs to take what was given. (+3)17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB It took until Week 17 for him to throw multiple picks in a single game as the Bucs' starter, which is simultaneously impre sive and foreboding, considering he may be pre sing to elevate a predictable Todd Bowles-led team ahead of the playoffs. (-3)18 New Orleans Saints QB He showed up with the season on the line early against Tampa Bay, outdueling to remain alive in the NFC South race. Does anyone believe Week 18 against Atlanta is a gimme, though? Let's see if he can come through again.19 New York Giants QB He's really just helping the fight for pride right now, but give this man some credit for nearly orchestrating comebacks against the Eagles and in back-to-back weeks. His deep-ball touch and confidence is still there at 34. (+2)20 Indianapolis Colts QB The Colts tend to do better when Minshew's name isn't first to come up when referring to Shane Steichen's game plan. He's got a chance to turn all that gusto and run-game dependence into a playoff run if he can beat the Texans in Week 18.21 Cincinnati Bengals QB The luster of his hot streak in relief James Morgan Jersey of has already worn almost all the way off now that Cincy's out of the postseason. But give the guy props for fighting hard, especially on the ground in a close one against the . (+3)22 Denver Broncos QB Sean Payton wanted a "spark" by turning to Stidham in favor of the expensive and embattled . It's debatable if he got that in Week 17, but Stidham was at least safe and reliable in a win over the . Stay tuned for 2024. (+3)23 Atlanta Falcons QB He lost control of the ball three times through the air before exiting an ugly defeat to the Bears, but Arthur Smith said he'll do everything to get back for a pivotal season-closing rematch with the . You can count on him to go out swinging. (-1)24 Tenne see Titans QB Forced back into the lineup after another injury to rookie , Tannehill is just playing out the string for Mike Vrabel at this point. But maybe he'll use Week 18 as an audition for future jobs, a suming Levis doesn't make an immediate return.25 Pittsburgh Steelers QB Do the finally have a competent QB? And who knew it'd be Rudolph? Mike Tomlin is right to keep the ball in the backup's hands after a decisive two-game stretch, but the , even resting starters, should be a new challenge. (+5)26 Washington Commanders QB Ron Rivera meant to sideline him indefinitely before hurt himself in practice. It's anyone's gue s which of these QBs, if any, will even be around in 2024, presuming the staff has been overhauled.27 New England Patriots QB After a couple nice outings in which he displayed legit confidence pushing the ball downfield, Zappe fell back to Earth against the , throwing three picks as took over Week 17's matchup.28 Los Angeles Chargers QB No one's setting the bar particularly high for Stick as he closes out 2023 in place of the injured , but the Chargers might've hoped he would'd at least lead the team over and the in Week 17. (-2)29 Minnesota Vikings QB It doesn't really matter which backup Kevin O'Connell trots onto the field at this point. Between Mullens, and Josh Dobbs, no one's got the coach's trust, and deservedly so. In a quick-strike offense, the accuracy just isn't there. (-1)30 Las Vegas Raiders QB The rookie does a nice job of getting rid of the ball quickly, offsetting his reliance on Brandon Zylstra Jersey operating from within the pocket, but short-area stuff only gets you so far. Las Vegas will almost a suredly be eyeing more QB help in 2024. (+1)31 Carolina Panthers QB Another week, another dismal outing. Somehow, through 15 games, he's "only" thrown 11 picks. The i sue is, he's also barely completing 59% of his pa ses, with only 10 TDs through the air. Let's see what he does with a new setup. (-2)32 New York Jets QB At this point, do fans even care which QB is under center? All anyone wants to know is when the 2024 offseason begins, so the Aaron Rodgers recovery tour can begin. But let's hope they have better backup plans.