The NFL Season is winding down and with that quarterback play is under even more of a microscope than usual. As the MVP race tightens and playoff positioning is in limbo every performance matters more, so this week we’ll take a look at the six best quarterback performances from over the weekend.
6. Matt Stafford
The first quarterback I want to highlight this week is Matt Stafford who lost a tough won this weekend 37-31 in overtime to the Baltimore Ravens. Usually I try not to highlight losing quarterbacks but Stafford has been playing like his former self the last few weeks and deserves it after another good performance against the Ravens.
Stafford and the Rams got off to a slow start this season but he’s been on fire as of late, throwing for 294 yards on 23/41 passing for three touchdowns and zero interceptions against a tough Baltimore defense. Los Angeles finds themselves in a tough spot at 6-7 sitting in second place in the NFC West but if Stafford continues to play well there’s still a chance they could sneak into the playoffs. With Washington on the schedule next year Stafford and the Rams will look to continue their good play as of late and continue to muck up the playoff picture in the NFC.
5. Jake Browning
The next quarterback I want to highlight this week is Jake Browning of the Cincinnati Bengals. Browning is starting to make a habit of showing up in the rankings, the Bengals season seemed destined for turmoil when Joe Burrow went down with a season ending injury, but Browning has filled in nicely and finds himself at #5 this week in the weekly rankings.
The new Bengals quarterback was basically unknown around the league when Burrow went down but after a few solid weeks it looks like he has a long future in the league as at least a backup. Browning was 18/24 for 275 yards two touchdowns and one interception against the Colts on Sunday. Browning also ran for a score in the Bengals convincing 34-14 win. The jury is still out on Browning long term and what the Bengals will be able to do if they do get into the playoffs but if he continues to play well with the immense offensive talent around him many teams won’t want to see Cincinnati on their schedule.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 06: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play during the first half in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field on November 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
4. Justin Fields
The next quarterback I want to take a look at this week is I believe a first timer to the rankings this season. Justin Fields and the Bears have had an up and down season but have started to get back on track in the last few weeks. Chicago sits at 5-8 and is in 4th place in the NFC North virtually out of the playoffs but with the potential of 2 of the top 5 picks in the draft this season has become more about figuring out if Fields is the guy or not for the future.
If you’re a fan of Fields and want to see him stay in Chicago this was a good week for you. Fields was 19/33 passing for 223 yards one touchdown and zero interceptions against the Lions. Another plus for the Fields camp is how much he impacts the game with his legs, rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in the Bears 28-13 win. Chicago will have plenty of decisions to make as the season winds down and if Fields continues to play well it only makes their decisions harder.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 22: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
3. Brock Purdy
Coming in at #3 on the list this week is a frequent face in the rankings 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy has been one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the league this season leading the 49ers to a 10-3 record and first place in the NFC West. There have been a few down weeks for Purdy this season but for the most part he’s been as solid as Kyle Shanahan could have hoped for heading into the season.
After a massive weak against the Eagles Purdy topped it against Seattle throwing for a career high 368 yards on 19/27 passing for two touchdowns and one interception in the 49ers 28-16 win. The top of the NFC is crowded and so is the MVP race at this point in the season but if Purdy can secure the #1 seed for the 49ers he has as good a shot as anyone outside of Dak in my opinion to win the MVP.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts a pass during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
2. Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson comes in at #2 this week in the rankings after another big week for the dynamic Ravens quarterback. Baltimore sits at 10-3 atop the AFC North and in a battle with the Dolphins for the #1 seed in the AFC in large part due to Lamar’s good play this season. This week was no different as Lamar was tremendous on Sunday in Baltimore’s 37-31 overtime win over the Rams.
Jackson was at his MVP level in this one throwing for 316 yards on 24/43 passing for three touchdowns and one interception. That wasn’t all for Jackson though as he ran for another 70 yards on 11 rushing attempts. Jackson found three different receivers for scores and spread the ball around to 7 different targets. Baltimore is in a close race at the top of the AFC hoping to get that bye and if Lamar continues to play at this level with the Ravens defense I think they have a real shot to take it from Miami.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
1. Dak Prescott
Coming in at #1 this week is my MVP favorite Dak Prescott after another stellar week for the Cowboys quarterback. In the most anticipated matchup of the weekend between the Eagles and Cowboys two NFC East rivals atop the NFC Dak delivered big. Prescott was 24/29 passing for 271 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Cowboys biggest game of the season.
Around the league I think there’s still a lot of question marks about the Cowboys and Prescott but they’ve done everything they could to this point in the season to be taken seriously as Super Bowl and MVP contenders. To this point in the season I think Dak is the MVP favorite and should win the award unless he falls on his face the rest of the season. It’s still fair to question whether Dallas will get it done in the playoffs this season but to this point I think Dak has done everything he can to be considered the MVP favorite.
