Week 7 of the NFL season is upon us, so let’s take a look at the top seven quarterbacks through six weeks of the regular season. Play around the league seems a little down this year, potentially due to the lack of preseason action for most starters and the way teams practice nowadays. My top 7 Quarterback list has fluctuated throughout the season, but no more than it has this past weekend.
INGLEWOOD, CA: Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass during a 36-34 Dolphins win over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 10, 2023. (Harry How/Getty Images)
1. Tua Tagovailoa
Tua is once again the number one QB in my rankings, the Dolphins fell into a quick 14-0 hole to the Carolina Panthers, but Tua and the offense quickly got them back into the game. Tua ended the day 21-31 for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns to 3 different receivers. Tua also has a league high 1,876 passing yards on the season.
I’ve mentioned it every week, but it’s worth noting again that Tua shouldn’t be criticized for playing well in his system and with the weapons around him. He continues to prove he’s the leader of their offense and as he goes, the Dolphins go. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle certainly make his job a lot easier, but Tua has been stellar this season and shows his worth every week.
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles with the ball during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2. Josh Allen
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes could both be #2 or #3 in my rankings this week as both didn’t play their best this weekend but managed to get the win. Allen and the Bills survived a 14-9 nail biter against the New York Giants, who had a chance to win the game on the 1-yard line, but couldn’t convert as time expired.
Allen was by no means his normal elite QB this weekend, but he still managed to throw for two touchdowns and do just enough to get the win. I’d like to see Allen and the Bills offense get back on track next week, but Allen has done enough this season to hold onto the #2 spot until then, especially with Mahomes struggling this week as well.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paycor Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
3. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes and the Chiefs won a close AFC West battle on Thursday night, 18-9 against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes managed to throw for 306 yards but only had one touchdown and an interception, while the Chiefs’ offense never really seemed to get it going. Thursday night games are always tough on teams, so I don’t hold it too much against Mahomes, as he still got the win.
However, he continues to not look like the Mahomes we’re all used to seeing, with another poor interception this week. Similar to Allen, his play throughout the season has been enough to get him into the top 3, and I expect him to bounce back next week.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 18: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
4. Jared Goff
Goff breaks into the top 4 this week after another impressive performance, this time on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Goff had the dominant Lions offense humming, throwing for 353 yards and two touchdowns on 30/44 passing attempts. Goff has been one of the more consistent performances this season, showing up inside the top 7 every week, he has 1,618 yards this year with eleven touchdowns and only 3 interceptions.
He’s on pace to set career highs in passing yards and touchdowns, and with the amount of weapons he has on the Lions, there’s no reason to think he won’t have new career highs in almost every statistical category. The Lions are the clear favorites in the NFC North and if Goff continues to play like this they will be playing deep into the winter.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a second half pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
5. Justin Herbert
Herbert was a tough call in the five spot, but the more I watch and dig into the numbers, I believe he deserves it, even if the Chargers record hasn’t reflected it. Herbert and the Chargers lost to the Cowboys 20-17 on Monday Night Football, Herbert wasn’t spectacular, throwing for 227 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
So why is Herbert the 5th ranked QB this season? For me, it’s because of his consistent good play and keeping the Chargers in games I know it doesn’t feel like he performs well in close games, but a deeper look at the numbers tells a different story. Since entering the league in 2020 he has the most game winning drives and comebacks of any quarterback in the league.
Also in 2023 alone his 4th quarter rankings are as follows, 108.5 QBR (2nd among QBs) 68% completion percentage (6th) 8.5 YPA (T-4th) and 3 TDs (T-3rd). So yes, the Chargers have struggled and underperformed this year, but I don’t believe it’s a reflection on Herbert. I think it’s more the coaching staff and the talent around him letting him down.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 16: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
6. Lamar Jackson
Jackson jumps up one spot in the rankings this week as he led the Ravens to a win in London over the Tennessee Titans. Jackson is almost a one-man show for the Ravens offense, throwing for 223 yards and one touchdown this week, while also leading the team in rushing with 62 yards on 13 attempts.
Jackson still hasn’t fully adapted to Todd Monken’s new offense, only throwing for 5 touchdowns on the season, but he continues to run the ball well and create enough plays to win games. To me Jackson is the MVP of the league so far, I know other guys have better numbers and some in Tua’s case are even setting records, but Jackson is carrying his team to wins every week with very little help.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 20: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
7. Jalen Hurts
Hurts falls 3 spots in the rankings after a tough loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. It was the Eagles first loss of the season, but their offense hasn’t been nearly as dominant as it was last season, and Hurts has already matched his turnover total from last season with 8 already through 6 weeks. With 3 of those turnovers being interceptions this weekend against the Jets, Hurts finished with 280 passing yards on 25/45 passing attempts, one touchdown and three interceptions.
On the season, Hurts has 7 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions, so even though the Eagles are 5-1 their success doesn’t seem sustainable long term. Hurts does have 253 rushing yards on the season and 5 touchdowns, so he’s still positively impacting games, but not nearly at the level he was last season. I still expect the Eagles offense to click at some point and Hurts to make his way back into the top 5 but until then he falls at number 7.
