The NFL season is through week 5, so it’s time to update the NFL Top QB’s based solely on QB play this season. The top of the leaderboard stays pretty similar to last week, but a couple of names moved their way into the top 7 with great performances over the weekend.
1. Tua Tagovailoa
ep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) passes the ball during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Tua stays at number one after another great week, leading the Dolphins to victory once again with their explosive offense. Some people may criticize Tua because he has one of the seemingly easier jobs in the NFL by throwing to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but Tua is the key to the Dolphins offense. As long as he stays healthy he’ll continue to prove it on a weekly basis. Tua has led the Dolphins to an NFL record for yards through the first 5 weeks of the season with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
2. Patrick Mahomes
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)
Mahomes moves up just a little bit, even though he hasn’t been the same dominant Mahomes we’re used to in years past, his ability to win football game stays the same. Yes, Mahomes has made some more erratic throws this year and he’s shown some questionable decision making down the field, but overall he still has control of the game. Even when Travis Kelce went out this weekend, Mahomes showed up and pulled the offense together leading the Chiefs to a win yet again, proving his place as a top five (and usually top two) quarterback.
3. Josh Allen
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Allen falls a little bit in the rankings after struggling overseas in the London game and losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Allen is known for his questionable decision making at times, but his rocket for an arm and his ability to turn broken plays into big ones solidify his spot inside the top five. In the end of last season and early this season, his relationship with Stephon Diggs was rocky.
The Bills will need Allen to be the better version of himself and rely on his relationship with Stephon Diggs to not boil over if they want a shot at making a deep playoff run. The Bills’ high powered offense should have them competitive all season and hopeful to make a Super Bowl run, but it will fall on Allen’s decision-making if they can make it that far.
4. Jalen Hurts
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)
Hurts and the Eagles have finally started to find their offensive rhythm from last season. Getting back on track with A.J. Brown the last few weeks and finding the end zone with rushing touchdowns, Hurts is starting to showcase his skills as one of the more dynamic QBs in the league again. The Eagles are currently 5-0 and Hurts is a big reason why.
He may not be as much of a reason for success as he was last season, but that’s because the Eagles defense hasn’t needed him to be. Hurts will need to continue to improve his play, as the Eagles’ upcoming schedule is only getting tougher, but I expect him to stay close to the top-5 all season.
5. Brock Purdy
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Brock Purdy makes his way into the top-7, and he probably should’ve been an honorable mention in the top-10 earlier in the season. Purdy has done nothing but win since he took over as a starter for the 49ers. He isn’t going to blow you away with his body or his arm, but his decision-making and quick release make him a top-5 quarterback in the league this season.
A lot of people at the beginning of the year wanted to hold the 49ers’ roster and scheme against Purdy, but he’s proven that he’s the perfect quarterback to execute that scheme at a high level. I don’t know if Purdy will stay inside the top seven all season, but he certainly deserves to be there for now, or at least until the 49ers lose their first game of the season.
6. Jared Goff
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Goff has been one of the better QB’s all season on a resurgent Detroit Lions team looking to make noise in the NFC North. The Lions continue to look like the favorites in the NFC North after another solid week of QB play out of Goff, even when he was missing Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. Goff continues to impress with his improved decision-making and all around solid play in one of the more exciting offenses in the league.
St. Brown, Josh Reynolds and rookie tight end Sam Laporta have been one of the most explosive offenses on the season. With the emergence of David Montgomery and the return of Jameson Williams only adding to their firepower I don’t see the Lions offense slowing down anytime soon. It’s tough to tell if Goff will hang around the top 5 all season because of his streaky track record in the past, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down yet.
7. Lamar Jackson
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Jackson has fallen in the rankings after a subpar performance against the Steelers last weekend, but if you dive deeper into the game film you realize the Ravens offensive issues are in no way because of Jackson. They’re more of a product of poor play from those around him. I still believe Lamar is a top-5 QB in the league, but the Steelers made him and the Ravens offense stumble yet again as he continues to struggle in that classic AFC North battle.
Jackson will need more out of the weapons around him to vault back into the top 5 but I expect him to be around 4-7 all season. Lamar has really been let down by the weapons around him and their lack of reliability . I still think he has a real shot to be the leagues MVP but a tough loss in a low scoring effort to the Steelers drops him a few spots for now.
