The NFL season is already heading into week 13, with teams starting to separate themselves and quarterback play needing to be at it’s best in colder weather and more important games let’s take a look at some of the top performers in week 12.
This week we’re going to take a look at the five best quarterback performances from over the weekend, some helping their playoff push, others maybe helping them secure a job and one turning back the clock showing flashes of his old form.
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 number one this week and honestly who has been one of the better QB’s in the whole league the second half of the season is Dak Prescott. Prescott is always under the microscope as the leader of the Dallas Cowboys and this season may be his best yet, Dak was firing on all cylinders on Thanksgiving day throwing for 331 yards 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Throttling the Commanders on their way to a 45-10 win.
Dak has been on fire in the second half since week 6 he has an 80.7 QBR no other quarterback in the league is over a 68 in that stretch. So to say Dak has been the best QB in the league for half the season isn’t a stretch. Prescott has thrown for 2,935 yards 23 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions to this point solidifying himself as one of the best in the league and getting himself into the MVP mix.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs off the field after the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
2. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes comes in at #2 this week after another stellar performance leading the Chiefs to a 31-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs and Mahomes started slow in this one getting into a 14 point deficit but once again, Mahomes was able to lead them back even if his weapons haven’t been great this season.
Mahomes threw for 298 yards on 27/34 passing for two touchdowns and zero interceptions, throwing to seven different receivers, five of whom had over 30 receiving yards. The Chiefs haven’t looked like Super Bowl contenders throughout the whole season but Mahomes is still the best quarterback in the league and when he’s on they can beat anybody.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes the ball against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on October 29, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
3. Jalen Hurts
The Eagles star QB Jalen Hurts comes in at #3 this week after a great performance in the game of the weekend against the Buffalo Bills. Hurts only tossed for 200 yards on 18/31 passing for 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, but he impacted the game with his legs rushing for 65 yards on 14 rushing attempts including the game winning touchdown run his second touchdown run of the game.
Hurts hasn’t quite been the offensive superstar that he was last season but he’s started to find his form in recent weeks and as long as his knee stays healthy the Eagles will be right back in the NFC Championship game hoping to avenge their Super Bowl loss.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles with the football during the second 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)
4. Josh Allen
I don’t usually like to have losing Qb’s in the rankings but if a performance warrants it I’ll put them in and Josh Allen deserves it this week. Allen tossed for 339 yards on 29/51 passing with two touchdowns and one interception, but like Hurts he also impacted the game tremendously with his legs rushing for 81 yards on 9 attempts including two touchdowns.
The Bills have been somewhat of a roller coaster this season, heading into the year many touted them as Super Bowl hopefuls or at least serious playoff contenders. However that hasn’t been the case as they find themselves at 6-6 in a loaded AFC and with the Chiefs and Cowboys on their schedule the next two weeks Josh Allen will need to be at his best if they have any shot at making the playoffs and going on a deep run.
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) breaks a tackle by New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (92) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
5. Jordan Love
In one of the more surprising games of the week the Green Bay Packers took down the Detroit Lions 29-22 in large part because of Jordan Love’s impressive play. I’ve been up and down on Love at times he shows flashes of brilliance but also moments of real ineptitude at times.
However on Thanksgiving day with everyone hanging around their TV’s watching football he had maybe his best start of his career. Love was 22/32 passing for 268 yards three touchdowns and zero interceptions, like Allen and Hurts he was also able to impact the game with his legs rushing for 39 yards on only 3 carries. The Packers aren’t going to make any noise in the playoffs this year but their season is about finding out if Love is the quarterback of the future and if he continues to put up performances like this he’ll be in Green Bay a long time.
Honorable Mention: Matt Stafford, Trevor Lawrence and Lamar Jackson
