NFL week 9 is already here, so it’s time to take a look around the league and assess who have been the best QB’s to this point of the season. Quarterback play as a whole has been down this year, with defenses adjusting to the new rules and shoddy offensive line play hurting offenses. However, there’s still a consistent group of stellar QBs who continue to produce and a few names that have rotated in and out of the top 7 all year.
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)
1. Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts vaults to number one this week after an impressive performance against the Washington Commanders in a high scoring division win for the Eagles. Hurts was dominant in this game, throwing for 319 yards on 29/38 passing attempts, with 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Eagles offense started the season slow and had struggled in the red zone in previous weeks, but Hurts, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith have started to find their rhythm from last season lately. Hurts and the Eagles offense started slow in this one as well but ended up scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to come back and win the game.
Hurts is coming off his two best weeks of the season, with great performances against the Dolphins and now Commanders. If Hurts can continue to build on these performances, there’s no reason the Eagles can’t be back in the NFC Championship game this season with another shot at getting back to the Super Bowl and hopefully winning it. With the 49ers starting to struggle, losing 3 in a row, while Brock Purdy has been a question mark at QB, the Eagles are heading into the meat of their schedule playing as well as any team in the league.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 15: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Paycor Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
2. Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow jumps into the rankings this week after starting to find his form the last few weeks and having far and away his best performance of the season this weekend against the 49ers. Burrow and the Bengals started the season slow especially offensively, after losing to the Titans in week 4 and only scoring 3 points the Bengals have rattled off 3 wins in a row against the Cardinals, Seahawks and the 49ers.
Burrow and the Bengals caught the 49ers at a good time, as they had lost two in a row before this weekend and Brock Purdy has started to struggle, but the 49ers defense is still one of if not the best defense in the league. However, Burrow and the Bengals passed this test with flying colors, Burrow was 28/32 passing for 283 yards 3 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Bengals went into the season as Super Bowl hopefuls but after a few questionable weeks to start the season many were starting to question that, but if Burrow continues to play like this there’s no reason the Bengals can’t make another deep playoff run.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins signals for a first down during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
3. Tua Tagovailoa
Tua drops to #3 in the rankings this week after spending most of the season in the top 2 spots. The Dolphins dominated the Patriots and Tua had the offense humming in the second half, but he still had a bad turnover and coming off a down week against the Eagles, it didn’t feel right to have him in the top two. Tua threw for 324 yards on 30/45 passing, with 3 touchdowns and one interception. So while Tua and the offense were still dominant, he’s been a little off compared to the first few weeks of the season.
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)
4. Lamar Jackson
Lamar falls to number 4 in the rankings this week after appearing as high as number one in the past. Jackson and the Ravens pulled out a tough win against the Arizona Cardinals on the road this weekend, although Jackson wasn’t dominant, he should be considered one of the MVP’s of the league for how he’s been carrying the Ravens offense this season. Jackson was 18/27 for 157 yards one touchdown and zero interceptions, pretty average numbers to say the least, but he took care of the ball and did enough for the Ravens to get the win.
Jackson has been one of the more consistent QB’s this season, dominating with his arm and legs. Although the Ravens offense hasn’t experienced the jump they’d hoped for under Todd Monken’s new offense, Jackson seems comfortable and is turning the ball over less. If Jackson can continue to take care of the ball and the rest of the offense can start to pick up some of the slack they should be in for a deep playoff run.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
5. Josh Allen
Josh Allen and the Bills managed a win on a short week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night football. Thursday night games are tough for both teams, so it’s tough to expect great QB play, but Allen threw for 324 yards on 31/40 passing for two touchdowns and one interception. Allen also ran for 41 yards and another score, Allen hasn’t been his normal dominant self and the Bills offense has had its ups and downs this year, but he’s still an MVP caliber player with one of the highest ceilings in the league.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks to pass during the 1st quarter of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
7. Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence and the Jaguars find themselves in unfamiliar territory at 6-2 and tied atop the AFC for the first time in years. The Jaguars’ offense led by Lawrence hasn’t been a dominant unit this year, but they’ve shown flashes of putting it all together. Lawrence was 24/32 for 292 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception against a decent Steelers defense. Lawrence hasn’t quite lived up to the massive hype everyone thrust onto him, but under Doug Pederson he’s been much more in control and the Jaguars are winning games in a weak AFC South.
This season Lawrence has 9 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and 3 lost fumbles, so he’s still struggling to take care of the ball as much as the team would like, but he’s looked much more in rhythm as of late. The Jaguars are one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 5 in a row in large part to Lawrence’s steady play. Lawrence and the Jags will have their hands full this weekend with the 49ers defense coming to Jacksonville. If Lawrence can take care of the ball there’s no reason the Jags can’t win the AFC South and compete for the #1 seed in the AFC.
