We’ve passed the halfway point of the NFL season, so it’s time to take a look at the latest QB rankings from week 9 of the season. As mentioned in previous weeks quarterback play and offense in general has been down in the NFL this year but this week had some of the best QB play of the season in some close games with teams starting to separate themselves. I’ve kept the list to seven most weeks this season but this week it’s only six as Herbert could have rounded out the list but the Jets offense is so bad it didn’t feel right to include him with the others.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 15: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints at NRG Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
1. CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud jumps to number one in the rankings this week after a record setting performance in a 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stroud set the NFL single-game rookie passing record throwing for 470 yards with 5 touchdowns and zero interceptions. This would be an insanely impressive stat line for any QB never mind a rookie in their 8th game in the league.
Stroud has separated himself from the rest of the rookie QB class all season but this week he took it to another level. His decision making and ability to spread the ball were on full display throwing to 7 different receivers with 4 getting into the endzone. Stroud has had a few appearances in the top 7 this season but this week he put himself into the MVP conversation. I don’t think he has a shot at winning the award this season but he’s all but wrapped up the rookie of the year award.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 12: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals jogs off the field after beating the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
2. Joe Burrow
Burrow has found his MVP level play the last few weeks and the Bengals are starting to fire on all cylinders. Burrow was 31-44 for 348 yards two touchdowns and zero interceptions against a tough Bills defense. In one of the more anticipated games of the week the 5-3 Buffalo Bills headed to Cincinnati to take on the 4-3 Bengals. After a slow start to the season the Bengals have ripped off 4 straight wins in large part to Burrow getting back on track.
With the Chiefs, Dolphins, Jaguars and Ravens the Bills and Bengals have their hands full in the AFC so this was a massive win for a Bengals team that’s looking to get back in the race for the #1 seed. The Bengals are Super Bowl hopefuls but with the Ravens, Jaguars and Chiefs still on their schedule Burrow will have plenty of chances to boost his MVP campaign.
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
Hurts finds himself in the third slot this week after another solid performance leading the Eagles to a tough NFC East win over their biggest rivals the Dallas Cowboys. Hurts didn’t light it up this week throwing for 207 yards on 17-23 passing for two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
He took care of the ball and impacted the game with his legs again even though his knee injury seems to be slowing him down a little. Hurts ran for 36 yards and a score as well, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith found the endzone as the Eagles offense in finally starting to find it’s stride from last season. Hurts isn’t an MVP front runner like he was last season but if he continues to win games and take care of the ball he’ll find himself back in that race.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 06: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
4. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes slots into the 4 spot this week after a win in Germany over Tua and the Miami Dolphins. Mahomes was 20-30 for only 185 yards but he had two touchdowns and zero interceptions. In what was one of the other more anticipated games of the weekend the Chiefs defense was able to hold the high powered Dolphins in check and Mahomes did enough to get the win.
Mahomes production has been down this year and his turnovers have been up but he’s still finding a way to win games which is what separates him as an elite QB. Mahomes isn’t at the top of my MVP list this season because he still has Travis Kelce and I believe Lamar Jackson has been the most important player to his team this year but Mahomes is clearly number 2 right now to me and if he continues to win games it’ll be a tight race all season.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 17: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys talks with head coach Mike McCarthy during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
5. Dak Prescott
Dak comes in at number 5 this week in the rankings this week even though he was on the losing side in this one, I thought he was one of the more impressive quarterbacks this week. Prescott was 29-44 for 374 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions against a staunch Philadelphia Eagles defense in a tough environment.
The NFC East is going to be a tough hill to climb for the Cowboys with the Eagles now sitting at 8-1, but the Cowboys have started to find their form of late and came up just short in Philly. Dak has had his ups and downs this season with some tough losses against the Cardinals and 49ers but when the Cowboys offense is firing Dak is the key and if they have any dreams of making a deep playoff run, he’s going to have to be their best player.
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
Lamar may feel like an odd choice at number 6 this week because he didn’t throw or run for any scores this week and only had 187 yards passing on 21-26 attempts. However Lamar is the focal point of the Ravens offense and drives everything they do on that side of the ball. Lamar did run for 60 yards on 10 carries but didn’t manage to get in the endzone in any fashion which could be held against him, but his decision making and ability to run Todd Monken’s new scheme are starting to come together.
The Ravens are one of the hottest teams in the league and everything seems to be clicking on both sides of the ball. In a loaded quarterback driven AFC this season Lamar is going to have to continue to play at an MVP level for the Ravens to make a deep playoff run. Quarterback play as a whole has been down this season but we’re still getting great performances on a weekly basis and they should be even more impressive as the stakes continue to grow throughout the season.
