Week One Quarterback Power Rankings
Week 1 of the NFL season has come and gone. There were many surprising performances and some disappointing ones from the quarterback position to open the season. Below is a power ranking of the top 10 QBs after the first week.
Quarterback Power Rankings
10. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
With a new running back and center, Jalen Hurts had some adjustments to make in the season opener against the Packers. His connection with Saquon Barkley looked like they have been playing for three years, but it is hard to say the same about center Cam Jurgens. There were multiple miscues between the two, one leading to an Eagles turnover.
Despite the lack of chemistry, Hurts played a decent game, good enough to squeak into the top 10. He had 311 total yards and threw for two touchdowns in the 34-29 nailbiter. His accuracy was a little poor, as he threw two interceptions and completed just 59% of his passes.
9. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford traveled to Detriot to take on his former team, the Detroit Lions, in a rematch of the 2023 Wild Card game.
The Rams found themselves down 17-13 late in the fourth quarter but Stafford and Kupp connected on a nine-yard score to take a 20-17 lead, capping off a 10-play drive. The Lions eventually tied the game and won in OT, sending Stafford home in a close game once again.
Despite the loss, Stafford showed up in the clutch. He threw for 317 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 69% throwing. Stafford and Kupp look to be dialed in more than ever as the two connected for 14 catches, 110 yards, and a score.
8. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold has had a rocky career, but he signed with the Vikings in the offseason and it already looks like a good fit. Many fans were unsure whether or not he would be the starter, but he has lifted the Vikings to 1-0 in his first game.
Aaron Jones had a big impact on the game with 109 total yards and a touchdown, but Darnold commanded the offense when he needed to. He threw for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception on 19-24 throwing. Expect his numbers to improve when he builds more chemistry with star receiver, Justin Jefferson.
7. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
The Saints may have played the Carolina Panthers, but beating any team in the National Football League 47-10 calls for recognition.
Derek Carr did not have to do much but was unstoppable when called upon. He started with a bang on the opening drive, throwing a 59-yard bomb to Rashid Shaheed while being under pressure in the pocket. He led the Saints to 30 unanswered points before the Panthers finally got on the board.
Carr may not have thrown for a ton of yards, but his accuracy was incredible as he completed 82% of his passes, the highest in the league after Week 1. He also contributed 200 passing yards and three touchdowns along with his 142.5 rating.
6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes won’t be outside of the top five much this year, but after Week 1 he sits in the sixth spot.
Mahomes did exactly what he needed to do vs a top 5 defense, make the simple throws and let your playmakers go to work. The Chief's game plan was a lot of short passes which helped open the big plays. Mahomes reeled the defense in with slants to Rashee Rice which then opened the outside for rookie Xavier Worthy on two occasions.
The one bad play Mahomes made was his interception. He threw it over the middle into no man's land where only Roquan Smith was, but outside of that, he played a solid game.
The Chiefs start the season 1-0 while Mahomes throws for 291 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 71% throwing.
5. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
The offensive rookie of the year from last season looked sharp in his 2024 opener. With a ton of great weapons, CJ Stroud got everyone in the mix, especially Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. He also had an amazing throw from his knees after slipping on a roll-out.
In a battle with another sophomore, Stroud edged out Anthony Richardson with a 29-27 win. He finished the game with 234 yards, two touchdowns, 75% throwing, and a rating of 115.9.
4. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
After leading the league in passing yards last year, Tua Tagovailoa leads the league after Week 1 with 338.
It was a slow start for the Dolphins yesterday as they found themselves trailing the Jaguars 17-7 with a chance to go down 24-7 before Travis Etienne fumbled at the goal line. Momentum shifted as the very next play Tua found his go-to target, Tyreek Hill, who raced into the endzone for an 80-yard score. The Miami QB also had another perfectly thrown deep ball to Jaylen Waddle for a gain of 63 yards. For someone who supposedly cannot throw it deep, Tua made it look easy on several occasions.
Tagovailoa finished with 338 yards and one touchdown on 23-37 throwing. The Dolphins completed the comeback with a last-second 52-yard field goal from Jason Sanders to take it 20-17.
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
The MVP last season came in Arrowhead hoping to hand the defending champions another opening-game loss.
With a mix of his arm and legs, Lamar Jackson was doing it all against a stout defense. Even though he only took one sack, he was under duress all game and still made big throws. He made two nice throws on the run. One to Isiah Likely for a 49-yard touchdown and one to Rashod Bateman on the last drive in crunch time. Lamar could have had a better game if he hit an open Zay Flowers in the dying seconds or if Likely’s foot was a half-size smaller.
In the loss, Lamar had 273 yards passing and one touchdown on 63% throwing and ran for 122 yards. He leads all quarterbacks with 395 total yards.
2. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Would anyone ever guess Baker Mayfield to be number two a few years ago? After a disappointing start to his career in Cleveland, Mayfield bounced around in Carolina and Los Angeles before finding his new home in Tampa Bay.
Last season the true potential of Mayfield was on display as he led the Buccaneers to a 9-8 record and won a playoff game. He has carried his success from last season to this season with a phenomenal Week 1 performance against the Washington Commanders. The Commanders’ defense is bottom of the league, but Mayfield tore them up.
Mayfield completed 80% of his passes, had a 146.4 rating, the best in the league, and threw for 289 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Along with a great performance, Mayfield and the Bucs secured a 37-20 win over Washington.
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen was already in mid-season form on Sunday. Arizona came ready to play as they took an early 17-3 lead. With momentum on the Cardinals’ side, Allen and Co began their comeback.
Allen rushed for his first touchdown of the season before the second quarter ended to pull the Bills within seven points. The Bills fed off their first touchdown and scored two more in the third quarter to take their first lead of the game. Mid-way through the fourth quarter Allen tacked on another rushing touchdown to solidify the win.
Number 17 finished with a 137.7 rating, 232 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, on 78% throwing, and rushed for 39 yards and two touchdowns. The Bills moved to 1-0 after the 34-28 victory.
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