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| Travis Kelce said it right when he called his QB the “Houdini of our era.” No matter the date, time or opponent, he finds a way to deliver, even if it means getting himself out of trouble. Don’t discount his title chances amid all the Bills hype. |
| 2 |
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| When’s the last time someone made the Steelers defense look not only overmatched but disinterested? As long as he stays healthy, his ridiculously effortless deep ball should propel Buffalo to the playoff run everyone’s projecting. |
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| Among active regular starters, he ranks fifth in completion percentage this year. The problem has been an almost total lack of downfield success. Imagine if they could find a way to add a proven threat to his scattershot supporting cast. |
| 4 |
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| He and Rodgers’ numbers — and team situations — are remarkably similar. Things are still too sluggish as a whole, but Brady on his own remains a pinpoint thrower in crunch time, with all the IQ to elevate a hurting receiving corps. |
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| It’s not great that his biggest adversary sometimes feels like his own coach, but Herbert has played his part as well as expected. Operating without a ton of deep shots, he’s the prototype for younger pocket passers. |
| 6 |
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| He and their uninspiring receiving corps share the blame for an inefficient aerial attack. But the guy is on pace for his third career 1,000-yard rushing season. As long as he’s upright, his mobility will keep Baltimore in the hunt. |
| 7 |
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| Somebody get this man a more creative play-caller, if not a sturdier line. Burrow is built to play point guard on a well-oiled machine, but instead he’s still having to force too many throws to make up for Cincinnati’s fundamentals, or lack thereof. |
| 8 |
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| With the Eagles on tap in prime time, now feels like the right time for Prescott to reclaim the QB1 job from interim Cooper Rush . Can he control the ball the way Rush did, playing it simple? Typically, he’s best at doing all the little things well. |
| 9 |
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| Hurts called his Week 5 performance a letdown, even as the Eagles improved to 5-0. He’s certainly raised his own standard, thriving as both a bruising ball-carrier and confident downfield arm. An underrated key: staying healthy. (-1) |
| 10 |
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| He’s not even been close to top-10 production this year, but that’s mostly due to the Rams ‘ deteriorating line. The penchant for untimely forced throws is simply magnified. Getting him another trusted receiver would surely help. (-1) |
| 11 |
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| Once again, we’re playing the “is it Kyler, or is it Kliff?” game after another mercurial performance from Kingsbury’s Cardinals offense. It’s the same story: Murray has video-game athleticism, but there’s no rhythm in his game. |
| 12 |
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| You can see from the QBs in this region that there’s a steep drop-off after the elite signal-callers. Russ is still flashing crunch-time touch, but his pocket awareness and general accuracy are verging on Tim Tebow levels. (-2) |
| 13 |
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| You might be surprised to know that his numbers are not nearly as efficient or explosive as in recent years, even as Kevin O’Connell’s squad sits at 4-1. Count on him to be streaky, both with head-scratching picks and laser-precise darts. (-1) |
| 14 |
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| Every year we watch as he fights and claws his way into contention against upper-echelon counterparts like Mahomes and the Chiefs, only to fall short. It’s representative of he and the Raiders: feisty but too inconsistent. (-1) |
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| His job in San Francisco is to stay out of Kyle Shanahan’s way, essentially. And so far, he’s done a solid job of just that. Just think how seamlessly we’ve all accepted his return to the starting lineup for what now looks like a legit contender. |
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| The Garoppolo of the AFC, Tannehill goes as Derrick Henry does, and right now, that means onward and upward. He’s offering mid-tier production for an offense built on controlling the ball and wearing opponents down. (-2) |
| 17 |
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| The longer he’s stayed under center in Seattle, the harder it’s become to dismiss his poise and production. The ex-Jets flop is one of the most efficient QBs in the game right now, averaging over 8 yards per attempt despite trailing a lot. (+3) |
| 18 |
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| The former No. 1 pick has taken a step forward in his overall development under Doug Pederson, but he’s still struggling to protect the ball, totaling 10 turnovers during the Jaguars ‘ 2-3 start. (-2) |
| 19 |
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| He is who he thought he was? Goff’s lineup has been hampered by injuries of late, but he reverted to poor decision-making against the Patriots ‘ stingy “D.” The guy can rifle it when he’s got time, but can he be trusted amid trouble? (-2) |
| 20 |
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| Wrong place, wrong time, wrong player. Wentz is getting no help from his line or his coach, who threw him under the bus this week, but he’s also too impatient a gunslinger to adapt for the dire circumstances. (-1) |
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| At least he showed fight when nobody else did against the Bills. It’ll be tough to evaluate the rookie as Pittsburgh trudges toward more overhaul, but you’ve gotta respect the instant gravitas he brings to the pocket. (+1) |
| 22 |
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| Brian Daboll may or may not have his long-term QB here, but he’s sure as heck getting the most out of the former first-rounder. Jones’ legs are finally on full display, and he’s willingly taken a back seat to Saquon Barkley and their “D.” |
| 23 |
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| What do you get when you mix an aging, declining, immobile QB with a declining O-line and lackluster receiving corps? Whatever it was you saw on “Thursday Night Football” against Denver. He’d at least be top-15ish on a real contender. (-5) |
| 24 |
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| Jameis Winston may or may not be back in the saddle following ankle and back issues, but Dalton’s been steady enough as a spot starter to warrant another look. Just don’t count on him controlling the ball over the long haul. (+3) |
| 25 |
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| The Jets are 2-0 since his return from injury, even though he’s hardly put his stamp on the passing game. We’re still willing to buy into his natural athleticism, but let’s see him string together a few more performances. |
| 26 |
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| He seems to be making small strides despite barely throwing the ball to open the year, but let’s see him go two straight weeks completing more than 50 percent of his passes. To be fair, again, his setup remains bleh. (-2) |
| 27 |
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| Why rush Mac Jones back when Zappe, similarly built to feed off the ground game with short-area strikes, is doing the job fine? It doesn’t seem out of the question that Bill Belichick would ride the hot hand here. (+4) |
| 28 |
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| It’s somewhat astounding how inefficient Brissett is throwing the ball on one of the most run-heavy, ball-control offenses in the NFL. He’s got the arm and the experience, but the “it” factor has never emerged. |
| 29 |
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| Good for him, shepherding a surprisingly competitive Falcons team on basically his scrambling ability alone. But you just cannot sustain success in the NFL if you can’t move the ball through the air with confidence or accuracy. |
| 30 |
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| For all the intrigue he incites coming off the bench for multiple failed starters in Carolina, Walker has never translated his short-lived XFL stardom to the NFL, where he’s been a true 50-50 passer in extensive action. |
| 31 |
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| The rookie seventh-rounder lit it up throwing downfield in the preseason, which would suggest a potential strong debut in place of the injured Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater , with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal. |
| 32 |
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| The Texans are staying competitive under Lovie Smith almost in spite of Mills, whose best quality in recent weeks has been handing the ball to Dameon Pierce . (-2) |
