Week 9 around the NFL world shook up our quarterback ratings big time. Both Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady struggled in uncharacteristic road losses.
On the other end of the ledger, youngsters Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson came to play. Both announced their presence in the MVP race heading into Week 10.
It’s in this that we give you our look at the top-10 NFL quarterbacks heading into Week 10.
1- Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
The likely NFL MVP heading into Week 10, Wilson continues to outshine his counterparts. He put up five touchdowns in a narrow win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has tallied a league-high 22 passing scores compared to one interception through nine games.
Wilson now has his most difficult task of the season, a trek to Santa Clara to take on the undefeated 49ers on “Monday Night Football.” He’ll put these numbers up against a league-best pass defense that’s yielding 138.1 passing yards per game and an absurdly low 65.7 quarterback rating.
2- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Despite not playing in each of the past two games, Mahomes ascends the rankings. That’s primarily because of the performances we saw from other top-end quarterbacks around the NFL last week. But make no mistake about it, Mahomes’ minor injury scare is not going to let him drop much further down the rankings. Now that he’s set to return, the reigning MVP will be back up to his old tricks.
As it is, Mahomes heads into Week 10 leading the NFL in passing yards per game (311.4) and yards per completion (13.9). Based on how the likes of Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman have looked with him sidelined, we’re expecting the gunslinger to pick up where he left off Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
3- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
It’s getting hard to explain just how good Jackson is without showing you videos such as these. He’s been a godsend for the Ravens, a fact that came to light during last week’s blowout win over the New England Patriots.
The second-year quarterback finds himself on pace for nearly 1,300 rushing yards with 10 scores on the ground. He’s also thrown 12 touchdowns compared to five interceptions en route to leading the NFL’s top-scoring offense. Jackson is a legit MVP candidate heading into what should be an easy Week 10 game against the winless Cincinnati Bengals.
4- Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
What a brutal performance from Rodgers and his Packers offense in a 26-11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Rodgers had less than 50 net passing yards heading into the fourth quarter. Green Bay finished the game with 184 total yards and 13 first downs.
This takes a little bit of the zip away from the domination we saw Rodgers display over the past few weeks. It also has us wondering whether the Packers’ offense is set for further disappointment. As it is, Rodgers heads into Week 10 having thrown for 2,485 yards with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions. Those are some banner numbers right there.
5- Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Watson’s workmanlike performance against a good Jaguars team in London last week helps him jump others. He might have put up some eye-opening plays in the win, but being a steady hand helped the now 6-3 Texans overcome the loss of J.J. Watt to a season-ending injury.
The third-year quarterback has now accounted for 2,711 total yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season. He’s going to need to keep this up if Houston wants to be seen as a legitimate threat in the AFC. The team’s defense just isn’t going to be good enough to overcome inconsistency from Watson.
6- Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Two games against winning teams. Two big struggles. Fresh off a blowout loss to the above-mentioned Ravens, we’re a bit concerned about regression on Brady’s part. That’s especially true when it comes to the lack of a receiving threat at tight end in New England’s offense.
Those two games against winnings squads (Buffalo, Baltimore) have seen Brady put up a 64.6 quarterback rating. He’s posted a 102.1 rating against teams with losing records. Those squads are a combined 12-46. Brady can’t be in the top five with splits like this.
7- Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Cousins’ three-touchdown, zero-interception performance in a loss to the Chiefs last week was misleading. He completed less than 50% of his passes and once against struggled passing down the field. It was a hiccup after the embattled quarterback put up an historical four-game stretch for the Vikings.
Despite these struggles, Cousins heads into Week 10 in the midst of a career-best season. The veteran is on pace for nearly 4,000 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He just needs to prove his worth against winning squads, starting this week against the Dallas Cowboys.
8- Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Throughout the 49ers’ undefeated start to the season, Garoppolo was seen as a weak link. He’s been riding an historically good defense. That changed last week in a brilliant four-touchdown performance against the Arizona Cardinals. Simply put, Garoppolo was the reason San Francisco came out with its eighth consecutive win to open the season.
We’re now going to want to see some consistency on the part of Garoppolo. He’s tossed six touchdowns and one interception for a 128.2 passer rating over the past two games, leading San Francisco to an average of 39.5 points per. Can Jimmy GQ keep this up Monday night against a suspect Seahawks pass defense?
9- Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
In terms of fantasy football numbers, Stafford was on hit in a narrow loss to the Oakland Raiders last week. One of the league’s most underrated quarterbacks completed 26-of-41 passes for 406 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Though, that pick came in the end zone and could have made the difference in a one-touchdown game.
We’re still not going to crack on Stafford too much. The former No. 1 overall pick enters Week 10 on pace for 5,000 passing yards with 38 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing north of 64% of his passes.
10- Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
It’s easy to conclude that Wentz has been nothing more than a game manager through the first nine games of the Eagles’ season. The fourth-year quarterback has thrown one touchdown or fewer five times, incuding in each of the past three games.
That’s fine and dandy. However, DeSean Jackson’s injury issues coupled with Alshon Jeffery’s struggles and no real depth at receiver has impacted Wentz. He’s still thrown for 2,060 yards with 15 scores and just four picks this season. Those are not terrible numbers.