NFL Quarterback Rankings: Ranking the Top 10 QBs Through Week 3

NFL Quarterback Rankings: Ranking the Top 10 QBs Through Week 3

Last week, I provided my list of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL, with accompanying explanations for each. Now that Week 3 has concluded, let's take a look at how the landscape has shifted.

Collectively, it has not been a good start to the season for quarterbacks. Outside of the top dogs, the level of play across the league has been underwhelming, to say the least. Still, there have to be 10 of them in the top 10, by definition. So, I've moved some QBs around, and one was replaced altogether. As we head into Week 4, here's where things stand.

NFL Quarterback Rankings

1. Lamar Jackson - BAL (-)

Lamar was the clear-cut top choice through two weeks by virtually every metric. He didn't miss a beat in Week 3, throwing for four touchdowns and one interception on 18/29 passing against the Patriots. He also ran for 107 yards — which ranked fifth among all offensive players behind four running backs — and a score. As it stands, he's the MVP frontrunner by a wide margin.

2. Jalen Hurts - PHI (+2)

Coming into the season, the biggest (and only) question mark surrounding the Eagles was the ability of Jalen Hurts. The strength of Philadelphia's roster had been well-documented since the spring, but there was always the nagging possibility that poor quarterback play would cap the team's upside. Through three weeks, Hurts has just about answered the question, ranking top 5 in passing yards per game, yards per attempt, QB rating, and passer rating. The Eagles are 3-0 — one of only two undefeated teams — and Hurts has been a big part of all three wins.

3. Patrick Mahomes - KC (-1)

Through two weeks, Mahomes had a case to be the top quarterback on the list. He had thrown seven touchdowns to no picks, and his passer rating was the best in the NFL. Against the Colts in Week 3, though, he had a middling performance, throwing for one touchdown, one interception, and 262 yards. The Chiefs offense as a whole stalled out in key spots, only managing to score 17 points. Mahomes still deserves to be near the top of the quarterback rankings, but he dropped a spot due to the underwhelming showing.

4. Josh Allen - BUF (-1)

Similar to Mahomes, Josh Allen looked like a potential MVP frontrunner in his first two games. The Bills came down to earth in Week 3, ceding first place in the AFC East by virtue of their loss to the Dolphins. Allen was good if inefficient for most of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, though, he badly underthrew a key fourth-down pass near the goal line, preventing the Bills from scoring a much-needed touchdown. They ended up dropping the game by a score of 21-19. Allen still ranks top five in touchdown passes, yards per game, QB rating, and passer rating — he deserves to be ranked comfortably among the top four quarterbacks in the NFL.

5. Tua Tagovailoa - MIA (+1)

There's a significant tier break after the top four, with Tua settling into that fifth spot for me. He was solid in the win over the Bills, but he wasn't asked to do much. In fact, he only completed 13 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. He had an excellent Week 2 game against the Ravens — one where he threw for six touchdowns and 469 yards — and that still needs to be factored in. My guess is that Tua will drop in the rankings in the coming weeks, but he's earned the spot to this point.

6. Trevor Lawrence - JAX (+1)

Lawrence has been one of the few pleasant surprises at the quarterback position, getting off to a hot start. He has thrown six touchdowns, one interception, and 772 yards through three games; he also ranks seventh in QBR and sixth in passer rating. The Jaguars are out to a 2-1 record, with Lawrence playing a key role in both wins. Jacksonville could be a surprise contender in a weak AFC South — they're worth monitoring moving forward.

7. Justin Herbert - LAC (-2)

Herbert was excellent for the first two games of the year, but he was disappointing in Week 3. I wish I didn't have to move him down — his inconsistent passing against the Jaguars on Sunday was probably due to the fact that he was playing with fractured rib cartilage. The 38-10 loss was largely the result of a banged-up supporting cast that had too many key players missing to perform well. On that front, the Chargers will need to find answers sooner rather than later, or their season could be in trouble.

8. Russell Wilson - DEN (unranked)

It may come as a surprise to some that Wilson made the top 10, but there is a good case for it. The Broncos have struggled extensively on offense, but much of that can be attributed to poor play calling and bad game management from the coaching staff. Further, Wilson's stats have been disproportionately harmed by drops and other receiver miscues; those should positively regress moving forward. He has thrown just one interception, and I expect his positive counting stats to return to form as the Denver offense finds its stride.

9. Aaron Rodgers - GB (-1)

After a quality performance in Week 2 against the Bears, Rodgers picked up where he left off for the first three drives of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. The Packers scored passing touchdowns on the first two drives, but they failed to score points on the third when Aaron Jones fumbled on the 1-yard line. Rodgers and co. were unable to get back into rhythm for the rest of the game, which is why the four-time MVP was bumped down to ninth. They still managed to pull out the win, getting to 2-1.

10. Jared Goff - DET (-1)

Rounding out the top 10 is the quarterback who sticks out the most on this list. Goff is sitting at the 10 spot almost by default — I don't feel comfortable replacing him with anyone else. He did not have the best game in Week 3, completing 25 of 41 passes for 277 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. Goff was good enough in Week 2 to preserve his spot, but he may be replaced by next week.