1
His numbers aren’t the gaudiest among elite passers right now, but he’s the most trustworthy active playmaker in his role. Now that the Bills have a ground game and defense to back him up, look out. (+1)2
Guess who’s back? Jackson returned at just the right time for Baltimore, whose defense is also returning to form. As long as he doesn’t hold the ball too long, the former MVP is primed for more decisive wins. (+4)3
MVP favorite, anyone? Maye’s efficiency is ridiculous considering where the Patriots were just a year ago. No one is tossing the rock down the field with such pristine touch. He’s on pace for 32 passing scores. (+4)4
You may not love his unpredictable stat lines or predictably rugged approach, but you will respect him when it counts. He’s thrown just one pick in eight games and excelled at situational deep shots for the Birds.5
It’s quite apparent Stafford stumbled upon his version of the Fountain of Youth. Even at 37, he’s been the most formidable piece of Sean McVay’s attack. He’s hurled a whopping 21 scores in eight games. (+3)6
We know what Goff can do: He’s a robot in the pocket, all but automatic when protected. As always, though, the knock is that he’ll absorb the sacks if the heat is on. He needs that run support to click. (-3)7
Is it possible Darnold is even better than he was during his mostly inspired Vikings stint a year ago? The man is throwing absolute lasers, especially when feeding Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Can it last until winter? (+5)8
About 75% of the time he lofts the ball deep, it falls exactly where it needs to. The other 25%? It makes you scratch your head. There’s still some Brett Favre tied into Love’s game, for both better and worse. (-3)9
This has been a curious year for the three-time champ, who’s taken turns showcasing underrated mobility, distributing to all of Kansas City’s shifty pass catchers and pressing too much for the splash play. (-8)10
A Week 9 bye is precisely what Mayfield needed, along with the rest of the banged-up Bucs. This guy will put his body on the line more than most, and yet Tampa Bay badly needs him upright down the stretch.11
The most underrated story of the 2025 season? Probably Rodgers’ quiet composure to elevate a long-stale Steelers attack. He could still use more consistent help, but the 41-year-old is firing it with sharpness. (+1)12
Trying to compensate for Dallas’ porous defense has left Dak on the wrong end of too many risky darts. Perhaps Jerry Jones’ deadline deals for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson will alleviate that a bit. (-3)13
Jim Harbaugh would probably love it if Herbert could rein things in with a methodical approach, but the decimation of the offensive line has forced the big man to become even more of a dual threat. (+2)14
He may not win awards for his efficiency, with a 61.2% completion rate and forgettable 6.1 yards-per-attempt average. But Denver is atop the AFC West in part because of how resilient he is in the clutch. (+2)15
The magic of Jones’ Colts rejuvenation hit a snag against a terrorizing Steelers front. That doesn’t mean he won’t rebound. But we now know fairly well his pretty strikes are set up by Jonathan Taylor’s dynamism. (-1)16
Can a hotshot rookie get some help? The Giants finally appear to have a high-moxie playmaker under center. The issue is Dart doesn’t have much in the way of a supporting cast after big-time injuries. (+3)17
Maybe he’s destined for more trick plays? Williams thrives while executing Ben Johnson’s more creative calls. He still tends to be jumpy as the man at the controls, but the physical traits are undeniable. (+4)18
Plenty wondered if he’d retain the No. 1 gig thanks to an authoritative showing in place of the injured Kyler Murray. Now it’s his job to lose. The veteran journeyman might’ve breathed life back into Arizona.19
Brock Purdy has been inching toward another return from injury for a while. Or is Kyle Shanahan just set on rolling with the gutsy replacement? Purdy’s athleticism may be missed, but Jones has been a fighter. (+4)20
We can accuse the Bengals of atrocious defense. We can also affirm that Flacco has somehow given them a chance. Perhaps he’s just built to thrive on short notice these days, clearing a low bar by letting it rip. (+4)21
Maybe the kid is built for this, after all. The Vikings may still pay for the way they bet on McCarthy as an unproven starter. But he’s shown a special level of zeal at critical times in two of his three NFL starts. (+6)22
A half-season into his first extended run as a full-timer, does anyone know what Penix really is? The arm is snappy. He’s got a good feel for his weapons. Atlanta’s simply yet to lean on him with consistency. (+2)23
The reality for Young in Carolina might be this: The numbers will almost never look pretty, but he’s not going to go down without a fight. It certainly helps he’s had a bruising Rico Dowdle on his side this season.24
Finally, midway through the year, we have some life from Smith’s notoriously aggressive arm. Of course it might end up being a momentary blip, as Las Vegas just dealt one of his top targets in Jakobi Meyers. (+5)25
The Jags just got Lawrence some help in Jakobi Meyers. How long until we start asking whether it’s the passer, not the receivers, who slow the operation? The shaky execution often overshadows his gifts. (-7)26
Aaron Glenn isn’t revealing whether Fields or Tyrod Taylor will serve as the Jets’ starter after the bye. No wonder: He’s probably concerned with coaching up the “D” now that it’s been sapped of star talent.27
One week, he teases you by rifling bullets to Jaylen Waddle. The next, he reminds you he’s still liable to feed the defense. With Chris Grier out as the Dolphins’ general manager, who knows what’s ahead? (-5)28
Jayden Daniels finally returned to action for the Commanders in Week 9, only to suffer an ugly dislocation of his elbow. Mariota is good to evade pressure thanks to his legs, but he can’t play defense, too.29
C.J. Stroud was knocked out of Houston’s last outing with a concussion, which means he’s in jeopardy of missing the Texans’ next showdown with the Jaguars. Mills is a fine, if unspectacular, pocket thrower.30
The second-round rookie finally got his chance to guide Kellen Moore’s offense in Week 9, replacing Spencer Rattler against the high-powered Rams. He remains an athletic but unpolished unknown. (+1)31
Browns fans are increasingly clamoring for something, anything, from Kevin Stefanski’s offense, which has changed play-callers yet again. The rookie Gabriel’s biggest issue is driving the ball down the field. (+1)32
The No. 1 overall pick may have superior arm talent to, say, Dillon Gabriel in Cleveland. The issue is he’s barely hitting passes in Tennessee; his 57.6% completion rate ranks last among all regular passers. (-1)