1
He won MVP last year, but Allen has been even better to start 2025. Buffalo is undefeated in large part because he’s doing everything at a high level. His 10 total scores rank second among all quarterbacks, and he spreads the ball all over.2
The Ravens’ declining defense was just what he needed to get going. Xavier Worthy’s‘s return also helped. Mahomes has remained his acrobatic self all year, but now he’s finally primed to settle into a big-play passing rhythm. (+7)3
Ever since Detroit’s tough start against the Packers, Goff’s been locked in as the machine-like pocket passer he is when provided decent protection. He’s hitting close to 74% of his throws while driving the NFL’s top-scoring attack. (+2)4
Streakiness continues to affect Hurts and the Eagles’ passing game, which is either humming or nonexistent. But how can we doubt his resolve? He’s still protecting the ball with vigor. The man always finds a way to come out on top.5
His lackadaisical last-minute pace in Week 4’s overtime tie nearly cost Green Bay the game, but Love was otherwise brilliant while lofting the ball downfield. His picture-perfect touch makes great use of the Packers’ young receiver depth. (+2)6
Puka Nacua is on a record pace hauling in passes for the Rams, and he can thank Stafford for the heavy volume. He may be aging, but the old-timer is still rifling it with conviction. Los Angeles might still be NFC West favorite if he’s upright. (+2)7
He dazzled as an early season MVP candidate out of the gate, but Herbert came back down to earth without a healthy front against the Giants. Now we see whether the Chargers’ golden boy can properly respond to adversity. (-4)8
Mayfield practically dragged the Buccaneers to a 3-0 start with late-game zeal, but his moxie wasn’t enough to overcome the persistent Eagles in Week 4. Mike Evans‘ absence out wide is significant, challenging the club’s overall rhythm. (-2)9
Prescott’s certainly not immune to a dud, as evidenced by forced throws in the Cowboys’ Week 3 loss to Chicago, but on the whole, he’s been confident and accurate while compensating for a horrid defense, even while missing CeeDee Lamb. (+5)10
As is often the case, the Steelers remain magnets for tight games. Yet Rodgers, at 41, was a legitimate difference maker in the club’s win over Minnesota in Dublin. On quick releases, he’s proven that he’s still got a winning zip on his passes. (+2)11
After two games on the sidelines while nursing a knee sprain, Daniels is set to reclaim his job against a tough defense in the Chargers. We know he can glide, but will he be at full speed? This has been a slightly bumpy start to Year 2.12
Don’t look now, but for the second straight autumn, the journeyman looks like the right bet at quarterback for a new team. Resilient and live-armed in the pocket, Darnold currently leads all starters with an average of 9.1 yards per throw. (+4)13
The Patriots may not yet warrant everyone’s trust as an emergent contender, but they seem to have found “the guy” under center. Maye is athletic enough to offset O-line concerns, and he’s been impressively efficient when called upon. (+4)14
Much-improved as a downfield passer in his magically calm start for the Colts, Jones finally hit a bit of a wall against a legit defense in the Rams in Week 4, tossing an ill-fated pick to seal Indy’s first loss. Let’s see how he responds. (-4)15
“Pretty” isn’t always the right word to describe Nix, whose Broncos are often working to overcome self-inflicted wounds. But boy is this kid feisty. For every curious dart that he throws, he tends to come back with a pinpoint laser. He’s a fighter.16
Like Nix, his 2024 NFL Draft classmate, Williams has been more mercurial than steady so far. His scrappy elusiveness and rocket arm have kept Chicago competitive under first-time coach Ben Johnson, however, and his arrow is still trending up. (-2)17
Finally, some life from the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year: Stroud unleashed a near-flawless outing against the lowly Titans to restore some order to Houston’s attack, also flexing his muscles with some positive pre-snap reads. (+7)18
Too many people went haywire after Penix’s sloppy two-pick performance in Week 3, and he responded with his held high, dicing up the Commanders to reaffirm his gig as Atlanta’s point guard. He’s adept at finding Bijan Robinson. (+7)19
Another week, another relatively quiet outing from the 2021 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick. At least he didn’t give the ball away through the air. You just wonder how long the Jaguars can keep leaning on their takeaway-happy defense in the AFC South. (+1)20
Arizona doesn’t always give Murray adequate support out wide, but No. 1 is equally erratic as the point guard. On some drives, his shiftiness leads to impressive on-the-move ropes. On other drives, he floats the ball right to the defense. It’s puzzling. (-1)21
Tagovailoa took two major steps forward in Monday’s win over the Jets: He didn’t give the ball away in crunch time, and he kept himself on the field, even while his top target, Tyreek Hill, suffered a major injury. The climb is still uphill from here. (+2)22
After a renaissance of sorts in Seattle, Smith appears to be reverting to his riskiest tendencies in Las Vegas, throwing far too many passes into traffic when the situation doesn’t call for such aggression. As a result, he leads the NFL in picks with seven. (-4)23
After cruising to a win with a major cushion in his first start in place of J.J. McCarthy, Wentz was asked to do quite a bit more overseas, and he paid for it with a pair of picks. He still provides veteran pizzazz, but he needs play-calling support. (-1)24
One start in, Dart is already a winner in the eyes of Giants fans, both literally and figuratively. He wasn’t flawless against the Chargers, but his legs were a real X factor, opening up New York’s offense even as Malik Nabers left due to injury. (+3)25
Brock Purdy returned to the lineup in Week 4, only to aggravate a toe injury in a turnover-riddled loss to Jacksonville. It could be Jones’ turn again on a short week. He fared reasonably well in two previous starts as Kyle Shanahan’s distributor.26
If not for Fields’ athleticism, the Jets might’ve lost in even uglier fashion on Monday night. He remains a true marvel on the move. Unfortunately for this rebuilding club, Fields driving the ball with any consistency as a passer also remains a concern.27
The Saints keep losing, and Rattler is kind of just along for the ride. He’s not necessarily transcending the mess, but he’s also not entirely deflated by it, which is a credit to his persistence. Rookie Tyler Shough may still get a chance soon. (+2)28
Fresh on the scene in place of the aging, slumping Joe Flacco, the rookie third-round pick may not be capable of transforming Cleveland’s makeshift offense, but his upside as a quick-strike passer could at least raise the floor.29
Nothing is very promising in Tennessee right now. Ward has shown us very quickly he’s got highlight-reel arm talent, but that doesn’t mean much if the structure and rhythm aren’t there to go with it. Coach Brian Callahan is under a lot of heat. (-3)30
Coach Dave Canales keeps defending his guy, which is a testament to Young’s own leadership. But it’s hard to get around the fact that the Panthers have consistently been one of the least effective passing attacks with him as the point guard. (-2)31
Lamar Jackson was loose with the ball before exiting Week 4, and now he’s set to be sidelined for a while with a hamstring issue. That spells trouble for an already injury-ravaged Baltimore group. Rush’s only effective NFL starts came in Dallas.32
It’s panic time in Cincinnati, where Browning looks nothing like the steady fill-in who replaced an injured Joe Burrow two years ago. The Bengals are headed straight for a lost season unless they consider a last-second upgrade here. (-1)