Lamar Jackson has 17 touchdown passes, and ranks 15th in passing yards. He’s not going to make a case for MVP with his numbers, but rather the eye test and his relentless impact on every game he plays.
On Sunday night in Jacksonville, Jackson threw for 171 yards while running for another 97. He accounted for one touchdown and an interception. And yet time and again, Jackson extended plays and made something out of nothing.
For that reason alone, Jackson belongs in the MVP discussion. He’s also moving up our NFL quarterback rankings heading into Week 16.
32. All Their Quarterbacks, New York Jets (Last week: 29)
31. Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers (32)
30. Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers (N/A)
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Rudolph has started 10 games in his career, all with Pittsburgh, carrying a record of 5–4-1. He’s thrown for 131.6 yards per game.
In short, Rudolph is about the most middling game manager to ever play a down of professional football, and somehow, that’s an upgrade.
Is Rudolph good enough for the Steelers to win at home against the Bengals and therefore extend the meaningful part of their season before a trip to Seattle? Maybe, maybe not. Cincinnati is playing inspired football with Jake Browning, winning two straight to be in the AFC playoff picture.
Frankly, a successful day for Rudolph would be no turnovers, a few big third-down conversions and a touchdown toss or two.
29. Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks (28)
28. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (30)
27. Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots (26)
26. Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings (25)
25. Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (27)
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It’s hard to imagine the Raiders won’t be looking to upgrade at quarterback in the draft. However, O’Connell has done an admirable job after being a fourth-round pick from Purdue this spring.
The 25-year-old rookie has thrown eight touchdowns against seven interceptions while completing 63.1% of his attempts. Last week, he finished off the Brandon Staley era for the Chargers, throwing for 248 yards and four scores in a 63–21 laugher.
This week, the Raiders travel to Kansas City for a Christmas afternoon date with the Chiefs. In their first matchup, O’Connell threw for 248 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough in a 31–17 defeat. Las Vegas is hoping for a better result this time around.
24. Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (24)
23. Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons (N/A)
22. Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns (23)
21. Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (21)
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Browning has been one of the feel-good stories of the past month. As we saw from Joshua Dobbs with the Vikings earlier this season, a career backup can occasionally perform, even elevate a team to playoff contender status.
Of course, the question is whether Browning is going to maintain this level of play, or end up sinking back to previous form such as Dobbs.
Through four starts, Browning is 3–1 with his only loss coming in his first start against the Steelers. Since that loss to Pittsburgh, the former Washington star has thrown for 317.6 yards per game with five touchdowns against two interceptions.
If Browning can keep rolling, the Bengals have a shot to not only reach the playoffs, but win a game or two while there.
20. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (18)
19. Gardner Minshew II, Indianapolis Colts (17)
18. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (16)
17. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (19)
16. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20)
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Mayfield is playing his best ball with the Buccaneers.
On Sunday, he became the second quarterback ever to post a perfect rating at Lambeau Field, joining Aaron Rodgers. Mayfield was brilliant in the 34–20 victory, throwing for 381 yards and four touchdowns, all while being sacked five times.
Tampa Bay (7–7) leads the NFC South and now has a critical matchup at home against the wounded Jaguars, who come in riding a three-game losing streak.
If Mayfield can outduel Trevor Lawrence (should he clear concussion protocol), the Buccaneers will not only be a game above .500 for the first time since Week 5, but they’ll be in prime position to make the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.
15. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (15)
14. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (14)
13. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (12)
12. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (13)
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The Packers might be falling off the playoff picture radar, but they should be thrilled about the most important facet of this season … Love.
He has been terrific for Green Bay in his first year as a starter, ranking 10th in passing yardage and is tied for fifth with 25 touchdown passes. Last week, he threw for 284 yards and two scores against the Buccaneers, albeit in a loss.
However, and most importantly, Love is making big-time throws. Of his 29 completions Sunday, seven were more than 10 air yards. Yet many of those throws were in tight windows, with Love having to put touch on the ball to get it over the second level and in front of a corner or safety.
Green Bay has plenty to fix this offseason, but Love should be a player to build around, not worry about.
11. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (8)
10. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (11)
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (10)
8. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (7)
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This hasn’t been a good year for Lawrence.
Lawrence hasn’t taken the step to superstardom many predicted in the preseason. After winning his first playoff game last year, the Jaguars are now 8–6 and fighting for their postseason lives, while Lawrence has thrown for 18 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
On Sunday night in Jacksonville’s 23–7 loss to the Ravens, Lawrence struggled mightily throwing downfield. In 18 attempts of 10-plus air yards, the former Clemson star completed six passes, including a touchdown on a blown coverage to Jamal Agnew.
If the Jaguars are going to reach the postseason and make waves once there, it starts with Lawrence.
7. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (9)
6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (6)
5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (3)
4. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (5)
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (4)
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Jackson has been a special player for Baltimore once again this season.
The Ravens lead the AFC with an 11–3 record and now head to San Francisco (11–3) for a primetime affair on Christmas night. If Jackson beats the 49ers and does so with a spectacular performance, he could well overtake Brock Purdy as the favorite in the MVP race.
Although Jackson is only 26 years old, this could be a legacy defining season for him. Stuck with only one playoff victory, a deep postseason run culminating in a championship would vault Jackson from stardom to likely Hall of Famer.
So far, he’s done everything to put himself and the Ravens in the best position possible. Now he has to finish the job.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (2)
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (1)
