| 1 | |
| Say hello to your MVP favorite. In Year 2, Maye looks like the most confident passer in the game. He’s averaging almost 9 yards per throw, elevating every piece of the Patriots’ upstart attack. (+1) |
| 2 | |
| His world-beating stretch came to a halt in the Rams’ surprise loss to Carolina, but he’s had the most prolific passing campaign of anyone this year, still on pace for 45 scoring strikes. (-1) |
| 3 | |
| It seems rare when both he and his receiving corps are fully healthy, but that makes his downfield production that much more impressive. Even without efficient ground support, he’s slinging it with authority. (+6) |
| 4 | |
| We might actually have to take Dallas seriously in the playoff race thanks to Dak’s stellar touch feeding George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. His confidence rivals that of his overlooked 2023 MVP candidacy. (+3) |
| 5 | |
| The Bills could still use a more well-rounded receiving corps to aid his efforts, but Allen can never be counted out when he’s also rumbling as a rusher, pairing with James Cook to make Buffalo a true winter foe. (+3) |
| 6 | |
| Frank Ragnow’s attempt to un-retire should tell you everything you need to know about Detroit’s shakier O-line. It partly explains why Goff, who’s sharp but married to structure, is struggling to finish. (-3) |
| 7 | |
| The oft-injured superstar made his grand return from a toe injury in Week 13, tossing two scores to upset the rival Ravens. As always, the key with Burrow is really just staying upright to give Cincy a chance. (+5) |
| 8 | |
| Hurts has protected the ball well for much of the year, allowing the Eagles’ defense to lead the way. With Philly now quickly sinking, he really needs to step up as the dual-threat leader he’s been before. (-4) |
| 9 | |
| The three-time champion has recently turned a corner with the splash plays, putting a jolt in K.C.’s aerial offense. It might be too little, too late. He’s still under too much pressure to carry Andy Reid’s attack. (+1) |
| 10 | |
| We’ve seen Purdy’s capable of sailing passes when trying to dig out of a hole, but he’s never lacking confidence as the figurehead of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. His teammates know he’s got “it.” (+1) |
| 11 | |
| He’s cooled off a bit since a blazing start as the Seahawks’ gunslinger, but Seattle’s swarming defense affords some leeway. As always, the lingering question is whether he can show up big under pressure. (-5) |
| 12 | |
| Very few Chargers have avoided bumps and bruises this year, including Herbert, who’s fresh off surgery to his hand. He’s done a fair job keeping his head above water thanks to his unteachable traits. (+3) |
| 13 | |
| Who is this No. 8 in purple, and what has he done with Lamar Jackson? We still expect the two-time MVP to rediscover his electricity before season’s end, but he’s operated out of rhythm since returning from injury. (-8) |
| 14 | |
| Technically, Mayfield’s numbers are down from a year ago, but he’s arguably doing more to survive the decimation of Tampa Bay’s lineup this time around. Can he finally get a healthy arsenal of weapons? (-1) |
| 15 | |
| Somehow Nix ranks 27th among qualifying players in passer rating, which speaks to the erratic nature of his play. But the guy also won’t stop showing up with play-extending magic at the buzzer. (-1) |
| 16 | |
| Like Nix in Denver, Williams is becoming something of a crunch-time king, turning in uneven performances — his 58.1% completion rate is wildly low for today’s NFL — but thriving in the second half. |
| 17 | |
| Back in the fold for the Texans’ latest win after a multi-week absence due to injury, Stroud quickly reestablished chemistry with Nico Collins. His best friend, however, is DeMeco Ryans’ all-star defense. (+2) |
| 18 | |
| Once an award frontrunner for the Colts, Jones now appears quite limited by a fibula injury. Even before that, he was dependent on Jonathan Taylor’s rushing success. Indy could be in big trouble. |
| 19 | |
| After flashing vintage touch to open the year, Rodgers now looks run down at age 41, fighting through a bad wrist and seemingly unreliable support from both staff and skill weapons in Pittsburgh. (-2) |
| 20 | |
| The fact that Kyler Murray is eligible to return from injured reserve, yet no one’s batting an eye about Brissett staying under center? It says it all. He may be best as a short-term fill-in, but he can push the ball. |
| 21 | |
| Dart’s greatest strength may also be his greatest weakness; the kid clearly adds spirit to New York’s attack, but his gutsiness too often becomes recklessness. Can the Giants protect him from himself? |
| 22 | |
| Color us surprised the Jaguars have managed to sneak to the top of the AFC South with the erratic Lawrence running Liam Coen’s offense. Maybe all he needs is another shot to show up in the playoffs. |
| 23 | |
| No quarterback has bounced up and down these rankings quite like Young. Is he woefully ill-fit for the NFL stage? Or is he perpetually overlooked as a late-game decision-maker? We can’t figure it out. (+3) |
| 24 | |
| Jayden Daniels returned to practice ahead of the Commanders’ last game, but he’s still recovering from an elbow issue. Mariota, though usually spotty through the air, was lights out trying to upset the Broncos. (+4) |
| 25 | |
| You know it’s bad in Atlanta when Cousins gets the extended starting gig he longed to reclaim after last year’s benching, only to go relatively unnoticed beneath the rubble of Raheem Morris’ direction. (-1) |
| 26 | |
| The rookie doesn’t exactly have the benefit of a competitive setup, with new coach Kellen Moore likely anticipating an offseason rebuild, but Shough continues to display a solid feel for off-script throws. (+1) |
| 27 | |
| The Dolphins have managed to stay reasonably scrappy after a disastrous start to the year, but that’s mostly in spite of Tagovailoa, whose lucrative contract might be the only reason he sticks around. (-4) |
| 28 | |
| One benefit of Taylor taking over for Justin Fields? The Jets have gotten a few solid looks at young wideout flyers in Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III, who’ve collected targets from the veteran journeyman. (+1) |
| 29 | |
| The moxie of Smith’s Seahawks tenure feels increasingly like a distant memory. But old friend Pete Carroll may well cling to him until the end, even as he sheds his maligned staff of top assistants. (+1) |
| 30 | |
| The Browns managed just eight points in their Week 13 loss, but the rookie Sanders once again drove the ball downfield with solid touch. We can at least say Kevin Stefanski’s offense has some intrigue. (+1) |
| 31 | |
| For every glimpse of Ward’s first-round arm talent, occasionally displayed in an improbable cross-body dart, the Titans produce plenty more dysfunctional drives. The kid needs new leadership. (-1) |
| 32 | |
| Back after his latest injury-fueled break, McCarthy needs to settle down his mechanics if he wants to bring any sense of long-term hope back to a Vikings staff and fan base that bet too big on his readiness. |
