We’ve made it to that week in the NFL when a lot of the top quarterbacks may take the week off, with the playoffs on the horizon. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger will take Week 17 off, leaving Mason Rudolph to start against Cleveland. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes will not play the whole game, according to Andy Reid; instead, Chad Henne should get the bulk of the action.
So this week’s rankings really looks ahead to the postseason as you plan your NFL betting for the potential wild card matchups.
NFL News: QB Power Rankings after Week 16
#1 Patrick Mahomes (KC)
Aaron Rodgers is pushing hard down the stretch, but the clearest sign that Patrick Mahomes is the top quarterback is that he has a game where he doesn’t look like his full self, as he did against Atlanta, and still pulls off a relatively easy win.
#2 Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Rodgers picked apart the Tennessee Titans on Sunday night in the snow, getting the second win for Green Bay against a team with a winning record. The Packers look lined up for the first-round bye, and Rodgers is the top reason.
#3 Josh Allen (BUF)
Josh Allen looks at ease and confident, and he is throwing laser beams down the field right now. He started with four terrific games, had a two-game mini-slump and has just improved since then.
#4 Russell Wilson (SEA)
The numbers have tailed off in the second half of 2020, but he keeps delivering wins, and it happened again on Sunday in a tough division-clinching win over the Rams.
#5 Deshaun Watson (HOU)
Yes, the Texans gave Cincinnati their first road win in two years. It’s a shame that Watson’s talent remains buried in this roster.
#6 Lamar Jackson (BAL)
If you add up his arm and his legs, he’s one of the toughest weapons in the game. He delivered on throws down the field in Week 16, and if he can keep doing that, watch out in the playoffs.
#7 Kyler Murray (ARI)
The key area in which Murray will need to improve next year has to do with making decisions, as he causes too many turnovers. That should come with time, though, and he’s still dangerous with both his arm and feet.
#8 Ryan Tannehill (TEN)
Sunday night’s performance at Lambeau was ugly. However, teams that haven’t played in the snow often struggle when they first hit wintry weather.
#9 Drew Brees (NO)
He’ll be playing in Week 17 as the Saints still have a chance to snag that bye. He’s looked solid in his return from injury.
#10 Tom Brady (TB)
Tampa Bay needs to find a steadier offensive rhythm throughout an entire game. But with the Bucs headed to either Washington, Dallas or New York for their wild card game, they are a virtual shoo-in for the divisional round.
#11 Justin Herbert (LAC)
Herbert has been the best rookie quarterback in 2020. Expect great things for him in 2021.
#12 Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
Ben decided to throw the ball down the field after four weeks of check-downs, and the Steelers came back against the Colts. Can he keep it up?
#13 Baker Mayfield (CLE)
The improvement is clear; the consistency needs to grow. There’s really no excuse for that offensive implosion against the Jets, as the Browns have the top running back tandem in the NFL.
#14 Kirk Cousins (MIN)
The passing numbers are terrific – but the team is 6-9. It’s hard to see how that fits together. It’s hard to trust him to run a playoff team, right?
#15 Derek Carr (LV)
The touch is back; the decision-making is still iffy. His coaching staff needs to call better plays in the red zone.
#16 Philip Rivers (IND)
He threw a pick during the Steelers’ comeback on Sunday. The entire comeback wasn’t his fault, but when the Steelers turned up the intensity, he didn’t hold serve with a 17-point lead.
#17 Matt Ryan (ATL)
You can pick up a ton of yards, as Matt Ryan has done, and still have a bad year. Why? Because you have to throw a lot when you’re behind.
#18 Matthew Stafford (DET)
It’s definitely time to consider another team. He’s unlikely to play in Week 17, as it would be a meaningless game, which means more Chase Daniel.
#19 Teddy Bridgewater (CAR)
Teddy has worked hard this season, but he has failed to deliver the knockout blows when his team needs him too. He has earned another season at the helm while Matt Rhule installs a defense, though.
#20 Mitch Trubisky (CHI)
Mitch has looked reborn with the freedom to move outside the pocket. In fact, that six-game losing streak could still turn into a playoff berth if the Bears win on Sunday.
#21 Andy Dalton (DAL)
Dalton will get a $1 million bonus if Dallas can make the playoffs. He had three completions of 50 yards or more against Philadelphia. No one will be more motivated than he will in Week 17.
#22 Jalen Hurts (PHI)
That lack of ball security in the second half against Dallas may have guaranteed that Carson Wentz comes back for the Eagles next year. But what if he goes nuts against the Washington Football Team?
#23 Tua Tagovailoa (MIA)
Tua was way too cautious in Week 16, throwing short and safe passes and failing to pick up first downs. Ryan Fitzpatrick had to come on and lead the comeback. So which would you start in the playoffs right now?
#24 Daniel Jones (NYG)
Jones’ hamstring is still clearly bothering him. But he almost beat Dallas early in the season, in the game where Dak went down. Could he lead the Giants to a division title on Sunday?
#25 C.J. Beathard (SF)
He’s got the big arm, and he turns the ball over less often than Nick Mullens does. This should be the long-term backup. But will Jimmy G come back?
#26 Sam Darnold (NYJ)
Sam Darnold has spent three seasons in the NFL basically failing to develop. That’s as much on his coaching staffs as it has been on him, though.
#27 Brandon Allen (CIN)
Bengals win! In Houston! Allen is a battler, one that the Bengals are lucky to have behind Joe Burrow.
#28 Cam Newton (NE)
Is it time for Jarrett Stidham to get a start? It won’t matter, because the Patriots don’t have quality targets for either to throw to.
#29 Mike Glennon (JAC)
One more week until the Jaguars win the Trevor Lawrence Sweepstakes, right? I mean, the Jaguars can’t sweep the Colts? Right?
#30 Alex Smith (WAS)
Will it be Smith or Taylor Heinicke to lead the Football Team against Philadelphia in prime time? Either way, it will be an ugly finish to a season that has shown a lot of courage in Washington. Smith should win Comeback Player of the Year, but he shouldn’t start anywhere in 2021.
#30 Dwayne Haskins Jr (WAS)
Alex Smith (calf) is unlikely to play — but Haskins could get suspended after hosting a party with strippers without wearing a mask. And the Football Team leads the NFC East!
#31 Drew Lock (DEN)
It’s time for John Elway to find another new starting quarterback.
#32 John Wolford (LAR)
Jared Goff is having thumb surgery, and he was spiraling downward anyway. Could Wolford burnish his resume with a big show in Week 17?
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