Coming out of Week 11, we got some big surprises at the quarterback position. Cincinnati signal-caller Joe Burrow got smashed by two Washington defenders, tearing at least two ligaments in one knee. He’s done for nine to twelve months. Speaking of Washington, Alex Smith continued his return from the career graveyard with a serviceable performance in beating the Bengals. In Dallas, Andy Dalton actually showed mobility, range and accuracy, leading the Cowboys to a thrilling win in Minnesota.
Let’s look at the latest QB power rankings as you plot out your online NFL betting strategy for the week’s games.
NFL News: Updated QB Power Rankings
#1 Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City)
Did you see him lead that last-second drive in Las Vegas on Sunday night? He can flip the switch when he needs to, and stopping him is almost a sheer impossibility.
#2 Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay)
Rodgers is picking up 8.2 yards per passing attempt in what continues to be a throwback season for him. If he’d led the Packers to a win in Indianapolis, it would just have been another miracle.
#3 Russell Wilson (Seattle)
A solid running game sets Wilson up for the deep ball. His turnovers are just a little too high at this point for him to get that MVP he was headed for earlier this season.
#4 Josh Allen (Buffalo)
With big games against Seattle and Arizona to end a midseason slump, Allen has shown that he has arrived as a mature quarterback. He’s gotten smarter about scrambling — and having Stefon Diggs as a legitimate target helps.
#5 Kyler Murray (Arizona)
He’s the quickest quarterback in the league, and throwing the ball down the field and spreading the ball to multiple receivers are aras of improvement.
#6 Deshaun Watson (Houston)
Watson has shone without the limitations put on his game by former coach Bill O’Brien. His own stats are way up this season, even as the Texans stumble to a 3-7 record so far.
#7 Derek Carr (Las Vegas)
Carr is having his best season since 2016. His decisions on short to mid-range throws have improved, and Josh Jacobs is a tailback who can take the pressure off Carr by establishing a solid running game.
#8 Matt Ryan (Atlanta)
Ryan is a lone bright spot in Atlanta, with his arm as strong as ever but his wideout corps has had a number of injuries — and the defense is not good.
#9 Tom Brady (Tampa Bay)
Brady’s had some disappointing performances lately, which is why he has slid in the rankings. Antonio Brown has joined the team as a new target, which helps, but the O-line and the running game have not been consistent.
#10 Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh)
Big Ben’s passing yards are down this year, but he has figured out how to get shorter passes into the hands of how speedy wide receivers with shorter passes.
#11 Justin Herbert (L.A. Chargers)
Herbert is the top rookie on this list, as he has shown a willingness to take shots down the field. A better defense would have brought Herbert more wins.
#12 Joe Burrow (Cincinnati)
It’s a shame that Burrow’s season is done; let’s hope that his knee can recover to the point where he’s still a terrific passer — and let’s hope the Bengals get an O-line in the off-season.
#13 Lamar Jackson (Baltimore)
Jackson won two straight MVP awards, but in 2020, the offensive line hasn’t done much to help him this season.
#14 Ryan Tannehill (Tennessee)
Tannehill started the year in spectacular form. Derrick Henry is continuing to bang bodies at running back, but his yardage is down, and as other teams have figured out the Tennessee offense, it’s time for Mike Vrabel’s crew to make some adjustments.
#15 Matthew Stafford (Detroit)
Once Stafford’s thumb is back again, he will do as well as he was earlier this season. But thumbs are nagging injuries. Kenny Golladay has returned to the lineup, which will give Stafford more options.
#16 Kirk Cousins (Minnesota)
Cousins has had the interception bug a bit, especially when he has to throw the ball a lot. When he can base the offense on the run and then stretch it out, things go well, but when he can’t….
#17 Jared Goff (L.A. Rams)
Goff looked terrific against Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football, but the problem with Goff is that you don’t know which Goff will show up each week.
#18 Tua Tagovailoa (Miami)
Check the injury listings to see Tua’s status for Sunday’s game. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who came on for Tua, threw a late pick against Denver in a bad loss.
#19 Cam Newton (New England)
Newton’s passing numbers are not all that good. However, he is also facilitating the NEw England run offense. He has made a favorite target out of Jakobi Meyers in the wide receiver position.
#20 Philip Rivers (Indianapolis)
When Rivers runs the bus (which means keep an eye on ball security), then the Colts can win. If he can keep away from the bad interception against the quality team, the Colts might actually be able to ride their run game and the defense to an AFC South title.
#21 Baker Mayfield (Cleveland)
Mayfield is terrific on the play action. However, with Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb both healthy, this needs to be a run-first team, especially with OBJ done for the season.
#22 Andy Dalton (Dallas)
One good game against Minnesota doesn’t mean that the team’s woes are solved, but it’s a big step forward.
#23 Daniel Jones (N.Y. Giants)
Having all four of his starting wide receivers healthy and running routes together has helped Jones a great deal. He’s cut down on the turnovers, and he can still surprise with his running speed.
#24 Carson Wentz (Philadelphia)
Wentz had a dreadful pick-six against Cleveland, an awful game against the Giants, and four giveaways against Dallas.
#25 Nick Mullens (San Francisco)
Mullens is a backup quarterback playing in an offense without a starting tight end (George Kittle) or a top wide receiver (Deebo Samuel). His frustration has turned into inaccuracy and turnovers.
#26 Taysom Hill (New Orleans)
Starting Hill over Jameis Winston caused some raised eyebrows in New Orleans given that Hill has 18 career passing attempts. Hill then led the Saints to a big win.
#27 Joe Flacco (N.Y. Jets)
Flacco has put up some big plays in relief of Sam Darnold — just not enough of them for the Jets to win any games.
#28 Alex Smith (Washington)
He’s coming back into his own in the NFL after that gruesome injury a year ago.
#29 Nick Foles (Chicago)
Who will start for Chicago out of the bye? Foles has been throwing picks and hurt his hip. Mitch Trubisky has had a nagging shoulder injury. Could it be Tyler Bray?
#30 P.J. Walker (Carolina)
Walker, who played in the XFL, made his first NFL start in relief of Teddy Bridgewater. Without Christian McCaffrey, Walker led the Panthers to a 20-0 win over Detroit. Not bad!
#31 Jake Luton (Jacksonville)
Luton is doing the best he can for a sixth-round rookie. He has some good receivers, and the Jaguars are trying to put more emphasis on the running game.
#32Drew Lock (Denver)
Lock has started turning the ball over way too often, even when the pass protection is solid.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
