Sometimes, narratives need to be shattered as the data changes.
For the last few years, Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff were seen as just parts of their offense—sometimes positive, and at other points restrictive. The Dolphins and Lions were both above .500 in 2022, but neither was seen as a real threat.
Fast forward to the present. Miami and Detroit are a combined 10–2, and you would be hard-pressed to name a pair of quarterbacks playing better ball. Tagovailoa and Goff are slinging it, armed with excellent schemes, terrific receivers and a level of talent that many thought they may not have.
Here are the Week 7 NFL quarterback rankings:
32. Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears (Last Week: N/A)
31. Malik Willis, Tennessee Titans (N/A)
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After Ryan Tannehill sustained a high ankle sprain, the Titans turned to Willis in hopes of keeping their season alive. Since coming into the league as a third-round pick out of Liberty in 2022, Willis has struggled mightily when he sees the field.
As a rookie last year, Willis started three games, throwing zero touchdowns with three interceptions while also completing only 50.8% of his attempts. On Sunday, Willis was pressed into relief duty against the Ravens, and, while he completed 4-of-5 passes for 80 yards, he also took four sacks.
Coming out of their Week 7 bye, the Titans draw the Falcons before a three-game road trip against the Steelers, Buccaneers and Jaguars. The next month could define Willis’s time in Nashville.
30. Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (N/A)
29. PJ Walker, Cleveland Browns (N/A)
28. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (28)
27. Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons (31)
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The Falcons are playing a very dangerous game. They’re 3–3, sitting a half game out of first place in the NFC South.
However, Ridder is more anchor than ally at this point. Outside of one good game against the Texans, the second-year quarterback has only once eclipsed 7.0 yards per attempt while totaling six touchdowns against six interceptions on the season. Last weekend, Ridder threw 47 passes against Washington. He was intercepted three times and completed only seven passes of 10+ air yards. Not good enough.
Coach Arthur Smith knows he has an experienced, capable hand in backup Taylor Heinicke. If Atlanta continues to struggle, it’s a risk to not play Heinicke—both for Smith’s credibility with the team and the Falcons’ record.
26. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (32)
25. Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (N/A)
24. Zach Wilson, New York Jets (30)
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Wilson isn’t perfect. Hell, he’s not good. But he’s playing in a fashion where the Jets can win games. Over the past three weeks, Wilson has thrown only one interception, while New York has gone 2–1, losing only a 23–20 squeaker to the Chiefs.
Against the Eagles, Wilson was 19-of-33 for 186 yards while doing nothing but quick, easy throws. On tosses more than 10 air yards, Wilson went 2-of-10. It was ugly, but it’s also notable he didn’t have any turnovers, while New York intercepted Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts on three occasions.
While the numbers are lackluster, context also must be included. The Jets aren’t asking Wilson to be great. They’re just asking him not to crush their chances of winning. Over the past three weeks, he’s largely done that.
23. Joshua Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals (26)
22. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (29)
21. Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (25)
20. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (27)
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Howell is a fascinating study. Washington is 3–3, and Howell has thrown for 1,500 yards on 7.0 yards per attempt while tossing nine touchdowns with six interceptions (four of which came against the Bills). Solid numbers.
However, Howell has been a walking sack, being brought down 34 times, more than any other signal-caller. Incredibly, the quarterback still has done enough to keep the Commanders in the playoff mix, even with Terry McLaurin as his only real downfield weapon.
It’s clear Howell will stick around on the NFL level. The question is whether he’s a legitimate starter who can develop into a plus player for a good team, or if he’s an above-average backup who will replicate the Ryan Fitzpatrick career track.
19. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (21)
18. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (19)
17. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16)
16. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (18)
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The Saints signed Carr to a four-year deal this offseason, hoping he could vault them from borderline playoff team to contender. Instead, New Orleans is 3–3, while Carr ranks 21st in passing yards per game (216.5).
Carr hasn’t been bad, but as his 17th-ranked QBR (51.3) would accurately tell you, he’s decidedly average. The Saints need more, especially now with a healthy Michael Thomas and second-year star Chris Olave on the perimeter, along with running back Alvin Kamara in the backfield.
Checking in at 23rd in points (109)—including ahead of three teams who have already had their bye weeks—New Orleans has issues, and the solutions start with Carr elevating his game. If he doesn’t, this season will look like the last few. Long on defense, short on offense, out of the playoffs.
15. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (15)
14. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (14)
13. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (10)
12. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (11)
11. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (13)
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Stroud has simply been fantastic through his first six starts. While the rookie has a woeful 59.6 completion rate, that’s because he’s pushing the ball and testing his limits. He’s already thrown nine touchdowns against one interception while averaging 7.8 yards per attempt.
Despite playing on a very young offense, Stroud has shown his talent. Last week against an excellent Saints defense, the 2023 No. 2 pick saw five of his 13 completions go at least 10 air yards, while throwing only twice behind the line of scrimmage. On the road against the Falcons the week before, he had eight such deep completions, including a touchdown.
Stroud is playing at a borderline top-10 level already, with tons of growth potential. Houston should be thrilled.
10. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (9)
9. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (12)
8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (3)
7. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (8)
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Two years ago, the Rams traded Goff to the Lions for Stafford and attached a pair of first-round picks to make it happen. Now, Goff is playing like an All-Pro.
Detroit is leading the NFC North with a 5–1 mark, and Goff is the biggest reason. He’s fifth in passing yards per game (269.5), third in yards per attempt (8.0) and sixth in on-target passes (80.9%).
The Lions are also doing a terrific job with their play-action game to set up the pass; only the Bills have thrown for more yardage after a play-fake. And now with speedy second-year receiver Jameson Williams having returned from a suspension following Week 4, that element should only become more dangerous.
Look for Goff and the Lions to continue ascending as the season heats up.
6. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (6)
5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (5)
4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (7)
3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (2)
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (4)
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Through six weeks, Tagovailoa is the league MVP. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s clear.
The Dolphins are tied atop the AFC at 5–1 alongside the Chiefs, and Tagovailoa has the best numbers of any quarterback. He’s thrown for a league-best 1,876 yards on 312.5 yards per game and is tied with Kirk Cousins for the most touchdown passes (14).
While Tagovailoa has the benefit of both a great rushing attack, and receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, he’s also throwing the ball deep. He ranks eighth in air yards per completion while checking in fifth for on-target percentage.
Tagovailoa has been brilliant to this juncture.
