NFL quarterback rankings 2021 – How all 32 groups’ QBs stack up and massive takeaways
We’re lastly via the 2021 regular season. Fourteen groups sit up for the playoffs, whereas 18 others flip their consideration to the offseason — and the quarterback place stays a focus for each.
On a weekly foundation all through the season, I’ll price my present confidence in every quarterback’s play. Who’s unstoppable and within the MVP dialog? Who’s struggling and desires to seek out consistency? Who’s rising, and who’s falling, after every week’s sport slate? Which rookies are exceeding expectations, and which veterans are main their offenses to playoff rivalry? And bear in mind, that is based mostly on the current, not future potential.
True backups is not going to be included, although groups with a number of professional beginning choices might need a number of QBs listed within the rankings. Backups in line to play for injured starters additionally shall be ranked. The record shall be accompanied every week by a few of the greatest takeaways and lingering ideas from the current performances underneath middle, together with what each the tape and numbers say about a few of the sport’s beginning quarterbacks. Listed here are this week’s QB rankings — the ultimate version — and a few notes concerning the place.
Final up to date: Jan. 12
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Rankings | Takeaways
Mike Tannenbaum’s QB rankings
Wanting forward
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This week’s record took on extra of a season-to-date strategy, and rating the quarterbacks every week was an excellent reminder of how beneficial and consequential the place is for crew success within the NFL. There are possibly 16 QBs who can win constantly proper now, and that quantity would possibly really be excessive when you think about the sturdiness issues of Lamar Jackson, the age of Matt Ryan and the inconsistency of Kirk Cousins. The groups which have a top-tier beginning quarterback are at a transparent benefit over the groups which have various levels of query marks on the place.
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Waiting for subsequent season, many groups could have some choices to make at QB. I feel the next groups completely have to make an improve within the offseason: Lions (Jared Goff), Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger), Browns (Baker Mayfield), Broncos (Teddy Bridgewater) and Panthers (Sam Darnold/Cam Newton). And I feel the Eagles (Jalen Hurts), Falcons (Ryan), Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa), Texans (Davis Mills), Giants (Daniel Jones), Saints (Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill) and Washington (Taylor Heinicke) want to herald some competitors. Possibly they discover an improve, possibly they do not. However they want some competitors within the QB room.
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Paul Finebaum and Keyshawn Johnson break down why the Dolphins will transfer on from Tua Tagovailoa if a greater possibility at quarterback comes up.
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Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott seemed nice with 5 passing touchdowns in Week 18, however do not forget that he was taking part in in opposition to principally Philadelphia backups. Even so, credit score Dallas for ending unbeaten in opposition to the NFC East, the primary such season for the Cowboys since 1998.
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One efficiency that did stand out in probably the most aggressive setting potential for Week 18 was that of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. He was super Sunday evening in opposition to the Raiders, regardless of the extra time loss. And on fourth down, he went 6-for-6 for 106 yards and a TD, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats.
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Rams QB Matthew Stafford joined Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the one gamers in NFL historical past with 40-plus passing touchdowns in a single season with a number of groups. However his inconsistency makes him a troublesome analysis. I would not be shocked if he leads the Rams to the Tremendous Bowl — however I additionally would not be shocked if Los Angeles misplaced on Monday evening in its wild-card sport in opposition to the Cardinals.
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Coach Bruce Arians, I respectfully see it differently. Tampa Bay’s Brady was nice this season, however the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers was taking part in behind a patchwork offensive line all yr, and he was nonetheless the league’s greatest quarterback. Rodgers is the MVP this season.
