NFL QB Index, Week 14: Brock Purdy soars into the top five, while Jake Browning soars through the ranks.
![NFL QB Index, Week 14: Brock Purdy storms into top five; Jake Browning vaults up rankings](https://i0.wp.com/static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/t_editorial_landscape_8_desktop_mobile/league/wgxhn94nwoxn4imbvvzl.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Rank No1 Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys · Year 8
2023 stats: 12 games | 70.1 pct | 3,234 pass yds | 7.9 ypa | 26 pass TD | 6 INT | 174 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 1 fumble
Prescott is currently playing at a level and with more consistency than anybody else. After his Thanksgiving explosion, the Cowboys signal-caller had another outstanding performance, spreading the ball to eight separate targets on his way to a 3 touchdown, 299-yard touchdown drive in Arlington.
His touchdown pass to Jake Ferguson, which he made while throwing safety Jamal Adams away, showed how perceptive he is of the situation on a per-snap basis. This allowed his tight end to win the physical contest and score a vital touchdown. Coach Mike McCarthy has Dallas’ offense running like a well-oiled machine, and Prescott is running it about as perfectly as he can. He looks at ease and fully in control of the offense.
Rank No 2 Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins · Year 4
2023 stats: 12 games | 70.1 pct | 3,457 pass yds | 8.6 ypa | 24 pass TD | 10 INT | 40 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 10 fumbles
In Week 13, Tagovailoa’s big plays were crucial to the Dolphins’ decisive victory, and he delivered plenty of them. Tyreek Hill continued his ascent toward the 2,000-yard receiving milestone with another outstanding day after Tagovailoa threw him two enormous touchdown passes of 60 and 78 yards.
Additionally, Tagovailoa managed to convert improbable first downs by maneuvering through the pocket and hitting Jaylen Waddle with passes. The Miami offense is unstoppable, especially when it faces weaker opposition. In this game, Tagovailoa was unstoppable; they were a real example of a better team performing admirably throughout.
Rank No 3 Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs · Year 7
2023 stats: 12 games | 67.8 pct | 3,127 pass yds | 7.0 ypa | 22 pass TD | 10 INT | 331 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 3 fumbles
Since QB victories are not a stat and Mahomes already has a lot on his plate, let’s absolve him of this loss. The reason Kansas City’s offense still has a high ceiling is largely due to the MVP candidate supporting it. However, Mahomes’ scaffolding can occasionally give way when the offense encounters an eager or sly defense.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday night. Despite being unable to match the Packers’ offensive output, Mahomes managed to keep this offense moving with his signature style of pocket movement, out-of-structure delivery, and overall playmaking ability. His interception, which dealt a crushing blow to the Chiefs’ comeback attempt, left me wondering if it was an off-target toss or if he and Skyy Moore still don’t get along well enough to pull off an attempt of this magnitude with the timing and accuracy required.
(I strongly favor the latter.) He’s still playing fantastic football, though. We all know that the majority of their difficulties are the result of subpar performances from those who receive his passes, which makes us all wish for a stronger supporting group.
Rank No 4 Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers · Year 2
2023 stats: 12 games | 70.2 pct | 3,185 pass yds | 9.6 ypa | 23 pass TD | 6 INT | 131 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 6 fumbles
After spending the first two drives in Philadelphia big-play hunting and coming up empty, Purdy made a noticeable shift, accepting whatever the defense was giving him and taking the short gains with an eye on the greater goal. That’s precisely when the big plays started appearing.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday night. Despite being unable to match the Packers’ offensive output, Mahomes managed to keep this offense moving with his signature style of pocket movement, out-of-structure delivery, and overall playmaking ability. His interception, which dealt a crushing blow to the Chiefs’ comeback attempt, left me wondering if it was an off-target toss or if he and Skyy Moore still don’t get along well enough to pull off an attempt of this magnitude with the timing and accuracy required.
(I strongly favor the latter.) He’s still playing fantastic football, though. We all know that the majority of their difficulties are the result of subpar performances from those who receive his passes, which makes us all wish for a stronger supporting group.
Houston Texans · Rookie
2023 stats: 12 games | 63.4 pct | 3,540 pass yds | 8.5 ypa | 20 pass TD | 5 INT | 143 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 7 fumbles
One of Stroud’s top targets, Tank Dell, suffered a broken fibula, making the game certain to come down to plays made on the fringes. Rather than giving up, Stroud just turned his focus to his other preferred receiver,
Nico Collins, gaining 173 yards and a touchdown on eight passes from him. It worked out even though Stroud relied disproportionately on Collins, unlike previous weeks. He continued to build his slam dunk resume for Offensive Rookie of the Year with a few more jaw-dropping passes at almost impossible angles. While Houston failed to complete most of its drives on Sunday, it is evident that the Texans would not be experiencing this kind of success in the absence of Stroud’s outstanding rookie campaign. Their games are worth scheduling a time to watch because of the phenomenal quarterback.
Rank No 6 Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles · Year 4
2023 stats: 12 games | 66.5 pct | 2,995 pass yds | 7.4 ypa | 19 pass TD | 10 INT | 430 rush yds | 12 rush TD | 7 fumbles
I would like to take this opportunity to ask Hurts not to go out and win the game every play. When there are no passes available, it’s acceptable to discard a few.Hurts missed this memo on Sunday, taking a few needless sacks just to be patient and wait for someone to open up. He continued to provide momentum to an Eagles offense that was proficient with the ball and converted more than half of its third downs.
Making a few hero plays along the way, such as two excellent completions to DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. However, the combined effort was insufficient to keep up with the 49ers, who shredded Philadelphia’s defense with a variety of paper cuts, some of which ripped huge holes in the Eagles’ armor. Even though it was unexpected to witness the Eagles crushed by a 49ers offense that was just superior—particularly at turning scoring opportunities into touchdowns—that isn’t Hurts’ fault.
Buffalo Bills · Year 6
2023 stats: 12 games | 68.1 pct | 3,214 pass yds | 7.4 ypa | 24 pass TD | 13 INT | 342 rush yds | 9 rush TD | 4 fumbles
After stuffing the stat sheet in a heartbreaking loss at Philadelphia in Week 12, Allen reverted to the superstar status that landed him on the cover of Madden NFL 24. Now that the bye week break is over, Allen will play five games in 2023 that could affect Buffalo’s long-term prospects in nearly every position, with the exception of quarterback.
Even though he demonstrated before the bye that he had the capacity to bear such responsibility—even in a defeat—he was asked to do too much for the majority of the season and suffered as a result. Regretfully, he’ll probably need to come through in the closing stages to help the confused Bills qualify for the postseason.
Rank No 8 Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars · Year 3
2023 stats: 12 games | 67.9 pct | 3,004 pass yds | 7.5 ypa | 14 pass TD | 7 INT | 248 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 8 fumbles
For the third week in a row, Lawrence was on track to record another impressive performance; he completed 22 of 29 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns before the misfortune struck. His night was cut short by a sprained ankle sustained in the fourth quarter, which caused complete panic among Jaguars supporters. Before leaving a game that the Jaguars would lose in overtime,
Targeting Evan Engram—who recorded his first touchdown of 2023—Calvin Ridley, and rookie Parker Washington—who appeared out of nowhere and was instrumental in the absence of Christian Kirk—all proved successful for Lawrence. Before he was injured, Lawrence was clearly headed for another strong performance. How long he might be out is the question now.
Rank No 9 Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens · Year 6
2023 stats: 12 games | 68.3 pct | 2,618 pass yds | 7.8 ypa | 13 pass TD | 5 INT | 574 rush yds | 5 rush TD | 11 fumbles
This season, Jackson was able to take a much-needed vacation from the grind thanks to an unexpected bye week. Early in the season, Jackson was handily winning games for the Ravens; however, as of late, he has merely performed his assigned tasks. His last appearance wasn’t particularly remarkable.
But the results are hard to argue with, especially since this is the first season under a new offensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see if Jackson needs to lead the Ravens to wins in order to secure the AFC North, or if he can succeed if he keeps up his current level of performance.
Rank No 10 Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams · Year 15
2023 stats: 11 games | 60.7 pct | 2,768 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 16 pass TD | 9 INT | 69 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles
Sean McVay, the coach, and Stafford have developed a strong friendship. They are succeeding even in a season where their talent level isn’t as high as it was in previous years. The two outperformed Cleveland’s coaching staff on Sunday, coming up with several plays that decimated the Browns’ defense.
With a perfect attack on Cleveland’s Cover 2 defense, Stafford’s bullet down the seam to Puka Nacua set up the rookie wideout for a 70-yard touchdown reception. And Stafford delivered, connecting twice with Demarcus Robinson, including once for a touchdown, to help the Rams extend their lead in points scored. In 2023, he’s turning spare parts into art while leading the unexpectedly strong Rams to their third consecutive victory.