2023 NFL Power Rankings: Week 3

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For the second week in a row, the Arizona Cardinals put up a tough fight. Shockingly, Arizona raced out to a 20-0 lead over the Giants — a team which won a road playoff game in 2022 and entered the season expecting to return to the postseason. Arizona’s offense was cooking in the first half, but things changed drastically after halftime. After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive of the third quarter to extend the lead to 28-7, the Cardinals ended the game with three-straight punts. Defensively, the Cards allowed 31 points on five consecutive drives.

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Well, the Texans may be headed for another top-3 pick. Playing host to the rival Colts, Houston was thoroughly outclassed for much of the game. The game couldn’t have started any worse for the Texans — following an Indy touchdown on the opening drive, QB C.J. Stroud fumbled on the third offensive play. One play later, Indianapolis led 14-0. Stroud played well overall (384 yards, two TDs), but the Texans simply don’t have enough talent to win a lot of games in 2023.

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Justin Fields is not good at football. Chicago entered the season with raised expectations, but a lot of the internal (and external) hope centered around Fields. Many experts believed Fields was due for a huge improvement this year. Through two weeks, however, he looks like one of the worst quarterbacks in football. Against Tampa Bay, Fields ran into multiple sacks and failed to make multiple throws that would have resulted in big gains and points. The Bears are staring at an 0-3 start.

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Russell Wilson and Co. were cooking to start Sunday’s game against Washington. Wilson orchestrated three-straight touchdown drives to kick things off — capping off the second and third drives with touchdown passes — and built a 21-3 lead for the Broncos. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off after that. Over Denver’s next four possessions, Wilson fumbled and threw an interception. A successful Hail Mary as the clock hit zero brought Denver to within two points, but the ensuing two-point attempt failed. Denver has a lot to work on ahead of this week’s showdown in Miami.

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Week 2 looked a lot like Week 1 for Bryce Young — minus the interceptions. In his debut, Young completed 20 passes for 146 yards, one score, two interceptions, and he didn’t look comfortable on the day. On Monday night, Young finished 22-of-33 for 153 yards and one touchdown. Carolina generated less than 250 total yards on offense, and once again wasted a pretty solid showing from its defense.

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Kirk Cousins threw for over 350 yards and found the end zone four times, Justin Jefferson hauled in 11 catches for 159 yards…and the Vikings lost yet again. Minnesota’s defense held up very well through the first half of play to keep the team in the game. Two first-half fumbles resulted in zero points for the Eagles, and an interception put an end to another Philly drive. The Vikes’ defense was run over in the second half (Philly finished with 259 rushing yards), but they did their part to give Cousins and Co. a chance.

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It wasn’t a perfect day for the Colts, but they will surely be happy with their victory. Indianapolis stormed out of the gates to a 14-0 lead behind two rushing touchdowns courtesy of rookie QB Anthony Richardson — the second score was set up by a fumble recovery. Unfortunately, a concussion ended Richardson’s day after attempting just 10 passes. Gardner Minshew was fantastic in relief, however. The veteran completed 19-of-23 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown. Indianapolis took a 31-10 lead into the fourth quarter and cruised to victory.

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New England isn’t a bad team, but it is winless through two weeks — with both losses coming at home. The Patriots had a solid gameplan to slow down Miami’s electric passing game. A week after shredding the Chargers’ secondary, Tua Tagovailoa was held to 249 yards and Tyreek Hill finished with five catches for 40 yards and one TD. Offensively, New England struggled immensely for three quarters. Through 45 minutes, the offense had three points, two turnovers, and three punts. Two touchdowns in the fourth quarter brought the Pats within striking distance, but a very questionable booth review ended their hopes of a comeback with less than one minute to play.

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Las Vegas opened Week 2 with a touchdown on its opening drive, but that was the last moment of joy for the Raiders on Sunday. Jimmy Garoppolo found Davante Adams for the opening score, but an interception on Vegas’ next drive resulted in an easy score for Buffalo. Vegas finished the game with three turnovers, 13 first downs, and 240 total yards — 210 fewer yards than the Bills. The Raiders host Pittsburgh next week to begin their home schedule.

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For the second season in a row, the Cincinnati Bengals are 0-2. It has been a very ugly start to the season for a team that many picked to win the AFC. Joe Burrow hasn’t looked right in either loss, and the superstar re-aggravated his calf injury that held him out of training camp for weeks. An 81-yard punt return for a touchdown represented Cincinnati’s lone TD in the first half. It took until 2:34 was left on the clock in the third quarter for the Bengals to score their first offensive touchdown of the season. Burrow and Tee Higgins connected for a second score late in the fourth, but it was too little, too late.

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The Giants were 30 minutes away from an embarrassing 0-2 start. A week after losing 40-0 at home to the Dallas Cowboys, New York entered halftime in a 20-0 hole. Through 80 minutes of action, the Giants had been outscored 60-0. That is pathetic. However, the G-Men flipped the switch in the second half to pull out the win. The Giants scored four-straight touchdowns to tie the game at 28, and converted a field goal on their final possession to complete the comeback.

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The Chargers Charger’d…again. Los Angeles came up just short in Week 1’s most exciting game, and dropped the ball late against the Titans to fall to 0-2. The defense sacked Ryan Tannehill five times and held Derrick Henry to 80 yards on 25 carries. Justin Herbert topped 300 yards and threw two touchdown passes to Keenan Allen. After surrendering a lead late in the fourth, the Chargers sent the game to overtime with a field goal at the buzzer. In overtime, LA went three-and-out on the opening possession. Eight plays later, the Chargers were walking off the field as losers for the second time in as many weeks.

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The Rams look a lot better than they were projected to be. A week after upsetting the Seahawks in Seattle, Los Angeles held its own against the juggernaut 49ers. Los Angeles’ defense held Brock Purdy to 206 passing yards. Overall, the Rams finished with more first downs (28-21) and yards (386-365) than San Francisco. Kyren Williams continued his hot start to the year by adding two touchdowns and 100 total yards, and rookie Puka Nacua was unstoppable. The former BYU Cougar hauled in 15 catches for 147 yards. Matthew Stafford threw two costly interceptions in the second half that resulted in six points for the Niners — with the second pick effectively ending LA’s hopes of winning.

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Ryan Tannehill was absolutely dreadful in Tennessee’s Week 1 loss in New Orleans. He didn’t need to do much right yesterday to put up a better performance, and thankfully he was much improved. Tannehill’s final numbers look better than the reality of his performance, however. The veteran finished 20-of-24 for 246 yards and one touchdown, but he was also sacked five times and made some questionable decisions while facing Los Angeles’ rush. Trailing 21-17 late in the fourth, the Titans marched down the field and took a lead with 2:22 remaining. In overtime, the defense forced a three-and-out and allowed the offense to secure the win with a field goal.

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Through two weeks, the Washington Commanders have kept pace with the Eagles and Cowboys. Washington didn’t look great in its Week 1 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, and it certainly didn’t look good early on against Denver. The defense allowed three-straight touchdowns to begin the game, and the Commanders faced a 21-3 deficit late in the second quarter. However, a strip-sack flipped the game on its head. Washington’s offense paid off the takeaway by finding the end zone and converting a two-point conversion — cutting the deficit to 10 points. Following a three-and-out, the Commanders went 46 yards in 1:20 and kicked a field goal to end the half. Aside from Denver’s successful Hail Mary on the final snap, Washington outclassed Denver for the final 30+ minutes of play.

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Pittsburgh’s offense may be a big issue. Luckily, its defense is pretty damn good. The Steelers had a miserable performance in their Week 1 loss to the 49ers, and a second home-loss in a row to start the year could have been disastrous. Kenny Pickett wasn’t good Monday night (15-of-30 with one TD and one INT), but the defense picked up the slack. The Steelers’ defense scored two touchdowns to lead the team to victory — a pick-six on the first play of the game, and a scoop-and-score with 6:58 remaining to put the team ahead for good.

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It was always a longshot that Zach Wilson was going to look good in New York’s Week 2 showdown versus the Cowboys. It was an uneven matchup between the former No. 2 overall pick and the best defense in the league. Though Wilson did connect with WR Garrett Wilson on a touchdown pass, the Jets offense was mostly stagnant for a majority of the night. And, the defense wasn’t a whole lot better as Dak Prescott efficiently picked the secondary apart. The story of this game? Third downs. Dallas converted on 9-of-18 third down attempts while the Jets went 1-for-10. Extending drives allowed the Cowboys to dominate time of possession (Dallas had the ball for 42:15 to New York’s 17:45).

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The Saints are 2-0. It doesn’t matter how ugly it is, a win is a win. New Orleans is arguably one of the most talented teams in the NFC. Derek Carr is an upgrade at quarterback, the receiving corps is very deep, and the backfield features Jamaal Williams and — beginning in Week 4 — Alvin Kamara. Defensively, the Saints figure to be one of the league’s best units. The defense smothered Tennessee in Week 1, and similarly shut Carolina down on Monday night.

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Green Bay let one slip away in Atlanta. Jordan Love and the offense looked excellent through three quarters, as the first-year starter connected on three touchdowns in this one. However, the fourth quarter was unkind to the Packers as they were outscored 13-0 en route to a loss. Green Bay possessed the ball three times in the final frame, and gained just seven total yards on 10 plays. That will need to be fixed as Green Bay enters a fairly pivotal part of its schedule. After taking on the Saints next week, the Packers will be featured on Thursday Night Football against the Lions in Week 4 followed by a Monday Night Football contest against the Raiders in Week 5.

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Everybody counted out the Buccaneers following Tom Brady’s retirement. Baker Mayfield and company weren’t so sure. Tampa Bay is now 2-0 following wins over two NFC North opponents. Mayfield enjoyed one of the best games of his career, throwing for 317 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. The defense sacked Justin Fields six times, and held a strong Bears rushing attack to just 67 yards on 16 carries. The Buccaneers are one of three undefeated NFC South teams as the division is looking far more competitive than many originally thought.

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It looked like the Lions were ready to assert themselves as a top NFC contender following their Week 1 statement win over the Chiefs. Detroit played well (offensively, at least) against the Seahawks, but came up just short against a worthy opponent. Though he played well, Jared Goff ultimately made the biggest mistake of the game on an interception that was returned for a Seattle touchdown. Goff’s streak of passes without an interception was snapped at 383. He’ll look to start a new streak in Week 3 against the 2-0 Falcons.

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It’s tough to consider a Week 2 game as a ‘must-win’, but the Seahawks really needed this game. Given how the NFC landscape is shaping up – and how difficult it would be to knock off the 49ers – Seattle couldn’t really afford losing to a team that it will potentially be battling for playoff position. It was an exciting back-and-forth affair between two of the better offenses in the league. In the end, Geno Smith and Tyler Lockett made more plays than Detroit’s group. Smith found Lockett in the end zone at the start of the fourth quarter, and again in overtime to seal the victory.

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Two things were known about the Browns ahead of Week 1: Nick Chubb is a phenomenal running back and the defense is very good. Coming out of Week 2, three things are set in stone — 1) The defense is one of the league’s best. 2) Deshaun Watson is not a good quarterback. 3) Chubb is out for the year with a knee injury. Of course, the last point is the most important development at the moment. Chubb’s injury against Pittsburgh was devastating. It will be impossible to replace his production out of the backfield, and could result in a last-place finish within the AFC North. The Browns will be ranked much lower next week.

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These Falcons are unlike any other team in football. Their commitment to the rushing attack makes them a troubling matchup for just about every team in the league. In a game against the Packers, it seemed like Atlanta was going to be outmatched by Green Bay’s overall talent. Instead, the Falcons stayed the course and doubled-down on their philosophies. Atlanta won the fourth quarter 13-0, as kicker Younghoe Koo nailed the eventual game-winner with 57 seconds remaining. On the day, the Falcons finished with 211 rushing yards on 45 carries – rookie Bijan Robinson led the way with 172 scrimmage yards (124 rushing) on 23 touches. If the Falcons can take down the Lions in Detroit next week, we’ll have no choice but to take the Dirty Birds seriously.

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Not a great outing from this Jaguars offense. Just a week after pouring it on in Indianapolis, Jacksonville failed to generate much of anything against the defending champions. Part of the blame can be placed on QB Trevor Lawrence, who was uncharacteristically inaccurate as he faced a ton of pressure (four sacks). Lawrence missed on a couple of passes in the red zone which could have shifted the game in Jacksonville’s favor. Though, the defense should be proud of holding the high-powered Chiefs (featuring a returning Travis Kelce) to just 17 points. Now starts an interesting stretch for the Jaguars. Their next true road game doesn’t come until Week 7 as they will take on the Texans at home next week before traveling to London for back-to-back games.

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The Ravens are 2-0, and it doesn’t even feel like they’ve fully realized what this offense is capable of. Going into a matchup with the Bengals, it seemed easy to imagine Baltimore dropping one in Cincinnati. Coming off a brutal loss in Cleveland, the Bengals desperately needed to scratch in division play. Instead, the Ravens played a complete game on both sides of the ball while holding Cincinnati’s explosive offense mostly in check. The second half saw both teams exchanging touchdowns, but it was the former MVP Lamar Jackson who made all of the necessary plays down the stretch. Jackson had one of his best days as a passer in quite some time (24-for-33, 237 yards, 2 touchdowns), while Baltimore’s running game (37 carries for 178 yards) eventually wore down Cincinnati’s front.

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A matchup against a lousy Raiders defense is just what this Bills team needed to get back on track. Buffalo trailed 7-0 early, and went three-and-out on its first drive much to the chagrin of fans in attendance. However, a tipped interception on Vegas’ second drive opened the flood gates. It was all Buffalo from then on. The Bills scored on six of their next seven drives – with the only stop being a turnover on downs on Vegas’ one-yard line. Josh Allen and company moved the ball with ease, as the QB managed to avoid any turnovers while completing over 80-percent of his passes. Sophomore back James Cook had his best day as a pro, accruing 159 scrimmage yards on 21 touches. The defense was locked in following Vegas’ opening drive touchdown. On the Raiders last eight drives, Buffalo allowed just three points and forced three turnovers.

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Miami’s offense wasn’t quite as explosive in Week 2, but they managed to do just enough to stave off the Patriots in Foxboro. After a 400-yard performance a week ago from Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins relied on the run game in this one as Raheem Mostert had himself a day. The 31-year-old running back rushed for 121 yards and a pair of scores. Former All-Pro kicker Jason Sanders missing a pair of kicks allowed the Patriots to stay within striking distance, but for the second straight week Miami’s defense delivered on the opponents final drive, forcing a turnover on downs. Miami will take on the 0-2 Broncos next week before a big showdown with the Bills in Buffalo on the Week 4 slate.

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The story through two weeks for the defending champions has been a faltering offense. A week after scoring just 20 points in the opener, Kansas City struggled to find a groove yet again against Jacksonville. The turnover bug struck as the Chiefs coughed it up three times – one interception and two fumbles. Travis Kelce managed to find the end zone in his debut, but finished fifth in yards for the Chiefs with just 26 yards on four receptions. While the sputtering offense is certainly a concern, Kansas City’s defense has been up to the task. After giving up just 14 points to a high-powered Lions team a week ago, the Chiefs held Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars to just nine points on the day. Chris Jones was dominant in his debut, registering 1.5 sacks and two QB hits.

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The best defense in football belongs to the Dallas Cowboys. After shutting out the Giants in the season opener, the Cowboys allowed just 10 points to the Jets while forcing four turnovers and collecting three sacks. The first touchdown allowed by this group was a slant caught by Garrett Wilson that the WR took 68 yards to the house. Otherwise, this Cowboys team has been able to get off the field quickly and force offenses into short drives. Offensively, Dak Prescott was efficient – 31-for-38 for 255 yards and two scores – while Ceedee Lamb was virtually unstoppable – 11 receptions for 143 yards. Dallas will get to pad its defensive stats in another favorable matchup against the 0-2 Cardinals.

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If Week 2 was any indication, the 49ers might have a bit more of a difficult time running away with the NFC West than it had originally intended. Though San Francisco is 2-0 after knocking off a very game Rams squad, Los Angeles looked awfully competitive while Seattle picked up a crucial overtime win. Brock Purdy missed a couple of deep throws, but was able to avoid any major mistakes while picking up his eighth-straight regular season win. Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel both scored, while defensive backs Deommodore Lenoir and Isaiah Oliver each collected an interception. After going on the road for their first two, the 49ers will get their next three games at home.

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Two games in unfamiliar territory for this Eagles squad. After absolutely crushing their opponents last year, the Eagles have begun the ’23 season with a pair of one-possession games. Proving they can win these types of games certainly adds to Philadelphia’s impressive resume. In Thursday’s showdown with the Vikings, it was the newest Eagle, D’Andre Swift, who exploded for a huge evening. Swift toted the rock 28 times and accounted for 175 of the team’s 259 rushing yards. Swift carried the ball more than 16 times just once in his Lions career. It’s clear Philadelphia has bigger plans for the former second round pick than Detroit ever did.

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UP NEXT: The 50 Greatest Quarterbacks in NFL History

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Unfortunately for Drew Bledsoe, his career may be remembered most for losing his job to a man named Tom Brady. Before an injury allowed Brady to secure the job from Bledsoe, the talented quarterback started 123 games for the Patriots between 1993-2001.

Bledsoe was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Pats — twice leading the league in completions (’94, ’97). The Washington native would go on to earn a fourth Pro Bowl bid while with the Buffalo Bills before ultimately finishing his playing career with the Cowboys.

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After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Doug Williams joined the Washington Redskins and promptly made NFL history. In 1987, Williams made two regular season starts — and lost both. Despite the losses, Williams was given the offensive reigns when the Redskins entered the playoffs.

Williams rewarded coach Joe Gibbs’ faith and led Washington to a 42-10 victory over John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. Williams finished the contest 18-of-29 for 340 yards and four scores — making history as the first African-American starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.

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Before Russell Wilson arrived on the scene, Dave Krieg was arguably the franchise’s premier quarterback. From 1980-91, Krieg went 70-49 in 119 starts and earned three Pro Bowl nods. At the conclusion of a long 19-year career, Krieg had a record of 98-77 and tossed 261 touchdown passes versus 199 interceptions.

He may never have been the best quarterback in the league, but Krieg did enough to warrant the franchise adding him to its Ring of Honor.

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Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck…Bert Jones? When the then-Baltimore Colts selected Jones with the No. 2 overall pick in 1973, the team believed they had found their next great quarterback to follow in Unitas’ footsteps. While that was never going to go as planned, Jones did have a great three-year stretch in the mid-70’s.

From 1975-77, Jones went 31-11 as a starter, completing 58.7 percent of his passes for 8,273 yards and 59 touchdowns. He was deemed the NFL MVP in 1976 and was selected to the Second-Team All-Pro squad the following year.

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Two-time Super Bowl champ, two-time All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler — how could Bob Griese not make this list? Despite making two Pro Bowl’s through his first three seasons, Griese’s Dolphins struggled to a 10-20-2 record in his first 32 starts.

However, over the next five years, Griese flipped the switch. The quarterback led Miami to a 46-11-1 mark, was elected to four more Pro Bowl’s and won two Super Bowls. While his overall numbers weren’t great, there is no denying a quarterback who won 92-of-151 career starts.

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Let’s get this out of the way first — Ken Stabler had an electric mustache and a glorious mop of hair. The lefty from Alabama also had a rather nice career. Famous for his time with the Raiders, Stabler led Oakland to the playoffs six times. In 1976, Stabler led his squad to a Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

In addition to the win, Stabler led the NFL in passing touchdowns and passer rating in ’76 — two years removed from winning the MVP and leading the league in passing TDs for the first time. Stabler’s accomplishments led to his Hall of Fame induction in 2016.

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Joe Theismann enjoyed a very nice career before a devastating tackle by Lawrence Taylor permanently sent him to the sidelines. A Super Bowl champion in 1982 and MVP in ’83, Theismann suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg on that fateful play. Before the injury, Theismann had done it all.

After leading Washington to glory in ’82, he quarterbacked the ‘Skins to a 14-2 record the following year. For his career, Theismann went 77-47 and threw for over 25,000 yards.

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Let’s take a moment to soak in the image above. Look how beautiful — and simple — Roman Gabriel’s uniform is (unlike the hideous logo the Rams are trotting out in 2020). Now that that is out of the way, let’s get into Gabriel the player. Spending most of his career with the Rams, Gabriel was elected to four Pro Bowl’s, led the league in passing touchdowns on two occasions (1969, ’73), passing yards in ’73, and took home the ’69 MVP.

During his MVP campaign, Gabriel threw for 2,549 yards and tossed 24 TDs and just seven interceptions. From 1967-69, the Ram great led the franchise to a 32-7-3 mark.

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A majority of the younger football audience may recognize Phil Simms as ‘that guy on TV’. But long before Simms became a mainstay on network television, the Kentucky native led the New York Giants to a Super Bowl victory in 1986. In three games that postseason Simms completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 494 yards and eight touchdowns.

The two-time champ started eight games between 1991-92, but then had a triumphant comeback in ’93 — at 38 years old, Simms led the Giants to an 11-5 record and a Wild Card victory over the Vikings.

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Originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1993, Mark Brunell would later become the Jacksonville Jaguars’ inaugural quarterback when the team entered the NFL in 1995. Brunell would lead Jacksonville to the postseason four times — reaching the Conference Championship twice. To this day, Brunell is Jacksonville’s all-time leading passer with 25,698 yards and 144 touchdowns.

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Before his blossoming career in broadcasting began, Tony Romo was a highly-efficient quarterback for nearly a decade. Drafted in 2004, Romo spent two years on Dallas’ bench before taking over as the starting QB. Romo started 10 games in ’06 and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. From ’07-14, Romo threw 223 TD passes to just 97 INT’s.

As a 34-year-old, No. 9 led the NFL in completion percentage (69.9), yards per attempt (8.5), passer rating (113.2) and QBR (79.7). Romo wasn’t able to win the biggest games, but there is no denying his talent.

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A fourth-round pick out of Delaware, Rich Gannon exceeded all expectations in the NFL. The first 11 years of Gannon’s career were mediocre. Splitting time between Minnesota, Washington and Kansas City, Gannon made 58 starts and threw 66 touchdown passes. However, upon joining the Raiders in 1999, Gannon turned into a stud.

Gannon went on a four-year tear in Oakland — accumulating 15,787 yards and 105 TD’s. Gannon was named MVP in ’02, thanks to 4,689 passing yards and an 11-5 record. Gannon would go on to lead the Raiders to the Super Bowl in what turned out to be his last healthy season as a pro.

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Cam Newton is one of the most intimidating quarterbacks of all-time, hands down. Although Newton’s prowess through the air has been questioned at times throughout his career, you can’t argue with the results. Newton’s imposing 6-foot-5, 245 lb frame has tormented defenses since his debut in 2011. In ’15, Newton led the Panthers to a 15-1 regular season and a Super Bowl appearance.

That season, ‘Superman’ tossed 35 TD passes and netted 3,837 yards in the air — in addition to rushing for 636 yards and 10 scores. Through the ’22 season, Newton has rushed for 5,628 yards and 75 touchdowns, but enters this year as an unsigned free agent. Newton has changed the perception of what a quarterback can be.

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It is truly remarkable Randall Cunningham lasted 16 years in the NFL. Drafted by the Eagles in 1985, Cunningham served as a punching bag for the first six years of his career. In his second year, the four-time Pro Bowler was sacked 72 times — despite making only five starts.

Over the next four years, Cunningham would lead Philadelphia to a 38-22 record. In lieu of being sacked 51 times per season, Cunningham connected on 98 TD passes and rushed for 18 more. One of the first true dual-threat QB’s, Cunningham rushed for nearly 2,700 yards between ’87-90.

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After winning the Heisman Trophy following his senior year at USC, Carson Palmer was selected No. 1 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. Almost immediately upon his arrival in Cincinnati, Palmer appeared destined for a great career. In Year 2, Palmer led the NFL with 32 TD’s and a 67.8 completion percentage.

Unfortunately for Palmer and the Bengals, Palmer suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Cincy’s playoff game against the Steelers. It took Palmer a few years to regain his form, but boy did he ever. In 2015, at the age of 36, Palmer threw for 4,671 yards and 35 TD’s for the 13-3 Arizona Cardinals. In total, Palmer threw for over 46,000 yards and 294 touchdowns.

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Upon joining the then-San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers spent two years on the bench watching some guy named Drew Brees. Then, in ’06, Rivers was named the starting QB and promptly led the Bolts to a 14-2 regular season. Rivers spent the first 16 years of his career with the Chargers…

…but at the age of 39 joined the Indianapolis Colts for one final season. Rivers hung up his cleats with 63,440 passing yards, 421 touchdown passes, and eight Pro Bowl nods to his name. The only thing missing from Rivers’ resume is a Super Bowl win.

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Drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1984, Boomer Esiason quickly showcased his NFL potential. By the mid-80s, Esiason was lighting up defenses with his unique left-handed delivery. In 1988, his performance hit a pinnacle: Boomer led the Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, a testament to his prowess.

While the Bengals narrowly missed out on Super Bowl glory against the 49ers, Esiason’s impact on the game was undeniable. After stints with the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals, he returned to Cincinnati to cap off his career. Throughout his time in the league, Esiason amassed an impressive 37,920 passing yards and 247 touchdowns.

Known for his deep ball accuracy and ability to rally his team, Esiason remains one of the NFL’s iconic quarterbacks. Whether in Cincinnati or elsewhere, Boomer’s play consistently echoed his apt moniker: explosive and unforgettable.

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Emerging from Boston College as a hot prospect, Matt Ryan was snatched up by the Atlanta Falcons with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Right out of the gate, “Matty Ice” lived up to his nickname, bringing a cool, clutch presence to the Falcons’ offense. In his rookie year, he led Atlanta to the playoffs, signaling the dawn of a new era for the franchise.

Ryan’s apex came in 2016 when he not only spearheaded the Falcons to Super Bowl LI but also earned the NFL MVP award, thanks to a season where he threw for a whopping 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns. If he and the Falcons were able to hold on to their 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl, Ryan’s legacy would be a lot stronger.

Over the course of his career, Matt Ryan has thrown for well over 55,000 yards, placing him among the league’s elite passers. While his lone season in Indianapolis can best be described as a disaster, in the heart of Atlanta, Ryan’s legacy as a consistent and commanding QB is firmly etched in NFL history.

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Steve McNair parlayed a historic collegiate career at Alcorn State into becoming the No. 3 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. With the Titans, McNair quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the game. In 1997, his first year as the starting QB, McNair rushed for 674 yards and eight touchdowns.

McNair would lead the Titans to four playoff appearances — including a run to the Super Bowl in 1999, in which the Titans came a yard short of forcing overtime. In ’03, McNair and Peyton Manning were named co-MVPs. McNair’s achievement was amplified by the fact that he became the youngest player in NFL history to pass for 20,000 yards (22,637) and rush for 3,000 (3,172).

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Tittle’s Hall of Fame career began with the Baltimore Colts of the soon-to-be defunct All-America Football Conference. After three seasons with Baltimore, Tittle was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1951. Tittle spent 10 years in San Francisco, earning Pro Bowl honors four times and at one time sharing a backfield with three future Hall of Famers.

Despite playing with one of the most decorated backfield of all-time, Tittle became a legend with his next team, the New York Giants. In 1961, the Giants acquired Tittle from the 49ers in exchange for a second-year guard. In his first three seasons in New York, Tittle led the Giants to the NFL Championship. After being demolished 37-0 by the Green Bay Packers in 1961, Tittle threw 33 touchdowns in 1962 en route to another meeting with the Packers. New year, same result. The Packers won 16-7.

Tittle’s penultimate season of his career, 1963, was his best. He threw for a single-season record of 36 touchdowns while earning league MVP honors. However, Tittle produced his worst performance of the year in the Championship, throwing five interceptions on a bum knee, resulting in a 14-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. While Tittle was never able to capture a championship victory, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971.

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He may have played his last game in 1950, but Sid Luckman was a true beast. Spending the entirety of his career with the Bears, Luckman helped bring four NFL titles to Chicago. In totality, Luckman appeared in five championship games. In 1943, Luckman tossed 28 TD passes and averaged an astounding 11 yards per attempt, and 20 yards per completion.

That same year, Luckman found the end zone on an NFL-record 13.9 percent of his pass attempts. Five-time All-Pro, four-time NFL champion, Hall of Fame. Luckman may be the best quarterback you’ve never heard of.

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Seven years before Boomer Esiason won MVP honors and led the Bengals to a Super Bowl showdown against the 49ers, Ken Anderson accomplished the exact feat. A third-round pick in 1971, Anderson became Cincinnati’s starting QB in just his second year. Shortly after, Anderson found himself leading the league in passing yards (’74, ’75) and completion percentage (’74).

Anderson’s game peaked in ’81 when he led the Bengals to a 12-4 record and a narrow defeat in Super Bowl XVI. Still, Anderson’s 3,754 passing yards and 29 TD’s that year led to his lone MVP.

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Perhaps the best quarterback to play in the AFL, Len Dawson was an absolute star. After throwing a total of 45 passes through his first five years in football, Dawson exploded in 1962 with the Dallas Texans. In addition to leading the AFL in completion percentage (61.0) and TD’s (29), Dawson led the Texans to the AFL title — his first of three.

From ’62-69, Dawson led the league in completion percentage seven times and TD’s four times. Dawson then capped his career with a Super Bowl MVP effort in Super Bowl IV.

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Had a few games gone differently during McNabb’s career, there is a good chance he’d be pushing the top-20 of this list. In his first year as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback, McNabb finished second in MVP voting, leading the Eagles to the playoffs before being sent home by the Giants. The following year, McNabb led the Eagles to their first NFC Championship game since 1980.

From ’01-04, the McNabb-led Eagles reached the NFC Championship Game four consecutive years, ultimately falling short in their first three attempts. ’04 finally resulted in the breakthrough the Eagles were waiting for, as McNabb torched the competition on the way to Super Bowl XXXIX.

McNabb threw for 31 TD’s and had only eight INT’s during the regular season, becoming the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than 30 TD’s with less than 10 INT’s in a season. His talented Eagles squad didn’t win a championship, but advancing to four consecutive NFC Championships is no small feat. At the end of the day, McNabb should find himself in the Hall of Fame.

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The lesser of the Manning brothers, Eli has still put himself in position to one day enter the Hall of Fame. There is a case to be made that without the two Super Bowl victories, Eli would be seen as a slightly above-average quarterback, but you can’t knock his durability and knack for clutch plays.

In Manning’s two Super Bowl appearances, he led last-minute game-winning drives against the New England Patriots. The drives will ultimately be remembered by the two miraculous catches, but Manning was able to keep plays alive and make all the necessary throws to win.

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One day, Kurt Warner’s story will likely be shared on the big screen. Undrafted out of Northern Iowa, Warner was working at a grocery store before the St. Louis Rams came calling. A 28-year-old, Warner left the store behind and led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 1999 — where he also earned Super Bowl MVP honors.

In the process, Warner won the MVP while leading the NFL in completion percentage (65.1) and TDs (41). In 2001, Warner won his second MVP and came within seconds of a second championship. At 37, Warner led the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl — a narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One of the greatest postseason performers of all-time, Warner also has the 13th highest career passer rating and fifth-highest career completion percentage in NFL history. Quite the career, Kurt.

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Hailing from NC State and later Wisconsin, Russell Wilson entered the NFL as the Seattle Seahawks’ third-round pick in 2012. Despite doubts surrounding his height, Wilson quickly silenced critics, showcasing a dynamic playstyle that blended pocket presence with nimble footwork. By his second season, Wilson had led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history, cementing himself as one of the league’s premier talents.

Wilson’s ability to extend plays and conjure moments of magic, often when it mattered most, became his trademark. In 2019, he threw for a career-high 4,110 yards, consistently ranking among the top QBs in touchdown passes year after year. With a deep ball that’s second to none and leadership qualities that rally the 12th Man, Russell was the heart and soul of the Seahawks for nearly a decade.

However, his arrival in Denver has been far less successful. Now facing a make-or-break season after struggling mightily last year, Wilson’s top 20 legacy hangs in the balance. At the very least, with over 33,000 passing yards, 260+ touchdowns, and countless last-minute heroics for Seattle, he’s already cemented himself as a future Hall of Famer.

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“Broadway Joe” is easily one of the most recognizable players in the history of football. Known for his charisma, bold proclamations and his victory guarantee in Super Bowl III, Namath’s numbers don’t tell the whole story about his greatness.

Following a great collegiate career at Alabama, Namath led the Jets to an AFL Championship in 1968. The next year, shortly before the AFL/NFL merger, Namath made his famous guarantee. In 1969, Namath and the Jets, from the AFL, defeated Don Shula’s Baltimore Colts, from the NFL, in Super Bowl III.

While injuries played a big part in limiting the numbers Namath was able to achieve, there is no debating his legacy as one of the most gifted quarterbacks the sport has seen. The Jets’ Super Bowl III victory remains the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.

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Before settling into the broadcast booth, Fouts was one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. Fouts became just the third player ever to pass for more than 40,000 yards in a career — leading the league in passing each year from ’79-82, which included a then single-season passing record with 4,802 yards during the ’81 season.

Although the Chargers never reached the Super Bowl with Fouts under center, he did lead them to two AFC Championship Games. Fouts had his #14 retired by the Chargers in 1988, and was enshrined in Canton as a part of the Class of 1993.

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In one of the most confusing career arcs in NFL history, Ben Roethlisberger went from phenomenal to terrible and then back to phenomenal over the course of his 18 seasons. With two Super Bowl titles under his belt, Roethlisberger leaves the game a true Pittsburgh legend.

One of the best quarterbacks at extending plays and improvising in NFL history, Roethlisberger’s deceptive agility and incredible arm strength ensure a spot in Canton.

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Dominating during an era that is often forgotten in the confines of NFL history, Otto Graham and the Cleveland Browns couldn’t be stopped from 1946-55. Reaching the league championship every year in that span, Graham was the biggest reason why.

He holds the record for highest win percentage of any starting quarterback in NFL history (0.814), with Cleveland finishing 114-20-4 in games started by Graham. As an efficient passer and the ultimate winner, Graham would have gained even more notoriety had he played during the Super Bowl era.

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Sammy Baugh’s passing numbers certainly won’t blow anyone away, but it was his unmatched versatility that makes him worthy of this ranking. In addition to playing quarterback, Baugh also played defensive back and punted for the Washington Redskins. In 1943, Baugh led the league in passing, punting and interceptions (as a defensive back) – a feat that will never be repeated.

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The winning quarterback of the first two Super Bowls in NFL history, Bart Starr was named the Most Valuable Player of both games. He owns the highest playoff passer rating (104.8) of all-time and finished his career 9-1 in the postseason.

Playing in the run-first era certainly deflated Starr’s stats, but there’s no denying his place as one of the best and winningest quarterbacks in NFL history.

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Fran Tarkenton played 18 seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, finishing as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history. When he retired in 1978, he was the all-time leader in pass attempts, completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing yards by a quarterback and wins by a starting quarterback.

Although Tarkenton was never able to bring a Super Bowl title to either franchise he played for, his individual excellence made him a no-brainer to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

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Contrary to the next player on this list, Terry Bradshaw nearly cracks the top-15 for his ability to win on the NFL’s biggest stage. Bradshaw was far from a prolific passer during the days of Pittsburgh’s smash-mouth brand of football (only threw for more than 3,000 yards in a season twice), but he finished a perfect 4-0 in games with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.

Despite the uninspiring touchdown-to-interception ratio (212:210) and a 51.9 percent completion percentage, Bradshaw’s induction into the Hall of Fame in 1989 is well deserved.

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While Jim Kelly will (unfairly) best be remembered for his 0-4 record in Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, Kelly was one of the premier quarterbacks during his 11-year career. Kelly teamed with Andre Reed to form one of the most potent quarterback-wide receiver duos in NFL history and finished with a 101-59 record in the regular season. In 2002, his first year of eligibility, Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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After winning the Heisman Trophy following his junior season at Navy, Staubach’s NFL career was delayed while he served his four-year military commitment. First starting a game at 29, Staubach went on to lead the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories in five appearances from 1970-78.

‘Captain America’ captured the ’71 MVP and Super Bowl VI MVP, and is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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The first undrafted quarterback to make the Hall of Fame, Moon had an illustrious career in both the NFL and CFL. After winning five Grey Cups in the CFL, Moon started a Hall of Fame career in the NFL with the Houston Oilers. Following nine Pro Bowl appearances, Moon retired finishing in the top-five in passing yards, TD’s, attempts, and completions.

If Moon’s statistics from the CFL and NFL were combined, his numbers would be almost unmatched in the history of football. In 2006, Moon became the first African American quarterback to be enshrined in Canton.

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The No. 1 pick out of UCLA in 1989, Aikman quarterbacked the great Dallas dynasty of the early 90s. Aikman led the Cowboys to a 32-17 trouncing of the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII, completing 22-of-30 passes for 273 yards and four TDs. Aikman then led the Cowboys to two more Super Bowls in the next three years, capped off by a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.

Aikman amassed over 32,000 yards and 165 TDs in 12 seasons, ending his career with a 3-0 record in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Aikman, his Hall of Fame career was cut short in 2001 following his tenth concussion.

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Known as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history, Steve Young had the nearly impossible task of replacing Joe Montana in San Francisco. However, the BYU alum filled the void admirably, winning two MVP awards and a Super Bowl MVP during his eight years as the franchise’s leader.

In addition to his prowess as a passer, Young sits third all-time among quarterbacks with 4,239 career rushing yards, but still falls just short of cracking the top-10 on this list.

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Once the gold standard for NFL quarterbacks, ‘The Golden Arm’ was a 3-time MVP, 3-time NFL champion, and the winning quarterback of Super Bowl V. Unitas set the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (47) between 1956-60 — a mark that stood until Drew Brees surpassed the record in 2012.

Unitas still ranks 10th all-time with 290 touchdown passes. His performance in the two-minute drill garnered him the nickname ‘Mr. Clutch,’ and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

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Playing in the same era alongside Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, Brees went underappreciated throughout his brilliant career. Brees is one of only five quarterbacks to throw for at least 5,000 passing yards in a season, and he has accomplished the feat five times (no other quarterback has done it more than twice).

Despite being short for the position, Brees’ combination of impeccable footwork and precision makes him a surefire Hall of Famer. In addition to 13 Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl ring, Brees currently stands as the second all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

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Having just turned 27 and having just completed his fifth year as a full-time starter, it is hard to determine Mahomes’ place in history. Still, even after just 80 regular season starts, it is reasonable to deduce that Mahomes is one of the best quarterbacks to play in the NFL.

As a first-year starter in 2018, Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns — resulting in an MVP award. While Mahomes’ second season was a bit more reserved, the Kansas City gunslinger still put up incredible numbers and led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory. In 2023, the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl for the third time in four years, resulting in Mahomes’ second Lombardi Trophy. As the current top threat to Tom Brady’s seven titles, it’s hard to picture Mahomes not cracking the top 3 by the time his career is over.

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The ultimate gunslinger, Favre holds NFL records for most pass completions, attempts, interceptions, starts, and wins. The only quarterback to win three consecutive MVPs, Favre is one of only two quarterbacks to win a playoff game over the age of 40.

A Super Bowl champion, Favre ranks fourth all-time with 508 TD passes. For all of the personal accolades, Favre’s most impressive achievement might be his durability, as seen during his NFL-record 321 consecutive starts.

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The greatest quarterback to never win a Super Bowl, Marino held the record for most touchdown passes (420) and most career completions (4,967) when he retired. In Marino’s 1984 MVP season, the Dolphins made their only Super Bowl appearance under Marino, losing to the Joe Montana-led 49ers 38-16.

During his MVP season, the nine-time Pro Bowler became the first quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season, as well as the first to surpass 40 touchdown passes in a season. To go along with his rocket arm, Marino arguably possessed the quickest release the league has ever seen.

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Aaron Rodgers’ nimbleness in the pocket, unbelievable precision, and rocket arm might make him the most talented quarterback the NFL has ever seen. In 15 seasons as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback, Rodgers amassed over 55,000 passing yards and 475 passing touchdowns (with only 105 interceptions).

However, that production hasn’t necessarily translated into postseason success. With only one Lombardi Trophy over his 15 seasons, it led to plenty of friction with the Green Bay front office, and ultimately, a trade to the New York Jets. Though Rodgers was being touted as the Jets’ savior, he tore his Achilles in Week 1 versus the Buffalo Bills — thus ending his 2023 season abruptly.

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Arguably the greatest regular season quarterback ever, Manning cemented his place among the game’s elite by capturing his second Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl 50. Manning retired a five-time MVP, holding the NFL records for most touchdowns (539) and passing yards (71,940) — which have since been eclipsed. Manning came off serious neck surgery to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2012 with the Denver Broncos.

A 14-time Pro Bowl selection, Manning’s one knock has always been his play in the postseason. And although his performance in Super Bowl 50 was rather underwhelming, the second ring will go a long way in helping elevate his legacy.

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The storybook ending to a Hall of Fame career, Elway capped his legacy by winning back-to-back Super Bowls — defeating the Packers and Falcons. The ultimate dual-threat, Elway rushed for four touchdowns in his Super Bowl appearances. Tom Brady is the only quarterback to best Elway’s five Super Bowl appearances, and he ranks among the top five in the four major passing categories (completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns).

His 14 playoff wins stand amongst the best in the game, and his all-time winning percentage of .641 shows his greatness. Elway has followed his Hall of Fame career by leading the Broncos to four division titles, two AFC Championships and a Super Bowl title as Executive VP/GM of the Broncos.

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Four Super Bowl appearances, four victories, three MVPs and 11 touchdown passes — Montana’s performances in the Super Bowl are nothing short of spectacular. And with these victories coming against Dan Marino and John Elway, the Super Bowls look even better.

The master of the West Coast offense is arguably the most clutch player in NFL history. Montana holds Super Bowl records for most passes without an interception (122 in four games) and a quarterback rating of 127.8.

Montana led his teams to 31 come-from-behind victories in his career, including all-time moments such as “The Catch” and his touchdown pass in the closing moments of Super Bowl XXIII. And while he safely held the title of G.O.A.T for two decades, the next player’s excellence leaves Montana at No. 2.

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Two miraculous plays away from being 9-1 in Super Bowls, Tom Brady’s case as the greatest quarterback of all-time is strong. With more Super Bowl appearances (10) and playoff victories than any quarterback in NFL history, Brady’s ability to win without dominant supporting casts is nothing short of incredible.

Finishing his career as a seven-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Super Bowl MVP and three-time NFL MVP, it’s hard to picture any quarterback surpassing him. With legendary performances in countless high-pressured games — none better than his masterful comeback performance against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI — Brady has safely asserted himself as the greatest quarterback of all-time.

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