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Just when you thought things couldn't get much worse at the QB position this season...Easton Stick has entered the chat.
We're not trying to pick on Stick, who is just one of numerous backups that have been pressed into duty in 2023. We could legitimately see over half a dozen non-regular starters in action under center for Week 15 of the NFL season. As much as anything, this week's edition of the Power Rankings might help to answer the question, "Who is starting for my team this week?"
While we've certainly seen some wild things at the QB position as of late, we've also been fortunate to witness some high-level quarterback play from the players at the top of this week's list. Let's dig into our Week 15 NFL QB Power Rankings and sort through all 32 quarterbacks we expect to be starting this week.
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1. Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
There's quite a bit of upheaval in this week's QB Power Rankings, but things are staying the same at the top. For the second week in a row, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott comes in with the No. 1 ranking. Prescott and the 'Boys avenged a Week 9 loss to the Eagles by dismantling Philly on Sunday night.
That narrative the @dallascowboys haven’t beat anyone is out the window…they are averaging 40.2 pts/gm since their week 9 loss to Philly.
The #1 reason is Dak Prescott & there is NO debate right now.
🆕All 22 QB Breakdown 👇👇👇
🎥: https://t.co/jBn2dmthl0 pic.twitter.com/B648zHVIrs
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 13, 2023
The Dallas signal-caller threw for 271 yards and a pair of TDs in a game the Cowboys controlled from the outset. Prescott and this explosive passing attack has now led Dallas to wins in seven of their last eight games and five straight. He should be considered a legitimate MVP candidate at this point and will get a chance to strengthen his case in a high-profile clash with the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.
2. Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Jackson and the Ravens have quietly cruised through the competition this season. However, the former MVP did have a splash performance in Baltimore's thrilling overtime win against the Rams in Week 14. Jackson threw for 316 yards and two TDs, while also rushing for 70 yards against the Rams. He currently leads all NFL QBs in rushing yards (644) and has also passed for nearly 3,000 yards.
3. Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers
Many will argue about what Purdy would be doing with any other team, but he plays for the Niners, so that's the only way we can judge his value. The former Mr. Irrelevant continued his hyperefficient ways while leading San Fran to a divisional win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14. Purdy exploded for a season-high 368 passing yards while also tossing a pair of TDs. He leads all qualifying QBs in completion rate (70.2%) and yards per attempt (9.9).
4. Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
While 2023 hasn't been without its struggles for Allen and the Bills, there was never any doubt that this team would make a playoff push behind their superstar signal-caller. A huge Week 14 road win over the Chiefs wasn't Allen's most spectacular performance, but he showed a lot of grit and determination against a tough defense, throwing for 233 yards and a score, as well as rushing for 32 yards and a TD.
Josh Allen is 1st in the league in both Total Yards and Total TDs. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/POJCwV1uAp
— Justus General Radford (@JA17MVP) December 13, 2023
He's now totaled nine TDs across Buffalo's last three games. A showdown with the Dallas Cowboys looms in Week 15.
5. Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts has occupied the top spot in our Power Rankings in several different weeks this season. However, Philly's back-to-back losses have sent the dual-threat QB tumbling down our board, where he lands at No. 5 this week. Hurts wasn't necessarily bad in the Eagles' Week 14 loss to Dallas, but he was severely limited by an aggressive Cowboys defense. He should rebound in a big way against the Seattle Seahawks this week.
6. Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes and company lost a tough one to the Bills last week. The reigning NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion has been noticeably underwhelming of late, as the Chiefs have now lost two of their last three games. Shockingly, Mahomes hasn't thrown for more than 300 yards in a game since Week 7, as he works with an overall underwhelming group of KC pass catchers.
7. Tua Tagovailoa -Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa slides multiple spots in this week's Power Rankings after a puzzling home loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday night. It marked the first game of the season that he failed to throw a touchdown pass and he was sacked five times by Tennessee.
The 'Fins signal-caller has been spectacular overall in 2023, though we've seen a few games where he practically disappears before our eyes. He'll look to get back on track this week against a Jets defense that intercepted him twice in Week 12.
8. C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
The rookie phenom looked human in a tough Week 14 loss to the New York Jets in what was perhaps his worst game yet as a pro. Stroud completed just 10 of 23 attempts for a paltry 91 yards against a rugged Gang Green defense before ultimately being knocked out of the game.
Prayers for CJ Stroud 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/jooAA8XfGL
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 10, 2023
The rookie has been placed in the NFL's concussion protocol, which he's not yet cleared at the time of this writing. His availability for a Week 15 divisional clash with the Titans is in doubt and Houston's Davis Mills would get the start if Stroud can't clear protocol.
9. Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
The all-world Jags QB showcased his toughness in Week 14 by suiting up against Cleveland just six days removed from suffering a high-ankle sprain that's usually considered a multiple-week injury. Despite his show of grit, Lawrence was obviously hindered by the ankle and tossed three INTs in a loss to the Browns. Jacksonville has now lost two straight heading into a brutal matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15.
10. Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
It was a vintage Matthew Stafford performance in a heartbreaking Week 14 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Stafford made multiple superstar plays throughout the day, passing for 294 yards and three TDs in what might well be his best performance of the season.
The veteran's stats don't do justice to how well he's playing in 2023. He should be able to rack up some numbers against a soft Commanders defense this week.
11. Justin Fields - Chicago Bears
One of the week's biggest climbers in our Power Rankings, Fields flashed his sizzling dual-threat capabilities while leading the Bears to a win over Detroit in Week 14. The much-maligned Chicago QB threw for 223 yards and a score, while also picking up 58 yards and a TD on the ground. The Bears have now won two of three since Fields returned to the lineup following a four-game injury absence.
Can we take a moment and appreciate this play from Justin Fields?
This is not normal. pic.twitter.com/bBWUnIKMzH
— Dave (@dave_bfr) December 13, 2023
12. Russell Wilson - Denver Broncos
Russ ain't exactly cooking like in his Seattle days, but he's been percolating a bit recently for the Broncos, who have now won six of their last seven. Wilson put forth another rock-solid outing in a Week 14 victory over the Chargers, throwing for 224 yards and a pair of TDs while completing 21 of 33 pass attempts.
13. Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Love headed into a Monday night matchup with the New York Giants having thrown multiple TD passes in four straight and playing the best football of his young career. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off the wagon a bit against Big Blue, as Love struggled to get much going in the loss.
Despite his underwhelming Week 14 outing, there's still reason to be optimistic about the potential he's flashed in his first full year as the starter in Green Bay.
14. Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
The Lions were surprisingly blitzed by Chicago in Week 14. It was arguably Goff's worst outing of what's been an otherwise strong season. He managed just 161 passing yards against the Bears -- a new season low -- and tossed a pair of INTs. He's now thrown five picks in Detroit's last four games. Things won't get much easier for Goff in Week 15, as he faces a trending Denver Broncos defense.
15. Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Don't look now, but the former No. 1 overall pick has the Bucs in the hunt for the NFC South title. In fairness, everyone is in the hunt for the NFC South title, but still, Mayfield deserves some props. Tampa Bay has now won two straight behind Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield's leadership and tenacity is unmatched, but the Bucs face a big test against the Packers this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/l60dCWzo0S
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 13, 2023
While it wasn't always pretty in the squad's Week 14 win over Atlanta, the well-traveled signal-caller did throw for two TDs, including the game-winner as time expired in the fourth quarter.
16. Sam Howell - Washington Commanders
Howell and the spiraling Commanders headed into their Week 14 bye the losers of four straight. Despite the team's struggles, Howell has looked promising in his second pro season. He currently stands second in the NFL in passing yards (3,466) and seventh in passing TDs (18). He'll face the trending L.A. Rams this week.
17. Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
It's probably fair to say that Murray has outperformed expectations since returning to the Arizona lineup off an ACL injury that ended his 2022 season prematurely. He's tallied three passing TDs and three rushing TDs in his four 2023 starts, and led the Cardinals to a surprising road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the team's Week 14 bye. Murray and the Cards draw a brutal Week 15 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
18. Jake Browning - Cincinnati Bengals
This feels like the portion of the program where things start to get wild. With all the injuries and uncertainty at the QB position currently in the NFL, roughly the latter half of these Power Rankings are made up of backups, fill-ins, and/or rookies.
Jake Browning playoff run? 👀 pic.twitter.com/wXo3lq9mw3
— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) December 13, 2023
Browning is perhaps the best of the bunch, as he's now led the Bengals to two consecutive wins while filling in for Joe Burrow. Browning hasn't simply "game-managed" Cincy to victory either. He's attempted 61 passes over their last two, amassing 629 passing yards and three TDs with just one pick. The 27-year-old has also rushed for two scores. He'll look to stay hot against the Vikings in Week 15.
19. Derek Carr - New Orleans Saints
The 32-year-old entered Week 14 with basically every type of injury a player can have. Despite dealing with a concussion, as well as rib and shoulder issues, Carr was able to tough it out, suit up, and lead the Saints to a win over the Panthers.
While the toughness is impressive, his play wasn't, as the veteran averaged just 4.6 yards per attempt against Carolina. He'll need to improve his downfield passing for New Orleans to have a chance against the Giants this week.
20. Joe Flacco - Cleveland Browns
We'll just go ahead and say it...Joe Flacco has been the best QB the Browns have had this year. For all his deficiencies, the statuesque 38-year-old still has a lively arm, and Flacco has helped to spark a Cleveland passing attack that's been dormant for the better part of 2023.
He's now thrown for over 250 yards and two TDs in back-to-back starts. After leading the Browns to a win over Jacksonville in Week 14, the Chicago Bears await this week.
21. Will Levis - Tennessee Titans
The rookie's up-and-down campaign continued with a surprising upset of the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. Levis overcame an early pick-six and a lost fumble to lead the Titans to a game-winning TD with less than two minutes left on the clock.
The 2023 second-round draft pick finished the evening with 327 yards while completing 23 of 38 passes. His inconsistency is understandable for a rookie QB, but he continues to flash potential.
22. Tommy Devito - New York Giants
The good fella has now improbably led his hometown Giants to three straight wins, with the latest coming over the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. DeVito has thrown for five TDs and zero picks over New York's current winning streak. He'll remain at the helm against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.
Tommy Devito is asked about the Giants' place in the playoff race:
"I'm not thinking about anything but this week with the Saints" pic.twitter.com/d0tmLyUew6
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 13, 2023
23. Gardner Minshew II - Indianapolis Colts
"Minshew Mania" was put on hold in Week 14, as the Bengals snapped Indy's four-game win streak with a 34-14 beatdown. Minshew and the Colts offense failed to get much going, though he did amass a 240/1/1 stat line by the end of the day. He'll look to get back on track against the Steelers in Week 15.
24. Desmond Ridder - Atlanta Falcons
Ridder turned in his best game of the season in Week 14. The second-year pro passed for a season-high 347 yards and a score, while also making one trip to the paint on the ground. Unfortunately, Ridder's day wasn't enough for the Falcons, who suffered a 29-25 defeat to the divisional rival Bucs. We aren't likely to see these types of stats from Ridder again this year in Atlanta's run-heavy scheme.
25. Zach Wilson - New York Jets
This column is normally a safe space for jokes about whoever is playing QB for the New York Jets. However, there will be no Zach Wilson slander allowed this week! The much-maligned signal-caller returned from a two-week stint on the bench to put forth his best performance of the season in Week 14 and earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Your AFC Offensive Player of the Week... @ZachWilson!! 👏
📰: https://t.co/1Oy38HwhRS pic.twitter.com/waFGXU7U5q
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 13, 2023
After experimenting with Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian under center, Wilson left little doubt that he's Gang Green's best available option. He torched the Texans for 301 yards and two TDs while averaging 8.4 yards per attempt...all of which were season highs. He'll have a chance to audition for a job in 2024 as the Jets' starter over their last four games of the season.
26. Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers
The term bust is being tossed around with Young, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. While that's not completely unfair, the rookie is playing behind a horrible offensive line with Adam Thielen as his top receiving threat. Week 14 might have been a new low for the young man, as he completed just 13 of 36 passes for only 137 yards.
27. Bailey Zappe - New England Patriots
The QB carousel for New England might finally stop spinning after Zappe's Week 14 performance. The Western Kentucky alum put forth his best outing of the season in a Thursday night win over the Steelers. Zappe completed 19 of 28 passes for 240 yards and three TDs. He's firmed up his job as the starter for New England's Week 15 matchup against the Chiefs.
28. Drew Lock - Seattle Seahawks
Playing for an injured Geno Smith in Week 14, Lock passed for 269 yards, two TDs, and two INTs in a brutal matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. It's tough to fault Lock too much, as few quarterbacks around the league have found success versus the Niners this season. Lock could well get another start in place of Smith this week against the Eagles.
29. Aidan O'Connell - Las Vegas Raiders
We've seen some flashes from the rookie across his six starts for a Raiders franchise that's undergone a midseason coaching change. However, AOC struggled mightily in an embarrassing Week 14 3-0 loss to the Vikings. There are some rumblings that the Raiders are considering benching O'Connell in favor of Jimmy Garoppolo if he doesn't show improvement in short order.
30. Mitch Trubisky - Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Chicago bust was painfully bad in a Thursday night loss to the Patriots in Week 14. Trubisky mustered just 5.4 yards per attempt against New England. He's now 0-2 since being forced into the lineup in place of an injured Kenny Pickett.
31. Nick Mullens - Minnesota Vikings
The Joshua Dobbs era is over in Minnesota. Journeyman QB Nick Mullens will get the start for the Vikings against Cincinnati in Week 15 and attempt to keep the squad's fledgling playoff hopes alive. The 28-year-old made a name for himself during his time with the 49ers and has been with the Vikes for the last two years following a one-year stint in Cleveland.
Of course Nick Mullens' 4-year-old son wants to go see his dad start Saturday.
And so he gets to go to Cincinnati to see it. pic.twitter.com/zYSE3BHvHN
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 13, 2023
32. Easton Stick - Los Angeles Chargers
Life comes at you fast in the NFL. With Justin Herbert done for the season after suffering a finger injury in Week 14, North Dakota State product Easton Stick will be tasked with captaining this sinking Chargers ship. Stick had attempted one NFL pass before being pressed into duty last week. He completed 13 of 24 passes for just 179 yards in L.A.'s Week 14 loss to Denver.
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