NFL QB Power Rankings: All 32 Starting Quarterbacks for Week 3 Football (2025)

September 19, 2025

Quincy's NFL QB power rankings for Week 3 of the 2025 season. He ranks all 32 starting NFL quarterbacks before Week 3, from Josh Allen to Cam Ward.

After a shaky Week 1, many NFL quarterbacks found their footing in Week 2. Sam Darnold, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix were among the highlights for individuals who turned everything around. Of course, we would be remiss if we did not mention the plethora of injuries to quarterbacks in Week 2. J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Joe Burrow (toe) are guaranteed to miss time, while Jayden Daniels (knee) is iffy for Week 3.

We are trending towards seeing a lot of backup quarterbacks in Week 3. We experienced the same phenomenon in 2023 when several quarterbacks suffered season-ending injuries. Hopefully, we are not trending towards that same result, but at least the backups slated to start in Week 3 are quality options with years of experience.

The good news is that we are still going to enjoy the NFL's studs in Week 3. Additionally, the continued reclamation of Daniel Jones has been exciting to watch. Let's see where each quarterback stacks up as we head into Week 3.

No. 32: Cameron Ward - Tennessee Titans

Ward has faced two formidable defenses to open his career. The jury is still out on the Colts defense he will face in Week 3. Ward has flashed a lot of greatness so far, but he is still struggling to throw with consistent accuracy.

Cam Ward ARE YOU SERIOUS

LARvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/gIY3Jboplv

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

No. 31: Tyrod Taylor - New York Jets

With Justin Fields officially ruled out for Week 3, Tyrod Taylor will draw the start. Taylor is a quality backup quarterback. He brings a level of experience that could bring consistency to the Jets' offense. This could be just a one-week stint, but it will be interesting to see what the 36-year-old can do.

No. 30: Joe Flacco - Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco continues to put up big numbers as the Browns' quarterback, but the team is struggling to win games. Granted, the Browns should have beaten the Bengals in Week 1. Flacco's job is secure for now, and a couple of wins over the next few weeks could see Flacco hold down the starting gig for the whole season.

No. 29: Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young has fallen down the power rankings with each passing week. He is nowhere near the player we saw down the stretch of the 2024 season. The Panthers garnered a lot of offseason hype, but they appear to be poorly coached, and the players are not executing. There is still time for Young to turn things around, but the clock is ticking.

No. 28: Spencer Rattler - New Orleans Saints

Spencer Rattler has been a pleasant surprise for the Saints through two games. He is 17th in the league for total QBR, and he has put the Saints in positions to come back and win games in both Weeks 1 and 2. A lack of talent around Rattler has resulted in two losses, but Rattler is making a case for himself as a starting NFL quarterback in Kellen Moore's offense.

Spencer Rattler Has Been A Top 10 QB Through 2 Weeks Of The Season

Via- @PFF pic.twitter.com/J0WFjz0Nk4

— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) September 16, 2025

No. 27: Russell Wilson - New York Giants

Russell Wilson bounced back hugely in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. His 450 passing yards have catapulted him to No. 1 in passing yards through two weeks. Everyone is clamoring for Jaxson Dart to play, but Wilson still can move the football down the field. More performances like that will afford the Giants a chance to wait on starting Dart.

No. 26: Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams has not displayed significant improvement in new head coach Ben Johnson's system. While his stats through this point of the season are better than last year, he still looks flustered and uncomfortable in the pocket. It will take time for Williams to master this offense, but the early returns are inauspicious.

No. 25: Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence played solid football in Week 2 against the Bengals, albeit in a loss. The Jaguars' offense is certainly improved under new head coach Liam Coen. Perhaps Lawrence will take a huge step as the season progresses.

No. 24: Carson Wentz - Minnesota Vikings

With McCarthy set to miss 2-4 weeks, Carson Wentz is in line to start in his stead. McCarthy has played one good quarter of football to this point in the season. A few weeks of watching the veteran Wentz work could be a nice reset for the youngster. Wentz has been around the block and was once an MVP candidate himself. He should do just fine in this quarterback-friendly offense.

No. 23: Drake Maye - New England Patriots

Maye looked great in Week 2 against Miami. Then again, Miami's defense looks like it will make a lot of quarterbacks look fantastic this season. Still, Maye is coming along nicely in his second season. He will draw the Steelers on Sunday, who have been lit up by the Jets and Seahawks through the first two weeks of the season.

No. 22: Mac Jones - San Francisco 49ers

Mac Jones may very well remain the starting quarterback for the 49ers for another week or two. With starter Brock Purdy continuing to battle a toe injury, Jones is the next man up. Jones managed to lead the team to a victory over New Orleans in Week 2, albeit in an inconsistent performance.

No. 21: Jake Browning - Cincinnati Bengals

Jake Browning is taking over for an injured Joe Burrow this week. Browning's stint as the starting quarterback may ultimately last the whole season, given the severity of Burrow's toe injury. Browning is perhaps the league's best backup quarterback. He may very well rise up this list as the season progresses.

No. 20: Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa played well in Week 2, but the Dolphins lost their second-straight game. The team still lacks the offensive explosion that was a staple during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Tagovailoa has also been under repeated duress throughout the season. While he was able to find the back of the end zone twice on Thursday, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins came up just short against the Buffalo Bills.

No. 19: Geno Smith - Las Vegas Raiders

Geno Smith looked terrible on Monday night in Week 2. His three interceptions sank the Raiders' chances at winning. Smith has now delivered one good game and one bad game to open his stint with Las Vegas. On the bright side, he has given the offense a boost beyond the dysfunction they had last season.

No. 18: Michael Penix Jr. - Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. had a quiet Week 2, but he still guided the Falcons to their first win of the season. It will take time for Penix and this passing game to emerge, but Penix has flashed solid play with limited mistakes. As long as the Falcons' defense continues to play at a high level, Penix will have time to develop.

Michael Penix Jr with less than 2 minutes to go in a half is the greatest quarterback of all time pic.twitter.com/W7IMuoTxwo

— Arkesh Ray (@arkeshrayyyy) September 8, 2025

No. 17: C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud cannot seem to get anything going in this offense. The offensive line is a complete liability, and Stroud does not have any time to work through his progressions. When he has time, Stroud looks like the elite quarterback that we know him to be. However, the Texans' line is poised to cause the team to lose out on a playoff spot.

No. 16: Aaron Rodgers - Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers was humbled a bit in Week 2 when the Seahawks brought their smothering defense to town. Still, Rodgers' arm talent is still there, and his mobility has improved this season. Rodgers' play over the next few weeks will likely define the rest of the Steelers' season.

No. 15: Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray has played very inconsistently thus far this season. That has been the story of Murray's career as he has flashed greatness at times and fallen on his face at others. The Cardinals find themselves with an early 2-0 record. With a couple of divisional matchups against the 49ers and Seahawks coming up over the next couple of weeks, we will get a look at what the Cardinals are really made of.

No. 14: Daniel Jones - Indianapolis Colts

Jones turned around in Week 2 and delivered a fantastic performance against an elite Denver Broncos defense to follow up his debut with the Colts in Week 1. Jones has looked every bit like a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL. A couple more performances like that will cement Jones' breakout.

No. 13: Sam Darnold - Seattle Seahawks

Darnold looked much improved in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Darnold looked far more comfortable and less "jittery" after a week with his new weapons under his belt. He should continue to improve as everyone settles into offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's new offense.

Through 2 games... Are you happy with the Seahawks going with Sam Darnold OVER Geno Smith?

I say yes... pic.twitter.com/R1wzoZdZ6g

— Sami ON Tap (@SamiOnTap) September 16, 2025

No. 12: Bo Nix - Denver Broncos

Bo Nix bounced back in a big way on Sunday against the Colts. Although the Broncos lost the game, Nix's performance was important for the outlook of the Broncos. He will face his toughest test of the season when the Broncos meet the Chargers in Week 3.

No. 11: Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott has looked great through both games this season. The Cowboys notched their first win of the season with an exciting victory over the Giants. The Cowboys' defense leaves a lot to be desired, but the offense has rolled pretty well over the first two weeks of the season. Prescott is on his way to another excellent season leading this team.

No. 10: Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield continues to display the grit that makes him one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch. The Buccaneers have clawed their way to a 2-0 start. Mayfield would surely like to kick this offense into gear and win games by a larger margin. Perhaps that will start in Week 3.

Is Baker Mayfield ELITE??? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ksReql4ZmY

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 16, 2025

No. 9: Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford found his chemistry with pass catchers not named Puka Nacua in Week 2. The Rams hung 33 points on the Titans as a result. With the defense playing at an elite level and Stafford healthy, the Rams are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season.

No. 8: Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels had a tough time in Week 2 against what appears to be a flawless Packers defense. Daniels could not find any running room against the smothering defensive front. Daniels finished with solid passing numbers, but a lot of that came during garbage time. The Commanders certainly look like a team in the early portion of the season that needs to figure out a few things if they want to make a deep run.

No. 7: Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love has opened up the season as an early MVP candidate. He was nearly flawless against the Commanders in Week 2, going 19-for-31 with 292 passing yards and two touchdowns. Love has a chance to go on a great run this season.

No. 6: Jared Goff - Detroit Lions

Jared Goff got back on track in Week 2. He tossed five touchdowns in a statement win over the Bears. Goff and the Lions appeared to be telling the league that they are back and ready to continue their stranglehold over the NFC North. Week 3 brings an interesting matchup against the Ravens.

No. 5: Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes has attempted to carry the Chiefs, but they do not have the personnel to get things done at this point. Their margin of defeat is still very slim, however. Mahomes is putting in considerable effort to put the team in positions to succeed. But they have yet to find themselves in the win column. Once Mahomes gets a few weapons back, the Chiefs should begin to click.

No. 4: Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is certainly an MVP candidate in the early going of the season. The Chargers are passing at a remarkable rate, and Herbert is delivering. His signature sling is carving up defenses left and right. Herbert faces his biggest test yet with the Broncos on Sunday.

No. 3: Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts followed up a stellar Week 1 game with a quiet outing in Week 2. The Chiefs' defense kept the Eagles mostly under wraps. Still, Hurts continues to do what is necessary for the Eagles to win. They always seem to be in control of the game, even if their offense is lacking explosivity.

No. 2: Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens showed the league in Week 2 that the heartbreaking Week 1 loss against the Bills was not going to keep them down. Jackson annihilated the Browns to the tune of four touchdown passes. Jackson can be considered an early MVP front-runner.

No. 1: Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen was not needed much in a blowout win over the Jets in Week 2. His stats were pedestrian, but that is the beauty of this version of Allen. Like Jalen Hurts, Allen does what is necessary to win games. On Thursday night, Allen responded by going 22-for-28 with 213 yards and three touchdowns.

The Bills do not care if he needs to throw for four touchdowns or none.

Nobody:

Josh Allen before a 40-yard run: pic.twitter.com/L0EETev2Et

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 14, 2025

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