NFL Week 11 QB Power Rankings: Tom Brady still No. 1, but Patrick Mahomes explodes back into top three

Ranking every starting quarterback, from 1-32

As goes the quarterback, so goes the team. It's not always true in the NFL, but it usually is. And it makes sense: In a passing league, the passers are like royalty -- the biggest influences on whether a team is destined more for a Super Bowl title or a No. 1 draft pick.

It's with that in mind that we come to you with the most important pecking order outside of traditional team power rankings: QB Power Rankings. Consider this your cut-and-dry guide to the best and worst of the NFL's signal-callers -- a weekly 1-to-32 rundown of every starter under center.

How are the QBs ranked? We try to factor in both current standing and future upside. So a long resume doesn't always guarantee an edge over untapped potential, just as a cold streak doesn't always erase a history of success. At the end of the day, we're simply trying to sort the QBs based on 2021 value, both now and in the near future.

Riser of the Week: Patrick Mahomes

Maybe we're being too generous here, because Mahomes truly let his affinity for off-script plays get the best of him during the Chiefs' ugly first half of the season. But we've got the former MVP skyrocketing all the way from outside the top 10 into the top three. Why? Not just because Mahomes exploded for five touchdowns in a big divisional win on Sunday night, but because he looks to have fully rediscovered his poise throwing the football. And when he's on his game, few QBs are as dangerous. The Chiefs are alive again.

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Now, without further ado, let's get to the rest of our Week 11 rankings:

Week 11 QB Power Rankings

1	Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB
Washington disrupted him thanks to some interior heat, but he was also without some weapons and put Tampa Bay in a position to come back. At the end of the day, we still trust him more than anyone to go the distance.
2	Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers QB
The Packers defense did more to beat Seattle than A-Rod, but fresh off COVID, he looks plenty nimble. It's been a quietly calm and collected season on the field for the reigning MVP.
3	Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs QB
Guess who's back? Mahomes definitely has to keep himself in check, lest he endure another stretch of turnover-happy football, but when he's on, he's on. No one shreds defenses as effortlessly at the height of their game.  (+8)
4	Kyler Murray Arizona Cardinals QB
If it weren't evident how much the Cardinals could use his dual-threat dynamism, it should be after Sunday's loss to Carolina.
5	Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens QB
He might end up being the reason the Ravens claim a crowded but inconsistent AFC North race.
6	Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys QB
It was back to business against the Falcons. When healthy, he's been such a smooth operator in the pocket.  (+1)
7	Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks QB
Until we can be sure he's not actually dealing with lingering finger-injury effects, it's tough to fully trust him right now. A rebound is surely in order, but he was uncharacteristically off the mark against Green Bay.  (-4)
8	Josh Allen Buffalo Bills QB
The big-play attitude returned in full force against the Jets. His connection with Stefon Diggs remains lethal.
9	Matthew Stafford Los Angeles Rams QB
Stafford looked more like the Lions' Stafford after throwing two interceptions in a blowout loss to the 49ers on Monday night.
10	Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers QB
A costly pick doomed the Chargers against Minnesota. You do wonder if L.A. is fully utilizing his arm talent this year.  (-4)
11	Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals QB
It'll be up to him, more than anyone, to reignite the Bengals as contenders in the North. He's been both hot and cold thus far.
12	Kirk Cousins Minnesota Vikings QB
He never fully breaches the top 10, but he always hovers outside of it. And how can he not when he's threading needles to play-makers and keeping the Vikings relevant just when you're ready to bury them?  (+4)
13	Derek Carr Las Vegas Raiders QB
Since Henry Ruggs' departure, he's had a heck of a time trying to squeeze juice out of a flattened offense. (-1)
14	Ryan Tannehill Tennessee Titans QB
Another week, another outing with numbers that aren't magnificent but got the victory regardless. (-1)
15	Carson Wentz Indianapolis Colts QB
He's fortunate he had Jonathan Taylor to lean on against Jacksonville. He's been perfectly passable on the whole.  (-1)
16	Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons QB
Talk about an absolute meltdown against Dallas. Ryan is not that bad, but he's gonna need to lift the entire team up in order to make any motivated run at a Wild Card after that performance.  (-1)
17	Mac Jones New England Patriots QB
He might not be blowing people away with his stats every week, but his efficiency has enabled New England to lean on its increasingly stingy defense and, quietly, storm back into the playoff picture.  (+5)
18	Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns QB
This has become a pattern now: Baker limping through uneven performances. The Browns are running out of time to get their act together and make a long-term ruling on his value.  (-1)
19	Justin Fields Chicago Bears QB
He progressed so much his last two starts that everyone should be eager to see him back on the field after the bye.  (-1)
20	Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles QB
If he's gonna stick as QB1 in Philly, his performance against Denver is exactly the kind of thing he needs to keep showcasing. Rather than abandon the pocket on the regular, he kept his eyes downfield and also hit on routine throws. (+5)
21	Cam Newton Carolina Panthers QB
He hasn't been an above-average passer for a long time, but his legs are still weapons and there's no denying his energy is infectious. The Panthers should be constantly scrappy with him under center.
22	Jimmy Garoppolo San Francisco 49ers QB
Jimmy G was very efficient in a convincing win over the Rams on Monday night, going 15 of 19 with two touchdowns. (-3)
23	Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville Jaguars QB
Classic rookie QB problem: He's not been great, but neither has his supporting cast. Jacksonville desperately needs to get him some weapons to properly evaluate his progress in 2022.  (-3)
24	Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers QB
The Steelers better hope he's back from COVID, because even with diminished mobility, he brings a calmness to their run-heavy offense that would go a long way against the Chargers. (-1)
25	Daniel Jones New York Giants QB
It's now or never for Daniel Jones to step up and prove he can lead this team even in imperfect conditions.  (-1)
26	Teddy Bridgewater Denver Broncos QB
What exactly is he giving the Broncos offense right now? Yes, he's long been a steady fill-in, but even the effort was lacking in a bad loss to the Eagles, as seen on his refusal to even try to make a tackle on a fumble-return score by Philly.  (-5)
27	Trevor Siemian New Orleans Saints QB
He's savvy enough to keep the Saints in ballgames, but don't expect him to lift the whole squad in crunch time. (+2)
28	Tua Tagovailoa Miami Dolphins QB
Yes, he helped shepherd the upset over Baltimore, but neither he nor Jacoby Brissett are very inspiring right now. (-2)
29	Tyrod Taylor Houston Texans QB
At least he can cash checks as the Texans spiral toward another overhaul.  (-1)
30	Jared Goff Detroit Lions QB
Not sure how much longer Dan Campbell will put up with this. Goff played through pain against a good Steelers defense, but he's giving Detroit so little through the air.  (-3)
31	Taylor Heinicke Washington Football Team QB
Good for him gutting it out against the Bucs and capitalizing on Washington's defensive day.
32	Zach Wilson New York Jets QB
The best thing that happened to him this season: Mike White throwing four picks against the Bills to make his return easier.

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