NFL Week 13 QB Power Rankings: Aaron Rodgers usurps Tom Brady at No. 1, Matthew Stafford falls out of top 10

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: Jimmy Garoppolo

Written off by plenty this season, especially during the 49ers' dreadful four-game slide before Halloween, Garoppolo has turned a corner while staying mostly in the background of San Francisco's win streak. He may not be elite, but he's operating Kyle Shanahan's creative ground game with ease right now, propelling the Niners right back into the playoff picture as we enter December.

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Now, without further ado, let's get to the rest of our Week 13 rankings:

Week 12 QB Power Rankings

1	Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers QB
No one's talking quite enough about the MVP-caliber presence he's brought to the Packers, who could easily be considered NFC favorites right now. (+1)
2	Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB
The picks have piled up a little too often lately, but he throws it with authority (and remains in peak physical form) until the clock hits zero, every single week. (-1)
3	Kyler Murray Arizona Cardinals QB
It's about time he gets back under center and rebuilds some of the chemistry that drove them to a red-hot start. We have a feeling he'll be back to MVP form. (+3)
4	Josh Allen Buffalo Bills QB
The Thanksgiving spotlight renewed his gunslinging success. He also belongs in MVP talks. (+6)
5	Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs QB
The Chiefs' increasingly feisty defense has been more reliable than he has of late, but we're still banking on his play-making showing up for the playoff run. (-2)
6	Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers QB
The Chargers are asking him to do too much to make up for an absent and/or shaky ground game. (-1)
7	Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens QB
Four picks in an important primetime divisional game? Not great. The passing marks have been iffy in recent weeks. But as always, his legs make up for some of the damage. (-3)
8	Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys QB
He's got a big test on deck against a hungry Saints defense. When his line has held up, he's been a Grade-A distributor to some of the league's best weapons. (-1)
9	Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals QB
Joe Mixon has been a huge help in recent weeks, including against the Steelers. If Burrow keeps himself in check down the stretch, his team will make noise. (+3)
10	Kirk Cousins Minnesota Vikings QB
He missed Justin Jefferson a few times in their close loss to the 49ers, but he's quietly been Pro Bowl-caliber most of the year. Now, the Vikings really need him with Dalvin Cook banged up. (+1)
11	Derek Carr Las Vegas Raiders QB
Maybe he's not about to fall off in December again? DeSean Jackson could be a monumental help. (+3)
12	Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks QB
You could make a case he belongs much lower. It's just hard to fully write him off, especially after he came alive to nearly beat Washington late in Week 12. Still, mechanically or mentally, he's hindered. (-4)
13	Matthew Stafford Los Angeles Rams QB
The Rams are sliding, and ironically, he's a big reason for it. Stafford was never going to fully transform from the QB he was in Detroit, but you kind of hoped he at least wouldn't let the miscues pile up. (-4)
14	Carson Wentz Indianapolis Colts QB
The longer the Colts season goes on, the more he looks more like himself. Of course, that comes with his inherent aggressiveness, but Indy looks really poised to make a stretch run. (-1)
15	Mac Jones New England Patriots QB
Who's the hottest rookie QB in all the land? This guy. It's going to be really interesting to see how he handles the expectations that come with a trip to the postseason, which feels more and more inevitable. (+1)
16	Jimmy Garoppolo San Francisco 49ers QB
He may not be the long-term answer here, but as usual, when healthy and cast into a more of a background role, he's more than capable of guiding their run-based attack to the playoffs. (+5)
17	Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons QB
Who could've guessed that Cordarrelle Patterson would be so instrumental to Ryan's first year with Arthur Smith? (+1)
18	Ryan Tannehill Tennessee Titans QB
The burden has been much greater for Tannehill this year. Unfortunately, a slew of turnovers has followed. (-3)
19	Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles QB
If the Eagles would've just leaned on his legs, they might've beaten the Giants. Instead, Hurts tried to throw his way to victory, and everything fell apart. (-2)
20	Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns QB
Kevin Stefanski, for the sake of your own team, it's time to consider benching -- "resting," if you wanna soften the blow -- this guy. Not necessarily because he's a bad QB, but because he's clearly hampered, and has been for a while. (-1)
21	Tua Tagovailoa Miami Dolphins QB
After an uninspiring stretch that included swap-outs with Jacoby Brissett, Tua is really on the upswing these last few weeks. The numbers aren't gaudy, but he's throwing efficiently and confidently. (+3)
22	Cam Newton Carolina Panthers QB
Well this party ended quickly. A rebound is probably in order, but the Panthers have only fallen off more since Cam's energetic arrival. (-2)
23	Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers QB
Things came crumbling down against Cincy. It doesn't help when the Steelers' vaunted defense isn't up to par, either. (-1)
24	Taylor Heinicke Washington Football Team QB
Not sure he can count on leading two TD drives against a bad defense and winning consistently. But he outdid Russell Wilson in primetime thanks to both efficiency and mobility. He's a fighter. (+4)
25	Teddy Bridgewater Denver Broncos QB
The Broncos are definitely a safer bet than they were with Drew Lock. But they're still dependent on their "D." (-2)
26	Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville Jaguars QB
What substantial takeaway can you even have from his rookie season besides, "This team really stinks"? (-1)
27	Taysom Hill New Orleans Saints QB
He's an upgrade on Trevor Siemian solely for his ability to extend plays. But is he healthy? We'll find out soon enough.
28	Andy Dalton Chicago Bears QB
Until further notice (or Justin Fields gets healthy), he's the guy. And until further notice, the Bears are not good. (-2)
29	Tyrod Taylor Houston Texans QB
What is there to say at this point? The Texans couldn't protect him Sunday, but he's a backup to begin with. (-2)
30	Jared Goff Detroit Lions QB
Good for him (?) helping the Lions go toe to toe with the Bears on Thanksgiving. That should tell you everything you need to know about where the bar has been set here.
31	Mike Glennon New York Giants QB
Daniel Jones is banged up, so here comes Glennon. New York was already struggling mightily to finish drives, but the swap comes at an inopportune time as the Giants try to stay alive in the East.
32	Zach Wilson New York Jets QB
The Jets won almost in spite of the way he started in Week 12. He's got a lot of work to do. (-1)

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