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: Kyler Murray
He's been hot all year, but he officially leapt into the top three this week, fresh off a blowout win over the Texans. Murray and the Cards were slow out of the gate against Houston, only to turn it on when it mattered, and there's just no denying No. 1 is one of the game's top weapons right now. His impact on the ground has been minimal in recent weeks, but that's because he's done more than enough damage through the air, confirming Arizona as a legitimate contender halfway through the season.
***
Now, without further ado, let's get to the rest of our Week 8 rankings:
| 1 | 
Tom Brady
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB
|
| He forced a handful of throws for a stretch of Sunday's drubbing of the Bears, but it says something that he looked off and still threw four touchdowns in a 38-3 rout. | |
| 2 | 
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay Packers QB
|
| Now comes the tallest task of the year: Going blow for blow with the unbeaten Cardinals, likely without Davante Adams. | |
| 3 | 
Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals QB
|
| He's not running as much, but he's been even better for it, throwing the ball more accurately and with more force than at any point in his career. (+3) | |
| 4 | 
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens QB
|
| The Bengals got to him by winning up front, but he's still the purest one-man show in the league. (+1) | |
| 5 | 
Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys QB
|
| He's only dropping because of the jaw-dropping feats of more athletic specimens like Murray and Jackson. He still does everything well and deserves MVP buzz. (-2) | |
| 6 | 
Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills QB
|
| Take your pick between any of these top 8 or 9 guys. Allen just throws maybe the prettiest, most consistent deep ball, launching it with ease every week. (+1) | |
| 7 | 
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs QB
|
| He's helping the Chiefs stay afloat, but he's also not playing very smart. Everyone would still rush to sign up for his gifts, but the decision-making has been poor enough to prefer other gunslingers right now. (-3) | |
| 8 | 
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams QB
|
| Another week, another ho-hum dominant day through the air alongside Cooper Kupp. The playoff run will be fun. | |
| 9 | 
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers QB
|
| His good start has been kind of lost in the shuffle. Hopefully L.A. gives him the support he deserves after the bye. | |
| 10 | 
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals QB
|
| Joey is on fire. Ja'Marr Chase certainly helps, but he might be one of the most confident throwers in the NFL right now. | |
| 11 | 
Derek Carr
Las Vegas Raiders QB
|
| The Eagles let him make any throw he wanted, and he did. The guy's been playing like an All-Pro most of the year. (+1) | |
| 12 | 
Kirk Cousins
Minnesota Vikings QB
|
| He's been nearly, if not just as effective as Derek Carr this year, except with a worse team record. So efficient. (-1) | |
| 13 | 
Matt Ryan
Atlanta Falcons QB
|
| No one's talking about him, but since Week 3, he's thrown 10 TDs and 1 INT. Against bad teams, sure, but he at least looks like himself. | |
| 14 | 
Ryan Tannehill
Tennessee Titans QB
|
| He's been resilient during a roller-coaster run in Tennessee. Most importantly, he's now helped oversee three straight wins. | |
| 15 | 
Carson Wentz
Indianapolis Colts QB
|
| The arrow is pointing up. He tried too hard early against the 49ers, but he's playing loose, moving and throwing well. | |
| 16 | 
Jameis Winston
New Orleans Saints QB
|
| If the Saints receivers could help him out, he'd be higher. He's been perfectly passable, if not better, for a winning team. (+1) | |
| 17 | 
Mac Jones
New England Patriots QB
|
| Still a ways to go for the rookie to "take control" of a game, but the Pats have to be happy with where he's at. (+4) | |
| 18 | 
Teddy Bridgewater
Denver Broncos QB
|
| He's only up a few spots because others moved down. Denver should already be eyeing 2022 upgrades. (+2) | |
| 19 | 
Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars QB
|
| The numbers aren't always there, and the wins may still be hard to come by, but the eye test says he's got what it takes. (+4) | |
| 20 | 
Jimmy Garoppolo
San Francisco 49ers QB
|
| Much like Teddy Bridgewater, he's got enough touch and experience to keep you in it, but not nearly enough to wow you. (-2) | |
| 21 | 
Daniel Jones
New York Giants QB
|
| He's been an unlikely constant for a bad team, at least most of the year. Can he get real help from a new regime down the road? (+4) | |
| 22 | 
Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles QB
|
| At some point, the Eagles may be forced to turn to Gardner Minshew. While Hurts isn't really getting a fair shot in an offense seemingly designed for someone else, he's missing routine plays week in and week out. (-3) | |
| 23 | 
Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins QB
|
| Four touchdowns a few weeks before the trade deadline? Somebody's trying to prove themselves! (+4) | |
| 24 | 
Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers QB
|
| The Steelers have a winnable schedule these next few weeks. They'll capitalize if they keep Ben in a limited passing role. (+2) | |
| 25 | 
Sam Darnold
Carolina Panthers QB
|
| Just like that, it seems pretty evident the Panthers are out on this experiment. The skittishness has overtaken the athleticism. (-3) | |
| 26 | 
Case Keenum
Cleveland Browns QB
|
| With Baker Mayfield banged up, Keenum will likely get a shot to play hero by managing the game against the Steelers. | |
| 27 | 
Tyrod Taylor
Houston Texans QB
|
| Back at practice this week, he'll be a divine arrival for a listless Houston team if he's good to go Sunday. | |
| 28 | 
Justin Fields
Chicago Bears QB
|
| The Bears are not helping him at all thanks to a shoddy O-line and receiving corps, but you cannot be as loose with the ball as he was against Tampa and expect to even come close to winning. (-4) | |
| 29 | 
Jared Goff
Detroit Lions QB
|
| The clock is ticking on his time atop the depth chart, even if the Lions don't currently have a shiny alternative. (-1) | |
| 30 | 
Taylor Heinicke
Washington Football Team QB
|
| Same story every week: His legs and gusto are admirable, but the mistakes always come at the worst times. (+1) | |
| 31 | 
Geno Smith
Seattle Seahawks QB
|
| Russell, are you there? The Seahawks need you. Geno's protection hasn't been great, but neither has his arm. (-2) | |
| 32 | 
Mike White
New York Jets QB
|
| Unless Joe Flacco is ready right away, White will get the nod in place of the injured Zach Wilson. Good luck! | |
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