Week 3 NFL Quarterback Power Rankings
Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports
9. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins (+2)
After beating up Jacksonville through the air last week and torching Philadelphia this week, there’s no way Cousins can be left out of the top ten. Yes, I know about the interception against the Eagles, and I know about the misfire to Garcon on 4th and 10 – both of those seemed like miscommunications, as Cousins threw the ball to Niles Paul like he was running a corner route (he ran a seam); he threw it to Garcon like he was running an out (he ran an in route). I guess that’s what happens when quarterbacks only get a week to work with the first team. Cousins threaded the needle on more than one occasion on Sunday, and put up 427 yards and three touchdowns in the process. If Cousins continues to play this well, Robert Griffin III can hand over the keys to the franchise.
10. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (-1)
Stafford looked a little off against Green Bay – he and the offense only put up 12 points (the other 7 were on defense). I think Stafford has a little too much confidence in Calvin Johnson, which causes him to force passes in that direction – that’s an easily correctable mistake. After a strong Week 1 that landed him in the top five, Stafford has regressed.
11. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (-5)
Pittsburgh’s defense seemed to have given Newton fits on Sunday night. They got to him early and often, and he didn’t look decisive when throwing the ball. He didn’t seem comfortable in the pocket – not sure if the ribs had anything to do with that. But his throwing motion looked more deliberate than usual, and he seemed a bit conservative the whole game.
12. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (+2)
Dalton is starting to earn that huge contract. If – and only if – Dalton gets catches fire at the right time, Cincinnati could have a similar Super Bowl run as the Ravens did in 2012, or the Giants in 2011 – I’m overreacting a little bit (it’s only Week 3), but Cincinnati has looked darn good with Dalton at the helm this season.
13. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (-1)
Brady and the Patriots beat Oakland, but barely – and after Week 3, the Patriots are last in the league in yards per pass attempt (just 4.2). After a 30-7 slaughter of Minnesota, Brady looked off against the Raiders. As long as the Patriots are winning, that doesn’t matter, but Brady will have to play better against teams like Denver, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati.
14. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles (+12)
Foles proved to everyone that he’s a heck of a tough quarterback. He got beat up all game on Sunday, yet he still managed to drop 30 points and make it look easy when throwing from the pocket. He was off on a few throws (I remember one overthrown pass to Zach Ertz that would’ve been a touchdown if it was on target; instead, it was incomplete). Despite that, Foles makes the biggest leap this week due to one heck of a performance.
15. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (+1)
Romo bounced back after a bad pick six. It helps that the Rams’ offense didn’t do much in the second half, allowing Dallas to come back, but Romo showed that he’s capable of bringing his team back time and time again, Sunday included. If Romo and the Cowboys continue to play like how they played in the second half against St. Louis, Dallas might actually have a chance in the NFC East.
16. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (+1)
After playing a horrific game against Baltimore, Roethlisberger turned it around against Carolina. He honestly surprised me with how well he played – after the subpar game against the Ravens’ defense, I was sure he’d struggle at least the same amount against Carolina. Instead, he bounced back nicely against Carolina (of course, with some help from Le’veon Bell, LeGarrette Blount, and Antonio Brown).