Week 6 NFL Quarterback Power Rankings

Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks down field for a receiver during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The top three finally sees some changes in Week 6’s edition of quarterback power rankings. Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Andrew Luck, and Peyton Manning continue to prove that they’re the league’s elite, while Tony Romo makes his way up after a stellar performance against Seattle’s tough secondary.

(Note: these QB power rankings are based on how well each quarterback has played so far this season, not just the most recent week. Each player’s improvement or regression from the previous week is indicated.)

1. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (+1)

I’ve finally decided to make the change at first. Rivers has played exceptional football at a consistent level for the entire season. Not that Manning hasn’t, but Rivers has put up bigger numbers with a supporting cast not comparable to Manning’s. Rivers gets my vote for NFL MVP as of now.

2. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (-1)

Bringing Manning down to 2 was a tough decision – Rivers and Manning should be 1A and 1B instead of 1 and 2. There’s no other way to put it other than Rivers has simply been better than Manning this year.

3. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (± 0)

Luck is your fantasy football quarterback of the year. He’s also a pretty darn good quarterback for the Colts, as well. He continues to torch defenses, with Houston being his latest victim.

4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (± 0)

Keep R-E-L-A-X-ing, Packers fans. Rodgers is starting to get hot. Watch out for the Packers in the NFC (a conference that nobody seems to want outside of the NFC East).

5. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (+4)

A heck of a performance against the league’s best secondary lands Romo in the top five. I won’t overreact to one week’s performance and put him above Rodgers or Luck, but since the 49ers game, Romo has looked impressive. When he’s healthy, Romo should always be considered a top 10 quarterback.

6. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (+1)

Brees didn’t play, but since he’s known as “Breesus”, he can still move up. In reality, Brees moves up because of a mediocre Russell Wilson performance.

7. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (-2)

Wilson played arguably the worst home game of his career on Sunday. The Cowboys’ defense had his number the entire afternoon. I’m not sure what he was thinking on that last interception to Rolando McClain that ended the game.

8. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (+3)

After a bad turnaround in the second half against Carolina the week before, Cutler lit up a porous Falcons secondary. He kept the ball clean and played his best game so far this year. I know I’m nitpicking here, but had Cutler laid the ball out a little further to Alshon Jeffrey on that deep pass, it would’ve been a touchdown. Cutler moves back into the top 10.