Week 7 NFL QB Power Rankings
Oct 12, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
9. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (± 0)
It’s difficult to assess Ryan’s play because of his depleted offensive line. Put Ryan behind Dallas’s offensive line and he’ll throw for 300 yards every week. But Atlanta just lost another center, and it’s not looking so bright for the Falcons. Ryan somehow has to lift his team, but that’s hard to do without a decent offensive line.
10. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (-2)
One week Cutler is completing 75-yard bombs to Alshon Jeffery; the next week he’s failing to move the ball against Miami’s defense. Granted, Miami’s defense is significantly better than Atlanta’s, but Cutler’s inconsistency is again demonstrated from week to week.
11. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (+3)
Flacco continues put up some impressive performances. He did turn the ball over a few times, but aside from a few misfires, Flacco was on target for the entire game. Thanks to some surprisingly above-average quarterback play from Flacco, the Ravens are 5-2 and are sitting atop the AFC North.
12. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (+4)
Tannehill has looked good for the last three games against Oakland, Green Bay, and Chicago. He completed almost 80 percent of his passes and didn’t commit a turnover against Chicago on Sunday, and the Dolphins are right back in it in the AFC, as crazy as that sounds. 8-8 got San Diego to the Divisional round of the playoffs; Miami is at .500 right now. All the talk of Tannehill being benched is all but over. The Texas A&M product was featured on our Joe Soriano’s top quarterback performances of Week 7.
13. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (-3)
There wasn’t much Kaepernick could do against Denver’s defense, partly because he got no help from his receivers. Anquan Boldin dropped a touchdown and Vernon Davis dropped a few passes. The only receiver Kap got help from was Stevie Johnson. Having said that, Kaepernick wasn’t decisive in the pocket. He overthrew one pass which Aqib Talib picked off. On multiple occasions, he didn’t throw to his hot receiver and took sacks instead. He looked somewhat lost against Denver’s defense at times – that might be common when DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller are coming at him from either side.
14. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (+1)
It appears that Brady has got over his early season slump. He tossed three more touchdowns against New York. He was inaccurate on some intermediate throws that he normally hits on – I think it’s simply a timing issue with new pass-catchers.
15. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (-4)
Newton was out of sorts against Green Bay. That Packers defense really rattled him. I’m not sure if it’s the nagging injuries that’s causing Newton to struggle, or he’s just not comfortable in the pocket.
16. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (+2)
Since his return, Palmer continues to get better. The Cardinals are 5-1 and atop the NFC West, partly due to Palmer’s play in the three games he’s started this year.