Week 9 NFL QB Power Rankings
Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
9. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (+3)
Brady has been the hottest quarterback in the league over the past few weeks. The Patriots are on a six-game winning streak because of him. Earlier in the season, Brady was missing relatively easy throws that I’ve seen him make over the years, and he’s been making them for the past few weeks. I still don’t think Brady’s on the level he was seven years ago, but with a shell of a supporting cast now, he’s still close.
10. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (+4)
Twelve touchdowns in two weeks is a record. With four more touchdowns this week against the Jets, Roethlisberger will have broken Peyton Manning’s record for touchdown passes in a three-game span (15, in 2004).
11. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (+3)
This season, Palmer has been better than most expected. He’s led Arizona to the NFC’s top record at 7-1, and Palmer, while he won’t be a playmaker, has managed games perfectly for the Cardinals. The pick six he threw was the wrong read, but besides that errant throw, Palmer was on point.
12. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (± 0)
I won’t rate Matt Ryan based on the play of Atlanta’s offensive line. Julio Jones and Roddy White help, but not many quarterbacks can do much against that offensive line. Atlanta is 2-6, yet only two games out in the NFC South race – Ryan must find a way to operate behind that porous offensive line.
13. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (-1)
Kaepernick did his best RGIII impression against St. Louis. He had a little “cabin fever” – he was afraid to throw the ball and took sacks instead. The Rams’ defense looked like the defense of last year, tallying eight (!) sacks against Kaepernick. It’s better to take sacks rather than force throws, but Kaepernick missed his check down on multiple plays.
14. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (-2)
You could say that a few errant throws, in addition to a Lorenzo Taliaferro fumble, cost Baltimore the game. Flacco had been heating up slowly, but everything has started to fall apart over the last two weeks. It looked as if Flacco was attempting to throw the ball away on that interception but didn’t get it out far enough, and it was picked. Flacco must make better decisions if the Ravens want to have a shot in the AFC North, as two straight divisional losses will hurt. In fact, Cleveland is now ahead of Baltimore in the division.
15. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (± 0)
No movement for Cutler in his bye week. With Green Bay coming up, Cutler needs to play the game of his life in order to save Chicago’s season and possibly Marc Trestman’s job.
16. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (-2)
Newton looked like Jay Cutler early in his career – throwing off his back foot and forcing throws. At least he wasn’t yelling at his teammates. That was one of the worst games I’ve seen Newton play in a long time, and now Carolina is two games under .500 because of it.
Next: Next Group of Quarterbacks