The NFC is a disastrously weak conference with only one true contender. Let's power rank each team's starting QB ahead of Week 16. The San Francisco 49ers might have the easiest path to a Super Bowl in recent memory. I think unless something catastrophic happens, this team is going to represent the NFC in February.
The 49ers aren't the only team in the NFC, though. Most other teams in the conference are rather irrelevant and would have to go on a magical run to make noise when the playoffs start. Anyway, let's power ranking the 16 starting QBs in the NFC ahead of Week 16.
NFC quarterback Power Rankings ahead of Week 16
16. Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
Desmond Ridder is truly awful, so I do not think blaming Arthur Smith for the team's recent woes is entirely accurate. Ridder was a mid-round pick and didn't really have many qualities indicative of a franchise QB. The 2022 QB class was awful, and the Falcons should definitely look elsewhere in 2024 for their QB of the future. I think Smith remains as the head coach, for what that is worth.
15. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
I think the Sam Howell experiment isn't going to last much longer. Howell has thrown for a ton of yards but has also added 15 interceptions into that. He's shown flashes here and there but has thrown 2 touchdowns against six interceptions over the last four games. He's not good.
14. Tommy DeVito, New York Giants
Tommy DeVito is a fun story, but that's about it. He has played well enough to warrant being back on the team in 2024, but I'd anticipate him being a QB3 as I think the New York Giants are going to draft someone.
13. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young hasn't been good this year, but a lot of that is due to just how dysfunctional the Carolina Panthers have been. Young has shown flashes, which is encouraging, but fellow rookie QB CJ Stroud playing as well as he has this year has put more attention on Young, and not in a good way.
12. Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings
Nick Mullens is an experienced backup in the NFL and did make some nice throws in Week 15 for the Minnesota Vikings. With Kirk Cousins being out, the Vikings maintaining a horse in the NFC playoff race is amazing. Mullens is serviceable at best, and that could be good enough or Minny to clinch a spot in the postseason.
11. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
QB Kyler Murray has been just OK in his return to the field after his ACL rehab. I do think Murray is a franchise QB, and I do not think the Arizona Cardinals plan on moving on from him. The Cards' roster is depleted of talent and Murray doesn't have a ton to work with there. Right now, we'll nestle him just outside the top 10 until he proves he can be that type of passer again.
10. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Both Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks have regressed a bit this year, and I think Smith's regression from his breakout 2022 campaign was expected. Not often do you see a backup-caliber QB put together back-to-back great seasons. There are many instances of these QBs catching lightning in a bottle for a year only to return to their old self the following year.
9. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Can we please pull the plug on the Justin Fields experiment? It's year three for him now, and there's still questions whether or not he's a franchise QB in the NFL. Gang, we're in year three, and if he hasn't put it together now, he never will. with QBs, you can usually tell by year two at the latest if they're a franchise passer. Year three is almost over and there are still more questions than answers.
NFC quarterback Power Rankings ahead of Week 16
8. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Eh. This is who Derek Carr has always been, so there's nothing really to talk about here. He's a decent enough QB who could stick around in New Orleans until his contract is moveable. There's really nothing special about Carr. He's average.
7. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts is not having a great year. His rushing touchdowns are inflated a bit because of the rise of the Tush Push, but he's regressed heavily as a passer, even with an elite offensive line and elite weapons. Perhaps Hurts' 2022 season wasn't who he truly is as a QB.
6. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love has comparable production to guys like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield. He's largely been pretty good this year aside from a slow start to begin the season. I don't see how he is not brought back as their starter in 2024.
5. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield has played very good football this year, and his 3:1 TD:INT ratio is one of the best in the NFL. Mayfield is on a Bucs team that has won three in a row, sit at 7-7, and looks to be the best team in the NFC South, so I do think Tampa does end up hosting a playoff game.
4. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
I think at this point in his career, we all know what we can expect from Jared Goff. He's a fine, efficient passer who also gets the benefit of playing in a dome for half the season. He's going to stick around in Detroit for a while and is probably the 11th-best QB in the NFL, which is just fine for this Lions' team.
3. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford has played extremely well over the past several weeks and is riding a bit if a win streak with the Los Angeles Rams, who are now all of a sudden 7-7. Stafford seems fully healthy and his arm is still doing the job just fine. Two years removed from the Super Bowl, the Rams could genuinely make some noise in the playoffs.
2. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott is having the most efficient year of his career, but the home/road splits are a bit concerning. Either way, Prescott has been efficient in 2023 and is leading this 10-4 Dallas Cowboys team to what I think will be an NFC East title this year.
1. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Respectfully, if you don't think Brock Purdy has been the best QB in the NFC this year, please watch the tape. Yes, guys are constantly open in Kyle Shanahan's offense, but who cares? Purdy has been throwing with elite anticipation all season and isn't putting the ball in harm's way. The coach and the QB are both allowed to be excellent at their respective jobs; it doesn't have to be one way or the other.