NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 12 Analytical Quarterback Rankings: C.J. Stroud continues his ascension, Dak Prescott breaks into the top three

2T0RJ8D San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

• Herbert put his team on his back: Justin Herbert earned the highest passing grade (92.1) among quarterbacks in Week 11, while the rest of the Chargers offense combined for a 53.2 team offense grade, 26th among the 28 teams that played.

• (Almost) Perfect Purdy: Brock Purdy went 8-of-11 for a league-best 228 yards and two touchdowns on passes that traveled at least 10 yards downfield in Week 11. The 49ers quarterback has generated a 134.1 passer rating on 10-plus-yard throws this season, the best mark among qualifying quarterbacks.

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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, but we can often get stuck in their most recent blunders or successes, making it difficult to come up with an objective ranking.

This analysis utilizes a statistical technique called Bayesian Updating. With Bayesian Updating, we can use individual results to project PFF grades and expected points added (EPA) per play. You can find a more detailed explanation of the analysis in our Week 2 quarterback rankings.

Here is how the league's quarterbacks stack up after Week 11.

Highest-graded passer: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert earned the highest passing grade (92.1) among quarterbacks in Week 11, while the rest of the Chargers offense combined for a 53.2 team offense grade, 26th among the 28 teams that played.

Herbert completed 21 of his 36 pass attempts for 260 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, with two big-time throws and no turnover-worthy plays.

Click here to see Week 11 QB grades


Most explosive passer: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy went 8-of-11 for a league-best 228 yards and two touchdowns on passes that traveled 10 or more yards downfield in Week 11. The 49ers quarterback has generated a 134.1 passer rating on 10-plus-yard throws this season, the best mark among qualifying quarterbacks.

Click here to see PFF's passing-by-depth report


Best under pressure: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert finished first in passing grade (86.2) and third in EPA per play (0.012) on throws under pressure in Week 11. He went 4-of-9 for 46 yards and a touchdown, with one big-time throw and no turnover-worthy plays. 

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-under-pressure report


Best out of the pocket: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Stroud earned a league-best 93.3 passing grade on throws outside the pocket last week, finishing second in EPA per play (0.694) on those throws. He completed three of his four pass attempts for 66 yards and a touchdown to Tank Dellone of the best plays of the season

Click here to see PFF's passing-by-concept report


Quick passes: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

The Niners signal-caller went 9-of-11 (81.8%) for 141 yards and three touchdowns on passes that took less than 2.5 seconds from snap to pass. No quarterback earned a higher grade (81.3) on quick throws in Week 11. 

Click here to see PFF's time-to-throw report


 

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