NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 5 Analytical Quarterback Rankings: Tua Tagovailoa remains on top, Matthew Stafford climbs to No. 2

2RYMW62 Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws downfield under pressure during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

Brock Purdy the most efficient passer: Purdy earned the sixth-highest passing grade of the week (76.9) yet finished first at his position in passing yards (273), yards per attempt (13.5) and EPA per pass play (0.94).

Lamar Jackson best outside the pocket: Jackson left the pocket seven times in Week 4, running three times and attempting four passes. The Ravens quarterback completed all three of those passes for 93 yards and three first downs.

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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 4.

2023 Week 4 Analytical Quarterback Rankings

Most efficient passer: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy earned the sixth-highest passing grade of the week (76.9) yet finished first at his position in passing yards (273), yards per attempt (13.5) and EPA per pass play (0.94). He completed 95.2% of his passes and moved the chains via the air 17 times, all while avoiding any turnover-worthy plays.

Click here to see Brock Purdy's Week 4 grades in premium stats


Best explosive passer: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson went 5-of-7 for 121 yards and a touchdown on passes thrown 10 or more yards downfield in Week 4. The Ravens quarterback finished first in passing grade (94.4), accuracy rate (85.7%)  and EPA per play (1.64) on these throws.

Click here to see Lamar Jackson's Week 4 grades in premium stats


Best under pressure: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen was pressured on just eight of his 29 dropbacks in Buffalo's Week 4 win over Miami. He completed all six pass attempts for 93 yards and one touchdown, moving the chains four times in total. He averaged 15.5 yards per pressured pass attempt and recorded one big-time throw en route to the week's best passing grade on pressured dropbacks (86.1).

Click here to see Josh Allen's Week 4 grades in premium stats


Best outside the pocket: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson left the pocket seven times in Week 4, running three times and attempting four passes. The Ravens quarterback completed all three of those passes for 93 yards and three first downs, the best of which was a 43-yard dime down the sideline to wide receiver Zay Flowers.

Jackson's 88.9 passing grade on throws outside the pocket ranked second at the position in Week 4, as did his 0.96 EPA per pass play.

Click here to see Lamar Jackson's Week 4 grades in premium stats


Quick passes: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Goff attempted 28 passes against Green Bay in Week 4, 16 of them in under 2.5 seconds. He finished 14-of-16 for 129 yards and one touchdown, moving the chains seven times in total. He recorded a big-time throw and no turnover-worthy plays, finishing with a league-leading 87.1 PFF grade on quick throws.

Click here to see Jared Goff's Week 4 grades in premium stats


 

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