NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 8 Analytical Quarterback Rankings: Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson headline the rankings

2T31993 Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates his seven-yard rush for a touchdown with teammate wide receiver Nelson Agholor during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Patrick Mahomes does his thing: Mahomes was the most efficient passer of Week 7, completing 76.2% of his passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns.

Lamar Jackson thrives under pressure: Jackson posted the league's highest passing grade (94.1) under pressure in Week 7. The Ravens QB went 8-of-9 for 238 yards and two touchdowns when the Lions pass rush moved him off his spot, and he produced four big-time throws and no turnover-worthy plays on his pressured dropbacks.

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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 7.

2023 Week 8 Analytical Quarterback Rankings

Most efficient passer: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes was the most efficient passer of Week 7, completing 76.2% of his passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 10.1 yards per attempt, the third-highest mark among quarterbacks for the week, and he produced season-high marks in passing grade (87.3) and EPA per play (0.51).

♦ Click here to see Week 7 QB grades


Most explosive passer: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Cousins went 9-of-12 for 201 yards and two scores on 10-plus-yard passes on Monday Night Football, finishing second in passer rating (156.3), sixth in adjusted completion percentage (75.0%) and 10th in PFF grade (83.4) among quarterbacks on those plays.

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


Best under pressure: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson posted the league's highest passing grade (94.1) under pressure in Week 7. The Ravens QB went 8-of-9 for 238 yards and two touchdowns when the Lions pass rush moved him off his spot, and he produced four big-time throws and no turnover-worthy plays on his pressured dropbacks.

The Lions defense pressured Jackson on 37.5% of his dropbacks, but he didn't take a single sack in an almost faultless performance against a formidable opponent.

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


Best out of the pocket: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson completed six of his seven attempts from outside the pocket in Week 7, producing a league-leading 138 yards and two scores. He has a 90.7 passing grade on throws outside the pocket through Week 7, leading all quarterbacks.

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


Quick passes: Mac Jones, New England Patriots

Mac Jones finished second at the position in PFF grade on throws that took less than 2.5 seconds from snap to pass (79.6). He completed 83.3% of his passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 8.0 yards per attempt.

The Bills defense had performed about league average against quick throws through Week 6, earning a 14-ranked 74.1 team defensive grade. They performed about the same in Week 7, but it was not enough to stop Mac Jones and the Pats offense from scoring.

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

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