NFL Quarterback Rankings Week 8: Mac Jones, Gardner Minshew, Lamar Jackson Rising

Russell Wilson also moves up a couple of spots, while Jordan Love, Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen fall back after Week 7.

Nobody was more impressive last weekend than Lamar Jackson.

Over the NFL season’s first six weeks, the Ravens had been trying to acclimate themselves to new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system.

It all came together Sunday against the Lions.

What was supposed to be a showdown turned into a slaying, with Baltimore winning 38–6. Jackson was sublime, throwing for 357 yards on 13.2 yards per attempt with three touchdowns, while adding 36 yards and a score on the ground.

Baltimore (5–2) is tied with the Jaguars and Dolphins for the AFC’s second-best record, trailing the Chiefs (6–1). And with Jackson perhaps adjusted to Monken’s scheme, the Ravens’ best days could be ahead of them.

Here are the Week 8 NFL quarterback rankings:

32. Malik Willis, Tennessee Titans (31)

31. Brian Hoyer, Las Vegas Raiders (N/A)

30. Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears (32)

Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports

Bagent made his first NFL start as an undrafted free agent from tiny Shepherd, and he looked the part.

The rookie threw for 162 yards on 21-of-29 passing, with a touchdown and, most important, no turnovers. Bagent found eight receivers, including star wideout DJ Moore, who caught eight of his nine targets for 54 yards.

Bagent wasn’t spectacular in the 30–12 win over the Raiders, but he largely kept the Bears on schedule. Chicago was magnificent on third down, converting 8-of-13 while averaging a respectable 4.7 yards per play.

It was a memorable day and a commendable effort by Bagent. 

29. Joshua Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals (23)

28. PJ Walker, Cleveland Browns (29)

27. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (26)

26. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (28)

Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports

Nobody has taken more heat than Jones, including in this space, where it has been suggested he needs to be benched.

Yet on Sunday against the Bills, Jones gave us his best performance of the year, highlighted by a game-winning drive in the final moments of a 29–25 win over the Bills.

Jones was 25-of-30 for 272 yards (9.1 YPA) with two touchdowns while taking only one sack. He also avoided turnovers. In five of New England’s first seven games, Jones threw at least one interception. He had none Sunday in the Patriots’ second win of the season.

Facing the Bills, Jones was excellent when throwing more than five air yards, going 10-of-11 with a touchdown.

If Jones can play this efficiently, the Patriots will be more competitive on a weekly basis.

25. Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons (27)

24. Zach Wilson, New York Jets (24)

23. Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (25)

22. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (19)

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

Love isn’t thriving.

To provide full context, the supporting cast isn’t helping the first-time starter. Love has been without both left tackle David Bakhtiari and star guard Elgton Jenkins for much of the year, along with running back Aaron Jones. Many of the receivers and tight ends are talented but still finding themselves as first- and second-year guys.

Still, the Packers (2–4) need to see more from Love, who has been in coach Matt LaFleur’s offense for three-plus seasons. Against the Broncos (2–5), Love threw for 180 yards on 5.2 yards per attempt. Denver came into the game with the league’s worst defense, and Green Bay was shut out in the first half before mustering only 17 for the afternoon.

Since throwing six touchdowns and zero interceptions over the season’s first two games, Love has tossed four scores and seven picks. 

21. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (22)

20. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (20)

19. Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (21)

Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Minshew has seen real action in five games this season, posting three QB ratings better than 100.

One such game was Sunday, when he lit up the Browns’ league-leading defense for 305 yards and two touchdowns on only 23 attempts. Minshew completed seven throws of more than 10 air yards, including both of his scoring strikes.

The presumed starter going forward with rookie Anthony Richardson dealing with season-ending shoulder surgery, the Colts (3–4) should feel they’re in respectable hands. Minshew is willing to stretch the field and showed chemistry with rookie receiver Josh Downs, who caught five passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Lastly, Minshew understands coach Shane Steichen’s system, having spent two years with him in Philadelphia. 

18. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (16)

17. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17)

16. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (18)

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sport

Wilson has gotten plenty of deserved ire since being traded to the Broncos last offseason, but he’s played better this season under coach Sean Payton.

Coming off his worst performance of the year (95 yards, two INTs) in Kansas City, Wilson bounced back to help lead the Broncos over the Packers. However, it must be said the veteran quarterback didn’t throw downfield much, attempting only six passes of more than 10 air yards, albeit hitting on four, including a touchdown.

Denver (2–5) needs Wilson to continue improving under Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi while the defense attempts to regroup after a horrific first five weeks under Vance Joseph.

Wilson has thrown for 1,499 yards (15th) with 13 touchdowns against four interceptions. It’s not perfect, but far better than 2022.

15. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (14)

14. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (13)

13. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (12)

12. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (15)

11. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (11)

10. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (9)

Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

The Rams need Stafford to be excellent while running back Kyren Williams is on injured reserve. Against the Steelers, he was far from it.

Stafford was 14-of-29 for 231 yards along with a touchdown and a costly interception in an upset loss at home to the Steelers. While the veteran wasn’t atrocious, he didn’t make enough plays against a Pittsburgh defense that has been susceptible at times to the pass, specifically facing Jackson, Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud.

With the exceptional year rookie receiver Puka Nacua is putting forth, the Rams have a dynamic duo on the outside, including Cooper Kupp. Stafford should be able to consistently put up numbers, and yet he has only seven touchdowns with six interceptions.

Los Angeles (3–4) needs to reset before playing the Cowboys (4–2), who will come into Week 8 off their bye.

9. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (10)

8. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (7)

7. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (8)

6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (5)

5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (3)

Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

Allen needs to be better. And considering how injury ravaged Buffalo (4–3) is on defense, much better.

Against the Patriots (2–5), Allen threw an interception on his first pass, rifling a throw into the hands of safety Jabrill Peppers. Then he continually misfired on open throws to star receiver Stefon Diggs, including one in the second half that would have been a walk-in touchdown from deep.

With the Bills down linebacker Matt Milano, corner Tre’Davious White and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, it stands to reason they won’t be nearly as stout as in years past. Buffalo has to get Allen’s best attributes without the turnovers, and that hasn’t been the case.

Through seven weeks, Allen has thrown seven interceptions. Only Jimmy Garoppolo and Jalen Hurts have more (eight). Last season Allen led the NFL with 19 turnovers, and he’s on pace for 21 this year.

4. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (6)

3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (4)

Mitch Stringer/USA TODAY Sports

Jackson has been hovering around the top three on this list all year, and now he makes it.

His NextGen passing chart against the Lions shows nine completions of at least 10 air yards, including two touchdowns.

To date, Jackson is averaging 8.1 yards per attempt with only three interceptions and a QBR of 61.9, ranking in the top 10.

For Jackson, this year has always been about proving he was worth the five-year, $260 million deal he signed this offseason after being given the nonexclusive tag by Baltimore. So far, he’s producing at the best clip we’ve seen from him since being named a unanimous MVP in 2019.

2. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (2)

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (1)