Week 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Lamar Jackson Closing In on Patrick Mahomes

The Ravens’ signal-caller has a case for MVP after another stellar performance against the Seahawks.

It’s that time of year when playoff races begin taking shape. It’s also time for the MVP chase to crystallize, focusing on a few stars.

In a season when nobody has become the clear favorite, there are a few quarterbacks who are starting to stand out. Among them, Lamar Jackson made a strong case for himself once again, dicing up the Seahawks in Week 9 during a 37–3 win.

Jackson is on pace to amass more than 4,500 total yards this season / Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Then there’s Jalen Hurts, who has led the Eagles to the league’s best record at 8–1, while the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is third in passing yardage and, at this point, an evergreen candidate.

Let’s look at the NFL quarterback rankings for Week 10.

32. Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (N/A)

31. Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears (31)

30. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (28)

Jones's 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions is brutal for a 2021 first-round pick :: Michael Dwyer/AP

On Sunday against a beleaguered Commanders defense, Jones threw 44 times. He connected on only three passes of 10-plus air yards while also being intercepted on such an attempt, which sealed the defeat.

At some point, the Patriots have to admit it’s over and give Bailey Zappe or Malik Cunningham an opportunity. Worst-case scenario? New England is the same. Best-case? The Patriots actually look like a team playing offense in 2024 and not 1924.

Jones doesn’t have much help, but 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions is brutal for a 2021 first-round pick who was supposed to elevate those around him, not be elevated by everyone else. 

29. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (27)

28. Zach Wilson, New York Jets (29)

27. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (24)

26. Joshua Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings (N/A)

Dobbs led the Vikings on a game-winning drive against the Falcons after being acquired at the trade deadline :: Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports

We arrive at the feel-good story of the year. The Vikings (5–4) went into Atlanta trying to keep their three-game winning streak alive despite losing Kirk Cousins in Week 8 to a torn Achilles. Then, in the first quarter, backup rookie Jaren Hall got knocked out with a concussion.

In stepped Dobbs, who hadn’t been in Minnesota for a full week. Despite not knowing the playbook, the journeyman guided the Vikings to a thrilling 31–28 victory. The effort was capped by an 11-play, 75-yard drive, including Brandon Powell’s six-yard touchdown reception to win it.

Dobbs played well with the Cardinals before being dealt at the trade deadline, and now he’s a key figure in keeping Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive.

25. Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons (25)

24. Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (N/A)

23. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (26)

22. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (23)

Much of Sunday was a slog for the Rams and Packers, but Love did his job to earn Green Bay’s third victory of the campaign.

Love went 20-of-26 for 228 yards and a touchdown while avoiding turnovers, which was most important with the Rams’ starting Brett Rypien.

This season has been rough for the Packers and Love. The fourth-year quarterback has thrown for 12 touchdowns against eight interceptions while posting a QBR of 43.0, which ranks 22nd in the league. Still, his outing against the Rams was positive, as Love completed six of eight attempts of 10-plus air yards. 

21. Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (20)

20. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (N/A)

19. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19)

18. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (18)

After nine weeks, Howell ranks second in passing yardage (2,471) on 7.0 yards per attempt :: Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

Howell is a fascinating case.

The Commanders (4–5) are in the NFC wild-card race largely because the offense does enough to offset a defense ranked 28th in yards allowed per game (368.9).

After nine weeks, Howell ranks second in passing yardage (2,471) on 7.0 yards per attempt. However, the second-year passer has also taken an absurd 44 sacks, many from holding the ball too long behind a shaky offensive line.

With eight games left in the season, Howell has to prove he’s the long-term answer. If he doesn’t, there’s a real chance Washington will look for an option in a loaded quarterback crop come next year’s draft, likely with a new head coach and staff. 

17. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (17)

16. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (15)

15. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (14)

14. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (16)

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13. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (10)

Smith was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2022, throwing for 30 touchdowns to earn Pro Bowl honors. Unfortunately, he hasn’t looked the same this season.

For the third consecutive week, Smith turned the ball over twice, with Seattle posting a 1–2 mark.

The Seahawks have two stud receivers in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, along with a first-round rookie in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The passing game should be their strength. Instead, it’s been fraught with peril, as Smith has nine touchdown passes against seven interceptions.

If Seattle is going to challenge the 49ers for the NFC West crown, it has to start with Smith playing cleaner football over the final two months.

12. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (12)

11. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (11)

10. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (13)

Stroud, selected second in the 2023 NFL draft, has thrown for 2,270 yards and 14 touchdowns :: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

If anybody wasn’t aware of Stroud’s prowess before Sunday, they are now.

Stroud was brilliant against the Buccaneers, engineering a 75-yard drive in 40 seconds to beat Tampa Bay, 39–37, while evening the Texans’ record at 4–4. But it was his total body of work that showed why he is a rising superstar.

On the day, Stroud completed 12 of 18 attempts of 10-plus air yards, amassing 287 yards and four touchdowns. Even with only eight games as evidence, it’s clear Stroud is both capable of making and comfortable with attempting every throw.

After years of wandering in the wilderness, the Texans appear to have found their quarterback.

9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (8)

8. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (7)

7. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (2)

Tagovailoa has enjoyed a terrific season against bad teams. In Miami’s six wins against teams combining for a 14–37 record (update with LAC result on MNF), he has averaged 319.6 yards per game (9.7 YPA) with 16 touchdown passes against five interceptions.

However, when Miami has played contending-level teams in the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs, he has averaged 230.3 yards per game (6.8 YPA) with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Of course, Tagovailoa’s struggles against elite competition have also been compounded by Miami’s issues facing winning teams, but the Alabama product isn’t helping matters.

6. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (6)

5. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (5)

4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (9)

3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (4)

2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (3)

Jackson accounted for 247 total yards while completing 80.8% of his 26 attempts against the Seahawks on Sunday :: Jessica Rapfogel/USA TODAY Sports

Jackson has a case for the top spot. But for now, he moved up another rung.

Against the Seahawks, Jackson accounted for 247 total yards while completing 80.8% of his 26 attempts. The Ravens won 37–3, tying them with the Chiefs atop the AFC.

For the season, Jackson has been superb. While he’s on pace for only 3,690 passing yards and 17 touchdown passes, his overall output would be 4,522 total yards and 26 touchdowns.

Overall, those numbers don’t measure up to Patrick Mahomes’s passing statistics or what Hurts is doing in Philadelphia. Still, Jackson should be considered an MVP candidate for guiding Baltimore to a 7–2 mark playing in a new system under coordinator Todd Monken.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (1)