Nothing ignites a good NFL discussion quite like quarterbacks. And it makes sense: They're the most important ingredient in a championship recipe. All quarterbacks, of course, are at least partially a product of their situations, but that just means their current standing can be a good barometer for a team's Super Bowl hopes.
With that in mind, this is how we'd sort today's signal-callers right now (with some additional short-term projection baked in). These rankings are subject to change as the season unfolds, as they're based more on current standing than the bigger picture, built to tell the story of each quarterback's respective rise and fall.
Without further ado, the Week 6 pecking order:
2024 NFL QB Power Rankings
| 1 | 
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens QB
|
| This guy won MVP in 2023, and he looks even worthier of the honor right now. His athleticism is always unmatched, but he's also controlling the ball and threading the needle in critical spots. Throw in the effortless rushing excellence alongside Derrick Henry , and it's the total package. (+1) | |
| 2 | 
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals QB
|
| He's absolutely crushing it as a big-play artist, lobbing five scores to suddenly give him an NFL-leading 12 on the year. The Ja'Marr Chase connection is magic. If only he had a defense. (+5) | |
| 3 | 
Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers QB
|
| His confidence as a play-extender may be contributing to some pressure-induced turnovers, but he's the last of the 49ers ' issues. The kid is dynamite when it comes to sharp downfield shots. | |
| 4 | 
Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills QB
|
| After a three-game tear to open 2024 in which he didn't even seem to need a No. 1 wideout, Allen has looked decidedly more human lately. He has to protect himself while trying to play hero. (-3) | |
| 5 | 
Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB
|
| If 2023 was his rejuvenation, then 2024 might be his coronation. Ever-gutsy, he's been lights out in key spots for much of the year, not only as a touch passer but a tough scrambler. (+3) | |
| 6 | 
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs QB
|
| The numbers aren't necessarily pretty for a former MVP. And he's taking a lot of short stuff to compensate for the depth-tested weaponry. Yet the Chiefs are 5-0, in part because he's come up with slippery scrambles or chain-moving darts when it matters most. His team is inevitable. | |
| 7 | 
Jayden Daniels
Washington Commanders QB
|
| The Offensive Rookie of the Year drum is beating loudly now. And why not? Daniels' wrist-flick deep ball is a sight to behold, and he's already racked up 300 yards as a silky-smooth runner. (+2) | |
| 8 | 
Sam Darnold
Minnesota Vikings QB
|
| The MVP hype slowed greatly in London, where the Jets ' imposing defense had him as skittish as he's ever been under Kevin O'Connell. Still, the Vikings aren't 5-0 without his prior composure. (-4) | |
| 9 | 
C.J. Stroud
Houston Texans QB
|
| He's put the ball in harm's way a bit more than he did as a stellar rookie, but Stroud's poise in the pocket is still a big reason Houston's 4-1. Can he make do without the injured Nico Collins ? (-4) | |
| 10 | 
Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys QB
|
| Results have been scattershot for he and Dallas, as evidenced by an ugly couple of picks against the Steelers ... and a much stronger finish, in which he fired pinpoint bullets in crunch time. (+3) | |
| 11 | 
Kirk Cousins
Atlanta Falcons QB
|
| That $180 million deal didn't look so bad on Thursday night, when he slung it, slung it and slung it some more, willing the Falcons to a big divisional win with laser-sharp pocket passing. (+7) | |
| 12 | 
Jordan Love
Green Bay Packers QB
|
| He's probably been too erratic to be this close to the top 10, but Love tends to offset most of his most puzzling throws with unteachably impressive ones. The Brett Favre comparisons are apt. (-2) | |
| 13 | 
Geno Smith
Seattle Seahawks QB
|
| How much blame can be applied to Smith when his O-line is so shoddy week in, week out for consecutive seasons? He seems to do his best work late in games, for better and worse. (-2) | |
| 14 | 
Jared Goff
Detroit Lions QB
|
| A perfect 18-for-18 in his last outing, Goff is a borderline top-10 distributor when he's well-protected. Fortunately, the Lions also have so many splashy toys at his disposal. He should keep rising. (+3) | |
| 15 | 
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers QB
|
| The Chargers ' early bye in Week 5 should hopefully help Herbert retake the field with a sturdier supporting cast. The health of his starting tackles is paramount to restoring the run game. (-3) | |
| 16 | 
Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles QB
|
| A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are reportedly on track to return after their Week 5 bye, which should be music to his ears. While tough, Hurts has been quite uneven as a decision-maker. (-1) | |
| 17 | 
Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals QB
|
| Talk about a roller-coaster ride. One week, the jittery Murray looks stagnant. Another, he's using those ever-churning legs to steal first downs and set up perfect lofts to Marvin Harrison Jr . (+3) | |
| 18 | 
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams QB
|
| It's hard to put the Rams ' 1-4 start on him given the quick loss of his top two targets due to injury. His cannon of an arm was also off the mark until it was too late against the Packers . (-4) | |
| 19 | 
Justin Fields
Pittsburgh Steelers QB
|
| The ex-Chicago Bears starter has yet to blow anyone away in black and yellow, but he's also been pleasantly "in control" of every facet of the game. Pittsburgh's receivers are another story. (+2) | |
| 20 | 
Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears QB
|
| Williams still likes to dance around, and sometimes that's OK because of Chicago's front. What's really encouraging, however, is the increasingly hot downfield connection with D.J. Moore. (+4) | |
| 21 | 
Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars QB
|
| Maybe he isn't a lost cause after all. OK, it was one game against the Colts , but Lawrence actually showed proper touch on some of his deep balls. Now, can he sustain the momentum? (+2) | |
| 22 | 
Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets QB
|
| The Jets, now sans Robert Saleh, are a mess. That's very clear. But is Rodgers actively contributing to the issue? His arm is zippy, but everything else has been sluggish as of late. (-6) | |
| 23 | 
Daniel Jones
New York Giants QB
|
| The Giants aren't exactly asking him to torch opponents through the air, but still, Jones has quietly fared better as a decisive thrower, all while exhibiting some noticeable grit as a scrambler. (+2) | |
| 24 | 
Joe Flacco
Indianapolis Colts QB
|
| Don't look now, but Flacco's threatening to kick off his second straight off-the-bench tour, seamlessly filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson. With blocking, he can still deliver. (+3) | |
| 25 | 
Andy Dalton
Carolina Panthers QB
|
| It didn't take long for the luster of his promotion to wear down. Dalton still brings a certain level of respect thanks to his experience, but the Panthers clearly remain an incomplete operation. (-3) | |
| 26 | 
Bo Nix
Denver Broncos QB
|
| His heated exchange with Sean Payton got lots of focus, but not to be overlooked is the fact the rookie finally found a groove letting the ball rip through the air. His mobility is solid, too. (+6) | |
| 27 | 
Will Levis
Tennessee Titans QB
|
| The banged-up Levis is aiming to be back under center coming off a bye. Healthy or not, he's been a relatively safe bet for fireworks, both good and bad. Can he rein in the heroics? (+2) | |
| 28 | 
Drake Maye
New England Patriots QB
|
| Finally, the time has come. Jacoby Brissett was so-so as the stopgap, but Maye's ability to escape the pocket bodes well for a Patriots offense that's been stuck in mud under Jerod Mayo. | |
| 29 | 
Aidan O'Connell
Las Vegas Raiders QB
|
| Antonio Pierce is once again juggling signal-callers, with Gardner Minshew yanked for the second time in five weeks on Sunday. No matter who's listed at QB1, Las Vegas leans on its defense. | |
| 30 | 
Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns QB
|
| There's no doubt Watson is getting atrocious protection behind a battered front. It's also becoming increasingly clear that he's got neither the physical nor mental answers to make up for it. (-4) | |
| 31 | 
Tyler Huntley
Miami Dolphins QB
|
| His numbers improved slightly in Round 2 as Miami's emergency fill-in, but it still took a matchup with the offensively challenged Patriots to get the "W." At least he offers experience. | |
| 32 | 
Spencer Rattler
New Orleans Saints QB
|
| Derek Carr is out indefinitely after suffering an oblique injury late against the Chiefs. Jake Haener is also onboard as a backup, but the tough rookie Rattler is a candidate to take over. | |
