NFL Quarterback Power Rankings, Post Week 3

This was a particularly exciting week of NFL action considering we got to see two of the more anticipated rookie quarterbacks get some action and enter into the power rankings for the first time all season.

This was also the week for quarterbacks to somehow morph into elite wide receivers. Did you see Andy Dalton’s catch and run? Or how about Russell Wilson’s unflappable concentration to haul in a pass and take a wicked hit? Heck, even Johnny Football was catching passes this week.

The unpredictability of the NFL continues to amaze.

Yet there are still some things you can count on each and every week. Peyton Manning will play solid football (until the postseason), Philip Rivers will have fun, Russell Wilson will play smart and Joe Flacco will make you wonder how he ever won a Super Bowl.

If we wanted to create the perfect team, all we would have to do is play as the 49ers in the first half and the Eagles in the second half.

Let’s check out all the new changes to the QB power ranking this week.

Methodology

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

These rankings factor in several major attributes for the quarterback position.

Personal observation and opinion play a key role. A general section for film-review grades form a foundation, but the output of these QBs' most recent performances is what really sends them flying up and down the rankings each week. 

Wins also give quarterbacks a slight boost in addition to their individual performances. The statistics used to help determine the ranking system are pulled from ESPN.com, NFL.com and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) unless stated otherwise. 

Stats that are factored in include passer rating, completion percentage, yards per pass, rushing yards per game, touchdown-to-interception ratio, fumbles lost and wins. 

As the season moves on, the weighted influence from last year's output will be reduced by 25 percent each week. After Week 4, the preseason will not factor into the rankings at all.   

Note: Total QBR is a scoring system that assesses everything a quarterback does on the field. It can be explained further via ESPN.

Also, Pro Football Focus grades every single play of the season to generate a cumulative point total, which weighs into the metric as well.

Players Ranked Last Week Who Are Not Listed This Week

Rogelio Solis/Associated Press

Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars

Benched at halftime.

Last Ranked: 31st

Matt Cassel, Minnesota Vikings

Went our with a foot injury in the second quarter

Last Ranked: 29th

Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Left the game with a thumb injury

Last Ranked: 15th

32. Drew Stanton, Arizona Cardinals

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

This Week

32

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
49ers	W 23-14	18	23	54.5	244	2	0

Stanton will probably return to the bench when Carson Palmer is healthy enough to play, which could be as early as their next game after the bye. Against the 49ers Stanton stood tall in a critical divisional matchup with one of the best defenses in the league over the last four years.

Without Palmer under center, the Cardinals were incredible long shots to win the game. However, Drew Stanton pulled off the big upset by outplaying Colin Kaepernick and making some big plays in the fourth quarter.

 

Season Average

32

As well as Drew Stanton has played in his role as a backup, it really stings to rank him 32nd on the list. But even though he has exceeded expectations, there are still some issues with his accuracy. With that said, he has yet to throw an INT, and his aggressive style of play has been bailed out with a lot of fortunate bounces of the ball.

His 51.6 percent completion percentage is the lowest of any QB on the list—but a more important stat is his 2-0 record.  The better he plays, you can be sure the faster Carson Palmer will try to get back on the field.  

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	San Diego	W 18-17	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	@ Giants	W 25-14	14	29	48.2	167	0	0	N/A
3	SF	W 23-14	18	23	54.5	244	2	0	32

 

 

Next Week Outlook

This could be the last we see of Drew Stanton this year. The Cardinals have a bye this week, and Carson Palmer may return to the starting lineup after that.

31. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Steven Senne/Associated Press

This Week

31

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ NE	L 9-16	21	34	61.8	174	0	1

Derek Carr had three drive opportunities in the fourth quarter to lead the first comeback of his career. The first two ended up being three-and-outs and the third opportunity came with 62 yards of grass to cover and just over 3 minutes left on the clock.

Carr made some nice throws in tight windows and had a favorable pass interference call to put the ball at the six yard line. It would take a questionable holding call to reverse a possible game-tying TD.  This eventually sealed their fate. 

 

Season Average

30.7

Of all QBs in the NFL who started a game this season and will also play in Week 4, Carr has the lowest average yards per game with 196.

Carr is certainly struggling as the Raiders starter, but that is not all his fault. He has actually looked surprisingly good under pressure, which was a big concern of his before the draft.  On third downs he converted five of the 12 first-down opportunities when passing.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	NYJ	L 14-19	20	32	62.5	151	2	0	31
2	Houston	L 14-30	27	42	64.2	263	1	2	31
3	@ NE	L 9-16	21	34	61.8	174	0	1	30

Next Week Outlook

The Raiders will look to get their first win of the season against the Dolphins in Wembley Stadium over in London.

It’s hard to predict how any team will perform under these conditions, but this is as close to a must-win game as there can be this early in the season for both teams.

The loser of this match might end up making a change at QB.

30. Geno Smith, New York Jets

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This Week

30

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
Chicago	L 19-27	26	43	60.4	316	1	2

The nation got a good look at the second-year QB last Monday night when he faced the Chicago Bears. Geno did look better than Colin Kaepernick, who played the Bears a week earlier, but not by much.

The Jets were ranked 29th in the league in passing before that game and are now 18th. Geno Smith threw for over 300 yards for just the second time in his brief NFL career. But turnovers, a thin secondary and a lack of viable options would eventually do them in.

 

Season Average

27

Geno still looks improved from what we saw his rookie year in terms of poise and decision making, but he will need to cut back on the costly turnovers. What we can see from his play is that he has the potential to be a very good starting QB in this league as the game slows down for him with more experience.

After completing over 80 percent of his passes in Week 1, Geno’s play declined significantly. This week, he falls back in the rankings and will need to bounce back next week to move up the list.

A solid running game has kept them competitive for the most part this season.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Raiders	W 19-14	23	28	82.1	221	1	1	28
2	@ Green Bay	L 24-31	16	32	50	176	1	1	23
3	Bears	L 19-27	26	43	60.4	316	1	2	27

Next Week Outlook

Geno and the Jets will host the league’s top-ranked defense when the Lions come to town. This should be an exciting matchup between two of the best defensive lines in football.

Can Geno Smith take advantage of a defense that just made Aaron Rodgers look bad, holding him to just seven points on the day?

29. Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans

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This Week

29

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ CIN	L 7-33	17	34	50.0	185	0	2

Locker struggled significantly with his accuracy against the Bengals. He completed just 50 percent of his passes for 185 yards. He also threw a pair of interceptions, but he did run the ball fairly nice for the team. He picked up 50 yards on the ground.

This is obviously not the type of performance that the Titans are depending on to win games.

 

Season Average

22.5

Some of his struggles last week might have been due to an injury to his wrist last week—but this young QB has always had an issue with his accuracy down the field. Even with the struggles, the Titans continue to dial up the deep ball.

Only Nick Foles for the Eagles has attempted more balls over 20 yards than Jake Locker. Yet, out of his 19 attempts deep, he has only connected on four occasions according to Pro Football Focus. 

If Jake ends up playing next week, he will have the lowest passer rating of any starting QB heading into Week 4. Locker is also tied with four other QBs for the most INTs in the league with four. It’s a good thing he is athletic.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Chiefs	W 26-10	22	33	66.7	266	2	0	21
2	Dallas	L 10-26	18	34	52.9	234	1	2	17
3	@ CIN	L 7-33	17	34	50.0	185	0	2	23

Next Week Outlook

Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker (wrist) showed no structural damage to his wrist, according to an MRI. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported it was a "strain". The quarterback's status for Week 4 is still uncertain.

On Sunday Locker faces off against the Colts and the 29th ranked defense. He needs to understand that he is now fighting for his job.

28. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings

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This Week

28

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
Saints	L 9-20	12	20	60	150	0	0

The rookie Teddy Bridgewater might not have been able to put his team into the end zone after entering a road game against the Saints in the second quarter, but he did flash at times while avoiding any turnovers.

Vikings fans must have been excited to see their future at QB begin on Sunday, although they obviously never want to see anyone get hurt.

 

Season Average

28

Bridgewater is going to provide a certain dynamic to the position that could give this team the spark they need at a time when their best player is dealing with a scandal and unable to play.

It looks as though Teddy can run away with this job and never look back. It’ll be fun keeping an eye on how far up the rankings he can climb.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ St. Louis	W 34-6	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	New England	L 7-30	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
3	New Orleans	L 9-20	12	20	60	150	0	0	N/A

Next Week Outlook

If there ever was a game for Teddy Bridgewater to have his first start, the Atlanta Falcons defense would be a good choice. This is a unit that cannot rush the passer and is currently ranked 27th overall.

Furthermore, the game will be in Minnesota, which means they won’t have to deal with the crowd noise.

Atlanta will likely try to blitz Teddy most of the game.

With Adrian Peterson deactivated, the Vikings have less of a chance at a balanced attack. Without their best player there is little chance the rookie can keep up with the type of points Matt Ryan is expected to generate after what he did to the Bucs. 

27. Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

This Week

27

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
Indianapolis	L 17-44	14	24	58.3	223	2	2

The Blake Bortles era has officially begun in Jacksonville. The QB threw two touchdown passes in just two quarters while Chad Henne had only thrown three in the last eight quarters.

One of the better stats from Blake’s first NFL action was his 9.3 yards per pass attempt and his 30 yards rushing on the ground.

 

Season Average

27

Blake Bortles may have only thrown 24 passes so far this season, but of those passes his 9.3 average yards per pass leads all QBs up to this point. For perspective, Chad Henne managed just 6.3 yards per pass this season. 

Bortles is an exciting young QB who was the first one drafted in this year’s class. He will have a bunch of young targets to throw.They should eventually turn into one of the more exciting offenses in the league—once they can figure out how to block.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Philadelphia	L 17-34	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	@ Washington	L 10-41	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
3	Indianapolis	L 17-44	14	24	58.3	223	2	2	N/A

 

Next Week Outlook

This Sunday when Blake Bortles gets his first NFL start, he will be facing the 10th best defense. We obviously can’t expect the rookie to be flawless against the Chargers, but Jaguars fans would love to see 20-plus points on the scoreboard.

In fact, this team has only scored 30 or more points one time in their last 25 regular-season games.  

26. EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills

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This Week

26

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
SD	L 10-22	23	39	59.0	238	1	0

EJ was not as sharp as he had been in the first two games, and his targeting system seemed to be particularly off against the Chargers. On throws, he went 7-of-21 throwing to his wide receivers and didn’t have a completion beyond 16 yards.

Exactly half of his 238 passing yards (119) came during the fourth quarter, which was mostly garbage time. Manuel hit some easy throws and misfired badly on several others during that span. He also had a costly intentional grounding penalty that resulted in a safety and ultimately prevented any chance of a comeback.

 

Season Average

25.5

According to Football Outsiders’ DYAR rankings, Manuel is the 23rd ranked QB, in terms of passer rating he is ranked 18th, in Total QBR he is ranked 32nd out of 35 qualifying QBs and Pro Football Focus agrees with that.

It seems Manuel struggles with his deep ball accuracy and doesn’t play with enough urgency or fire to get his team to rally around him.

Will he ever figure out how to stop thinking so much and just play?

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Chicago	W 23-20	16	22	72.7	173	1	1	29
2	Miami	W 29-10	16	26	61.5	202	1	0	26
3	SD	L 10-22	23	39	59.0	238	1	0	21

Next Week Outlook

This should be an interesting matchup between the Bills and the Texans. Both teams are 2-1 and looking to prove that they can be a playoff team now.

EJ Manuel will need to play sharp on third downs as the Texans are only allowing 27 percent of third downs to be converted.

25. Austin Davis, St. Louis Rams

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

This Week

25

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
DAL	L 31-34	30	42	71.4	327	3	2

The 1-1 Rams looked good hosting the Cowboys last Sunday—with all the talk about the Cowboys lackluster defense, that unit was actually ranked 12th in the NFL after two games. They are currently 21st after facing Austin Davis and Co.

Davis had a career game against this unit, but he failed to come away with the victory against a potent Dallas offense. 

 

Season Average

28.3

Surprisingly, though, Davis showed significant improvement from week to week, which is why he has gone from 32nd overall to 25th. 

Among all qualified QBs per ESPN.com, Austin Davis’ 72.3 completion percentage is tops in the NFL. Furthermore, he is one of just two QBs in the top 10 in completion rate who also average more than eight yards per pass attempt—the other QB is Matt Ryan.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Minnesota	L 6-34	16	23	69.6	192	0	1	N/A
2	@ Tampa Bay	W 19-17	22	29	75.8	235	0	0	32
3	DAL	L 31-34	30	42	71.4	327	3	2	28

 

Next Week Outlook

The Rams can figure out what they want to do moving forward as they have a week of rest coming up.

24. Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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This Week

24

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ ATL	L 14-56	17	24	70.8	121	1	0

The Bucs traveled to Atlanta to battle the Falcons in a must-win game. They blew it.  At the half, Glennon took over as the starter and failed to do a whole lot better, but the game got out of hand rather quickly.

Glennon did end up completing an impressive 70 percent of his passes.

 

Season Average

24

Last season Glennon managed to surprise the NFL by becoming the most efficient rookie QB of 2013, according to my power rankings. He threw for 19 touchdowns with only nine picks while helping a pathetic 0-8 Bucs team finish 4-4 in their final eight games.

With this being his recent body of work, Glennon is ranked a bit higher than you may agree with after just one decent half of football in 2014. 

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Carolina	L 14-20	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	St. Louis	L 17-19	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
3	@ ATL	L 14-56	17	24	70.8	121	1	0	N/A

Next Week Outlook

Glennon returns to the starting lineup once again, this time to face the injured Pittsburgh defense.

Traveling to Pittsburgh and coming away with a victory is a tough proposition, but it’s all just part of the gig as an NFL QB.

Tampa Bay will be without Jeff Tedford yet again and are ranked 30th overall on offense. The Steelers have the 18th best defense, but they’re also banged up.

23. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

This Week

23

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
HOU	W 30-17	21	28	75.0	234	2	0

At the age of 33, Manning is an old dog being asked to learn new tricks for the first time in his NFL career with the implementation of the West Coast offense. Week 3 was the first time we've seen a sign of progress.

As a result, the game plan called for short, well-timed passes that offer a high percentage of completion, supplemented with a running game that kept the Texans defense off balance.

 

Season Average

26

As the lowest ranked Super Bowl-winning QB on the list, Manning has a lot of ground to cover if he wishes to return to the elite status he briefly occupied several years prior.

Last week was the first game Manning avoided an interception.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Detroit	L 14-35	18	33	54.5	163	1	2	27
2	Arizona	L 14-25	26	39	66.6	277	2	2	28
3	HOU	W 30-17	21	28	75.0	234	2	0	26

Next Week Outlook

This matchup between Washington and the Giants is critical in order to keep up in the divisional race. Can Manning out-duel Kirk Cousins to pull off the upset? That will depend more on Manning than anything else.

22. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

This Week

22

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
KC	L 15-34	21	43	48.8	205	1	0

This is the first year of the new Bill Lazor offense, and it's the first time in about eight years that Tannehill is not running a Mike Sherman system. The third-year pro may need a little time to find his groove in the new system. He also continues to struggle with his deep-ball accuracy.

 

Season Average

19.5

Tannehill’s five yards per pass is tied with Mike Glennon for the lowest in the entire league. He also has the lowest passer rating (27.2) of any QB expected to start in Week 4. But for the first time in his career, there are actually questions about his status as the starter for this franchise.

After three starts, Tannehill ranks 29th of 32 quarterbacks in passer rating, 30th of 35 in DVOA and 34th of 35 in QBR.  A bit of good news keeping him somewhat afloat in the power rankings is his positive grade by PFF. According to their site, they have him ranked ninth among all QBs.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	New England	W 33-20	18	32	56.3	178	2	1	18
2	@ Buffalo	L 10-29	31	49	63.3	241	1	1	19
3	KC	L 15-34	21	43	48.8	205	1	0	19

Next Week Outlook

According to Jeff Darlington of NFL Network, the Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill is scheduled to start this weekend in London against the Oakland Raiders despite head coach Joe Philbin repeatedly not committing to Tannehill as the starter.

At least we will see if Tannehill can bounce back with his back up against the wall. If not, Matt Moore will take over as the starting QB.  

21. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins

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This Week

21

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ PHI	L 34-37	30	48	62.5	427	3	1

Week 3 featured a high-octane matchup against their divisional foes in Philadelphia. The Eagles offense was a true test to Washington's No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL.

The big storyline in this game was Kirk Cousins showing fans he can indeed play the type of football that has fans wondering about who the best QB is on their team. If he can have another game like he did against the Eagles, that rumbling will certainly get louder.  

 

Season Average

23

Before we get super excited about RG3’s replacement, just remember Cousins struggled in 2013 going 0-3 while throwing just four touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions. In addition, he completed just 52 percent of his passes, leaving him with a horrendous passer rating of just 58.4.

With that said, Cousins looks to be a great fit in Coach Jay Gruden’s offense. If he continues to play this well, and the team has success, there could be a serious QB controversy brewing in the nation’s capital.  

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Houston	L 6-17	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	Jacksonville	W 41-10	22	33	66.6	250	2	0	N/A
3	@ PHI	L 34-37	30	48	62.5	427	3	1	25

Next Week Outlook

This Thursday will pair the New York Giants against the Washington Redskins. Washington is at home and should be heavy favorites despite the Giants beating the Titans last weekend.

The Giants won both contests last year but expect that to change in 2014.  

20. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Jason Miller/Getty Images

This Week

20

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ CLE	W 23-21	19	31	61.3	217	1	1

Both teams entered the game 1-1 seeking to find some consistency. In a hard fought match, the Ravens would eventually prove too much. Flacco played like an average starting QB, which he continues to demonstrate himself to be.

 

Season Average

22.5

Flacco’s 5.97 yards per pass attempt ranks him near the bottom of QBs at 29th. He is also 25th in completion percentage and 17th overall according to in Football Outsiders’ DYAR rankings.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Cincinnati	L 16-23	35	62	56.5	345	1	1	23
2	Pittsburgh	W 26-6	21	29	72.4	166	2	0	27
3	@ CLE	W 23-21	19	31	61.3	217	1	1	20

Next Week Outlook

This game will be a battle of two 2-1 teams looking separate from the pack. Get ready for a lot of bruising in this head clasher.

Expect to see Flacco look in the direction of Steve Smith Sr. quite a bit as he squares off against his former team. He seems comfortable looking Smith’s way. We should expect more of the same in Week 4.

19. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns

Jason Miller/Getty Images

This Week

19

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
BAL	L 21-23	19	25	76.0	290	1	0

Brian Hoyer had the team in position for a big-time win against the Ravens in front of the hometown crowd, but the offense would eventually be shut out of the fourth quarter.

Despite the loss, Hoyer had his best game of the season, throwing for nearly 300 yards and completing 76 percent of his passes.

 

Season Average

23.2

Hoyer has one of the most popular sports figures in the country nipping at his heels, and he has done everything he can to keep his job as the starter.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Pittsburgh	L 27-30	19	31	61.3	230	1	0	25
2	New Orleans	W 26-24	24	40	60	204	1	0	25
3	BAL	L 21-23	19	25	76.0	290	1	0	24

Next Week Outlook

The Browns can assess their situation and try to shore up some weaknesses as they take advantage of an early bye week.

18. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

This Week

18

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ MIA	W 34-15	19	25	76.0	186	3	0

Alex Smith led the Chiefs to their first win of the year against a struggling Dolphins squad. His issues with a shaky pocket continued, but the athletic Smith was able to overcome five sacks and a few drops on the way to a much-needed win.

 

Season Average

20.7

Last week Alex Smith had the lowest passer rating in the NFL (63.6) among starting QBs, despite throwing 77 times in two games. 

His passer rating has since improved to 81.5.

This offseason the Chiefs allowed a massive exodus on their offensive lin. As a result, Alex Smith has been sacked 11 times in three games, that is the second-highest number behind only Chad Henne of the Jaguars.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Titans	L 10-26	19	35	54.3	202	1	3	19
2	@ Denver	L 17-24	26	42	61.9	255	0	0	24
3	@ MIA	W 34-15	19	25	76.0	186	3	0	22

Next Week Outlook

Alex Smith has his hands full with this much-improved defense. The Patriots are currently allowing the fewest passing yards per attempt (5.4) in the league.

Can Alex Smith keep the ball away from Darrelle Revis on Monday Night Football?

17. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans

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This Week

17

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ NYG	L 17-30	20	34	58.8	289	1	3

Fitzpatrick was off to a great start in 2014 but hit a huge bump in the road after a less-than-stellar game against the Giants.  

The first half for Ryan Fitzpatrick was one he’d like to forget, throwing two INTs and passing for just 39 yards. But he came alive a bit more in the second half to make it a less painful day.

 

Season Average

20

The only reason Fitzpatrick moved up a spot after that subpar performance was because some guys from last week’s rankings dropped out due to injuries—plus there wasn’t a strong enough performance from anyone on his tail to push ahead of him just yet.

If he continues to play the way he did last week, we may be seeing a change in QBs pretty quickly.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Washington	W 17-6	14	22	63.6	206	1	0	24
2	@ Oakland	W 30-14	14	19	73.6	139	2	0	21
3	@ NYG	L 17-30	20	34	58.8	289	1	3	18

Next Week Outlook

Ryan Fitzpatrick gets to face the formidable Bills defensive front while in the comforts of his own home.  It should be fun to see which team comes out on top.

16. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

This Week

16

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
Green Bay	W 19-7	22	34	64.7	246	0	2

Detroit faced a tough divisional rival last Sunday when they hosted Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Both teams went into the game with a 1-1 record and the Lions proved to have the better offense and defense on that day. Stafford might have gotten away with the win but he needs to thank his defense for holding Rodgers to just seven points.

 

Season Average

14

Stafford is having a pretty decent year so far but most of his positive stats are from his Week 1 blowout against the Giants. 

It’s time for Stafford to play like the No. 1 overall pick he was. This means working his way into the top-10 list of QBs and staying there throughout the season.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Giants	W 35-14	22	32	68.8	346	2	0	17
2	@ Carolina	L 7-24	27	48	56.2	291	1	1	9
3	Green Bay	W 19-7	22	34	64.7	246	0	2	14

Next Week Outlook

The Lions have their hands full with the NFL’s second-ranked defense. The Jets are tied for the most sacks and will no doubt use their home-field advantage.

Stafford and his offensive weapons need to play well against a thin Jets secondary.

15. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

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15

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
WSH	W 37-34	27	41	65.9	325	3	0

Foles showed a level of toughness in this game that added a new layer of respect for him as a leader and a quarterback. He took some tough hits in that contest and kept firing darts with impressive accuracy. Plus, he led his team to victory without the help of LeSean McCoy or a solid defense.

But Foles' stats are a bit misleading considering 11 of his 41 pass attempts were to receivers at or behind the line of scrimmage.

 

Season Average

12.3

Of all QBs who started at least three games this season, Foles has the most passing yards per game with 326.

Despite the mention of Foles’ proclivity for short passes, it’s only fair to mention that Pro Football Focus has him leading in attempts beyond 20 yards by quite a substantial margin. His 26 attempts deep are seven more than the two guys behind him.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Jacksonville	W 34-17	27	45	60.0	322	2	1	7
2	@ Indianapolis	W 30-27	21	37	56.8	331	1	1	13
3	WSH	W 37-34	27	41	65.9	325	3	0	17

Next Week Outlook

Can Nick Foles find the same second-half magic he has had in every other game this season against a team who seems to fall apart in the second half?

14. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

This Week

14

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ Jets	W 27-19	23	38	60.5	225	2	0

Cutler showed a level of calm that only a veteran can have against a barrage of exotic pressures from Rex Ryan’s defense. He was smart to take advantage of the mismatches he had on his wide receivers.

The performance was far from perfect, but it was enough to come away with their second tough win on the road.

 

Season Average

13.7

Jay has eight touchdowns in three games and has found a way to pull off some important victories early on.

For the season he has an impressive passer rating of 98, which speaks to the overall functionality of the Bears’ passing game as a whole.

The Bears QB is currently tied with Peyton Manning for second in the league with eight TD passes.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Buffalo	L 20-23	34	49	69.4	349	2	2	15
2	@ San Francisco	W 28-20	23	34	67.6	176	4	0	14
3	@ NY Jets	W 27-19	23	38	60.5	225	2	0	12

Next Week Outlook

Only seven teams have allowed fewer yards per pass than the Green Bay Packers. This is the opponent Jay Cutler will face on Sunday. The division is up for grabs and these two teams are poised to claim it as their own. 

Can Jay Cutler outshine Aaron Rodgers?

13. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

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This Week

13

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ STL	W 34-31	18	23	78.3	217	2	1

The Cowboys edged out a high-scoring victory against a tough Rams team. Romo rallied his team back from a 21-0 deficit and pulled off an exciting fourth-quarter comeback. 

Romo has 21 comeback victories in the fourth quarter or overtime, more than any other QB in Cowboys’ history.  

This was by far his best performance of the season up to this point.

 

Season Average

13

Up till this week, Romo was on a backwards slide and had people questioning whether his back was a bigger issue that we initially thought. If the running game can hold up, this offense can keep them in any game they play while taking a ton of pressure off of the aging Romo.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	SF	L 17-28	23	37	62.2	281	1	3	8
2	@ Ten	W 26-10	19	29	65.5	176	1	0	15
3	@ STL	W 34-31	18	23	78.3	217	2	1	16

Next Week Outlook

Romo will face a defensive coordinator who is very familiar with him as they host the New Orleans Saints. Rob Ryan spent time in Dallas as the defensive coach before being fired by owner Jerry Jones.

The Saints are also one of six teams left in the NFL who have yet to get an interception this year. Neither defense is very good, so the victory should go to the QB who plays the better game.

12. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

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This Week

12

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ ARI	L 14-23	29	37	78.4	245	1	0

Colin Kaepernick is failing to take the next step in his maturation process as he continues to struggle with his progressions.

Against the Cards and a backup QB, Kaepernick eventually fell flat on his face. The good news is that he avoided turnovers and completed a deceptive 78 percent of his passes. He averaged just 6.6 yards per pass against Arizona.

 

Season Average

12.2

The long-legged Kaepernick currently leads all QBs in rushing with 43 yards per game. With that said, his 27 rushing attempts have only generated four first downs. Geno Smith, Joe Flacco, Josh McCown and Russell Wilson have all ran for more first downs on fewer runs.

Surprisingly, the 49ers offense has managed to score a combined three points in the second half this season. That is an incredible statistic and whatever the cause, it needs to be remedied.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Dallas	W 28-17	16	23	69.6	201	2	0	16
2	Chicago	L 20-28	21	34	61.8	248	1	3	8
3	@ ARI	L 14-23	29	37	78.4	245	1	0	13

Next Week Outlook

Their next game is at home against the undefeated Eagles, and it's a big one for the 49ers. The Eagles have been predominately a second half team while the 49ers have been better in the first half.

11. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

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11

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
PIT	L 19-37	24	35	68.6	250	1	0

Cam Newton lost the game, but his connection with rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin looks incredibly promising. These two should be able to create a dangerous tandem over the next several years. But it also appears they gave up on Steve Smith at least one year too early.

To the surprise of many, Newton has grown into a very capable pocket passer. Against the Steelers he only attempted two runs on the day while throwing for 250 yards and completing nearly 70 percent of his passes.

 

Season Average

10.6

Cam has yet to throw an INT in his two games of action. He has done a great job avoiding unnecessary punishment while his ankle and ribs heal.

Newton ranks 10th in the NFL with an average of 7.7 yards per pass. He also has a passer rating of 99.4.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Tampa Bay	W 20-14	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	11
2	Detroit	W 24-7	22	34	64.7	281	1	0	N/A
3	PIT	L 19-37	24	35	68.6	250	1	0	10

Next Week Outlook

The Panthers have a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on the road. Both teams are 2-1 and are known for their toughness.

This will likely be a game where Cam will have to run for at least a few first downs.

10. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

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10

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
TEN	W 33-7	15	23	65.2	169	0	1

Although they came away with the win, nothing about Dalton’s quarterbacking was impressive against the Titans. However, his receiving and run-after-the-catch skills were rather exciting!

When passing on third downs, Dalton only converted on one occasion for the day. He also went without a single touchdown pass while throwing his first INT of the season.

 

Season Average

10

In Week 1, the QB honored his contract extension with a 300-yard passing game and no turnovers. His 98.7 passer rating was also impressive.

Had Dalton played a better game in Week 3, he might have done enough to supplant Tom Brady in the rankings, whom he is very close behind after three games. 

Interestingly enough, Dalton is currently the highest ranked QB who has yet to lose a game this season.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Baltimore	W 23-16	25	38	65.8	301	1	0	10
2	Atlanta	W 24-10	15	23	65.2	252	1	0	11
3	TEN	W 33-7	15	23	65.2	169	0	1	9

Next Week Outlook

The undefeated Bengals get an early opportunity to rest as they’re off to an impressive start. When they return, Dalton must take on Tom Brady and the Patriots for their biggest test of the season to date. This game will be a good marker to see just how good these Bengals really are.

9. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

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This Week

9

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
OAK	W 16-9	24	37	64.9	234	1	0

Brady didn’t do a whole bunch of pushing the ball down the field against the Raiders on Sunday, but this could be more of their game plan than not moving forward. There is no point in exposing Tom Brady to unnecessary punishment with a questionable offensive line, and they just don’t have to personnel to do it on a regular basis.

In any case, the Pats slipped on by with a win that was far from inspiring.

 

Season Average

8

Brady just seems off this year. He's not playing up to his potential, and he's struggling to throw deep. Brady currently ranks 12th in the league in QB pressure rate, and he's getting pressured on 25.6 percent of his dropbacks.

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Brady has completed 84.6 percent of his passes to WR Julian Edelman. He has completed just 51.1 percent of his passes to other players.

At this point Tom Terrific is hanging on solid play in the second half of last season but those elements are slowly fading away. Brady is officially in danger of falling out of the top 10.

Is this the beginning of the end for a Hall of Fame career? Well, of the 17 QBs who have attempted at least 100 passes, Brady is the only one who has yet to throw an interception.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Miami	L 20-33	29	56	51.8	249	1	0	5
2	@ Minnesota	W 30-7	15	22	68.1	149	1	0	12
3	OAK	W 16-9	24	37	64.9	234	1	0	6

Next Week Outlook

The Patriots have their first prime-time game of the year when they travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs are tied for fourth in the league with nine sacks but have yet to register their first interception. Will Brady throw his first pick to a team that has yet to take one away?

8. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

This Week

8

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ CAR	W 37-19	22	30	73.3	196	2	0

Just when people started to believe the Panthers defense was elite, Roethlisberger went ahead and snapped Carolina’s eight-game home winning streak throwing two TDs and avoiding turnovers.

However, this game was won mostly from the backfield as the Steelers had two RBs rush for over 100 yards. This was the lowest passing total he has put up so far this season. 

 

Season Average

7.7

Of all the QBs ranked ahead of Big Ben, only two of them have a better yards per pass average than his 7.7.

Ben Roethlisberger is playing good football as he looks to lead his Steelers back to the postseason where they have been shut out of for the last two years.

Roethlisberger is one of the toughest QBs in the leagu. He knows what it takes to win it all.

Can he take his game to that next level and establish himself as an elite QB?

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Cleveland	W 30-27	23	34	67.6	365	1	1	9
2	@ Baltimore	L 6-26	22	37	59.4	217	0	1	6
3	@ CAR	W 37-19	22	30	73.3	196	2	0	8

Next Week Outlook

Few people expect the Steelers to lose this game against the Buccaneers in Pittsburgh—but anything can happen on any given week in the NFL.

7. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

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This Week

7

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ DET	L 7-19	16	27	59.3	162	1	0

Who knew that the Detroit Lions pass defense could ever be so successful against one of the best QBs in the NFL?

Rodgers’ 58 percent completion rate and 5.8 yards per attempt were both career lows. Rodgers believes that his team didn’t make the proper adjustments to take advantage of what the Lions were doing. This is not the first time Aaron has gotten angry at his coaches for an undesirable result.

 

Season Average

6.2

Rodgers’ could use a little more consistency from his highly touted offensive weapons. According to PFF, the Packers QB is battling through the highest drop rate in the NFL alongside Joe Flacco.

Rodgers had some words for his Packers fans, which was played on ESPN’s SportsCenter: R-E-L-A-X.

If their franchise QB says there’s nothing to worry about, maybe we shouldn’t bet against him in a critical Week 4 divisional matchup against the Bears?

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Seattle	L 16-36	23	33	69.7	189	1	1	6
2	Jets	W 31-24	25	42	59.5	346	3	0	7
3	@ DET	L 7-19	16	27	59.3	162	1	0	5

Next Week Outlook

Surprisingly, the Packers are ranked 28th in the NFL with Aaron Rodgers completely healthy. How does something like this happen? At this point he is lucky to be in the top 10. On Sunday they travel to Chicago to face the red hot Bears in one of the longest standing rival in professional football.

Can the Packers bounce back from an abysmal performance against a team pulling safeties off the street?

6. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

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This Week

6

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ JAX	W 44-17	31	39	79.5	370	4	0

This could very well be the best game in Andrew Luck’s NFL career. He was simply phenomenal completing nearly 80 percent of his passes despite having three of them dropped and two deflected.  That type of accuracy is insane—so too is Luck’s resolve to bounce back from an 0-2 start.

According to Jacob Nitzberg of ESPN Stats & Information, in an article by Kevin Seifert, Luck was 9-of-10 on third down, eight of which converted into first downs.

 

Season Average

9.2

Luck’s season numbers for the first two games were modest, which certainly helps to explain the Colts' 0-2 start and his fall out of the top 10. Week 3 he would eventually rebound in a big way. 

Luck leads the league in TD passes with nine in three games and made a huge leap in the rankings from 11th to 6th in just one week. That type of bump in the rankings in the top 10 is only possible with an out-of-this-world performance, which is exactly what Luck gave us in Week 3 against Jacksonville.

Luck’s group of receivers includes a healthy Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks, rookie Donte Moncrief and freakish athlete Da’Rick Rogers.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Denver	L 24-31	35	53	66.0	370	2	2	10
2	Philadelphia	L 27-30	20	34	58.8	172	3	1	10
3	@ JAX	W 44-17	31	39	79.5	370	4	0	11

Next Week Outlook

Week 4 is a critical showdown between two 1-2 teams. The Colts play host to the Tennessee Titans in a matchup that is set to test the validity of the Colts offensive line.

This is a test between the third-best offense led by Andrew Luck and the fifth-best defense.

5. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

This Week

5

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
Tampa Bay	W 56-14	21	24	87.5	286	3	0

Matt Ryan had one of the best performances of the season so far against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His offense put up 56 points that day and he completed an incredible 87.5 percent of his passes while throwing for 286 yards.

This was just one of those games where everything seemed to click—especially when they put the ball in Devin Hester’s hands.

 

Season Average

7.5

Matt Ryan’s 8.7 yards per pass is tops among all QBs who have started each game this season. That tells you he is stretching the ball down the field and has quite the arsenal of weapons to target. Offense is not an issue with the Falcons as they are rated No.1 in the league after three games. 

He can also enjoy having the highest grade of all QBs according to Pro Football Focus.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	New Orleans	W 37-34	31	43	72.1	448	3	0	14
2	@ Cincinnati	L 10-24	24	44	54.5	231	1	3	4
3	Tampa Bay	W 56-14	21	24	87.5	286	3	0	7

Next Week Outlook

The Falcons boast the top-ranked offense in the NFL and will take that high-powered unit to Minnesota to take on an improved 1-2 Vikings team.

If Ryan can put up another monster game, he may end up as a top-3 QB heading into Week 5.

4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

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This Week

4

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
Denver	W 26-20	24	34	70.6	258	2	1

Russell played smart situational football in what turned out to be a tough Super Bowl rematch. Wilson made perfect decisions while showing off his athleticism and intelligence when it mattered most, leading his team to a game-winning 13-play drive in overtime.

 

Season Average

3

Russell Wilson tends to play his best when he plays against the best. Against the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees Wilson has thrown 14 TDs to zero INTs and has a passer rating of 113.0 with an astonishing record of 7-0.

Wilson has a passer rating of 108.9 which leads the NFL, while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and rushing for just under 30 yards per game. Pro Football Focus, however, is less impressed with his play, giving him a negative grade on the season.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Green Bay	W 36-16	19	28	67.9	191	2	0	3
2	@ San Diego	L  21-30	17	25	68	202	2	0	3
3	Denver	W 26-20	24	34	70.6	258	2	1	2

Next Week Outlook

Wilson gets to relax after a difficult win over the Broncos.

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

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This Week

3

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
Minnesota	W 20-9	27	35	77.1	293	2	0

Drew Brees played by far his best game of the year in an effort to prevent starting the season out 0-3. Against the Vikings, he completed nearly 80 percent of his passes and threw for almost 300 yards with two TDs and zero picks.

 

Season Average

3.7

It’s somewhat odd that Brees has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game this season. After all, this is a guy who has found a way to make 5,000-yard passing seasons a regular event.

Despite being 1-2, Brees is still looking like a guy who can get his team into a Super Bowl. His most impressive stat is that he’s completing an incredible 70.9 percent of his passes on the season.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Arizona	L 17-18	21	36	58.3	238	1	1	4
2	Seattle	W 30-21	28	37	75.7	284	3	0	5
3	Minnesota	W 20-9	27	35	77.1	293	2	0	3

Next Week Outlook

Brees will face off in what should be an exciting offensive game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

The Saints, led by their QB, are ranked fourth in the NFL on the offensive side of the ball. They face the 21st ranked defense on national television this weekend in what should be a fun matchup.

2. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

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This Week

2

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ BUF	W 22-10	18	25	72.0	256	2	0

Once again Philip Rivers continues to make the plays he needs to win with his awkward throwing motion and uber-competitive demeanor. The Bills defense was able to get in his face and put pressure on him, but this savvy vet has been there too many times to be rattled.

Few QBs can make the unorthodox throws Rivers makes on a regular basis.

 

Season Average

3.7

After three games, Philip Rivers is arguably playing better football than any other QB in the NFL.  For his career, Rivers is the fourth-highest rated passer in NFL history.

The veteran QB followed up his big upset over Seattle with a solid victory over the undefeated Buffalo Bills. This team lives and dies by the arm of their QB, and right now they are thriving. This is a big reason why Rivers is ranked second overall.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	@ Arizona	L 17-18	21	36	58.3	238	1	1	4
2	Seattle	W 30-21	28	37	75.7	284	3	0	5
3	@ BUF	W 22-10	18	25	72.0	256	2	0	4

Next Week Outlook

The Chargers face their first trap game of the season when they host the 0-3 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Blake Bortles will make his first career NFL start at QB for the Jags. Perhaps Rivers can give the youngster his first lesson in proper QB play.

1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

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This Week

1

Week 3 Performance

Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT
@ Seahawks	L 20-26	31	49	63.3	303	2	1

The Seattle defense shut Manning down for over 50 minutes of football and made his life miserable. As good as this quarterback is, the Legion of Boom seems to have his number—they understand how Manning tries to win and they apparently can shut it down.

The Denver game plan was also a bit conservative against the Seattle secondary.

 

Season Average

1

Manning has had a stranglehold on the top spot for a long time. He took it over in Week 2 of last season and hasn’t looked back. But his lead is slowly shrinking as guys like Drew Brees and Philip Rivers creep ever closer.

On the season, Manning has thrown eight TDs compared to one INT and has a passer rating of 108.5.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week	Opponent	Outcome	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	TD	INT	Rank
1	Indianapolis	W 31-24	22	36	61.1	269	3	0	1
2	Kansas City	W 24-17	21	26	80.8	242	3	0	1
3	@ SEA	L 20-26	31	49	63.3	303	2	1	1

Next Week Outlook

Manning gets to lick his wounds this week with a Week 4 bye week. After taking some tough shots against Seattle, this break could be fortuitous.

Ryan Riddle is a former NFL player writing for Bleacher Report.

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