Ranking Every Quarterback Still in the NFL Playoff Picture

Seventeen weeks down, 17 teams still alive.

On the brink of the final Sunday of the 2024 NFL season, we have a fairly clear picture of the contenders.

Here's how we rank their quarterbacks.

The Unprovens

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 28: Bo Nix (10) of the Denver Broncos calls for a two-poiont conversion after hitting Marvin Mims Jr. (19) for a touchdown reception making the score 24-23 before an extra point  during the fourth quarter of the Bengals' 30-24 win at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday, December 28, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

17. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons: Not much of a choice here. The rookie might have a bright future, but he's just two starts and one touchdown pass into his NFL career.

16. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: More ups than downs during the 24-year-old's rookie campaign—and the improvement has been noticeable—but he did throw six interceptions in December. There's a ceiling for the time being.

15. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: The deep ball hasn't been there all year for a bottom-12-rated passer who has clearly experienced a sophomore slump. He just isn't himself, but he gets some credit still for a magnificent rookie year in 2023.

The Semi-Washed Champs

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 25: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

14. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers: There may be some limitations with the 36-year-old, but his track record speaks for itself and he's quietly the highest-rated deep passer in the NFL. The problem is he's struggled quite a bit down the stretch.

13. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: The 36-year-old is merely a slightly-above-average quarterback at this point, but he's still a Super Bowl winner who has the NFL's top passer rating in the fourth quarter or overtime of one-score games.

The Wild Cards

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)

12. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: Unpredictability remains a factor and we haven't seen it in the big spots, but the broad numbers are there.

11. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: It's been a decent bounce-back year overall for a unique 26-year-old talent, but he hasn't been consistent enough to be considered top-tier. Plenty of support has factored in.

10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He may not be "elite," but the former top pick is the league's fourth-highest-rated passer with an NFC-best 71.7 completion percentage and 39 touchdown passes. Turnovers are sometimes still a problem, but the good has greatly outweighed the bad for the efficient Mayfield.

9. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings: The league leader in completed air yards per attempt has had a magical run that has included five game-winning drives for the 14-2 Vikings. Holding him back? He's committed 22 turnover-worthy plays, per PFF.

8. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: It's been a bit of a rocky season for multiple reasons, but the 26-year-old has a triple-digit passer rating for the third season in a row, and he's got the top on-target rate in the NFL.

7. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Three interceptions over the past two weeks, and obviously, there's a large element of unknown with a rookie in the playoffs. That said, it's been a special maiden season for a guy with four fourth-quarter comebacks, a top-10 passer rating and 864 rushing yards.

The Fringe Elites

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 28: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers smiles before their game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: A league-high 12 of his 21 touchdowns have come on deep passes, and the 26-year-old has thrown just three interceptions during the best season of his career thus far. There's a lot to like, but he has to prove he can sustain it this time.

5. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: The league's top producer on third down and the NFC's highest-rated passer overall is well-positioned to make a Super Bowl run at age 30, even if not everyone can trust him just yet.

The Elites

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 25: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass in the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: The numbers this year aren't mediocre. For the most part, they're worse than that. That said, we're talking about Patrick freakin' Mahomes. He's earned the benefit of the doubt when it matters most and thus still holds the last spot among the best.

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: With 42 touchdown passes and almost 5,000 yards, he'd be a prime MVP candidate if the Bengals had a winning record. The 28-year-old is a true superstar.

2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: Aside from the odd blip, he's been tearing up the league all year, and he truly has been the league's best overall quarterback this decade. This could be his year.

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: Just eight turnover-worthy plays all season for the reigning MVP, and a 39-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Are you kidding me? only a spotty postseason track record holds him back.