We take a stab at ranking the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL based on their production this season and updated by their weekly play. Wins and losses, stats and overall stature don’t reflect rankings as much as how each QB plays.
Outside of the top 10, there will also be a section that examines the ranking of the Broncos’ starting quarterback, currently Brock Osweiler, one QB that caught my eye for his recent performance, and the QB that is No. 32 or brings up the rear.
Tier I
1. Tom Brady, Patriots (1)
Brady nearly knocked off the Broncos, but he ran out of weapons. Next man up only works if there is a legitimate NFL talent available to step up. Brady still threw for 280 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions passing to fringe NFL players.
2. Cam Newton, Panthers (2)
Newton didn’t do much to keep up with his superstar antics, but he didn’t need to because of the way his defense played. As the only undefeated team remaining, Newton has to be seriously respected.
3. Carson Palmer, Cardinals (3)
Sunday was the first time all season that Palmer didn’t throw a touchdown pass. He did run for the game-winning score late though. Palmer is having the best year of his career at the age of 35.
Tier II
4. Andy Dalton, Bengals (5)
After two straight losses, Dalton got back on track completing more than 74 percent of his passes and three TDs against the Rams.
5. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (4)
Since Rodgers got exposed in Denver, it just hasn’t been the same for Green Bay. The Packers have lost four of five games in November. Rodgers has nearly no chemistry with his receivers.
6. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (8)
Wilson has shook off a slow start and now has Seattle flowing on offense. He threw a career-high five TDs in a crucial win over Pittsburgh.
Tier III
7. Philip Rivers, Chargers (7)
Rivers got his first win in nearly two months overcoming his porous defense to outscore the Jags. He threw for 300 yards and four TDs.
8. Derek Carr, Raiders (10)
Carr bounced back nicely from a three-game losing streak to defeat the Titans. He threw for 330 yards and three TDs.
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (NR)
Roethlisberger has battled injuries all season and found another bout with self-reported concussion symptoms. When healthy, Roethlisberger has the best deep ball in football and averages the most passing yards in the NFL.
10. Drew Brees, Saints (6)
Early in the season, it was just the Saints’ defense. Now, it’s the offense, too. Drew Brees has posted his worst performances in back-to-back games.
Brock Osweiler Watch (14)
In his second career start, Osweiler did what Peyton Manning struggled to do often: defeat the Patriots. He did so by trusting his defense and run game.
Caught my eye: Matthew Stafford, Lions (17)
Stafford was benched for Dan Orlovsky less than a month ago. He threw for 338 yards, five TDs and zero interceptions in possibly the best game of his career on Thursday.
Bringing up the rear: Nick Foles, Rams
As bad as the Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly deserves a round of applause for convincing people that Foles was a good quarterback. Foles threw for 27 TDs and two interceptions under Kelly in 2013. He has seven TDs and nine interceptions, including three on Sunday.
Fell out of the rankings: Eli Manning, Giants (9).
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
