As we continue into NFL postseason action, quarterback play becomes all that more important. With Super Wild Card Weekend coming to an end on Monday night, there has been some movement in our latest QB power rankings ahead of the Divisional Round.
NFL QB Power Rankings | Divisional Round
While we don’t want to be rash in our decisions about how we view these NFL quarterbacks in the macro, a “power ranking” is about the micro. They’re more about the here and now.
While perceived talent remains important, performance so far this season combined with Wild Card round action will be weighed heavier.
8) Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions feel like they’re on a revenge tour since the bizarre ending that was the Dallas Cowboys game. Goff and his teammates have galvanized since that moment and look to be a real NFC power heading into the Divisional Round.
Goff may not be as gifted as some of the quarterbacks above him on this list, but he does exactly what Dan Campbell and this offense need of him. Next up is a matchup against the tough Tampa Bay Buccaneers in another chance to get a win in front of their beloved home crowd.
7) Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Putting Baker Mayfield one step above the lowest ranking here is in no way a shot at him or the way he’s battled this season. It’s more about the ridiculous level of play of some of the others advancing around him and their ability to do so consistently.
MORE: Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers D Do Something Tom Brady Couldn’t Last Year — Win a Playoff Game
Mayfield’s reputation for being tough and gritty rings true again. Despite being banged up and questionable coming into Super Wild Card Weekend, he and the Bucs were able to put it on the Philadelphia Eagles and send them into the offseason with more questions than answers.
6) Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love may have had the performance of the weekend against the Dallas Cowboys. But if anyone is surprised, you haven’t been paying attention.
Over the last month, the Green Bay QB has grown up right in front of our eyes and looks to be another home-run selection at quarterbacks for the Packers organization.
On the back of Love and his near-perfect rating of 157.2, the Cowboys had no answer for the gunslinger in their beatdown of Dallas. As a result, the Packers became the first No. 7 seed to win a playoff game since the NFL changed the seeding rules four seasons ago.
The future has never been brighter in Green Bay. Next up is a matchup against a tough San Francisco 49ers team coming off rest.
5) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Braving brutal conditions at home against the Miami Dolphins, Patrick Mahomes’ statistics from this week will not blow you away, especially by his standards.
Nevertheless, his ability to make plays, stay in the moment, and advance to the Divisional Round, despite the miscues and subpar play around him this season, is super impressive.
Mahomes just knows how to win during this time of year, and as long as the Chiefs have him under center, they’re going to have a fighting chance every week.
There have been better quarterbacks this season, but if you polled anyone regarding the remaining ones left in the playoffs, the overwhelming majority would say they would take Mahomes to lead their team over any of the others.
4) Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy and his 49ers did not play this week, as they enjoyed a well-earned first-round bye. Outside of an outlier or two this year, Purdy has been about as steady of a presence as one could ask for.
Kyle Shanahan and his offense are perfectly designed for the 49ers’ starting QB, and while he was robbed of a chance in last year’s playoffs due to an injury, a healthy Purdy ready to rock this year is a scary sight for the rest of the NFC.
3) C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Who has been more impressive this season than C.J. Stroud? If there is anyone you’re thinking of, it’s probably an extremely short list.
Stroud, in his first playoff appearance ever, stepped up and carved an excellent Cleveland Browns defense. He finished the day with 274 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a QB rating of 157.2.
MORE: C.J. Stroud Sets Rookie Record in Texans’ Playoff Rout of Browns
The Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL MVP candidate looks to be a budding superstar in this league, and his legend continues to grow by the game.
2) Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is just a pure football player. The guy simply just makes plays and does it in his unique way. A rocket arm, an ability to run like a running back, and the talent to pull it all together puts Allen in the No. 2 spot here heading into the Divisional Round.
Allen is an MVP candidate and continues to be impressive in every way. Next up is the Chiefs in what promises to be another classic clash against Mahomes and Co. Allen and his Bills may have struggled at times this season, but right now, at the perfect time, they look to be putting it all together.
1) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
It’s going to take quite a bit to knock Lamar Jackson off this top spot right now. Jackson’s unique skill set and ability to make plays is something we haven’t seen since the days of Michael Vick, and he’s well on his way to another MVP award.
The Ravens have an elite defense, yet sometimes people talk about that as a negative towards Jackson and what he’s done this season. But this team would not look at all the same without Jackson manning the huddle.
Want to predict the results of the 2023 NFL postseason with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? How about looking into in-depth breakdowns of team depth charts or the NFL playoff schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with all that and more!