It was only Week 3, and already five teams were without their starting quarterback. For three of them, it hardly mattered. Mac Jones and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals, Marcus Mariota and the Washington Commanders beat the Las Vegas Raiders, and Carson Wentz and the Minnesota Vikings beat Jake Browning and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Still, questions remain for those teams and others at the sport’s most important position. So this week, the Power Rankings will be gauging how confident each team should be in its quarterback situation looking ahead to Week 4.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
Last week: 2Sunday: Beat Rams 33-26
QB confidence: Cold-blooded confidence
As 336-pound Jordan Davis rumbled his way into the end zone on the game’s final play and the Eagles sideline bounced with excitement, Jalen Hurts watched without reaction. If you didn’t know any better, you might’ve thought the Eagles just lost in painful fashion. But Hurts is now 17-0 in the last 17 games he started and finished. The guy just wins.
Up next: at Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
2. Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Last week: 3Thursday: Beat Dolphins 31-21
QB confidence: Could it be any higher?
Josh Allen is the defending MVP. He’s already up to seven touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) and 869 total yards. He’s as good as there is right now. There’s nothing left for him to prove in the regular season.
Up next: vs. Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
3. Los Angeles Chargers (3-0)
Last week: 4Sunday: Beat Broncos 23-20
QB confidence: Skyrocketing
In Year 6, Justin Herbert is living up to the massive expectations that have long surrounded him. He leads the NFL with 860 passing yards to go with six touchdowns and one interception. His strong start has him as the player with the third-best odds to be named MVP, per BetMGM.
Up next: at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)
Last week: 9Sunday: Beat Cardinals 16-15
QB confidence: Fine if healthy
Mac Jones re-aggravated a PCL strain Sunday while leading the Niners to a second win with him under center. Meanwhile, starter Brock Purdy has been out with a toe injury. But even while changing quarterbacks and playing without receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, the 49ers keep rolling along, taking advantage of an easy early schedule.
Up next: vs. Jaguars, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
5. Detroit Lions (2-1)
Last week: 6Monday: Beat Ravens 38-30
QB confidence: Ben Johnson, who?
After some Week 1 rust, Jared Goff and the Lions offense are back to the aggressiveness and fun play calling that were so successful under Johnson. Goff benefited from a strong running game Monday night but played well, including a perfect pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown late on fourth-and-2. The last two weeks feel like a statement that they’ll be fine after losing their two coordinators from last season.
Up next: vs. Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)
Last week: 8Sunday: Beat Jets 29-27
QB confidence: Full of swagger
Baker Mayfield has brought confidence to the Bucs, even if there are signs it may not be sustainable. The Bucs were tied or losing with 90 seconds left in all three games this season. No NFL team has ever started 3-0 with a lower point differential than Tampa Bay’s plus-6. No matter. Mayfield’s confidence is rubbing off on his teammates.
Up next: vs. Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
7. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Last week: 1Sunday: Lost to Browns 13-10
QB confidence: Great (when Jim Schwartz isn’t around)
A matchup against Schwartz and the Browns defense eventually thwarted Jordan Love’s efficient start. But even while often flummoxed, Love drove the Packers into field goal range Sunday before a block set up Cleveland’s game winner in the biggest upset of Week 3. Still, Love will be fine. Nothing to see here.
Up next: at Cowboys, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
8. Indianapolis Colts (3-0)
Last week: 10Sunday: Beat Titans 41-20
QB confidence: Is Daniel Jones the new Sam Darnold?
A year ago, Darnold got his career back on solid footing with an impressive campaign no one saw coming. Maybe it’s Jones’ turn. Everyone waiting for Jones (and the Colts) to implode will have to wait another week. Jones leads the NFL in yards per pass attempt.
Up next: at Rams, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Matthew Stafford was an efficient 19-for-33 passing on Sunday for 196 yards, a touchdown and an interception and had the Rams in position for a game-winning field goal attempt.
(Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
9. Los Angeles Rams (2-1)
Last week: 7Sunday: Lost to Eagles 33-26
QB confidence: High (if Stafford’s back is OK)
After Matthew Stafford missed some of training camp with an aggravated disc in his back, the quarterback hasn’t appeared on the injury report through three weeks and is playing well. If the 37-year-old stays healthy, the Rams will be a tough out in the NFC.
Up next: vs. Colts, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
10. Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
Last week: 5Monday: Lost to Lions 38-30
QB confidence: High, of course, but is there enough help?
Lamar Jackson was predictably very good on Monday night. But the O-line struggled, Derrick Henry lost another key fourth-quarter fumble and the receivers didn’t do much to help. The seven sacks Jackson took tied for the most he’s taken in a game during his eight-year NFL career.
Up next: at Chiefs, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET