Week 1 gave us the first real evidence of the 2026 NFL season, and it immediately forced some changes to the quarterback hierarchy. Josh Allen delivered in Houston, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes reminded everyone why they remain near the top, while Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams and Jaxson Dart turned in performances strong enough to demand a re-evaluation.
These rankings are not simply a list of who posted the best box score last weekend. They balance current form, established level of play, opponent quality and overall trust at the position. One great game can move a quarterback up, but it won’t erase years of evidence—and one rough Sunday won’t automatically send an elite passer tumbling. Here is where the NFL’s top quarterbacks stand entering Week 2.
The first major surprise of the rankings. Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 54 rushing yards in a win over Dallas. Now we find out whether Week 1 was the beginning of something real. Four total touchdowns and 334 total yards while Chicago hung 59 points on Carolina. The opponent provides some necessary context, but Williams looked decisive, explosive and comfortable running the offense. That is exactly what Bears fans wanted to see. Three touchdowns while San Francisco dismantled the Rams. At some point, continually executing Shanahan's offense at a high level has to count as a skill rather than a qualification. Houston lost, but Stroud gave Buffalo everything it could handle. He threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns without an interception before the final drive ended with a costly sack-fumble. Strong performance against an excellent opponent. His Week 1 passing numbers weren't spectacular — 184 yards, two TDs and an interception — but he added a rushing touchdown in a 31-10 win and still has the strongest résumé of anyone here. Four TDs, zero turnovers and near-perfect efficiency after a 4,000-yard 2025 season. NFL.com's own Week 1 analysis described him as being completely in control, and Jacksonville has now won nine straight dating to last year. Burrow wasn’t spectacular against Tampa Bay, but Cincinnati scored 33 points and opened the season with a win. The interception hurts, but one average afternoon isn’t enough to knock one of football’s best pure passers out of the top five. Hurts threw three touchdowns without a turnover and added another 46 yards on the ground as Philadelphia survived Washington. The passing volume may never match some names above him statistically, but few quarterbacks create more total stress for a defense. Jackson threw for 324 yards, averaged nearly 13 yards per attempt and added a rushing touchdown while Baltimore piled up 506 yards against Indianapolis. When Lamar and Derrick Henry are both rolling, there may not be a more difficult offense to prepare for. The first No. 1 belongs to Allen. Loading team data… Loading team data…QB Power Rankings
Jaxson Dart
NYG · QBCaleb Williams
CHI · QBBrock Purdy
SF · QBC.J. Stroud
HOU · QBPatrick Mahomes
KC · QBTrevor Lawrence
JAX · QBJoe Burrow
CIN · QBJalen Hurts
PHI · QBLamar Jackson
BAL · QBJosh Allen
BUF · QB
He accounted for four touchdowns and 357 total yards in Buffalo’s 36-31 road win over Houston, then delivered the decisive touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Production, difficulty of opponent and clutch performance all line up here.TEAM RECENT RESULTS
TEAM UPCOMING SCHEDULE
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