NFL Week 18 Analytical Quarterback Rankings: Lamar Jackson takes over at No. 1

2WA2B3F Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

• Lamar Jackson seals the MVP race: Jackson completed 18 of his 21 pass attempts (85.7%) for 321 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions to finish as the highest-graded passer (93.9) of Week 17.

• Jordan Love steps up in Week 17: The Packers quarterback was pressured on 33.3% of his dropbacks in Week 17. He attempted 11 passes under pressure, completing nine of them for 92 yards and a league-best two touchdowns.

• Dig into the numbers for yourself: PFF's Premium Stats is the most in-depth collection of NFL and NCAA player performance data. Subscribe today to get full access!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, but we can often get stuck in their most recent blunders or successes, making it difficult to come up with an objective ranking.

This analysis utilizes a statistical technique called Bayesian Updating. With Bayesian Updating, we can use individual results to project PFF grades and expected points added (EPA) per play. You can find a more detailed explanation of the analysis in our Week 2 quarterback rankings.

Here is how the league's quarterbacks stack up after Week 17.

Most efficient passer: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson completed 18 of his 21 pass attempts (85.7%) for 321 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions to finish as the highest-graded passer (93.9) of Week 17. He threw 59.1% of his attempts beyond the sticks and averaged a league-best 15.3 yards per attempt. He kept the ball moving and crushed the Dolphins, earning his highest passing grade of the season.

Click here to see Week 17 QB grades


Most explosive passer: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson was also the highest-graded passer on 10-plus-yard throws (96.1). He attempted 10 such passes against the Dolphins, completing seven of them for 213 yards and three touchdowns. His stat line would have been even better, too, if not for two drops by his receivers.

Click here to see PFF's passing-by-depth report


Best under pressure: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

The Packers quarterback was pressured on 33.3% of his dropbacks in Week 17. He attempted 11 passes under pressure, completing nine of them for 92 yards and a league-best two touchdowns, with one big-time throw and no turnover-worthy plays.

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-under-pressure report


Best out of the pocket: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts broke the pocket four times against the Cardinals in Week 17. He attempted three passes and completed all of them, raking up 54 yards and two touchdowns in the process.

Click here to see PFF's passing-by-concept report


Quick passes: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Once again, Tua Tagovailoa was the highest-graded quarterback on passes thrown in less than 2.5 seconds. He finished 20-of-29 for 227 yards and a touchdown, with one big-time throw and one turnover-worthy play. He finished with an 84.0 passing grade for the week on these throws, the best mark at the position.

Click here to see PFF's time-to-throw report


 

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