2025 NFL QB rankings, Week 2: Patrick Mahomes dethroned; Jalen Hurts cracks top 10

NOTE: Up/down arrows illustrate movement from the Week 1 QB Index.

TIER 1

• The stunning Buffalo comeback on Sunday night included a truly miraculous fourth-down completion from Josh Allen to Keon Coleman for a touchdown. Allen made some gorgeous layered throws to push the team back into scoring range in a frantic final four minutes. The performance was MVP-worthy and fresh proof that the Bills will always have a chance because they have No. 17 behind center.
• Patrick Mahomes managed to carry the Chiefs offense after it was forced to change the game plan following Xavier Worthy's exit, and for a moment, I thought Kansas City was going to break the Chargers' hearts again. While the reigning AFC champions came up short, Mahomes played an excellent game.
• I don't hold Joe Burrow's low statistical output against him. Cincinnati still has no answer for Myles Garrett, and Cleveland's defense put the clamps on Burrow's talented receiving corps in the second half of the opener. He'll be better in the weeks ahead.

TIER 2

• Justin Herbert was excellent in his season debut, dicing up Kansas City's secondary and executing a well-crafted game plan to take down the Chiefs. We were all reminded of how gifted he is as a passer and received some fresh evidence of how he can power his team to victory with a clutch gene that seemed to be hidden at times a year ago.
• Matthew Stafford tossed some absolute dimes in the win over the Texans and almost singlehandedly threw the Rams to victory with an exquisite drive to open the second half. The stats and final score might not stand out, but the tape is undeniable.
• Jalen Hurts put the Eagles on his back and carried them to victory over the Cowboys in a fashion we haven't seen from him in a while, tallying more scrambling scores in one game (2) than he had in all of 2024. If this is the next step in the Eagles' offensive evolution, Hurts is going to sit in the top 10 all season. He might even creep up into Tier 1 before long.
• Houston's offensive line still isn't holding up well for C.J. Stroud, but there were minor improvements compared to last year's nightmare. He overcame it in spots and delivered some beautiful passes, but it still needs to be better for him to truly be at his best.
• Week 1 gave us a perfect example of the duality of Brock Purdy's game. He led an excellent early touchdown drive, threw a couple of interceptions, then got up off the mat and completed a truly unbelievable (because I was sure it was going to be intercepted) game-winning touchdown pass amid a chaotic final few minutes. We later learned he did so while dealing with a toe injury that is expected to sideline him for weeks, which makes Sunday's finish even more impressive.
• Seen as a play-action merchant by some, Jared Goff struggled when asked to carry the Lions amid a non-existent run game and an aggressive Green Bay pass rush that moved him off his spot plenty. It's fair to be slightly concerned about how Detroit might operate this season if it's frequently forced out of its offensive comfort zone like it was in the opener.

TIER 3

• Jordan Love was sharp/efficient early against Detroit, tossing a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft with laser-like accuracy and finding Jayden Reed for an easy score made possible by excellent play design. The numbers weren't gaudy, but Week 1 provided Love and the Packers with an ideal start.
• Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock in his first start with the Steelers. The debut included multiple vintage Rodgers throws, rolling right and releasing off one foot for big gains. His accuracy was excellent and he looked completely comfortable in Arthur Smith's offense.
• Rumors of Justin Fields' struggles were clearly exaggerated because he had a fantastic debut with the Jets, operating an offense properly schemed toward his strengths. He made a number of excellent tight-window throws, used his legs effectively and powered a fireworks display against the Steelers that gave Jets fans plenty of reason to be excited about the weeks to come.

TIER 4

• Kyler Murray and the Cardinals were stymied plenty by the Saints' defense, but there was one strong bright spot in their win: He seems to be much more in sync with Marvin Harrison Jr.
• Trevor Lawrence is already benefitting from Liam Coen's direction, appearing much more confident and convicted in his decision-making. His accuracy still wanes occasionally but I like the trajectory of the Jaguars' offense -- especially when the running game racks up 200 yards in four quarters.

TIER 5

• Bo Nix had one of the worst games of his pro career against the Titans. He came out slinging with no fear, for better and worse. He threw a couple of rough interceptions but he did fire a 22-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton just before halftime, the highlight of a day that was otherwise a signal that Sean Payton might want to rein in his quarterback a bit going forward.
• Joe Flacco diced up Cincinnati's defense and was in concert with Kevin Stefanski's play-calling approach, but his receivers failed him far too often in Week 1. Both of his interceptions came via on-target throws that glanced off his receivers' hands, and a couple of key drops killed another promising drive in one of the most frustrating games you'll see any NFL quarterback endure this season.
• Daniel Jones thumbed his nose at critics with an explosive start to the 2025 season, shredding Miami's defense with excellent passes to Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell and rookie tight end Tyler Warren. Jones doesn't climb higher here because his outing also included a few turnover-worthy throws, and I'm not convinced the performance wasn't an anomaly.
• Michael Penix Jr.'s playmaking moves him up the ranking. He had to carry the Falcons late in the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay and deserved a better outcome. He needs more help from his supporting cast, especially his pass protection.
• Drake Maye had a few bright moments but was inconsistent on a rain-soaked Sunday in Foxborough.

TIER 6

• J.J. McCarthy was trying to do far too much in his first career start before coach Kevin O'Connell seemed to simplify the Vikings' offense on Monday night. After three very ugly quarters, McCarthy powered a remarkable comeback that gave us a glimpse into why Minnesota decided to roll with him in 2025.
• I don't believe Russell Wilson is long for the Giants' starting job. He consistently panicked and attempted to break the pocket after his first read wasn't open against the Commanders. His struggles were perfectly captured in a goal-to-go scenario in which New York had seven plays inside Washington's 10 and settled for a field goal. I'm not expecting his play to improve before Brian Daboll's patience runs out.
• Bryce Young was reminded of how difficult it can be to play quarterback in the NFL, throwing two interceptions and fumbling away possession in what was a very rough day for Carolina's offense in Jacksonville.
• Cam Ward showed promise at times and threw a few excellent passes that were dropped by Calvin Ridley in a very frustrating debut. He also showed signs of a rookie adjusting to the speed of the NFL. That is to be expected with a top pick early in his career, especially one playing for a team that needs more talent.

TIER 7

• Caleb Williams led one electric scoring drive before struggling with accuracy, timing and decision-making for the rest of the night in Week 1. It didn't help that the Bears couldn't run effectively and still struggled with pass protection; neither did Williams' erratic nature in and outside of the pocket.
• Tua Tagovailoa had a terrible day against the Colts. He sailed an early pass for an interception and took the bait on a simulated pressure that ended with Tagovailoa delivering a pass directly to edge rusher Laiatu Latu. Perhaps most concerningly, the entire game seemed like a chore for the Dolphins.