2022 NFL QB Grades Week 14: Patrick Mahomes Falls From the Top Spot as the New NFL MVP Frontrunner Takes Over
Week 14 of the 2022 campaign is in the books, and we’ve got a new No. 1 in our season-long NFL quarterback competition as Patrick Mahomes fell from the top spot after throwing three interceptions against the Denver Broncos.
But that certainly wasn’t the only movement we saw this week.
Back in the mix with a new team, Baker Mayfield jumped a few spots with an incredible comeback performance for the Los Angeles Rams. And one of the newest names on our list, Brock Purdy, is spending his first week in the featured section in the top five after outdueling Tom Brady in the San Francisco 49ers’ blowout victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Overall, we handed out seven perfect scores this week, two of which came from the same game. But before we get to those, let’s first check out what’s happening in the reserve room.
- Bailey Zappe: 86.4
- Jimmy Garoppolo: 85.7
- Kyler Murray: 82.5
- Jacoby Brissett: 81.2
- Teddy Bridgewater: 81
- Tyler Huntley: 80
- Carson Wentz: 77.7
- Matthew Stafford: 77.4
- Cooper Rush: 77
- Joe Flacco: 76.2
- Trevor Siemian: 75
- Jameis Winston: 75.5
- PJ Walker: 75.1
- Zach Wilson: 73.9
- Mitch Trubisky: 73.4
- Skylar Thompson: 72.2
- Brett Rypien: 68
- John Wolford: 67.3
- Sam Ehlinger: 66.4
- Kyle Allen: 65
- Malik Willis: 60.8
- Bryce Perkins: 60.4
As a reminder, if you’d like to see how the rankings have played out throughout this 2022 NFL season, I encourage you to check out our full grade book.
And without further ado, here’s a look at the main 32, which features a new name bringing up the rear.
32. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Week 14 Stats: 26-42, 276 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 33 yards
Week 14 Grade: C+
Deshaun Watson looked much better agains the Browns than he did in his debut last week against the Texans and threw his first touchdown pass in 707 days in the first quarter. But after that, he couldn’t keep the Cleveland offense moving in a 23-10 loss to the Bengals in the latest edition of the Battle of Ohio.
Even after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter, he had a chance to get the Browns within a score but threw short and left to Donovan Peoples-Jones when attempting to convert a fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line. Watson again threw a fourth-down incompletion on Cleveland’s final drive of the day, missing Amari Cooper short and left as well.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 38-64, 407 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 13 rushes, 54 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 70.5
31. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (4-5)
Week 14 Stats: 0-1, 0 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; 2 rushes, 16 yards
Week 14 Grade: N/A
While Kenny Pickett started the Steelers’ Week 14 matchup with the Ravens, he didn’t qualify for a grade as he attempted just one pass and ran the ball twice before leaving the game to enter concussion protocol in the first quarter.
Mitch Trubisky stepped in and completed 22 of 30 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown but also threw three interceptions in the 16-14 loss, earning himself a D+ for the week. We’ll leave Pickett down here for now, but if he misses extended time, we’ll get Trubisky back in the featured section.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 191-294, 1,797 yards, 4 TD, 8 INT; 44 rushes, 225 yards, 3 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 73.4
30. Davis Mills, Houston Texans (1-9-1)
Week 14 Stats: 16-21, 175 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 1 rush, 2 yards
Week 14 Grade: C+
After being benched for Kyle Allen a couple weeks back, Davis Mills was back in the starting lineup for the Houston Texans on Sunday, although Lovie Smith threw a wrinkle at the Dallas Cowboys by having Jeff Driskel take snaps as well.
And the strategy nearly worked as the Texans nearly knocked off the heavily-favored Cowboys before ultimately taking a 27-23 loss. Mills played his most efficient game of the year, completing a season-high 76.2% of his passes for 175 yards, but failed to throw a touchdown as Houston dropped its eighth straight game.
He did, however, throw his 12th interception of the year and trails only Matt Ryan (13) for the league lead.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 219-349, 2,319 yards, 11 TD, 12 INT; 18 rushes, 40 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 73.9
29. Baker Mayfield, Los Angeles Rams (1-5)
Week 14 Stats: 22-35, 230 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 4 rushes, 10 yards
Week 14 Grade: A+
Go ahead and knock this grade all you want, but Baker Mayfield deserves it.
Now, would I normally hand out a perfect score for this stat line? No, I wouldn’t.
But come on, the guy was claimed by the Rams on Tuesday after being released by the Panthers, threw about 20 passes on Wednesday, and then led the defending champs to an improbable victory on Thursday night to snap the Raiders’ three-game winning streak.
While Mayfield technically doesn’t get credit for the victory as John Wolford started the game, Baker won this game for the defending champs, leading two late scoring drives and capping off the comeback with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson with just 10 seconds remaining.
That final drive went 98 yards, which is the longest go-ahead touchdown drive in the last two minutes in the past four and a half decades.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 141-241, 1,543 yards, 7 TD, 6 INT; 20 rushes, 62 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 74.6
28. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (3-9)
Week 14 Stats: 23-36, 247 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 4 rushes, 57 yards
Week 14 Grade: A-
Just when Russell Wilson seemed to finally have things figured out — at least somewhat — he was knocked out of the Broncos’ Week 14 loss to the Chiefs with a concussion.
With his team trailing 27-0 in only the second quarter, the nine-time Pro Bowler refused to give up and threw a season-high three touchdown passes in about three and a half minutes of game time between the second and third quarters to get the Broncos within six.
Wilson nearly added a score on the ground but took a hard hit at the Chiefs’ 2-yard line after scrambling for a first down on 3rd & 11, which knocked him from the game.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 238-394, 2,805 yards, 11 TD, 6 INT; 41 rushes, 215 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 75.6
27. Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1)
Week 14 Stats: N/A
Week 14 Grade: N/A
Matt Ryan and the Indianapolis Colts were on a bye in Week 14 and return in Week 15 for a matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 290-428, 2,875 yards, 13 TD, 13 INT; 24 rushes, 70 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 77.1
26. Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
Week 14 Stats: N/A
Week 14 Grade: N/A
Marcus Mariota and the Atlanta Falcons were on a bye in Week 14 and return in Week 15 for a matchup with the New Orleans Saints. Mariota, however, likely won’t take the field as Arthur Smith is seemingly ready to bench the veteran in favor of rookie Desmond Ridder.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 184-300, 2,219 yards, 15 TD, 9 INT; 85 rushes, 438 yards, 4 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 77.102
25. Colt McCoy, Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Week 14 Stats: 27-40, 246 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 5 rushes, 24 yards
Week 14 Grade: C-
As Kyler Murray is likely lost for the year after leaving the Cardinals’ Monday night matchup against the Patriots with what seems like a torn ACL, Colt McCoy makes his way into the featured section in the No. 25 slot.
McCoy threw for 246 yards but could never truly get the Arizona offense moving in a 27-13 loss, at least not in the second half when the Cardinals were shut out after taking a three-point lead into halftime.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 77-111, 702 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 12 rushes, 34 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 77.6
24. Mike White, New York Jets (1-2)
Week 14 Stats: 27-44, 268 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Week 14 Grade: C
Despite the absence of Von Miller, Mike White took an absolute beating at the hands of the Buffalo Bills’ defense and was knocked out of the game twice as the New York Jets took a 20-12 loss.
He missed just a single snap after taking a hit from Ed Oliver but missed an entire series later on with a rib injury after being crushed by Matt Milano. Despite the barrage of punishment he took, White threw for 268 yards but never found the end zone as Gang Green’s lone touchdown came on the ground when Zonovan Knight scampered in from 13 yards out five minutes into the third quarter.
The Jets have lost two of their last three and are now on the outside looking in as it pertains to the NFL Playoffs at 7-6.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 80-129, 712 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 6 rushes, 9 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 77.7
23. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (3-9)
Week 14 Stats: N/A
Week 14 Grade: N/A
Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears were on a bye in Week 14 and return in Week 15 for a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 156-253, 1,896 yards, 13 TD, 10 INT; 128 rushes, 905 yards, 8 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 79.3
22. Andy Dalton, New Orleans Saints (3-7)
Week 14 Stats: N/A
Week 14 Grade: N/A
Andy Dalton and the New Orleans Saints were on a bye in Week 14 and return in Week 15 for a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 200-299, 2,252 yards, 15 TD, 7 INT; 24 rushes, 54 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 80.9
21. Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers (2-0)
Week 14 Stats: 14-24, 120 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 4 rushes, 30 yards
Week 14 Grade: C+
Sam Darnold didn’t have a great game against the Seahawks on Sunday, completing just 58.3% of his passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
But with Carolina’s three-headed monster of Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear, and D’Onta Foreman controlling the pace on the ground with a combined 180 rushing yards and two touchdowns, Darnold really didn’t need to do much through the air as the Panthers kept themselves in the NFC South race with a 30-24 victory.
Darnold & Co. are now just a game back of the Buccaneers and already own a win over Brady’s bunch, with a second showdown set for New Year’s Day.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 25-43, 284 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 7 rushes, 33 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 81
20. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (5-5)
Week 14 Stats: 24-35, 235 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 5 rushes, -1 yard
Week 14 Grade: C+
The New England Patriots got a much-needed win on Monday night over the Arizona Cardinals, which moved them to 7-6 and bumped them up into the No. 7 spot in the AFC standings.
Mac Jones had a decent-enough night, completing 24 of 35 passes for 235 yards, but he failed to throw a touchdown. But he did throw his first interception since October 30, which ultimately proved inconsequential as the Pats won by 14 points.
Jones & Co. next face the Las Vegas Raiders but then face one of the toughest closing stretches in the NFL as their final three games are with the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills. One would think they’ll at least need to split their next four to get into the postseason.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 208-305, 2,198 yards, 7 TD, 8 INT; 35 rushes, 87 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 81.6
19. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (6-5)
Week 14 Stats: 25-38, 254 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 2 rushes, 16 yards
Week 14 Grade: C+
Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans are trending in the wrong direction as they dropped their third straight game on Sunday with a 36-22 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s Mike Vrabel’s first-three game skid since his initial season in Nashville in 2018.
While Tannehill completed 25 of 38 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, he also committed a pair of turnovers with an interception and a lost fumble. Turnovers were a big problem for the Titans as Derrick Henry also fumbled twice, losing both of them.
Jacksonville scored 20 points off the four total turnovers from Tennessee and now sits just two games back of the Titans in the AFC South.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 197-303, 2,371 yards, 13 TD, 5 INT; 31 rushes, 97 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 81.9
18. Daniel Jones, New York Giants (7-5-1)
Week 14 Stats: 18-27, 169 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 4 rushes, 26 yards, 1 TD
Week 14 Grade: B
Daniel Jones certainly can’t be faulted for the New York Giants’ 48-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, as he played a solid game of football, completing two-thirds of his passes for 169 yards and a touchdown while adding a second score on the ground.
It’s just that the New York defense had no answer for Jalen Hurts and the Philly offense. The Giants have won just once in their last six games (1-4-1) and are watching their playoff hopes diminish by the week.
Jones & Co. face the Washington Commanders in a crucial matchup in Week 15 and still have a second matchup with the Eagles to worry about, although they may get lucky that final week of the season as Philadelphia may be resting starters if they’ve got the No. 1 seed in the NFC locked up.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 247-374, 2,534 yards, 12 TD, 4 INT; 95 rushes, 548 yards, 5 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 82
17. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
Week 14 Stats: 11-20, 137 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT; 4 rushes, 11 yards
Week 14 Grade: F
Derek Carr was in prime position to keep Las Vegas in playoff contention on Thursday night but couldn’t get his Raiders past the LA Rams.
Carr played one of his worst games of the season against the defending champs, completing just 55% of his passes for 137 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. But despite the poor performance, the Raiders were still ahead by 13 in the fourth quarter.
But the offense couldn’t do much in the final frame, and the defense allowed 14 late points to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in a 17-16 loss. Now 5-8, Carr & Co. have essentially no shot of getting back to the postseason.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 269-434, 3,117 yards, 20 TD, 10 INT; 21 rushes, 88 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 82.057
16. Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders (5-1-1)
Week 14 Stats: N/A
Week 14 Grade: N/A
Taylor Heinicke and the Washington Commanders were on a bye in Week 14 and return in Week 15 for an NFC East showdown with the New York Giants.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 131-212, 1,444 yards, 9 TD, 5 INT; 23 rushes, 67 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 82.06
15. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (5-8)
Week 14 Stats: N/A
Week 14 Grade: N/A
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers were on a bye in Week 14 and return in Week 15 for a Monday night matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 272-423, 2,864 yards, 22 TD, 9 INT; 20 rushes, 67 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 82.4
14. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
Week 14 Stats: 24-39, 284 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 6 rushes, 23 yards
Week 14 Grade: C
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys got quite a scare on Sunday against the Houston Texans.
After leading America’s Team to touchdowns on two of its first three drives, the second of which was capped off by his lone touchdown pass of the day, Prescott threw a pair of interceptions and let Houston hang around.
The second pick could have sealed the Cowboys’ fate but the Dallas defense bailed Dak out and gave him one last shot to win the game, which he did. Trailing by four with just under three and a half minutes to play, Prescott made a number of big throws during an 11-play, 98-yard drive that Ezekiel Elliott finished with a two-yard TD run with 41 seconds remaining to give Dallas a 27-23 victory.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 168-251, 1,847 yards, 14 TD, 9 INT; 25 rushes, 94 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 83
13. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Week 14 Stats: N/A
Week 14 Grade: N/A
As the Baltimore Ravens dealt with more quarterback trouble in their Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, we’re going to keep Lamar Jackson here in the featured section. And we’ll likely just do that until he returns, which looks like it should be in Week 16.
Starting in place of Jackson, Tyler Huntley left in the third quarter of Sunday’s AFC North showdown with a concussion and obviously didn’t return. Undrafted rookie Anthony Brown finished out the 16-14 win and could very well get the start on Saturday when the Ravens visit the Cleveland Browns.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 203-326, 2,242 yards, 17 TD, 7 INT; 112 rushes, 764 yards, 3 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 83.5
12. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
Week 14 Stats: 30-42, 368 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 3 rushes, 7 yards, 1 TD
Week 14 Grade: A+
The Jacksonville Jaguars kept themselves alive in the AFC South race on Sunday, riding a career day from Trevor Lawrence to nab a 36-22 victory over the Titans, the team’s first win in Tennessee in nearly a decade.
Despite dealing with an injured left big toe, Lawrence was brilliant in the must-win matchup for the Jags, connecting on 71.4% of his 42 targets for a career-high 368 yards and three touchdowns. He was also interception-free for the fifth consecutive game.
While just 5-8, Jacksonville sits just two games behind Tennessee in the AFC South with four games to play. It’s still a longshot, but if Lawrence & Co. can continue to play as they did on Sunday, there’s a chance they could reach the postseason, especially with a rematch coming with the Titans in Week 18.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 303-458, 3,202 yards, 20 TD, 6 INT; 46 rushes, 218 yards, 4 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 85.3
11. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (6-7)
Week 14 Stats: 27-39, 330 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 2 rushes, 9 yards
Week 14 Grade: A+
Watch out, folks. The Detroit Lions may just sneak into the postseason for the first time in six years if they keep this up.
Looking to keep the Minnesota Vikings from clinching the NFC North in Week 14, the Lions got another outstanding performance from Jared Goff, who completed 69.2% of his passes for 330 yards with three touchdowns and no picks in a 34-23 victory, Detroit’s fifth win in six games.
The Lions have scored 25 points or more in five straight games, their longest stretch since 1954, and now sit in the No. 9 spot in the NFC standings at 6-7. And Goff & Co. have four winnable games left, with matchups against the Jets, Panthers, Bears, and Packers on the horizon.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 290-444, 3,352 yards, 22 TD, 7 INT; 23 rushes, 51 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 85.465
10. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
Week 14 Stats: 31-41, 425 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Week 14 Grade: A+
With the Minnesota Vikings needing a win over the Detroit Lions to clinch their first NFC North title in five years, Kirk Cousins certainly did his part, completing 75.6% of his passes for a season-high 425 yards with two touchdowns.
Eleven of Cousins’ 31 completions went to Justin Jefferson, who set a franchise record with 223 receiving yards. But the Vikings could never get the run game going, and their defense had no answer for Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense in a 34-23 loss.
Cousins & Co. will look to bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 321-490, 3,358 yards, 20 TD, 9 INT; 25 rushes, 58 yards, 2 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 85.476
9. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
Week 14 Stats: 34-55, 253 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 2 rushes, 0 yards
Week 14 Grade: D
I think it’s safe to say that Tom Brady had a different outing in mind during his homecoming to the Bay Area than the one that actually played out as the Buccaneers were destroyed by the 49ers, 35-7.
Despite somehow not taking a single sack, Brady was pressured by the vaunted Niners’ defense all afternoon. He entered the game with just three interceptions on the season but was picked off twice in the loss and nearly threw a third on a pass that somehow managed to sneak through for his lone TD pass of the day.
Despite the loss, however, TB12 & Co. remain in first place in the NFC South at 6-7. But they’ve got another tough matchup ahead as they square off with Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Week 15.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 381-579, 3,585 yards, 17 TD, 5 INT; 22 rushes, -7 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 86.3
8. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)
Week 14 Stats: 39-51, 367 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 4 rushes, 8 yards
Week 14 Grade: A+
As the Los Angeles Chargers have been decimated by injuries all season long, Justin Herbert hasn’t had a full receiving corps to throw to for the vast majority of this 2022 campaign.
But with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams at his disposal on Sunday night against the Dolphins, the third-year star took advantage and played one of his best games of the year, completing a career-high 39 passes for a season-high 367 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 win.
Eighteen of those completions went to Allen and Williams, who combined for 208 yards and a touchdown in the victory, one the Chargers had to have to keep themselves in the postseason hunt.
Herbert is now the only quarterback in NFL history to reach 13,000 passing yards in his first three seasons.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 379-561, 3,706 yards, 21 TD, 7 INT; 45 rushes, 143 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 86.9
7. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (10-3)
Week 14 Stats: 16-27, 147 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 10 rushes, 47 yards, 1 TD
Week 14 Grade: B
Just over a month ago, Josh Allen struggled against the New York Jets in a 20-17 loss. And while he didn’t play his best game in Sunday’s rematch, he did enough to get his Buffalo Bills a 23-10 win, which keeps them atop the AFC standings at 10-3.
Playing on a slick field with a slick football as snow fell at Highmark Stadium, Allen completed just 59.3% of his passes for 147 yards. But Buffalo never trailed as he connected with Dawson Knox for a 24-yard touchdown on the Bills’ final drive of the first half and rushed for a five-yard score on their first drive in the second to put his team ahead for good.
Allen can avenge one of his other losses this Saturday in primetime as Buffalo takes on the Miami Dolphins.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 300-470, 3,553 yards, 26 TD, 11 INT; 99 rushes, 628 yards, 6 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 87.8
6. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
Week 14 Stats: 18-33, 239 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 10 yards
Week 14 Grade: B
Joe Burrow certainly wasn’t at his best in Week 14, but he did enough to get Cincinnati a 23-10 win over the Browns, giving him his first-ever victory over Cleveland in five tries.
Of course, Burrow lost two of his top three targets as the game progressed as both Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins exited with injuries. Thankfully, Ja’Marr Chase was there to pick up the slack and ended the day with 10 catches for 119 yards with a touchdown. Burrow also hit Trenton Irwin for a 45-yard score in the third quarter when the Cleveland defense fell for a flea-flicker.
The Bengals have now won five straight and nine of 11 heading into their high-profile matchup with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Week 15.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 322-473, 3,685 yards, 27 TD, 9 INT; 65 rushes, 234 yards, 5 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 88.2
5. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (8-3)
Week 14 Stats: 10-28, 145 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 3 rushes, 28 yards
Week 14 Grade: D+
Coming into the Miami Dolphins’ Sunday night matchup with the LA Chargers, Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating. But by the end of the game, that was no longer the case.
Outside of one long touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill, Tagovailoa was atrocious in the Dolphins’ 23-17 loss, their second straight, completing a woeful 35.7% of his passes for 145 yards. And 60 of those yards came on that lone TD pass to Hill, who caught four balls for 81 yards.
The defeat dropped the Dolphins two games back of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East as the two teams prepare to square off on Saturday night.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 226-345, 3,004 yards, 22 TD, 5 INT; 22 rushes, 63 yards
2022 NFL Season Score: 88.9
4. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
Week 14 Stats: 21-36, 264 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 3 rushes, 20 yards
Week 14 Grade: C
It was quite the up-and-down day for Geno Smith against the Carolina Panthers as the Seattle Seahawks took a devastating 30-24 loss to drop to 7-6 on the year.
Smith has been the most efficient passer in the NFL all season long but struggled with his accuracy in Week 14, completing a season-low 58.3% of his passes, marking the first time he’s failed to connect on at least 64% of his targets.
And while he threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns, he also tossed a pair of untimely interceptions, marking the first time he’s thrown more than one pick in a game all season. The defeat dropped Seattle to the No. 8 slot in the NFC, and things don’t get any easier this week as Smith & Co. square off with the San Francisco 49ers and their top-ranked defense on Thursday night.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 306-428, 3,433 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT; 55 rushes, 263 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 89.8
3. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Week 14 Stats: 16-21, 185 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 2 rushes, 3 yards, 1 TD
Week 14 Grade: A+
It might not seem fair that Brock Purdy is already in the top five after just two qualifying performances, but I couldn’t leave Jimmy Garoppolo down here in the featured section, knowing he won’t be coming back.
And the rookie has undoubtedly earned the grades he’s gotten from me thus far. A week after stepping in for Jimmy G and lighting up the Miami Dolphins, Purdy torched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first-ever start, completing 76.2% of his passes for 185 yards and throwing a pair of touchdowns while running in another in a 35-7 win.
With the victory, Purdy is now the only quarterback ever to beat Tom Brady in his first NFL start. He did, however, suffer an oblique injury late but should be able to suit up against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 45-67, 461 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT; 11 rushes, 5 yards, 1 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 90.1
2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
Week 14 Stats: 28-42, 352 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT; 3 rushes, -3 yards
Week 14 Grade: B-
There was a lot to like about Patrick Mahomes’ performance in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 14th consecutive win over the Denver Broncos. He completed two-thirds of his passes. He threw for 352 yards to become the first to reach the 4,000-yard mark this season. And he threw three touchdowns in the 34-28 victory.
However, Mahomes also threw three interceptions for the first time in two years. Granted, the Denver defense has been a bit underrated all year, given how the season has gone overall. But while Mahomes may be able to get away with this now against a truly inferior team, he won’t be able to do that in the postseason.
He’s now tied for the third-most picks in the league with 11, trailing only Matt Ryan and Davis Mills. And he’s also lost his No. 1 spot in our season-long rankings.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 336-511, 4,160 yards, 33 TD, 11 INT; 47 rushes, 280 yards, 2 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 91.8
1. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (12-1)
Week 14 Stats: 21-31, 217 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 7 rushes, 77 yards, 1 TD
Week 14 Grade: A+
Ladies and gentlemen, your new No. 1 — Mr. Jalen Hurts.
After spending a week in the No. 2 spot, Hurts has certainly earned his place atop the rankings as he put on another perfect performance in Week 14 as his Philadelphia Eagles moved to 12-1 with a 48-22 blowout victory over the rival New York Giants.
The third-year star got it done through the air, completing 67.7% of his passes for 217 yards with a pair of touchdowns and no picks (his fourth consecutive interception-free appearance), and on the ground with 77 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. The 10-yard rushing score in the third quarter made him the first-ever NFL quarterback with at least 10 rushing TDs in consecutive seasons.
Hurts has clearly established himself as the frontrunner for NFL MVP and would shockingly be the first Eagle ever to take the honor.
2022 NFL Season Stats: 264-388, 3,157 yards, 22 TD, 3 INT; 139 rushes, 686 yards, 10 TD
2022 NFL Season Score: 92.9
Have thoughts on this topic? Keep the conversation rolling in our comments section below.
