1 Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs · Year 8

2024 stats: 1 game | 71.4 pct | 291 pass yds | 10.4 ypa | 1 pass TD | 1 INT | 3 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles

This was another typical Mahomes performance. He navigated the pocket, extended plays, found open receivers and executed Andy Reid’s offense as it was intended. Mahomes’ efficiency — save for his shockingly bad interception — defined the night, but what was most impressive was how Mahomes and the Chiefs produced a preview of what this offense can be in 2024. Mahomes fed Rashee Rice, hooking up for tight-window completions against mismatched linebackers, and started to build a rapport with burner Xavier Worthy, who sped through the Baltimore defense on a reverse for a score and caught a pass from Mahomes for his second score of the night. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but it was better than the Chiefs’ offense looked for much of the 2023 regular season. With Mahomes at the controls, it feels as if they only just scratched the surface of their potential last Thursday night.

2 Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens · Year 7

2024 stats: 1 game | 63.4 pct | 273 pass yds | 6.7 ypa | 1 pass TD | 0 INT | 122 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 1 fumble

We saw the Ravens reap the rewards of signing Derrick Henry on the game-opening touchdown drive against the Chiefs, but Jackson carried them for the rest of the night. If his shoulders or back were tired by the end of the night, it would’ve been understandable, because the numbers definitely do not lie. Jackson led the Ravens in rushing, threw for 273 yards and a touchdown, and nearly led an incredible 87-yard touchdown drive in the game’s final two minutes. He came one Isaiah Likely big toe away from possibly leading Baltimore to a comeback win, which would’ve been additionally impressive, considering the struggles the Ravens encountered along the offensive line. Despite the loss, we learned Jackson is still the same electrifying, game-wrecking quarterback who has earned two NFL MVP awards.

3 Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills · Year 7

2024 stats: 1 game | 78.3 pct | 232 pass yds | 10.1 ypa | 2 pass TD | 0 INT | 39 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 1 fumble

It’s really nice to see the Bills run the ball effectively, because it empowers Allen to maximize his talents. It just took him a quarter and a half to remember he had them Sunday. After some early struggles, Allen settled in, using his passing and running abilities to power a significant comeback in quick fashion, leading an efficient end-of-half drive that ended with a rushing touchdown for the massive quarterback. He carried the positive momentum into the second half, building a rapport with rookie Keon Coleman while also connecting with Mack Hollins for a touchdown. It was fitting that Buffalo’s final touchdown came via another Allen run, because that’s what make him one of the toughest quarterbacks to defend: He can hurt you with his rocket arm and his legs.

4 C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans · Year 2

2024 stats: 1 game | 75.0 pct | 234 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 2 pass TD | 0 INT | 13 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles

We really should prevent ourselves from taking Stroud for granted. Sure, his accuracy is razor sharp, but his poise is remarkable for a player who is just beginning his second season. Case in point: Stroud fell down on the new turf at Lucas Oil Stadium on a key third down early, but he looked up and fired a dart from his knees to tight end Brevin Jordan for a first down. Stroud made another heroic play while rolling away from a blitz on a third down in the second half, throwing across his body to Nico Collins for a key pickup. With the game on the line, Stroud stood in the pocket and ripped a bullet through a tiny window to Collins along the right sideline for a first down to all but ice the game. In between, he executed Bobby Slowik’s offense efficiently, was happy to rely on an excellent debut from running back Joe Mixon, and built a rapport with new weapon Stefon Diggs, connecting with him twice for touchdowns. He’s picked up right where he left off.

5 Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys · Year 9

2024 stats: 1 game | 59.4 pct | 179 pass yds | 5.6 ypa | 1 pass TD | 0 INT | 3 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 1 fumble

The numbers won’t suggest Prescott had a great day, but don’t let them lie to you, because when he was asked to execute, he did so consistently — and impressively. The highlight package might better represent Prescott’s day. Mike McCarthy did a great job of rolling Prescott away from pressure in order to neutralize Myles Garrett, and when asked to throw on the run, Prescott did so effortlessly. His two most impressive drives came in the first half, in which Prescott capped Dallas’ first scoring march with a third-down lob to Brandin Cooks in the face of an all-out blitz for an easy score. He then followed that up by orchestrating an 11-play, 74-yard touchdown drive that gave the Cowboys a 14-3 lead and set them on a course toward a blowout win. Dallas took such a firm grip on this game, it didn’t have to ask Prescott to do much in the second half, other than guide the ship back to port. He has a new contract, too, ending all of that concerned chatter that filled the offseason airwaves. It’s all about producing now, and he did so in Week 1.

6 Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Year 7

2024 stats: 1 game | 80.0 pct | 289 pass yds | 9.6 ypa | 4 pass TD | 0 INT | 21 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles

Week 1 was a classic performance for the rejuvenated Mayfield, who played all the hits in his outing. He had the majestic strikes downfield to Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, the fades to Evans (producing two touchdowns, including a spectacular catch for the first score), the scrambling to extend plays and pick up positive yards, the pocket navigation and occasional risk that produced gains, all of it. He even ran a bit, got popped and stood up, dripping in swagger, to let the fans in attendance know he picked up a first down. I was a little nervous about how this offense might operate with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen now calling the shots, and I acknowledge it’s only one game against one of the NFL’s worst defenses in 2023, but this was one heck of a start for a quarterback coming off a career year.

7 Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins · Year 5

2024 stats: 1 game | 62.2 pct | 338 pass yds | 9.1 ypa | 1 pass TD | 0 INT | 11 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles

Talk about a tale of two halves. Tagovailoa showed a little bit of rust in the first half, missing a few open targets in what was a clunky start for Miami’s offense. But when winning time arrived in the second half, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins delivered, with his 80-yard touchdown connection with Tyreek Hill serving as the crucial turning point in this contest. After completing 11 of 21 passes for 131 yards in the first half, Tagovailoa exploded in the final two quarters, going 12-for-16 for 207 yards and a touchdown, moving the Dolphins into Jason Sanders’ range to propel their comeback. It’s typical for a team to start slowly in Week 1, but these high-powered Dolphins can’t be kept down for long.

8 Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers · Year 3

2024 stats: 1 game | 65.5 pct | 231 pass yds | 8.0 ypa | 0 pass TD | 0 INT | 11 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles

Purdy’s season debut was a bit of a mixed bag. It took a bit for him to settle in, and he was fortunate to be bailed out of two consecutive bad throws by a Jets penalty late in the third quarter. Then again, the 49ers didn’t need Purdy to throw for 350 to win, not with Jordan Mason carrying them to victory with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 attempts. There was some visible rust on Brandon Aiyuk, who dropped Purdy’s best throw of the night (which should have produced a touchdown), which is obviously no fault of Purdy, but illustrates where the 49ers stood on Monday night. Still, the third-year passer was protected well and put together a largely accurate night, throwing for 231 yards by lofting passes over Jets defenders to open targets. It was a solid start for Purdy — which is perfectly fine for a 49ers team that cruised to victory.

9 Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams · Year 16

2024 stats: 1 game | 69.4 pct | 317 pass yds | 6.5 ypa | 1 pass TD | 1 INT | 0 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles

I’ll just get this out of the way now: That interception Stafford threw in the end zone was U-G-L-Y. That was the worst of it, though, and we can all confidently agree the Rams don’t have a chance to win this game if not for Stafford’s heroics. He showed all 16 years of experience he’s bringing into 2024 in the second half, peppering Detroit’s defense with a variety of completions, and just about every single one mattered the same toward Los Angeles’ comeback efforts. Most NFL quarterbacks don’t pull off such an effort in a quarter and a half’s time, yet there was Stafford, frantically propelling the Rams to overtime. Sure, he took some risks, and probably should’ve paid for them more than he did, but the stats match the tape. I’ll always wonder what a Stafford overtime drive in Detroit would’ve looked like. The Lions wisely ensured he never received such a chance.

10 Jared Goff

Detroit Lions · Year 9

2024 stats: 1 game | 64.3 pct | 217 pass yds | 7.8 ypa | 1 pass TD | 1 INT | 7 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles

Goff didn’t miss a beat between the NFC Championship Game and Week 1, staying right in the comfortable slot in which he operates Ben Johnson’s offense by taking what the defense gave him and delivering without hesitation. His long connections with Jameson Williams were fun, too, and carried much of Detroit’s passing offense. That was enough, because David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs handled the rest, combining for 131 rushing yards and two scores on 28 attempts and taking a significant chunk of responsibility off Goff’s shoulders. I will admit, it’s interesting to see Goff attempt to execute when a defense dedicates significant resources toward eliminating the middle of the field from his available target area. The Rams did so in the second half, forcing Goff into an awful interception that bought them new life. But Goff didn’t crumble, leading an efficient two-minute drill to buy Lions kicker Jake Bates a chance to send them to overtime. And once they got there, they barely needed Goff at all, which certainly isn’t a knock on him.