The most positive development in Week 13 was seeing a pair of the NFL’s top quarterbacks back in business.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray missed three weeks with an ankle injury, and looked like his old self in his return as the Cardinals improved to an NFL best 10-2 with a 33-22 win over the Chicago Bears.
Meanwhile, Seattle’s Russell Wilson came back to life after playing poorly since his return from surgery on the middle finger of his throwing hand. It figures that it would happen against the 49ers, a team of which he may as well be co-owner.
Wilson is now 17-4 against the 49ers including one playoff game.
In terms of conference seedings, here are the quarterbacks aligned with postseason berths heading into Week 13.
NFC: Kyler Murray (Arizona), Rodgers (Green Bay), Tom Brady (Tampa Bay), Dak Prescott (Dallas), Matthew Stafford (LA Rams), Taylor Heineke (Washington), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers).
AFC: Mac Jones (New England), Ryan Tannehill (Tennessee), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), Justin Herbert (LA Chargers), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati), Josh Allen (Buffalo).
Here’s how they rank heading into Week 14:
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (vs. Chicago) Last week: 1
Packers had the week off to contemplate their mission. The NFC North title is a foregone conclusion. But can Rodgers and Co. catch Arizona? They’ve got one more loss, but beat them head-to-head. The No. 1 seed is very much in play.
2. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay (vs. Buffalo) Last week: 2
News flash! Brady had a rookie-like goal-line gift pick six to Atlanta lineman Marlon Davidson. Other than that, he was 38 of 51 for 358 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-17 win over Atlanta. Nothing to see here, except a 44-year-old quarterback with 34 touchdown passes and 3,771 yards in 12 games.
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (vs. Las Vegas) Last week: 3
When opponents started laying back to stop the Chiefs’ deep strikes, coach Andy Reid did a smart thing and urged Mahomes to take what’s available and be methodical rather than explosive. And it’s working, even if Mahomes (15 of 29, 184 yards) is having a so-so year (by his standards) statistically.
4. Kyler Murray, Arizona (vs. L.A. Rams) Last week: 7
There is still magic in those feet and right arm. Murray only threw 15 passes, but completed 11 for 123 yards. Had two passing touchdowns, and rushed 10 times for 59 yards and two rushing touchdowns as the Cardinals improved to 10-2.
5. Dak Prescott, Dallas (at Washington) Last week: 4
Prescott (26 of 40, 238 yards, one TD, one pick) looked better in a Thanksgiving loss to the Raiders than he did in a 27-7 win over New Orleans. But then again, the Saints have a better defense than the Raiders so maybe it’s not that surprising.
6. Justin Herbert, LA Chargers (vs. N.Y. Giants) Last week: 9
If you were wondering how Herbert would bounce back from a rough game, how does 25 of 36, 317 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 41-22 win over Cincinnati grab you? The Chargers look like the clear No. 2 to Chiefs in AFC West and Herbert is the reason.
7. Josh Allen, Buffalo (at Tampa Bay) Last week: 5
In brutal conditions, Allen had 12 snaps in the red zone and delivered one touchdown. Was 15 of 30 for 145 yards and rushed for 39 yards on six carries. Possibly should have looked to run in a couple of those situations near the end zone, although that’s nit-picking in an oddly entertaining game.
8. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati (vs. 49ers) Last week: 8
Burrow played through a pinky injury on his throwing hand and rallied Bengals from a 24-6 deficit to within 24-22. Bengals collapsed in the fourth quarter however and were outscored 17-0. Burrow was 24 of 40 for 300 yards, but had two interceptions.
9. Russell Wilson, Seattle (at Houston) Last week: 18
Numbers weren’t great in terms of downfield throwing (237 yards on 30 of 37 passing) but make no mistake — Wilson looked a lot closer to who he is and who he’s been against the 49ers. At 4-8, it’s probably too late for the Seahawks to make a run, but Wilson appears to be back in form.
10. Matt Stafford, LA Rams (at Arizona) Last week: 14
No interceptions returned for touchdowns (no interceptions at all). Stafford was 26 of 38 for 295 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams got back on track. Or did they? Their opponent was Jacksonville and the final score was 37-7.
11. Mac Jones, New England (bye) Last week: 6
Has a week off to rest his arm after uncorking all of three passes in a 14-10 win over Buffalo. Hey, it worked. But it doesn’t show a ton of faith from Bill Belichick his rookie quarterback, although it made 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan envious. For the record, Jones’ first pass sailed nowhere near the receiver, but he completed the other two for 19 yards.
12. Tua Tagovaiola, Miami (bye) Last week: 16
More accurate horizontal work by Tua against the Giants, going 30 of 44 for 244 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Something interesting is happening in Miami and Tagovaiola has a lot to do with it. They’ve won five straight after a 1-7 start.
13. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota (vs. Pittsburgh) Last week: 12
Bad loss for the Vikings against the Lions, although Cousins was reasonably productive in terms of stats. Was 30 of 40 for 340 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Hit Justin Jefferson 11 times for 182 yards.
14. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis (bye) Last week: 19
Pretty much a scrimmage situation in a walkover against the hapless Texans, as Wentz was a 16-for-22, 158-yard caretaker for an offense that ran the ball 48 times for 238 yards against an overmatched Houston team.
15. JIMMY GAROPPOLO, 49ERS (at Cincinnati) Last week: 11
It’s the Jimmy G paradox — he is 20 of 30 for 299 yards and two touchdowns to George Kittle — but he also threw two picks and had a potential game-tying score batted down in the final seconds. The bottom line is the 49ers have always been better with Garoppolo when they run more than they pass.
16. Taylor Heineke, Washington (vs. Dallas) Last week: 15
Heineke got Washington in position for the game-winning field goal. Didn’t exactly light it up against a soft Raiders defense (23 of 30, 196 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) but his mobility and moxie could keep him employed for years.
Miami quarterback Tua Tagovaiola has been one of the NFL’s most accurate passers as the Dolphins have won five straight games.17. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (at Minnesota) Last week: 20
Reportedly might retire, but sometimes he’s like a cockroach at age 39. You can’t get rid of him, and Roethlisberger (21 of 31, 236 yards, 2 TDs, no picks) delivered in a 20-19 win over Baltimore. Took Steelers 69 yards in 11 plays with the game-winner to Dontae Johnson.
18. Derek Carr, Las Vegas (at Kansas City) Last week: 10
We’re back to ‘Bad Derek’ again as Raiders fall to 6-6. Carr was 28 of 38 for 249 yards. No interceptions or fumbles, but Carr’s inability to deliver in the red zone has been a career-long mystery. There’s a reason Daniel Carlson kicks so many field goals, and it has a lot to do with Carr.
19. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (at Cleveland) Last week: 13
Jackson’s abilities as a passer are now a serious question. Didn’t seem to be that way earlier in the season but was ineffective (23 of 37, 253 yards, one touchdown, one interception) in a 20-19 loss to Pittsburgh. Missed some wide-open throws. He’s getting worse, not better.
20. Matt Ryan (at Carolina) Last week: 17
Was 30 of 41 for 297 yards and 297 yards against Tampa Bay, but the offense produced only 17 points and Ryan absorbed five sacks. The Falcons actually led the Bucs 13-10 before absorbing a 13-point loss.
21. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver (vs. Detroit) Last week: 22
Produced one too-little-too-late touchdown against Kansas City and was 22 of 40 for 257 yards. Bridgewater needs to be near 70 percent to be anywhere near effective. He’s suited to be a backup. May not last the season as starter ahead of Drew Lock. Either way, John Elway will be going QB shopping this offseason.
22. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee (vs. Jacksonville) Last week: 23
The Colts (7-6) could actually catch the Titans (8-4), although it’s not likely. And that will have a lot to do whether the better quarterback is Carson Wentz or Tannehill, who had a bye this week. Lately, it’s been Wentz.
23. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia (bye) Last week: 24
Well, this got more interesting. Hurts was held out because of an ankle injury and Gardner Minshew went out and completed 20 of 25 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Against the Jets, but still . . . coach Nick Sirianni says he’s still sticking with Hurts. But for how long?
24. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland (vs. Baltimore) Last week: 25
A week to heal up is probably not enough for all that ails Mayfield. His next three games against Baltimore, Las Vegas and Green Bay will go a long way toward determining the direction of the Browns and if it includes Mayfield.
25. Daniel Jones, NY Giants (at L.A. Chargers) Last week: 26
Jones was injured and gave way to Mike Glennon with predictable results. Glennon was 23 of 44 for 187 yards and an interception as Giants managed only three field goals in an 11-point loss to Miami.
26. Jared Goff, Detroit (at Denver) Last week: 31
All hail Jared Goff. Put the Lions in the win column finally with s 75-yard, 14-play drive to beat Minnesota 29-27, throwing an 11-yard TD pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown with no time on the clock for the win. Goff was 25 of 41 for 296 yards, three TDs and one interception.
27. Taysom Hill, New Orleans (at N.Y. Jets) Last week: 28 (Siemian)
A garbage-time 70-yard TD pass inflated Hill’s numbers against Dallas, but his start in place of Trevor Siemian was pretty much a disaster. Was 19 of 41 for 264 yards and threw four interceptions. Included was a gift pick six to 305-pound defensive tackle Carlos Watkins.
28. Zach Wilson, NY Jets (vs. New Orleans) Last week: 29
Wilson was 23 of 38 for 226 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 33-18 loss to Philadelphia. Had minimal time to operate, considering the Eagles ran 41 times for 185 yards. Wilson, as they say, is “building character.”
29. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville (at Tennessee) Last week: 30
Another anemic performance against a superior opponent. Lawrence is playing with such a subpar supporting cast. He was 16 of 28 for 145 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s almost impossible to tell if he’s making progress on this team.
30. Cam Newton, Carolina (vs. Atlanta) Last week: 27
Joe Brady, the NFL’s hot assistant after the Joe Burrow-LSU national championship, is out as offensive coordinator. The Panthers are a disaster and coach Matt Ruhle could be next. Guessing Newton, thinking about it during his bye week, is wondering why he ever came back.
31. Andy Dalton, Chicago (at Green Bay) Last week: 21
Dalton’s future is as a well-compensated backup. With Justin Fields out with an injury, Dalton was 26 of 31 for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a one-sided loss to Arizona. Oh, and there were four interceptions.
32. Tyrod Taylor, Houston (vs. Seattle) Last week: 32
Lord, are the Texans awful. Taylor got the hook at halftime after going 5 of 13 for 45 yards and an interception without completing a pass to a wide receiver. Davis Mills wasn’t much better in the second half. A 31-0 loss was every bit as bad as the score indicated.