NFL quarterback rankings, Week 18: Dak Prescott’s ceiling

The Dallas Cowboys are a Super Bowl contender, but they’ll only go as far as Dak Prescott will carry … or allow.

Our 2022 FanSided NFL quarterback rankings go live each Wednesday morning throughout the regular season, and we use a sliding scale incorporating current and past performances, with the former meaning more as the year goes on.

NFL quarterback rankings

2022 stats: 222 yards | 60.0 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 5.6 YPA | 42.3 QBR

One of the Hard Knock’s stars got to show his stuff, and it went about as expected. But hey, Blough got his moment.

31

Skylar Thompson

Last Week: NA Miami Dolphins

2022 stats: 382 yards | 54.0 comp % | 1 TD | 3 INT | 5.2 YPA | 35.1 QBR

Suddenly, Thompson appears to be in line to start Week 18, and he — potentially, depending on the Patriots — holds the fate of the Dolphins in his hands.

30

Josh Dobbs

Last Week: NA Tennessee Titans

2022 stats: 232 yards | 51.3 comp % | 1 TD | 1 INT | 6.0 YPA | 32.3 QBR

Dobbs can play the role of hero on Saturday night. He’d be a legend in Nashville if he engineers a road upset over the favored Jaguars.

29

Nick Foles

Last Week: 30 Indianapolis Colts

2022 stats: 224 yards | 59.4 comp % | 0 TD | 4 INT | 5.3 YPA | 7.4 QBR

Foles has enjoyed a wild NFL ride which includes an improbable Super Bowl ring, but it’s time to walk away.

28

Desmond Ridder

Last Week: 28 Atlanta Falcons

2022 stats: 484 yards | 63.5 comp % | 0 TD | 0 INT | 5.7 YPA | 40.6 QBR

Ridder played well against the Cardinals and was rewarded with a last-second win. Still, he’s not shown near enough for Atlanta to pass on a quarterback in April’s first-round.

27

Jarrett Stidham

Last Week: NA Las Vegas Raiders

2022 stats: 437 yards | 66.0 comp % | 3 TD | 2 INT | 9.3 YPA | 75.4 QBR

Stidham was the feel-good story of Week 17, torching the vaunted 49ers defense for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, it came up just short.

26

Davis Mills

Last Week: 25 Houston Texans

2022 stats: 2,820 yards | 61.2 comp % | 14 TD | 13 INT | 6.4 YPA | 30.9 QBR

The Texans are going to roll with Mills once more, and then it’s time to draft the future.

25

Mike White

Last Week: NA New York Jets

2022 stats: 1,192 yards | 58.9 comp % | 3 TD | 4 INT | 6.8 YPA | 37.5 QBR

White gave Jets fans some hope this season and a reprieve from Zach Wilson, but it’s hard to make a real case for him in 2023.

24

Tyler Huntley

Last Week: 26 Baltimore Ravens

2022 stats: 528 yards | 67.0 comp % | 1 TD | 2 INT | 5.8 YPA | 42.3 QBR

Huntley would be much lower if not for the buffet of third-stringers and washed vets behind him. His showing against the Steelers left plenty in Baltimore wanting much more.

23

Russell Wilson

Last Week: 27 Denver Broncos

2022 stats: 3,241 yards | 60.8 comp % | 13 TD | 10 INT | 7.1 YPA | 35.6 QBR

Wilson had another underwhelming day on Sunday, throwing for 5.8 yards per attempt in a 27-24 loss to the Chiefs. However, he ran for two scores. So, progress?

22

Carson Wentz

Last Week: NA Washington Commanders

2022 stats: 1,755 yards | 62.3 comp % | 11 TD | 9 INT | 6.4 YPA | 33.2 QBR

Wentz never should have been named the starter. He showed why on Sunday, tossing three interceptions to eliminate the Commanders from playoff contention.

21

Gardner Minshew

Last Week: NA Philadelphia Eagles

2022 stats: 663 yards | 57.9 comp % | 3 TD | 3 INT | 8.7 YPA | 38.2 QBR

Minshew is a good backup, but he was awful against the Saints, throwing a crushing pick-six when trailing by three in the fourth quarter.

20

Kenny Pickett

Last Week: 21 Pittsburgh Steelers

2022 stats: 2,041 yards | 65.2 comp % | 5 TD | 9 INT | 6.1 YPA | 49.9 QBR

Pickett was ho-hum all night in Baltimore, before driving the Steelers for a game-winning score in the final minute, capped by a tremendous throw to Najee Harris.

19

Mac Jones

Last Week: 24 New England Patriots

2022 stats: 2,753 yards | 65.2 comp % | 11 TD | 8 INT | 6.8 YPA | 32.5 QBR

Well, Jones has his chance. Week 18, win-and-in against Buffalo. Get it done, kid.

18

Baker Mayfield

Last Week: 23 Los Angeles Rams

2022 stats: 2,016 yards | 60.8 comp % | 10 TD | 7 INT | 6.5 YPA | 27.0 QBR

Mayfield has had some high and lowlights with the Rams. Can he knock off the Seahawks and turn the Packers-Lions game into an elimination bout?

17

Sam Darnold

Last Week: 22 Carolina Panthers

2022 stats: 1,100 yards | 61.8 comp % | 7 TD | 1 INT | 8.8 YPA | 57.5 QBR

Darnold has played very well since coming back from injury. The Panthers fell on Sunday, but Darnold threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns.

16

Deshaun Watson

Last Week: 19 Cleveland Browns

2022 stats: 872 yards | 56.7 comp % | 5 TD | 3 INT | 6.2 YPA | 36.7 QBR

Watson has been awful since coming off his suspension. The Browns have to be very nervous during every game, praying it gets better.

15

Andy Dalton

Last Week: 16 New Orleans Saints

2022 stats: 2,699 yards | 67.1 comp % | 17 TD | 9 INT | 7.6 YPA | 51.0 QBR

Dalton did a nice job against the Eagles, going 18-of-22 for 204 yards. Plenty of short, efficient passes with some yards after catch.

14

Brock Purdy

Last Week: 18 San Francisco 49ers

2022 stats: 1,196 yards | 66.0 comp % | 10 TD | 4 INT | 8.0 YPA | 67.8 QBR

Purdy might be for real. The Niners are winners of nine straight, and the former seventh-round pick continues to make tight-window, anticipatory throws.

13

Daniel Jones

Last Week: 17 New York Giants

2022 stats: 3,205 yards | 67.2 comp % | 15 TD | 5 INT | 6.8 YPA | 60.4 QBR

Four touchdowns and a playoff berth? Not a bad day, Mr. Jones. He’s making a real case to stick around for Big Blue in 2023.

12

Justin Fields

Last Week: 12 Chicago Bears

2022 stats: 2,242 yards | 60.4 comp % | 17 TD | 11 INT | 7.0 YPA | 53.9 QBR

Let’s be honest about Fields on Sunday. His passing was horrific, going 7-of-21 against the Lions. Running for 132 yards is great, but his top priority this offseason must be more consistency from the pocket.

11

Kirk Cousins

Last Week: 10 Minnesota Vikings

2022 stats: 4,322 yards | 65.3 comp % | 28 TD | 14 INT | 6.9 YPA | 48.9 QBR

Cousins was hideous on Sunday, matching the rest of his teammates. Three interceptions — and there could have been more — in a 41-17 loss to the Packers for a guy who most of the season, has been quite good.

10

Aaron Rodgers

Last Week: 13 Green Bay Packers

2022 stats: 3,490 yards | 64.7 comp % | 25 TD | 11 INT | 6.8 YPA | 39.6 QBR

Rodgers isn’t throwing for a big yardage total, failing to hit 300 yards once. He’s throwing more interceptions than usual, as well. But over the past month, he’s complimenting the offense, making a few great throws every week and understanding Green Bay’s situation.

9

Tom Brady

Last Week: 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2022 stats: 4,610 yards | 66.6 comp % | 24 TD | 9 INT | 6.4 YPA | 51.9 QBR

Brady had his best game of the year on Sunday. Trailing 14-0, the Bucs put on a furious rally behind Brady, who threw for 432 yards and three scores. The old man still has it.

8

Jared Goff

Last Week: 9 Detroit Lions

2022 stats: 4,214 yards | 64.9 comp % | 29 TD | 7 INT | 7.6 YPA | 62.6 QBR

Goff has endured deserved criticism over the years, but he’s putting forth an elite campaign. The Lions are alive in Week 18, and he’s the chief reason.

7

Dak Prescott

Last Week: 7 Dallas Cowboys

2022 stats: 2,732 yards | 69.2 comp % | 22 TD | 14 INT | 7.6 YPA | 63.2 QBR

Prescott needs to eliminate the turnovers. He’s made some tremendous throws, but too many errors. If he plays great, the Cowboys can win the Super Bowl. If he has a two-turnover game, Dallas can be one-and-done.

6

Geno Smith

Last Week: 8 Seattle Seahawks

2022 stats: 4,069 yards | 70.2 comp % | 29 TD | 9 INT | 7.5 YPA | 62.6 QBR

Smith is having a dream campaign. The Seahawks are 8-8 in a season most believed would end with 3-5 wins. He’s a Pro Bowler, and should hit the 30-touchdown mark.

5

Trevor Lawrence

Last Week: 6 Jacksonville Jaguars

2022 stats: 3,901 yards | 66.5 comp % | 24 TD | 8 INT | 7.1 YPA | 55.1 QBR

Lawrence is one win away from capping an unbelievable surge to put Jacksonville in the playoffs. Now, a date with Tennessee on Saturday night.

4

Justin Herbert

Last Week: 5 Los Angeles Chargers

2022 stats: 4,426 yards | 68.3 comp % | 23 TD | 10 INT | 6.8 YPA | 56.8 QBR

Herbert has answered the call from skeptics who believed he was a stat-stuffer and nothing more. In the playoffs, Herbert will have his say.

3

Josh Allen

Last Week: 4 Buffalo Bills

2022 stats: 4,029 yards | 63.4 comp % | 32 TD | 13 INT | 7.5 YPA | 70.6 QBR

For obvious reasons, there’s no movement or analysis of Allen or Burrow this week.

2

Joe Burrow

Last Week: 2 Cincinnati Bengals

2022 stats: 4,260 yards | 69.0 comp % | 34 TD | 12 INT | 7.6 YPA | 61.4 QBR

For obvious reasons, there’s no movement or analysis of Allen or Burrow this week.

1

Patrick Mahomes

Last Week: 1 Kansas City Chiefs

2022 stats: 5,048 yards | 67.0 comp % | 40 TD | 12 INT | 8.1 YPA | 77.8 QBR

Mahomes is the clear MVP. On Sunday, he went over 5,000 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns, doing so for the second time in his career on both counts. He’s the best.