Each Tuesday, Broncos/NFL reporter Mike Klis ranks all the league’s quarterbacks. The rankings will weigh “what have you done for me lately?” as much as what the quarterback has accomplished overall. Here are the rankings after Week 3:
WEEK 3 RANKINGS:
1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (1)
He was Super Bowl MVP last season. And he has arguably the game’s best TE in Jermichael Finley back healthy this year.
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills (6)
The best story in the early season. Overcame a 21-3 halftime deficit to Raiders last week and a 21-0 deficit inside the 2-minute warning of the first half against the Patriots.
3. Matthew Stafford, Lions (4)
Down 20-0 at halftime in a place where team had lost 13 in a row, and he wins? Make no mistake, the league is ushering in a new breed of QBs.
4. Drew Brees, Saints (3)
How does a guy put up 370 yards and 40 points to outduel Matt Schaub, yet fall in the rankings? QBs are a tough group in 2011.
5. Tom Brady, Patriots (2)
He’d be the first to say interceptions mean more than yards, and four picks in defeat deserves a big drop.
6. Joe Flacco, Ravens (13)
Passed for a league-high 389 yards in a road rout of the Rams. Introduced rookie Torrey Smith to NFL households.
7. Matt Schaub, Texans (7)
Did enough to win in New Orleans with 373 yards passing and two fourth-quarter TDs.
8. Eli Manning, Giants (21)
It takes a special QB to lead an injury-riddled team to a win in Philly by throwing four TD passes, including two to someone named Victor Cruz.
9. Tony Romo, Cowboys (8)
He showed up his teammates all night long, but he did show toughness and came through late.
10. Cam Newton, Panthers (6)
Kid Cam is learning: Two 400-yard passing games, four picks and 0-2 is not better than 158 yards passing in a torrential rainstorm with no turnovers and 1-0.
11. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (9)
There can be long stretches where he’s average. And then he’ll do something only Big Ben can do.
12. Jason Campbell, Raiders (24)
Sorry, Matt Hasselbeck, but here is your most underrated QB.
13. Mark Sanchez, Jets (12)
Put up 369 yards passing and another fourth-quarter TD but didn’t have much chance to win against McFadden and Raiders.
14. Matt Hasselbeck, Titans (19)
Chris Johnson can’t get it going and Kenny Britt is done, yet he still beat the Broncos.
15. Philip Rivers, Chargers (15)
Averaged 0.7 interceptions per game in his previous five seasons as a starter. Throwing two picks a game this season.
16. Michael Vick, Eagles (7)
One problem with 6-foot uber athletes at this position is they tend to get hurt.
17. Colt McCoy, Browns (26)
Know how they say Texas players seem a little soft for the NFL? This guy is not soft.
18. Rex Grossman, Redskins (11)
He can wing it, but his lack of mobility doesn’t fit with Shanny’s West Coast.
19. Matt Ryan, Falcons (16)
Two lost fumbles, an interception and 13 points in defeat.
20. Alex Smith, 49ers (25)
Directed two fourth-quarter drives for 10 points in a 13-8 road win at Cincy.
21. Josh Freeman, Bucs (17)
The only winning quarterback in this group who is struggling.
22. Kevin Kolb, Cardinals (10)
Zero points in the second half in a 13-10 loss.
23. Jay Cutler, Bears (22)
He can’t survive without a running game, and Matt Forte’s 2 yards on nine carries is no running game.
24. Kyle Orton, Broncos (18)
Averaged just 4.44 yards per pass attempt against Titans.
25. Tarvaris Jackson, Seahawks (30)
His 11-yard TD run was the difference in the Seahawks’ first win.
26. Sam Bradford, Rams (23)
The toughest QB to evaluate because of how bad his team is, especially up front.
27. Donovan McNabb, Vikings (28)
Has led at halftime in all three games by scores of 17-7, 17-0 and 20-0. And he’s 0-3.
28. Chad Henne, Dolphins (27)
He played well until he got the ball near midfield with 36 seconds left and down a point. Finished with three incompletions and a pick.
29. Andy Dalton, Bengals (20)
A rookie always has two or three rookie games a year. He just had one against 49ers.
30. Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars (30)
Considering he was making his NFL starting debut in an all-game heavy rain, he fared well.
31. Curtis Painter, Colts (NR)
Led a late, game-tying TD drive against Polamalu and the Steelers’ D. Should start ahead of Collins until Peyton returns.
32. Matt Cassel, Chiefs (31)
Much better against Chargers but threw an awful interception in the final minute with a chance to win.
33. Mike Kafka, Eagles (NR)
Threw two picks in tough replacement duty against the Giants. May start ahead of the injured Vick this week against the 49ers.
34. Kerry Collins, Colts (29)
Should have trusted his first instinct that he was done.
