Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman soars while Baltimore’s Joe Flacco bottoms out in the Tuesday Morning QB rankings entering Week 8, according to Denver Post NFL reporter Mike Klis:
1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (1)
There is the league’s best quarterback. There is the league’s hottest quarterback. And there is the best quarterback who is also the hottest. Rodgers is hot and it’s something to behold. His last two games: 54 of 74 (73.0 percent), 680 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs, 2-0 record.
2. Drew Brees, Saints (9)
Nobody piles up the passing yards like this guy. Carried the Saints to two straight wins by throwing for combined 747 yards and 8 TDs. Brings his aerial show to Denver this Sunday night.
3. Peyton Manning, Broncos (2)
Bye week. Meets Drew Brees in Super Bowl 44 quarterback rematch Sunday night at Sports Authority Field.
4. Eli Manning, Giants (3)
Had a rough go against the Redskins’ defense as with 1:32 remaining, he was down 23-20, with ball at his own 23. At that point he had 0 TDs and 2 picks. Inexplicably, Redskins defense allowed Eli to hit Victor Cruz on a deep ball for a 77-yard, game-winning TD.
5. Tom Brady, Patriots (4)
Played an efficient, mistake-free game, but once again his team struggled with a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
6. Matt Ryan, Falcons (5)
Bye week. Tough one at Philly against new Eagles defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Sunday.
7. Robert Griffin III, Redskins (6)
More consistent and productive than Michael Vick in his prime. Completed 20-of-28 for 254 yards and 2 TDs against Giants, and rushed for 89 yards on nine carries. A fantasy stud.
8. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (11)
Ho hum: Helped the Steelers convert 10-of-16 third downs in huge, hard-fought win at Cincinnati. Might be the league’s No. 1 winning quarterback who doesn’t have the stats of the so-called “elite.”
9. Matt Schaub, Texans (12)
He’s good. Maybe not great, but real good. In showdown against Ravens, he outplayed Joe Flacco in a rout. Completed 23-of-37 for 256 yards, two TDs and no mistakes.
10. Jay Cutler, Bears (9)
Who’d a thought Jay Cutler would become a conservative, game-managing quarterback for a team oriented around its defense and running game? Only completed 16-of-31 for 150 yards and took five sacks in 13-7 win against Lions.
11. Josh Freeman, Bucs (22)
Had the best game of his career, throwing for 420 yards and 3 TDs against the woeful Saints defense. Freeman and former Widefield and Northern Colorado star Vincent Jackson are becoming one of the league’s best quarterback-receiver combinations.
12. Tony Romo, Cowboys (15)
Earned his 50th career win in a rough, tough game at Carolina. Has any quarterback received more flak on his way to the milestone? Had an unspectacular, steady performance, completing 24-of-34 for 227 yards.
13. Matt Hasselbeck, Titans (23)
At 37, he’s become the quintessential dunk-and-dink, between-the-hashes thrower. But he’s good at it. Running back Chris Johnson did most of the work in 35-34 win at Buffalo, but Hasselbeck came through on fourth-and-9 with 1:03 remaining to throw game-winning TD pass.
14. Alex Smith, 49ers (19)
It’s hardly a secret: The 49ers may have the best team but they are far from having the best quarterback. Smith has struggled in past two games, averaging 170 yards and two picks.
15. Matthew Stafford, Lions (14)
Doesn’t know what to do now that opponents are taking away Calvin Johnson. Threw 41 TD passes against 16 interceptions last year. Has just five TDs and six picks through six games this year.
16. Cam Newton, Panthers (17)
Rushed for 64 yards on six carries and threw for 233 yards but misfortune on late fourth-and-1 play led to fourth consecutive defeat and firing of GM Marty Hurney. The big money paid to and small production from running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart remains one of the league’s biggest mysteries.
17. Michael Vick, Eagles (31)
Entered the bye week officially on the hot seat. He’ll have to give his former Falcons their first loss Sunday or it could get real spiteful in the City of Brotherly Love.
18. Mark Sanchez, Jets (24)
Got to give him credit for holding strong against Tebow threat. Nearly pulled off an improbable comeback from 23-10, fourth-quarter deficit at New England.
19. Andrew Luck, Colts (26)
After his poor game against the Jets the previous week, was given a “game manager” game plan against the Browns. Did nothing special but didn’t make mistakes in 17-13 win.
20. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (13)
Bye week. Plays AFC East rival New York Jets in New Jersey on Sunday.
21. Christian Ponder, Vikings (16)
Awful in home win against Arizona, completing just 8-of-17 for 58 yards with two interceptions. That’s a 35.5 rating when 0-for-10 is 39.6.
22. Andy Dalton, Bengals (18)
Has not been playing well. Had terrible interception late in first half that gave the Steelers 8 points – the difference in a 24-17 home loss. Passed for only 105 yards in third consecutive defeat. His 10 interceptions are tied for the league-most with rookie Brandon Weeden.
23. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills (20)
Was having a great game vs. Tennessee until he threw a game-losing interception. Was 27-of-35 with three TD passes, but threw a pick at midfield while trying to protect 34-28 lead and three minutes remaining, setting up Titans’ winning score.
24. Carson Palmer, Raiders (25)
Ran for one TD, threw for another in leading comeback from 20-6, third-quarter deficit against hapless Jags. Ranks 8th in league with 289 passing yards a game.
25. Philip Rivers, Chargers (33)
Took second-half meltdown against Broncos into bye week. Hopes to regroup against improved Browns in Cleveland on Sunday.
26. Brandon Weeden, Browns (27)
Might be the quarterback who has shown the most improvement since week 1. Completed 25-of-41 for 264 yards, two TDs, 0 picks in rookie showdown with Andrew Luck.
27. Sam Bradford, Rams (21)
Early fourth-and-2 incompletion at Green Bay 14 essentially killed chance of home upset. Played solid, but he’s just not making enough plays. Has seven TDs against six picks this year after going six and six in those categories last year.
28. Brady Quinn, Chiefs (29)
Bye week. Got the nod over Matt Cassel to start the AFC West game Sunday against the Raiders.
29. Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars (30)
Was playing well at Oakland for a quarter, as he was 8-of-12 with a 42-yard TD pass to Cecil Shorts, but then suffered left shoulder injury early in second quarter.
30. John Skelton, Cardinals (32)
His pick six was the difference in a 21-14 loss at Minnesota. Had nice stats otherwise (25 of 36, 262 yards).
31. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (7)
Was brutal against rugged 49ers defense, completing 9-of-23 for 122 yards in 13-6 loss.
32. Chad Henne, Jaguars (N/R)
Was a rusty 9-of-20 for 71 yards while spelling injured Blaine Gabbert. Ineffectiveness helped turn 17-3 lead into 26-23 overtime loss.
33. Joe Flacco, Ravens (12)
With Ray Lewis down, it was time for Flacco to take ownership of the team. Especially since he says he’s the best. First test was AFC showdown in Houston and Flacco played poorly, throwing pick six and completing just 21-of-43 for 147 yards in 43-13 beating.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055, mklis@denverpost.com or
