A few of the top quarterbacks were on a bye during Week 7, but our No. 1 QB Tom Brady had no problem taking center stage. Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer and Drew Brees continued their season-long success tour on opposing secondaries. And Derek Carr shot up the charts with his dominant performance at San Diego.
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1. Tom Brady, Patriots (1)
Brady was responsible for 99.7 percent of the team’s yards on offense Sunday, including leading the team in rushing. He has 16 touchdowns and one interception through six games.
2. Andy Dalton, Bengals (2)
Bye week, status quo.
3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (3)
See Dalton above.
Tier II
4. Philip Rivers, Chargers (4)
Somebody get Rivers out of San Diego. He’s playing at a Pro Bowl level, but his team is 2-5. Rivers threw for more than 325 yards and at least two TDs in each of the last three games. He’s the NFL’s leading passer by more than 400 yards.
5. Carson Palmer, Cardinals (8)
If Palmer stays healthy, it’s hard to see him not winning Comeback Player of the Year. He’s completed more than 65 percent of his passes on the season throwing 16 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
6. Drew Brees, Saints (6)
Brees is racking up yards like he always has done. He’s thrown for more than 250 yards in every game this season and more than 300 yards in four of six games.
Tier III
7. Derek Carr, Raiders (9)
Little brother Carr is next. Matter of fact, David Carr will soon be recognized solely as Derek’s big brother. Derek shredded San Diego for 289 passing yards and three touchdowns.
8. Cam Newton, Panthers (5)
Newton drops down the list because of three interceptions, but they were some of the flukiest picks I’ve ever seen. In other words, Newton had one of the best three-pick games a QB can have.
9. Matt Ryan, Falcons (7)
Not Ryan’s best effort but when the Falcons needed a play, he made one. The Ryan-to-Julio Jones connection is still envied by nearly every QB in the league.
Pick 6:
10. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (NR)
Tannelhill set a NFL record with 25 straight completions spanning over two weeks. He finished Sunday’s game 18-for-19 for 282 passing yards, four TDs and no interceptions.
Peyton Manning Watch (25)
Bye week, status quo. He’ll have a chance to work his way back up the list against Green Bay Sunday night.
Caught my eye: Jameis Winston, Buccaneers/Kirk Cousins, Washington
Before Sunday, the matchup between Winston and Cousins would have been the early favorite for most combined interceptions. Instead, both turned in great efforts. Winston threw for 297 yards, completed 72 percent of his passes and had two passing touchdowns with no interceptions. Cousins threw for over 300 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a comeback victory. These two guys who have made an appearance in my next category deserve props. Plus, Cousins did
Bringing up the rear: Matt Cassel, Cowboys
Just when you think Brandon Weeden is as bad as it gets, Cassel two-stepped on the field. Three interceptions cost Dallas the chance to rob a mediocre Giants team of a win. It’s hard to see the Cowboys winning a game before Tony Romo comes back.
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Fell out of the rankings: Andrew Luck (10)
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
