Phillip Rivers and Tom Brady are on pace to surpass 5,000 yards on the season. It only makes sense that they are playing as well as any other quarterbacks in the NFL.
Derek Carr is the only QB under 25 on the list. The second-year Raiders’ QB is playing like a 10-year veteran.
Tier I
1. Tom Brady, Patriots (Last week: 1)
It must be nice to be on top. Brady’s Patriots have seemingly cruised for every win this season. His stat line: 2,709 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (3)
Rodgers was stymied by a tough defense for the second straight week. His fourth-quarter comeback helped him finish with more than 350 yards and four TDs. It also nearly erased a big deficit, but a red zone interception ended the threat.
Tier II
3. Philip Rivers, Chargers (2)
Rivers is the first QB to cross the 3,000-yard threshold this season. It is his 10th year to achieve that feat. He’s doing it behind a poor offensive line with dwindling receiving threats.
4. Andy Dalton, Bengals (5)
Dalton’s consistency is remarkable. He’s completed more than 60 percent of his passes in every game this season. He also has 18 TDs and only four interceptions.
5. Drew Brees, Saints (4)
Even at 36, Brees is at the top of his game. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in six of his eight games this season. He threw for 255 yards in the other two.
6. Derek Carr, Raiders (7)
Carr and Dalton have had two of the biggest jumps in QB play this season. Carr has 19 TDs and three interceptions this season.
7. Carson Palmer, Cardinals (6)
Bye week for Palmer. Big division game versus Seattle looms.
Tier III
8. Cam Newton, Panthers (10)
Newton is carrying his team to an undefeated record. His numbers won’t tell the story, but his play makes him an MVP candidate.
9. Matt Ryan, Falcons (9)
Ryan’s numbers look right. He’s thrown for over 250 yards in every game this season, but his coach doesn’t trust him at the end of the game.
10. Eli Manning, Giants (8)
Little brother Manning is on pace for a career-high 34 TDs with just 11 interceptions, which would be his second-lowest career total as a 16-game starter.
Peyton Manning Watch (21)
The interceptions … make them stop. Manning’s 13 picks are the most in the league.
Caught my eye: Marcus Mariota, Titans (12)
Mariota is the second player in the NFL history to throw for 350-plus yards, 4 TDs and zero interceptions.
Bringing up the rear: Nick Foles, Rams
The Rams have a playoff running back in Todd Gurley, a playoff defense, but a lack of a playoff QB will prevent them from making it there.
cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
