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An updated ranking of all 32 starting NFL QBs
Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Images

An updated ranking of all 32 starting NFL QBs

It's been another year of great -- and not so great -- quarterback play in 2021. Here's a look at how the quarterbacks have performed in the first half of the season.

 
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1. Kyler Murray, Cardinals

Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Murray has missed a few games with an ankle injury, and his importance to the team was highlighted in Arizona's Week 10 blowout loss to Carolina. He leads the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt while still showing off his wheels with 147 yards rushing and three touchdowns in eight games. The Cardinals remain in the Super Bowl conversation because of Murray's potential.

 
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2. Tom Brady, Buccaneers

Tom Brady, Buccaneers
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

Could Brady win a fourth league MVP at age 44? It's not out of the question. He leads the league with 27 touchdown passes through Week 10, and also leads the league in passing yards per game. Of course, Brady's elite weapons have something to do with his production, but he's managed without Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski for much of the year.

 
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3. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Dallas is back in contention with the return of Prescott from a major ankle injury last year. He's on pace for a career year despite missing one game, with a career-high 69.6% completion rate along with 20 touchdown passes and a 103.9 QB Rating.

 
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4. Matthew Stafford, Rams

Matthew Stafford, Rams
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Stafford leads the NFL in passing yards through Week 10, making easy work of his transition to LA. He also leads the league in QBR, though back-to-back poor games and the loss of Robert Woods to a knee injury have created some challenges.

 
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5. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports Images

No player is more important to his team than Jackson, who has led the Ravens to a 6-3 start despite numerous injuries on offense. He's on pace to easily set a career-high in passing yards, and will also reach 1,000 rushing yards for the third season if he keeps his current pace.

 
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6. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Rodgers hasn't put up gaudy numbers this season, but he's still playing at a high level. Green Bay is 8-2 with Rodgers under center, and his Passer Rating is above 100 for the 10th time in his career.

 
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7. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

It's all come easy for Mahomes in his NFL career until this season, as he's already thrown 11 interceptions in 11 games. Mahomes has still played well overall with over 3,000 yards passing and 25 touchdowns, and the Chiefs offense has recently shown flashes of turning their season around.

 
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8. Josh Allen, Bills

Josh Allen, Bills
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

Allen has shown his breakout 2020 season wasn't a fluke, with over 2,800 yards passing and 21/8 TD/INT through nine games. The Bills have a chance to make even more noise in the AFC this season, and Allen's continued strong play is a big reason.

 
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9. Justin Herbert, Chargers

Justin Herbert, Chargers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers hit the jackpot when they drafted Herbert last season. He's continued his strong play with over 2,900 yards passing and 22 touchdowns in 10 games, though LA's season has floundered recently.

 
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10. Derek Carr, Raiders

Derek Carr, Raiders
Robert Deutsch / USA Today Sports Images

Carr is having another big year with a career-high 8.1 yards per attempt and 16 touchdowns in nine games. However, he's had some recent struggles following the firing of Jon Gruden and the release of Henry Ruggs.

 
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11. Carson Wentz, Colts

Carson Wentz, Colts
Robert Scheer / USA Today Sports Images

For all the frustration that Wentz creates with his fanbase, his early Colts numbers look excellent. In particular, he has an outstanding 18/3 TD/INT and 97.2 QB Rating. Still, the team has started the season only 6-5, as Wentz hasn't produced many big offensive games as the Colts lean on running back Jonathan Taylor.

 
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12. Kirk Cousins, Vikings

Kirk Cousins, Vikings
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Minnesota is facing their second consecutive season of routine heartbreaking defeats, though Cousins has been uber-efficient in the process. He has the best interception rate in the NFL, throwing only two picks in nine games, and he also has 18 touchdown passes. Some of Cousins' throws could have been better, but the team's slow start can hardly be put on his shoulders.

 
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13. Ryan Tannehill, Titans

Ryan Tannehill, Titans
Steve Roberts / USA Today Sports Images

Tannehill has been mostly efficient again this season, even dealing with major injuries around him. Julio Jones has been banged up for much of the year, and now the team is dealing with the absence of Derrick Henry. Tennessee has still started the season 8-3, as he's averaged a solid 7.3 yards per pass attempt with 13 touchdown passes and five scores on the ground.

 
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14. Mac Jones, Patriots

Mac Jones, Patriots
Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports Images

Jones is exceeding all expectations in his rookie season, completing 69% of his passes with an excellent 94.1 QB Rating. The Patriots have sped up their return to contention in large part due to Jones' efficient play.

 
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15. Matt Ryan, Falcons

Matt Ryan, Falcons
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

As expected, Ryan's numbers have declined this season after the Falcons traded Julio Jones, and he's also dealt with the absence of Calvin Ridley. The veteran quarterback has still made due, completing nearly 68% of his passes with 15 touchdowns in nine games to keep Atlanta in contention.

 
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16. Joe Burrow, Bengals

Joe Burrow, Bengals
Katie Stratman / USA Today Sports Images

Burrow has shined in his return from a serious knee injury with nearly 2,600 yards passing and 21 touchdowns, routinely finding former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase on deep passes. Unfortunately, Burrow has also made some questionable decisions, and leads the NFL with 11 picks.

 
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17. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Jimmy G continues to frustrate, showing the efficiency required of a playoff quarterback at times but lacking many big throws. Despite the struggles, he has an impressive 8.3 yards per pass attempt and a solid 12/5 TD/INT in eight games.

 
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18. Russell Wilson, Seahawks

Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Benny Sieu / USA Today Sports Images

Wilson missed time for the first time in his NFL career, suffering a finger injury in Week 5. While he's performed well when he has played, the Seahawks are only 2-5 in Wilson's seven starts. He could help right the ship if his 8.2 yards per attempt continues.

 
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19. Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos

Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Bridgewater was added by the Broncos for more stability at the quarterback position than Drew Lock could provide. He's managed that, leading the Broncos to a 5-5 record with 14/5 TD/INT. Still, the offense has been far from explosive with Bridgewater under center, especially considering the impressive weapons around him.

 
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20. Baker Mayfield, Browns

Baker Mayfield, Browns
Brian Fluharty / USA Today Sports Images

Playing through a major left shoulder injury, Mayfield's 2021 season has been a disappointment so far. He's averaging a career-low 217 yards passing per game and has also been sacked routinely. The hope is that better health for the Browns offense down the stretch could get Mayfield out of his funk.

 
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21. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Tagovailoa was often injured while in college at Alabama, and little has changed in the NFL. He's played only six games this season, and the Dolphins are only 2-4 in his starts. On the plus side, Tagovailoa does have a solid 58.0 QBR, but Miami is relying on improvement during the second half of the season.

 
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22. Jalen Hurts, Eagles

Jalen Hurts, Eagles
David Reginek / USA Today Sports Images

The jury is still out on Hurts as a starter in his second NFL season. He's done a lot of good things, including 13 touchdown passes and 618 yards rushing, but top defenses have managed to completely shut down Hurts and the Eagles offense. The sub-par 61.6% completion rate needs improvement.

 
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23. Daniel Jones, Giants

Daniel Jones, Giants
Robert Deutsch / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants loaded up with offensive weapons in the offseason, though injuries have hurt their plans. As a result, Jones has made very little progress in his third NFL season, with only 8/5 TD/INT in nine games. He also continues to have issues with fumbles, with seven in nine games.

 
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24. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

This isn't the Big Ben of old, but his value to the Steelers was on full display in Week 10 when the team tied the lowly Lions with Roethlisberger out of the lineup. He has been efficient while the Steelers transition to a more run-heavy offense with 13/4 TD/INT, though Roethlisberger's 6.6 yards per pass attempt in spite of great receiving weapons won't get the job done.

 
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25. Taylor Heinicke, Washington

Taylor Heinicke, Washington
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Washington wasn't planning to start Heinicke this season, but Ryan Fitzpatrick's Week 1 hip injury thrust him into the lineup. He's played like an above-average backup, averaging 239 yards passing per game with 15 touchdowns, but also throwing an ugly nine interceptions.

 
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26. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

The first overall pick in the draft has seen his ups and downs with a developing team around him. Lawrence's 8/9 TD/INT in 10 games is ugly, but he's continuously shown signs of his elite athleticism and cannon arm.

 
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27. Justin Fields, Bears

Justin Fields, Bears
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Fields clearly wasn't ready when the Bears put him in the lineup early in the year, but he's made measurable progress. His Week 9 showing was his beat with 291 yards passing and 45 yards rushing against an elite Steelers defense, though Fields needs to do a better job protecting the ball with eight picks already.

 
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28. Tyrod Taylor, Texans

Tyrod Taylor, Texans
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

A hamstring injury has sidelined Taylor for most of the season, and he's struggled in the four games he has played. Taylor has three picks and only 191 yards passing per game, though the team has mostly been improved with him under center compared to rookie Davis Mills.

 
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29. Jared Goff, Lions

Jared Goff, Lions
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit's struggles can't all be put on Goff, with an unimpressive set of weapons around him. Still, he hasn't done much to help himself in the team's 0-8-1 start, with a pitiful 27.3 QBR and 6.3 yards per attempt. The Lions would be well-advised to keep looking for their long-term quarterback after this season.

 
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30. Trevor Siemian, Saints

Trevor Siemian, Saints
Steve Roberts / USA Today Sports Images

Siemian entered the season as the Saints' third quarterback, but Jameis Winston's knee injury and Taysom Hill's concussion have moved him to the starting role. He's struggled to execute the Saints offense with a terrible 56.9% completion rate, but Siemian has also thrown 8/2 TD/INT. New Orleans is only asking Siemian to keep them in games, and he's obliged so far.

 
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31. Sam Darnold, Panthers

Sam Darnold, Panthers
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Darnold's season should be over following a shoulder injury, and Panthers fans have seen enough. The former Jets bust has been similarly bad in Carolina after a nice start, failing to complete 60% of his passes with a league-high 11 interceptions.

 
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32. Zach Wilson, Jets

Zach Wilson, Jets
George Walker IV / USA Today Sports Images

Wilson has recently been out of the Jets lineup due to injury, and it's unclear if he will get another chance in 2021. The overmatched rookie completed only 57.5% of his passes with nine interceptions over his first six games.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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