Week 12 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Top AFC Star Breaks Into Top Three

32. Zach Wilson, New York Jets (28)

Things might have finally struck midnight (again) for Wilson.

On Sunday, Wilson was awful. Yes, the offensive line can’t block. Yes, the receivers are bad beyond Garrett Wilson. Nobody would argue this. And yet Wilson is unplayable.

Against the Bills, Wilson was 7-of-15 for 81 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Jets scored six points. Over the last four games, New York has scored no more than 13 points, which is the main reason for its current three-game skid.

While nobody is rushing out to buy Tim Boyle jerseys, the backup at least represents an effort to turn things around. Playing Wilson is a surrender, and at 4–6, the Jets can’t retreat any longer.

25. Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (27)

The Raiders are doing the right thing by playing O’Connell, who has overseen a pair of wins over the Giants and Jets. After all, Las Vegas is about the future—if the present has a few setbacks, fair enough.

But O’Connell has to show he’s worth the investment. The rookie struggled mightily against the Jets, throwing for 153 yards with a touchdown and interception. Then, in a 20–13 loss to the Dolphins, the 25-year-old rookie threw three picks despite benefitting from three Miami turnovers as well.

At 5–6, the Raiders are hanging onto the edge of the playoff picture with a home game coming against the Chiefs, who rank top three in a litany of defensive categories. O’Connell will need to play his best game yet to have much of a chance.

22. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (N/A)

Fields returned Sunday to face the Lions after missing a month with a right thumb injury. For a while, it appeared Fields was going to lead an upset win at Ford Field, throwing for 169 yards on 7.3 YPA with a touchdown, while rushing for 104 yards as well.

Then, the fourth quarter came, and the Bears watched a 26–14 lead evaporate due to 17 unanswered points in the final five minutes.

Still, strictly evaluating Fields, he played well. We saw the quarterback’s dual-threat ability as he consistently caused problems with his legs, while also finding gaps in Detroit’s secondary. 

Over the next six games, the Bears are going to be figuring out whether Fields is the future. If he has six more days like Sunday, the decision won’t be a slam dunk.

19. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (21)

Love started the season hot with six touchdowns and zero interceptions in Green Bay’s first two games. After that, things got ugly. The Packers went 2–5 while Love threw only eight touchdowns with 10 picks.

Sunday was perhaps a turning point. Green Bay needed Love to drive the length of the field in the final minutes, and the quarterback delivered, leading his team to a 23–20 victory over the Chargers. He threw for 322 yards, the first time he’s eclipsed 300 yards in the NFL. Love also threw for two scores and avoided any turnovers.

At 4–6, Green Bay is unlikely to find its way into the postseason, but if Love can build off Sunday's performance—albeit against a truly awful Los Angeles defense—then maybe the Packers shouldn’t be counted out just yet. 

14. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (13)

Smith has been uneven this season. If the Seahawks are going to make a push for the NFC West crown, they need the Pro Bowl version of him from a year ago.

On Sunday, Smith was merely solid against the Rams, throwing for 233 yards (6.9 YPA) and a touchdown while fighting through a right elbow injury. He has 12 touchdown passes against seven interceptions on the year.

In their next four games, the Seahawks will see the 49ers twice, along with the Eagles and Cowboys. Seattle has the talent to keep pace, especially on the outside with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But it’s irrelevant if Smith isn’t both healthy and at his best.

The good news? Smith can do it. This season, he’s thrown for 300 yards on three occasions, including a wild 37–31 win on the road over the 8–2 Lions. 

11. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (15)

Purdy’s season has been a rollercoaster. After going undefeated in his five regular season starts last year, the 2022 seventh-round pick started this campaign 5–0 while drawing whispers of MVP talk.

Then, it all fell apart. Purdy threw five interceptions in three straight losses. Yet in wins over the Jaguars and Buccaneers over the past two weeks, Purdy has been fantastic, throwing for 629 yards and six touchdowns while averaging an obscene 12.3 yards per attempt.

As always, there’s an underlying reality with Purdy and the 49ers. When they can play from out in front—as they have exclusively the past two weeks—they’re a different team than when opponents know the pass is coming.

If San Francisco can continue setting the tone, Purdy will keep lighting teams up.

5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (7)

Herbert is more polarizing than maybe any other top-tier quarterback.

In one camp, there’s the notion that Herbert is rarely (if ever) at fault for the Chargers’ issues, with the blame being heaped onto Brandon Staley, the horrid defense or a leaky offensive line. On the other hand, there’s the argument that Herbert wilts in big moments. He can’t find a way to win games, something the best quarterbacks should be able to consistently do.

Frankly, both are right. Herbert has put up excellent numbers this year with 2,609 passing yards and 19 touchdowns against five interceptions. On Sunday in Green Bay, Herbert posted an 82.9 QBR and led the Chargers with 73 rushing yards. Yet in the end—largely due to an inexcusable Quinton Johnston drop—Herbert and Los Angeles fell short.

However, Sunday was more about the Chargers and their inability to find ways to win … or perhaps their constant ability to find ways to lose.

3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (3)

Jackson led the Ravens to their biggest win of the year Thursday night, putting them in prime position to pull away in the AFC North.

Averaging 10.2 yards per attempt, Jackson sliced up Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s complex scheme, throwing for 264 yards while rushing for 51 more, plus accounting for two touchdowns.

On the season, Jackson has 17 total touchdowns with seven turnovers, helping Baltimore to an 8–3 start.

The Ravens have plenty of marquee matchups remaining down the stretch to highlight Jackson’s MVP case as well, with important tilts against the Jaguars, Dolphins and 49ers up ahead.