The first half of the NFL season has seen plenty of surprises and disappointments at the quarterback position. Here's a look at how the starters rank following Week 8.
Allen was the seventh pick in the draft, but many didn't think he was ready for the season. However, he was deemed ready after Buffalo got another look at Nathan Peterman. With six games under his belt, Allen has only 6.0 yards per attempt and 2/5 TD/INT. Somehow, the Bills still miss him after turning to Derek Anderson when Allen hurt his elbow.
Rosen saw his first action in Week 3 and has been better than Sam Bradford, though that's not saying much. He has more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five) in six games, completing only 55.6 percent of his passes.
Tannehill returned from a knee injury this season, only to suffer a should injury after five games. While on the field, he threw for only 194.4 yards per game and had five picks in five games. Miami could be looking for a new quarterback after this season.
It wasn't supposed to be this way. Beathard began the season as Jimmy Garoppolo's backup, but a Week 4 injury put Beathard into the lineup. The former Iowa quarterback has improved on last season but has still thrown seven picks in six games and is 0-5 in his starts.
Darnold got off to a great start vs. Detroit, but the Jets are only 2-5 since then. The former USC quarterback is tied for the league lead with 10 interceptions and is averaging just 213.1 yards per game with a 55.2 percent completion rate.
The first overall pick in this year's draft has shown flashes, but he's yet to put up big numbers in the Browns offense. Taking over for Tyrod Taylor, he's completed only 58.3 percent of his passes with 8/6 TD/INT through six games.
It's been another Jekyll and Hyde act for Bortles this year. He was credited with helping beat the Patriots in Week 2 by throwing four touchdowns, but he also has a four interception game at KC and was benched in Week 7. Without Leonard Fournette for most of the first half, Bortles has 10/8 TD/INT and the team has started 3-5.
Manning's supporting cast takes some of the blame, but it hasn't been a pretty start to the year for him. While he's completed a career-high 68.3 percent of his passes in Pat Shurmur's offense, Manning has only 8/6 TD/INT and has been sacked a league-high 31 times in eight games.
The Broncos signed Keenum to fix their quarterback issues. On one hand, he's thrown for 2,110 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games. On the other hand, he has a league-high 10 picks and has thrown at least one in every game this season. That helps explain why the Broncos are 3-5.
The Titans thought a new coaching staff would help Mariota, but it hasn't happened yet. Fighting through an arm injury, he's thrown only three touchdowns in six games. The former Heisman Trophy winner at Oregon is averaging just 171.7 yards passing per game.
Jon Gruden was supposed to fix Carr, but it hasn't happened yet. The Raiders quarterback has completed 72.0 percent of his passes but also has only 10/8 TD/INT in Oakland's 1-6 start to the season. The team's trade of Amari Cooper and injury to Marshawn Lynch doesn't make things easier for Carr.
Smith is nothing if not a regular-season winner, and we are seeing that again this year. Washington is off to a 5-2 start, with Smith throwing for 1,561 yards and 8/2 TD/INT. He's too conservative for many NFL fans, but the team results speak for themselves between San Francisco, Kansas City, and now Washington.
Prescott has predictably seen his numbers decline with the Cowboys losing Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. He's thrown for only 1,417 yards and 8/4 TD/INT in seven games, but he does have 236 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Dallas fans are hopeful the addition of Amari Cooper will be the boost Prescott needs.
The story of the offseason was that first-round pick Lamar Jackson would help light a fire under Flacco. The early results have been better than the last three seasons but only slightly. He's thrown for 2,259 yards and 12 touchdowns in the Ravens 4-4 start.
There have certainly been some dud seasons, but Dalton has been solid overall with 2,102 yards and 17 touchdowns in eight games. He's on pace to surpass his 33 touchdown total from 2013.
FitzMagic had a historic start to his season while standing in for Jameis Winston, with three straight 400-yard games and 15 touchdowns. Of course, as we've seen from Fitzpatrick in the past, he hit a wall and was benched for Winston in Week 4. Winston played himself out of the job in Week 8, and Fitzpatrick nearly led an 18-point comeback against the Bengals late in last Sunday's game. He's regained the starting job and currently ranks fourth in the NFL with a 78.7 QBR.
New Bears head coach Matt Nagy has helped Trubisky, who is ranked eighth in QBR with 15 touchdowns and 1,814 yards in seven games. There have still been some rough edges, like six picks, but he's certainly making progress.
Much was made of the Seahawks' transition to a running offense during the offseason, and Wilson's numbers are down slightly through seven games. However, he's still thrown 16 touchdowns and completed nearly 66 percent of his passes.
There was major concern about the health of Luck's shoulder after he missed all of last season and had multiple surgeries. He had a few poor games early but has really turned it on lately with 18 touchdowns in his last five contests. He's on pace for a career-high 46 touchdowns after throwing 23 through eight games, but he also has eight interceptions.
Stafford had a rough start in Week 1 vs. the Jets but has gotten on track since then. Through seven games, he's completed a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards and 14/6 TD/INT.
Watson looked like a star in his rookie debut before tearing his ACL. It took him longer to get back on track this season, partially due to poor protection by his offensive line, but he threw more touchdowns (five) than incompletions (four) in Week 8. For the year, Watson has 15/7 TD/INT and 2,176 yards in eight games.
The 2015 MVP is still a deadly player with his arm and legs. He's led Carolina to a 5-2 record, completing a career-high 66.4 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns in Norv Turner's offense. He's added 309 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
Minnesota handed Cousins a huge three-year deal in the offseason, but he's played well through eight games. He leads the NFL in completions, completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 2,521 yards and 16/4 TD/INT in eight games.
Big Ben continues to push off father time, putting up big numbers despite the absence of Le'Veon Bell. Through seven games, he's completed 65 percent of his passes and 14/7 TD/INT. He's also on par for the second biggest yardage season of his career.
Wentz was the favorite to win MVP until tearing his ACL late last season. He missed the first two games this year while recovering but has rounded into form recently. With six games played, he's completed 70.7 percent of his passes and 13/2 TD/INT, averaging nearly 300 yards per game.
Ryan regressed last season after winning MVP in 2016, but he's rebounding this year. The Falcons have struggled, but Ryan has numbers nearly on par with those of his MVP campaign. He's completed 71.1 percent of his passes and 15/2 TD/INT in only seven games.
After going 0-7 and looking lost in his rookie season, few would have predicted Goff's quick ascent. He had a good sophomore season and has been even better this year, completing more than 67 percent of his passes with 17/5 TD/INT for an 8-0 team.
Rodgers has been hanging tough despite a knee injury suffered in Week 1 and a bevy of injuries to his receivers. He's already led miraculous comebacks against the Bears and 49ers this season and has an impressive 13/1 TD/INT.
Rivers is another oldie but goodie, on pace for a career year at age 37. The Chargers signal-caller has 17/3 TD/INT in seven games, also throwing for more than 2,000 yards. He ranks behind only Mahomes and Brees in QBR.
Brady struggled without Julian Edelman early in the year, but he's managed to bounce back just fine. Through Week 7, he completed 68 percent of his passes with 16 touchdowns. The reigning MVP is hoping for a big second half with Edelman, Josh Gordon and Rob Gronkowski on the field.
After what looked like a down year in 2017, according to Brees' standards, he has returned to dominating this year. He's led New Orleans to a 6-1 record and has an unbelievable 77.4 completion rate with 14/1 TD/INT. He also set the career passing yardage record earlier this season. If Mahomes falters in the second half, Brees is waiting in the wings as a possible MVP.
The surprise front-runner for MVP, Mahomes leads the league in QBR, passing yards and passing touchdowns through Week 8. Do his outstanding weapons have something to do with the astronomical production? Sure, but Mahomes has still taken the league by storm with his incredible play.
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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