NFL quarterback rankings, Week 2: Kyler Murray dazzles
After Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season, we see Aaron Rodgers struggling while young guns soar in Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts.
Our 2021 FanSided NFL quarterback rankings go live each Tuesday morning throughout the regular season, and we use a sliding scale incorporating current and past performances, with the former meaning more as the year goes on.
Washington Football Team. Pick Analysis. QB. Taylor Heinicke. 32. player. 58. Scouting Report
2021 stats: 122 yards | 73.3 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 8.1 YPA | 38.2 QBR
LW: NA
Without Ryan Fitzpatrick, it’s all on Washington’s defense. At best, Heinicke is a game-manager who can keep the boat floating. At worst, he’ll inspire a ton of Cam Newton rumors.
57. Chicago Bears. 31. Andy Dalton. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB
2021 stats: 206 yards | 71.0 comp % | 0 TD | 1 INT | 5.4 YPA | 35.0 QBR
LW: 31
Enough already. Just play Justin Fields.
Scouting Report. player. Pick Analysis. QB. New York Jets. Zach Wilson. 30. 30
2021 stats: 258 yards | 54.1 comp % | 2 TD | 1 INT | 7.0 YPA | 28.6 QBR
LW: 29
Wilson has no chance behind New York’s offensive line. The Jets have provided him with no infrastructure. Next up? Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
QB. Tyrod Taylor. 29. 10. Scouting Report. Houston Texans. player. Pick Analysis
2021 stats: 291 yards | 63.6 comp % | 2 TD | 0 INT | 8.8 YPA | 76.2 QBR
LW: 32
Taylor has always been a serviceable starter who is best-served as a high-end backup. On Sunday, he lit up the Jaguars in a landslide victory. Good for him.
Pick Analysis. QB. 31. Scouting Report. Daniel Jones. 28. player. New York Giants
2021 stats: 267 yards | 59.5 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 7.2 YPA | 49.1 QBR
LW: 27
Jones didn’t make any huge mistakes in the air, but he fumbled and doesn’t elevate the Giants’ offense. Come Thursday, he faces another fierce pass rush in the nation’s capital.
Trevor Lawrence. 27. Scouting Report. QB. Jacksonville Jaguars. player. 52. Pick Analysis
2021 stats: 332 yards | 54.9 comp % | 3 TD | 3 INT | 6.5 YPA | 14.2 QBR
LW: 22
Lawrence was bad in his first start, but when your coach doesn’t call a run until the second quarter and the deficit is quickly growing, that’s going to happen. Lawrence made some great throws, he also made some awful ones.
Carolina Panthers. Sam Darnold. 26. 87. Pick Analysis. Scouting Report. QB. player
2021 stats: 279 yards | 68.6 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 8.0 YPA | 47.2 QBR
LW: 30
Darnold played reasonably well for the Panthers in their win over the Jets. Carolina should be encouraged as the No. 3 overall pick hit some nice throws when he had time.
player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Carson Wentz. 46. Indianapolis Colts. 25
2021 stats: 251 yards | 65.8 comp % | 2 TD | 0 INT | 6.6 YPA | 26.3 QBR
LW: 24
The Colts’ offensive line was a train wreck against the Seahawks, and Wentz struggled to make big plays under such constraints. Indy isn’t going to win with such poor play up front, as Wentz needs ideal conditions to beat top teams.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. New Orleans Saints. player. 15. Jameis Winston. 24
2021 stats: 148 yards | 70.0 comp % | 5 TD | 0 INT | 7.4 YPA | 92.5 QBR
LW: 26
Winston wasn’t asked to do much, which is perfect. He made some nice throws, ran a bit and didn’t turn the ball over. If the Saints get that from under center, it’s a huge win.
Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Hurts. 23. player. 54. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB
2021 stats: 264 yards | 77.1 comp % | 3 TD | 0 INT | 7.5 YPA | 72.9 QBR
LW: 28
Whoa, look at Hurts. The Eagles routed the Falcons, 32-6, and the young gun in Philadelphia accounted for more than 300 total yards. This week, the Eagles host the 49ers. If Hurts lights up that defense, we’re really talking.
Scouting Report. QB. Denver Broncos. 22. Pick Analysis. Teddy Bridgewater. player. 45
2021 stats: 264 yards | 77.8 comp % | 2 TD | 0 INT | 7.3 YPA | 95.7 QBR
LW: 25
Very economical game against a good defense by Bridgewater in Denver’s win. This is why the Broncos went with him over Drew Lock. No mistakes, smart decisions.
Pick Analysis. QB. Mac Jones. 21. player. 47. Scouting Report. New England Patriots
2021 stats: 281 yards | 74.4 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 7.2 YPA | 75.1 QBR
LW: 23
Jones was exactly what we thought he was (RIP Dennis Green). The Alabama product was accurate, made the correct throws and didn’t put the ball in harm’s way. Let’s see if he can beat the Jets this weekend.
QB. Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 20. player. 55
2021 stats: 188 yards | 56.3 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 5.9 YPA | 28.6 QBR
LW: 16
Roethlisberger looked washed up last year. His arm didn’t have zip, he can’t move and he’s playing behind a bad offensive line. In Week 1, more of the same.
Pick Analysis. QB. Detroit Lions. 19. player. Scouting Report. Jared Goff. 50
2021 stats: 338 yards | 66.7 comp % | 3 TD | 1 INT | 5.9 YPA | 24.9 QBR
LW: 19
Goff almost led a ridiculous comeback but fell 25 yards short. It’s hard to crush Goff who is playing with no talent around him. He’s an average quarterback who can win with the right circumstances.
59. Scouting Report. QB. Tua Tagovailoa. player. Pick Analysis. Miami Dolphins. 18
2021 stats: 202 yards | 59.3 comp % | 1 TD | 1 INT | 7.5 YPA | 39.9 QBR
LW: 21
Tagovailoa is under plenty of pressure, and he played a decent game to nip the Patriots, 17-16. The stats aren’t eye-popping, but the Dolphins should be encouraged.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Minnesota Vikings. 60. QB. Kirk Cousins. 17. player
2021 stats: 351 yards | 73.5 comp % | 2 TD | 0 INT | 7.2 YPA | 46.7 QBR
LW: 15
Cousins appears destined to remain forever maddening. The Vikings fell behind Cincinnati 21-7, rallied, and then didn’t score on two overtime drives. If you’re an elite quarterback — who has elite weapons — you must make something happen.
42. QB. San Francisco 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo. 16. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player
2021 stats: 314 yards | 68.0 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 12.6 YPA | 74.6 QBR
LW: 18
Garoppolo didn’t throw much but made the most of his afternoon, evidenced by the 12.6 YPA. If he can stay healthy, the Niners are a Super Bowl threat. Garoppolo is essentially Alex Smith.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. QB. Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan. 15. 44
2021 stats: 164 yards | 60.0 comp % | 0 TD | 0 INT | 4.7 YPA | 17.6 QBR
LW: 11
Brutal day for Ryan and the Falcons, who got clobbered 32-6 by the Eagles. The offensive line fell apart, Ryan didn’t find many open receivers and Atlanta continued to struggle in the red zone.
player. Scouting Report. QB. Joe Burrow. 56. Pick Analysis. Cincinnati Bengals. 14
2021 stats: 261 yards | 74.1 comp % | 2 TD | 0 INT | 9.7 YPA | 60.3 QBR
LW: 17
After playing only three snaps in the preseason, there was talk about how Burrow would fare in Week 1. The answer? Just fine. The LSU product found former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase for a 50-yard touchdown and played tough in the pocket, earning a narrow win.
Pick Analysis. Ryan Tannehill. 13. player. 35. Scouting Report. QB. Tennessee Titans
2021 stats: 212 yards | 60.0 comp % | 1 TD | 1 INT | 6.1 YPA | 17.6 QBR
LW: 8
The Titans called two play-action passes, couldn’t run the ball and didn’t protect at all. Tannehill needs a good environment. He didn’t have one Sunday.
Pick Analysis. Derek Carr. Las Vegas Raiders. 12. player. 28. Scouting Report. QB
2021 stats: 435 yards | 60.7 comp % | 2 TD | 1 INT | 7.8 YPA | 52.8 QBR
LW: 13
Carr was hideous early but came on throughout the second half and overtime, bringing the Raiders down time and again. Nee job to defeat all the Cover 0 blitzes.
Pick Analysis. player. 53. Scouting Report. QB. Cleveland Browns. Baker Mayfield. 11
2021 stats: 321 yards | 75.0 comp % | 0 TD | 1 INT | 11.5 YPA | 68.4 QBR
LW: 14
Mayfield played really well for much of Sunday, throwing for more than 300 yards. However, the day will most be remembered for a game-ending Mike Hughes interception. The Browns can win with Mayfield, but can’t win because of him yet.
Lamar Jackson. 10. 26. QB. Baltimore Ravens. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
2021 stats: 235 yards | 63.6 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 7.8 YPA | 57.7 QBR
LW: 9
Jackson had a couple of phenomenal throws, including a deep ball late to Sammy Watkins and the touchdown toss to Hollywood Brown. However, he also lost two key fumbles which essentially sealed Baltimore’s demise.
Scouting Report. QB. player. 32. Pick Analysis. Arizona Cardinals. Kyler Murray. 9
2021 stats: 289 yards | 68.6 comp % | 4 TD | 1 INT | 9.0 YPA | 79.6 QBR
LW: 12
Murray was sensational in Week 1. The Cardinals watched their third-year star throw four touchdowns while extending plays and torching Tennessee’s new defense. If Murray plays like this on a weekly basis, look out.
Matthew Stafford. 8. 51. Pick Analysis. Los Angeles Rams. player. Scouting Report. QB
2021 stats: 321 yards | 76.9 comp % | 3 TD | 0 INT | 12.3 YPA | 89.9 QBR
LW: 10
New team, new result. Instead of filling up the stat sheet only to lose, the Rams loaded up the call sheet with deep throws and Stafford responded, beating the Bears easily. Los Angeles rolled and its new quarterback was brilliant.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. 7. player. Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert. 13
2021 stats: 337 yards | 66.0 comp % | 1 TD | 1 INT | 7.2 YPA | 61.1 QBR
LW: 7
Herbert wasn’t good on first or second down, but he continually extended drives on third down as the Chargers got past the Football Team. If the Chargers are to contend in the AFC West, they need Herbert to continue growing, but all the tools are there.
player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen. 6. 16
2021 stats: 270 yards | 58.8 comp % | 1 TD | 0 INT | 5.3 YPA | 40.7 QBR
LW: 4
Allen struggled against the Steelers. He missed two easy deep balls for touchdowns in the first half and in the final 30 minutes, was constantly scattershot. Now the Bills go to Miami and face a tough Dolphins secondary. Let’s see how he and Buffalo respond.
QB. Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 123. 5
2021 stats: 403 yards | 72.4 comp % | 3 TD | 1 INT | 6.9 YPA | 74.4 QBR
LW: 6
Prescott was the best story of Week 1. The Cowboys fell in the final seconds to Tampa Bay, but the Dallas’ signal-caller was terrific, making tough throws time and again. Provided he stays healthy, Prescott is going to have a massive year.
player. 49. Scouting Report. QB. Green Bay Packers. 4. Pick Analysis. Aaron Rodgers
2021 stats: 133 yards | 53.6 comp % | 0 TD | 2 INT | 4.8 YPA | 13.5 QBR
LW: 1
What the hell happened? Rodgers was awful, throwing interceptions on consecutive possessions to start the second half, including one in the red zone. The Packers need Rodgers to be much, much better. He looked borderline disinterested at times.
3. player. 36. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Seattle Seahawks. Russell Wilson. QB
2021 stats: 254 yards | 78.3 comp % | 4 TD | 0 INT | 11.0 YPA | 84.6 QBR
LW: 5
After an offseason of discontent, Wilson rolled against the Colts on the road. Seattle rolled up 28 points on four Wilson touchdown passes, two going to Tyler Lockett on deep balls. Against the Titans on Sunday, Wilson could have another wonderful outing.
Tom Brady. player. 48. Scouting Report. QB. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 2. Pick Analysis
2021 stats: 379 yards | 64.0 comp % | 4 TD | 2 INT | 7.6 YPA | 65.4 QBR
LW: 3
Brady is 44 years old and somehow every bit as good as a decade ago. He led the Bucs to a comeback win over Dallas, using Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski to reach 1-0 on the young season. Don’t be surprised if Brady is in the MVP conversation.
QB. Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes. 1. Scouting Report. 124. Pick Analysis. player
2021 stats: 337 yards | 75.0 comp % | 3 TD | 0 INT | 9.4 YPA | 88.0 QBR
LW: 2
Mahomes had to come from behind all afternoon against an excellent Cleveland team, and he never relented. The Chiefs scored 33 points with Mahomes accounting for all four touchdowns. No football player is more impossible to stop.