2016 NFL quarterback power rankings, Week 12

Turkey Day has come and gone, along with a football feast that featured some of the top QBs in the NFL (and Scott Tolzien). And while Dallas fans are thankful for their QB, other teams are out there looking for a Black Friday deal.

Each week this season we're ranking the starting QBs, and with December right around the corner, it’s now or never for the challengers to make their move for the No. 1 spot.

Forced into the lineup due to injuries to Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer. FOX Sports’ Dieter Kurtenbach writes that this might be the worst team in franchise history.

Last week: NR

2016: 40% completions, 81 ypg, 0-2 TD/INT, 18.3 rating

Associated PressMike Roemer

The No. 1 pick finally got to play last week and despite a conservative game plan and zero TDs from the rookie, he was in line for the win until Ryan Tannehill and a streaking Dolphins team rallied in the final minutes.

Last week: 31

2016: 54.8%, 134 ypg, 0-0 TD/INT, 65.8 rating

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After a 398-yard outburst in Week 9, Kap’s production has regressed to a more normal level for the “1-and-Niners”, as evidenced in last week’s loss to the Pats. It's doubtful this level of play will win him a starting job somewhere, even with so many teams in need of a QB — starting with his own.

Last week: 30

2016: 53.1%, 190.7 ypg, 7-2 TD/INT, 85 rating

Thearon W. HendersonGetty Images

Another concussion for Cody Kessler last week means McCown likely gets to add another loss to his record as the Browns go for 0-12.

Last week: NR

2016: 53.3%, 194.5 ypg, 5-6 TD/INT, 66.2 rating

New York is another team that needs to look toward the future but for some reason is clinging to Fitzpatrick for another week. Guess a glimpse of Bryce Petty last week was all that Todd Bowles could stand.

Last week: NR

2016: 56.4%, 220.3 ypg, 8-13 TD/INT, 67.6 rating

Getty ImagesLeon Halip

Shares the league lead in interceptions (13) with Ryan Fitzpatrick after throwing a game-clinching pick last week at Detroit, and sadly for Jags fans Bortles doesn’t appear to be in danger of losing his job either. Here's another lame stat: He hasn't led an opening touchdown drive in 24 games.

Last week: 29

2016: 60.2%, 262.3 ypg, 18-13 TD/INT, 80 rating

USA TODAY SportsReinhold Matay

Lasers! Osweiler is finding new reasons for his struggles after last week’s loss to the Raiders, while FS1 contributor Michael Lombardi says it’s already time for the Texans to move on from their $72M mistake.

Last week: 26

2016: 59.5%, 206.1 ypg, 12-10 TD/INT, 74.9 rating

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Spent his bye week hearing how good a fit Tony Romo would be in Denver next season.

Last week: 25

2016: 60.1%, 225.3 ypg, 12-7 TD/INT, 85 rating

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After blowing a 17-0 lead in a Week 10 loss to KC, Carolina almost blew a 20-point lead last week against New Orleans, then held on for a 23-20 win despite Cam completing just 14 of 33 passes against an awful Saints defense — almost as ugly as his cleats.

Last week: 24

2016: 56.5%, 242.9 ypg, 11-7 TD/INT, 80.9 rating

Streeter LeckaStreeter Lecka

Seventeen points weren’t enough to beat Dallas last week but might be this week against Cincinnati, which also has struggled to score and is 1-4 on the road.

Last week: 23

2016: 62.8%, 264.3 ypg, 10-9 TD/INT, 80 rating

Getty ImagesChristian Petersen

Just when it looked like he’d reverted to Old Tannehill, getting shut out for three-plus quarters last week in LA, he led two TD drives in the final four minutes to steal a fifth straight win.

Last week: 22

2016: 65.9%, 228.9 ypg, 12-8 TD/INT, 91.1 rating

Failed to put the ball in the end zone last week at Cincy, but Buffalo’s defense got him a win. He'd better pick up his play if he wants to start next season — in Buffalo or anywhere else. Robert Woods is out, but Sammy Watkins will be back Sunday, and LeSean McCoy also is expected to play against the Jags.

Last week: 21

2016: 61.4%, 193.5 ypg, 10-4 TD/INT, 86.2 rating

Got banged up last week at Minnesota, had one of his two picks returned 100 yards, and Arizona managed just 27 yards in the second half as its wild-card chances slowly fade.

Last week: 20

2016: 61.5%, 293.6 ypg, 13-10 TD/INT, 83.6 rating

Brace HemmelgarnUSA TODAY Sports

The rookie got another rough lesson last week at Seattle, as Philly dropped its fifth straight on the road. Remember when everyone thought he was better than Dak Prescott?

Last week: 19

2016: 63.2%, 233.9 ypg, 11-7 TD/INT, 84.2 rating

Bigger than last week’s home loss to Buffalo: losing A.J. Green and Gio Bernard to injuries. Owns the softest 90-plus passer rating in the NFL.

Last week: 18

2016: 64.7%, 276 ypg, 11-6 TD/INT, 91.2 rating

APJohn Minchillo

Smith has struggled in the red zone since coming back from a concussion and threw a pick in the end zone in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to the Bucs, which snapped a five-game win streak. But coach Andy Reid isn't about to bench him for Nick Foles.

Last week: 16

2016: 67.2%, 230.8 ypg, 9-4 TD/INT, 91.2 rating

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Threw for 331 yards last week to win at KC and get back to .500.

Last week: 17

2016: 60.3%, 268 ypg, 20-10 TD/INT, 88.5 rating

USA TODAY SportsGary Rohman

Led New York past Chicago last week for a fifth straight victory. But the Cowboys just won't give up any ground in the NFC East.

Last week: 15

2016: 63.7%, 270.8 ypg, 17-10, 88.3 rating

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Threw for 351 yards and 3 TDs last week at Washington, but another lopsided loss leaves Green Bay looking like anything but a playoff team and there's more questions about Rodgers' leadership — or lack of it.

Last week: 13

2016: 63.2%, 276.1 ypg, 25-7 TD/INT, 96 rating

Bradford remains efficient, and his conservative attack was good enough to beat the Cards last week, but a fourth-quarter pick Thursday at Detroit proved costly. With Minnesota slipping in the NFC North, FOX Sports' Chris Chase writes that the Vikings have only themselves to blame.

Last week: 12

2016: 71.2%, 241.5 ypg, 12-3 TD/INT, 98.3 rating

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Threw for 375 yards and three TDs in last week’s win over the Packers, then 449 yards and three more scores Thursday at Dallas, but couldn’t get the win there. He’s on pace to throw for 5,149 yards, which only Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning have done. How you like him now?

Last week: 14

2016: 68.4%, 321.8 ypg, 20-7 TD/INT, 101.4 rating

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Sat out a Thanksgiving loss to the Steelers with a concussion sustained in last week’s win over the Titans but almost certainly will be back next week with that AFC South title still up for grabs. Backup Scott Tolzien might be in the protocol, too, after taking some big hits and throwing two picks.

Last week: 11

2016: 62.9%, 282.7 ypg, 19-8 TD/INT, 93.9 rating

Trevor RuszkowskiUSA TODAY

Rivers, coming off a four-interception fourth quarter in Week 10, gets the Texans defense on the road Sunday.

Last week: 10

2016: 62.1%, 288.6 ypg, 20-11 TD/INT, 92 rating

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Mariota had the hot hand but couldn’t overcome an early deficit last week at Indy, or take advantage of a soft Colts defense.  

Last week: 9

2016: 64.2%, 252 ypg, 23-8 TD/INT, 100.3 rating

Thomas J. RussoUSA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh has bounced back from a four-game skid with back-to-back wins, including Thursday over a Luckless Colts team. Big Ben turned to a tried and true answer: Throw three TD passes to Antonio Brown.

Last week: 8

2016: 64.9%, 274.5 ypg, 23-7 TD/INT, 99.5 rating

Justin K. AllerGetty Images

Will try to get back in the MVP race with a big performance Sunday at home against Arizona. Atlanta is still the only team averaging more than 30 points per game, and Tevin Coleman will be back Sunday.

Last week: 7

2016: 68.2%, 324.7 ypg, 24-5 TD/INT, 115.1 rating

USA TODAY SportsMark J. Rebilas

Threw for 301 yards and three TDs last week to beat Baltimore, then turned in another mistake-free performance Thursday to beat Washington and reach 10-1. FOX Sports’ Chris Chase writes that the rookie proved he’s the real MVP.

Last week: 6

2016: 67.9%, 257.7 ypg, 18-2 TD/INT, 108.6 rating

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Followed up last week’s win over the Jags with another fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Vikings on Thursday. That's how the Lions have done it in six of their seven wins.

Last week: 5

2016: 66.8%, 257.5 ypg, 19-5 TD/INT, 99.3 rating

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Managed just three points through three quarters last week at Carolina before making it close with 17 unanswered but still fell to 4-6.

Last week: 4

2016: 71%, 327.7 ypg, 26-8 TD/INT, 106.4 rating

Jonathan BachmanGetty Images

Threw for a touchdown and caught one himself in last week’s win over the Eagles. His MVP talk is heating up.

Last week: 3

2016: 66%, 271.4 ypg, 11-2 TD/INT, 99.3 rating

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Rallied the Raiders with two fourth-quarter TD passes to beat the Texans last week – with some help from the refs, FOX Sports' Dieter Kurtenbach writes.

Last week: 2

2016: 66.2%, 280 ypg, 20-4 TD/INT, 100.6 rating

Erich SchlegelUSA TODAY Sports

Threw four TD passes as he shook off that Seattle loss to win last week at San Francisco.

Last week: 1

2016: 70.4%, 319.2 ypg, 16-1 TD/INT, 123.3 rating

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