The NFL is a fluid game. The margins are so thin, and given the importance of the quarterback position, a strong performance from that individual often dictates outcomes.
You can go anywhere for a subjective analysis of which signal-callers played well. Many websites have their NFL talent breaking down the film to highlight what went wrong in certain instances.
That’s all great, but if we want consistency from our QBs, shouldn’t our grading of them be consistent?
What Is PFN’s Quarterback Grading Process?
With that in mind, we’ve created a formula for assigning a letter grade to every quarterback’s performance.
Is it perfect? No. Nothing is. We’re molding stats that include success rates when pressured, third-down conversion rate, and pocket production. The added wrinkle in this PFN Insight is quantifying “clutch.”
We can argue all day about what goes into that. We’ve got timeliness-based stats that take into account both the score and the situation.
Obviously, not every game will give a quarterback the opportunity to thrive (or fail) in such spots, which is why some of the weekly grades may look a little goofy. That’s the cost of doing business.
These grades are a culmination of ranks. That is, they are graded against one another. That is done to give us the definitive rankings that we desire.
In school, multiple students can ace a test, but football includes plenty of gray areas. By grading all signal-callers against one another, we will get a distinct list.
Now, because we’re in the grading business, plenty of players will fall into the same grade range. The way we’re listing these players is in the order of their numerical grades. For example, the first player listed with a “C” grade earned a higher mark than the last player in that tier, but they were close enough to fall into the same bucket.
Week 4 QB Grades
1) Jared Goff (vs. SEA): A+ (98)
Jared Goff earned PFN’s highest grade of the 2024 season after a historic performance against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. The Detroit Lions quarterback completed all 18 of his attempts in Week 4, becoming the first QB in NFL history to avoid an incompletion in a game with 10+ pass attempts.
Goff threw for 292 yards, averaging a whopping 16.2 yards per attempt while tossing two touchdowns. He also caught his first career TD pass, hauling in a score on a throw-back play from WR Amon-Ra St. Brown.
As usual, the former No. 1 overall pick leaned into play action. Goff used a run-fake on 58.3% of his attempts against Seattle, the second-highest rate for a quarterback in a single game in 2024. He averaged 0.98 EPA on those throws, the fourth-best mark for any QB on play-action passes in a game this season.
2) C.J. Stroud (vs. JAX): A- (90)
C.J. Stroud continued to show poise in tight situations in Week 4, going 5-for-5 on a game-winning drive against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday that culminated with a one-yard TD pass to fourth-string RB Dare Ogunbowale. Despite playing without RB Joe Mixon and WR Tank Dell, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year still passed for 345 yards and avoided mistakes in a 24-20 victory.
Stroud completed seven of 10 pressured passes against Jacksonville this week and is averaging 10 yards per pressured attempt this season, showcasing ample growth from a rookie season that was special on most accounts (six yards per pressured attempt).
3) Jayden Daniels (vs. ARI): A- (85)
Jayden Daniels continued his outstanding NFL debut with another methodical performance in Week 4, missing on just four of 30 attempts in a 42-14 demolition of the Arizona Cardinals. The No. 2 overall pick hit nine different receivers on Sunday, throwing for one touchdown while adding another on the ground.
Daniels is off to arguably the best start for an NFL rookie quarterback this millennium. Since 2000, his 0.32 EPA per dropback ranks No. 1 among rookie QBs over their first four starts. That doesn’t necessarily guarantee future success; Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert had strong showings to begin their careers, but so did Daniel Jones and Marcus Mariota.
PFN's Week 4 NFL Rookie of the Week: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
🏈 280 total yards
🏈 2 total TDs/1 INT
🏈 86.7% comp. percentage
🏈 +0.69 EPA per play pic.twitter.com/EUejwgo4ei— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 1, 2024
Still, Washington has to be pleased with Daniels, who’s displayed tremendous composure through four games.
On Sunday, Arizona tried to fool Daniels by dropping eight defenders into coverage on 36.1% of his dropbacks. That was the highest drop-eight rate for any defense in a single game this season, but it didn’t work. Daniels went 9-of-11 for 85 yards and 0.28 EPA per dropback on those throws.
4) Sam Darnold (vs. GB): B (78)
Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings are still undefeated after holding on for a 31-29 victory over the NFC North-rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday. He remained incredibly efficient, averaging almost 10 yards per attempt on 28 throws in Minnesota’s Week 4 win.
Darnold has been lethal against the blitz this season. Green Bay came after him seven times this week. On those throws, Darnold went 6-of-6 for 89 yards and a touchdown; he was pressured three times but was not sacked. He ranks No. 2 in EPA per dropback against the blitz (0.76) in 2024.
5) Lamar Jackson (vs. BUF): B (76)
Lamar Jackson didn’t necessarily have to do much in Baltimore’s 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Running back Derrick Henry took his first touch for an 87-yard touchdown and finished with 199 yards on the ground, allowing Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens’ passing offense to take it easy.
Jackson only missed on five of his 18 attempts, averaging 8.7 yards per throw while tossing two touchdowns. He went 13-of-15 for 156 yards from a clean pocket, finishing second to Goff in EPA per dropback (0.88) on those throws.
6) Joe Burrow (vs. CAR): B (76)
Joe Burrow helped the Cincinnati Bengals to a season-saving win on Sunday, completing 22 of 31 attempts for 232 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 34-24 victory over old friend Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers.
Cincinnati’s offense continues to morph with Burrow at the helm. Zac Taylor’s team is no longer the 11-personnel-exclusive squad they’ve been in years past. Through four weeks, the Bengals are using two tight ends on 29% of their plays, the NFL’s fourth-highest rate. Cincinnati had never played 12 personnel on more than 15% of its snaps in any season during the Burrow era.
7) Dak Prescott (vs. NYG): B (75)
Dak Prescott was on fire in the first half of the Dallas Cowboys’ Thursday night win over the New York Giants. He went 14-of-16 for 164 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard connection with star WR CeeDee Lamb.
Prescott was fine in the second half, but Dallas’ offense continually stalled. The Cowboys settled for field goals in the second half, punted on the series between those FGs, and missed a field goal on their final (non-kneeldown) drive.
8) Justin Fields (vs. IND): B (74)
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their first game of the season on Sunday, but Mike Tomlin and Co. have to be encouraged by Justin Fields’ progress through the first four weeks of the year.
Fields maintained his cool demeanor under center, averaging 9.2 yards per attempt on 34 throws. While he took four sacks (his highest total in a 2024 game), Fields avoided an interception for the third time in four contests. He posted his highest pocket passer rating of the season (106.1) against the Indianapolis Colts, clearing 200 such yards for the second consecutive week.
9) Joe Flacco (vs. PIT): B (73)
Anthony Richardson went down with a first-quarter hip injury against the Steelers on Sunday, forcing the Colts to turn to Flacco, who replaced Garner Minshew II as Indy’s QB2 this offseason.
Joe Cool came off the bench and thrived. He completed six of his eight passes on third downs, including touchdown tosses to Josh Downs and Drew Ogletree. Richardson has a chance to suit up for Week 5, but Flacco remains one of the NFL’s best backup quarterbacks.
10) Baker Mayfield (vs. PHI): B- (71)
No quarterback got the ball out quicker in Week 4 than Baker Mayfield, who averaged 2.05 seconds to throw while carving up the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense in a 33-16 win.
Mayfield still hasn’t matched his fantastic Week 1 performance, when he earned a 95 “A” grade in PFN’s QB+ metric system. Still, Mayfield threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns against a Philadelphia defense that stymied the New Orleans Saints the week before.
11) Geno Smith (vs. DET): B- (69)
No team is slinging the ball around more than the Seahawks. Geno Smith and Seattle rank No. 1 in pass rate over expectation, meaning they’re throwing the ball even when situational factors like score, down and distance, and box count would typically indicate a run.
Smith dropped back 58 times in Monday’s loss to the Lions, the most dropbacks for any quarterback in a regular-season game since Dalton hit the same mark for the Panthers in his lone 2023 start. His 22 passing first downs were the most for a QB this year.
12) Patrick Mahomes (vs. LAC): B- (66)
Now expected to be without WR Rashee Rice for potentially the rest of the season, Patrick Mahomes’ weapons are dwindling. He never got to play with offseason addition Hollywood Brown, who underwent shoulder surgery without taking a regular-season snap for the Kansas City Chiefs, while RB Isiah Pacheco is indefinitely sidelined after breaking his fibula in Week 2.
Mahomes still has future Hall of Fame TE Travis Kelce, first-round rookie WR Xavier Worthy, and an elite offensive line. Still, Kansas City could consider trading for a wide receiver. Meanwhile, the Chiefs will hope for more Mahomes magic.
Mahomes averaged 8.4 yards per attempt and finished ninth in QBR against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. He was imposing on third downs, completing six of his eight passes while tying Burrow for No. 1 in yards per attempt on those throws (12.8).
13) Brock Purdy (vs. NE): B- (66)
While Brock Purdy only completed 15 passes in Week 4, he did enough damage on those throws to guide the San Francisco 49ers to a win over the New England Patriots.
#49ers QB Brock Purdy was not afraid to launch the ball in Week 4.
His 14.1 air yards per attempt and 382 total air yards were both career-highs.
Purdy's three 20+ air yard throws from Sunday: pic.twitter.com/cp0uY906G3
— Dallas Robinson (@DallasDRobinson) October 1, 2024
Purdy hit Jauan Jennings for two 30+ yard plays, found Deebo Samuel Sr. on a 53-yarder, and connected with Brandon Aiyuk on a 38-yard pass. Just 14.8% of Purdy’s Week 4 passes included less than five air yards, the lowest single-game rate for any NFL QB since 2022.
14) Jordan Love (vs. MIN): C+ (63)
Returning to face the Vikings after missing two games with a knee injury, Jordan Love got into a 28-0 hole before leading a valiant — but ultimately unsuccessful — comeback attempt. The Packers scored three touchdowns on their final four drives, but it wasn’t enough.
Love ranked 26th in EPA per dropback (-0.35) in the first half of Sunday’s loss before improving to 12th (0.09) in the second half. No quarterback lost more EPA off turnovers in Week 4 than Love (-9.66), who threw three interceptions.
15) Derek Carr (vs. ATL): C+ (61)
Derek Carr regressed again in Week 4, posting an average grade after opening the season with an A-, A, and B- in PFN’s QB+ system.
He only averaged 6.6 yards per attempt in Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but he also got unlucky. In the second quarter, Atlanta pass rusher Matthew Judon deflected one of Carr’s passes at the line, which was returned for a Falcons pick-six.
16) Andy Dalton (vs. CIN): C (57)
Carolina’s offensive line deserves credit after Dalton was pressured at the NFL’s lowest rate (14.8%) for the second consecutive week. It’s beyond apparent that head coach Dave Canales made the right call to bench former starting QB Bryce Young, who couldn’t operate even under relatively decent conditions.
Dalton threw a few gorgeous passes against his former team on Sunday, including a 21-yard touchdown to WR Diontae Johnson. His lone interception came when Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson got a piece of Dalton’s arm as he was throwing, leading to an easy pick.
17) Caleb Williams (vs. LAR): C (53)
The Chicago Bears finally found a running game on Sunday. D’Andre Swift rushed for 93 yards and added 72 yards as a receiver, helping to take some of the load off Caleb Williams in his fourth pro start.
Williams only took three sacks after absorbing 11 over the past two weeks. He was one of only four QBs to post positive EPA per dropback when pressured, joining Stroud, Daniels, and Goff. But Williams also produced in the quick game, ranking fifth among quarterbacks with a 60% passing success rate on attempts with a time to throw of under 2.5 seconds.
18) Justin Herbert (vs. KC): C (49)
Justin Herbert couldn’t get much going in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs, but it’s hard to blame him. He’s playing with a high ankle sprain, was missing both of his starting offensive tackles, and has arguably the worst weapons in the NFL.
With OTs Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt missing in Week 4, Herbert was pressured on more of his dropbacks than all but one other NFL quarterback (who happens to be coming up next). Still, Herbert is a master of manipulating the pocket.
The Chargers’ offensive line ranks 31st in pass-block win rate, but PFF’s charting suggests Herbert is the only starting QB yet to be responsible for any of his own pressures this season.
19) Jalen Hurts (vs. TB): C (46)
Playing without wide receivers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and right tackle Lane Johnson, Jalen Hurts struggled in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that’s continuously had his number throughout his NFL career.
Fred Johnson stepped in at right tackle for the Eagles and allowed a higher pressure rate than any other NFL offensive linemen in Week 4. Hurts was pressured on 56.8% of his dropbacks, the highest rate in the league this week. He averaged just 3.8 yards per attempt on those throws (28th in the NFL), while his off-target rate on those passes (35.7%) ranked 30th.
20) Daniel Jones (vs. DAL): C- (42)
Daniel Jones hasn’t been anywhere near the disaster that many projected before the season, but he wasn’t able to guide the Giants to a win over the Cowboys on Thursday night.
Still, Jones hasn’t been able to deliver touchdowns. New York’s 15 points against Dallas all came via field goals. For the season, the Giants rank 20th in red-zone efficiency (50%) and 26th in goal-to-go efficiency (57.1%).
22) Kirk Cousins (vs. NO): C- (40)
Kirk Cousins has been below average in three of four games this season, with his only exemplary performance coming in Atlanta’s last-second win against Philadelphia in Week 2.
The Falcons’ offense couldn’t do anything against the Saints in Week 4. Cousins took Atlanta into the red zone for precisely one play. But an offensive holding nullified the Falcons’ ensuing snap from New Orleans’ 19-yard line, and Atlanta never crossed the 20 again.
23) Trevor Lawrence (vs. HOU): C- (39)
While Jacksonville’s coaching staff and supporting cast have sometimes failed Trevor Lawrence during the 2024 season, he was relatively rough in Week 4. The former No. 1 overall pick turned down open throws and missed on others, finishing with the week’s fourth-worst off-target rate (18.2%).
The Jaguars are now the only team without a win this season … pic.twitter.com/JHk69qaOMg
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 1, 2024
Wholesale changes might be required for the Jaguars. Lawrence, who just signed a mega-extension this summer, isn’t going anywhere, but head coach Doug Pederson and GM Trent Baalke could be on the chopping block.
23) Kyler Murray (vs. WAS): C- (39)
Kyler Murray opened the season on a tear on third downs (13.1 yards per attempt in Weeks 1 and 2), but he’s fallen flat in those spots in each of the past two weeks (3.1 YPA on third downs). While he wasn’t pressed on a single third-down throw on Sunday, Murray still went just 3-of-5 for 16 yards.
Arizona’s defense has given the fourth-most points and allowed the highest offensive success rate in the league through four weeks. Murray will likely continue to face plenty of obvious passing situations where play-action and other offensive easy buttons might not function as well.
24) Matthew Stafford (vs. CHI): C- (39)
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams moved the ball on Sunday despite facing Chicago’s excellent defense without WRs Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and multiple starting offensive linemen.
Stafford leaned into play action, using run-fakes on 45.5% of his dropbacks this week (third-highest rate in the NFL on Sunday behind Goff and Jackson). He completed 11 of his 13 attempts for 154 yards on those throws; his passing success rate (60%) with play action ranked ninth in Week 4.
25) Mason Rudolph (vs. MIA): D+ (32)
Mason Rudolph, who helped the Steelers into the playoffs by winning three straight games to close the season in 2023, got another opportunity after Tennessee Titans starter Will Levis injured his shoulder on Monday night.
Rudolph operated Tennessee’s offense in a mistake-free fashion, taking one sack but throwing no picks. All 17 of his throws were considered on target, per TruMedia.
Still, head coach Brian Callahan announced that Levis will remain the Titans’ starting quarterback entering their Week 5 bye.
26) Deshaun Watson (vs. LV): D+ (32)
Deshaun Watson has looked a smidge more functional over the last few games than he did in 2023, but that wasn’t exactly a high bar to clear. His interception against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday wasn’t his fault, as it bounced off the arms of WR Amari Cooper and into the hands of a Las Vegas defender.
Still, Watson will likely never return to the player he was with the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, the rest of the Cleveland Browns’ roster isn’t doing enough to propel the club to wins.
27) Tyler Huntley (vs. TEN): D (28)
Elevated from the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad to replace Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley didn’t have much of a chance against the Titans on Monday night.
Tennessee didn’t blitz him a single time, while the Dolphins ran into stacked boxes (8+ defenders) just 18.7% of the time, the lowest rate in the NFL this week.
The Titans put tons of bodies in coverage, played 92.6% zone, and forced Huntley to make throws — which he couldn’t, averaging just 4.4 yards per attempt in a 31-12 defeat.
28) Jacoby Brissett (vs. SF): D (28)
There may never be a perfect time for the Patriots to insert No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye this season. New England faces the Dolphins, Texans, and New York Jets’ defenses over the next four weeks. Given how poorly the Pats’ offensive line is performing, it might be malpractice to put Maye under center.
Still, Jacoby Brissett hasn’t given head coach Jerod Mayo many reasons to keep him in the starting lineup. The veteran signal-caller averaged just 5.3 yards per attempt and took six sacks in New England’s Week 4 loss to the 49ers. Maye didn’t relieve Brissett in Sunday’s blowout defeat (as he did in Week 3), but the UNC product’s moment is coming.
29) Gardner Minshew II (vs. CLE): D (26)
Maybe it was because All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett is limited, or maybe it was because they saw something on film — but the Browns came after Minshew in Week 4.
Cleveland blitzed Minshew on 57.7% of his dropbacks on Sunday. That was the Browns’ highest single-game blitz rate since Jim Schwartz took over as defensive coordinator in 2023.
But Garrett and Co. couldn’t get home. On Sunday, Minshew was pressured just 26.7% of the time when blitzed, the eighth-lowest among this week’s NFL starters. He took one sack when blitzed but still managed to complete nine of his 14 attempts for 90 yards.
30) Aaron Rodgers (vs. DEN): D- (21)
The Denver Broncos’ defense appears to be for real.
Aaron Rodgers couldn’t do anything against Denver on Sunday, completing just 24 of 42 attempts for 225 yards (5.4 yards per attempt). New York never found the end zone, instead settling for three field goals. The Jets were lining up to attempt a 4th-and-goal from Denver’s one-yard line at the start of the second quarter, but a false start forced Robert Saleh to change his mind.
While Rodgers looked good when not pressured through the first three weeks this season (70% completion rate, 7.2 YPA), the four-time MVP struggled from a clean pocket in Week 4 (60.6% completion rate, 5.0 YPA).
31) Josh Allen (vs. BAL): D- (20)
Even the NFL’s best have off days.
Josh Allen would probably still be the league MVP if the season ended today (although Daniels would certainly have a case), but he struggled in Buffalo’s 35-10 loss to the Ravens on Sunday night, completing just 16 of 28 attempts for 180 yards.
Week 5 will bring a matchup against the Texans and one of the best quarterback battles of the year, Allen vs. Stroud.
32) Bo Nix (vs. NYJ): F (26)
By EPA per dropback, Bo Nix’s performance was the second-worst by a QB in a win over the past decade. The first-round rookie completed 12 of his 25 attempts for just 60 — yes, 60! — yards. Nix’s 2.4 yards per attempt was tied for the 10th-lowest by any quarterback in a single game since 2015.
This is just PFN’s third “F” grade of the 2024 season, joining Williams in Week 1 and Bryce Young in Week 2.