NFL quarterback rankings, Week 17: Patrick Mahomes is the MVP

In this week’s NFL quarterback rankings, we make the call. It’s time to recognize Patrick Mahomes as the 2022 NFL MVP once and for all.

Our 2022 FanSided NFL quarterback rankings go live each Wednesday 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.

NFL quarterback rankings

32

Malik Willis

Last Week: NA Tennessee Titans

2022 stats: 276 yards | 50.8 comp % | 0 TD | 3 INT | 4.5 YPA | 12.0 QBR

Willis may become a great quarterback in the future, but presently, he can’t throw effectively.

31

Zach Wilson

Last Week: NA New York Jets

2022 stats: 1,688 yards | 54.5 comp % | 6 TD | 7 INT | 7.0 YPA | 37.2 QBR

Wilson is done in New York. It’s Mike White’s job once again now that his ribs have healed.

30

Nick Foles

Last Week: NA Indianapolis Colts

2022 stats: 143 yards | 58.6 comp % | 0 TD | 3 INT | 4.9 YPA | 3.4 QBR

It’s time to retire. Foles looked incredibly washed against the Chargers.

29

Trace McSorley

Last Week: NA Arizona Cardinals

2022 stats: 383 yards | 52.7 comp % | 0 TD | 4 INT | 5.2 YPA | 12.0 QBR

McSorley gave his Cardinals a chance against the Bucs, but he’s clearly a low-end backup.

28

Desmond Ridder

Last Week: 30 Atlanta Falcons

2022 stats: 315 yards | 59.3 comp % | 0 TD | 0 INT | 5.3 YPA | 42.3 QBR

Ridder isn’t doing anything to make Atlanta think it doesn’t need a quarterback in the first round of next year’s draft.

27

Russell Wilson

Last Week: NA Denver Broncos

2022 stats: 3,019 yards | 60.1 comp % | 12 TD | 9 INT | 7.2 YPA | 34.9 QBR

Not much to say. Just a disastrous season for Wilson and the Broncos.

26

Tyler Huntley

Last Week: 28 Baltimore Ravens

2022 stats: 528 yards | 67.0 comp % | 1 TD | 2 INT | 5.8 YPA | 36.1 QBR

Will Huntley get another start, this time on Sunday night against Pittsburgh? The Ravens still have a shot at winning the AFC North.

25

Davis Mills

Last Week: 27 Houston Texans

2022 stats: 2,618 yards | 61.8 comp % | 14 TD | 13 INT | 6.5 YPA | 33.0 QBR

Mills is about to become a backup for Houston, but he’s got two more starts in him before that happens.

24

Mac Jones

Last Week: 24 New England Patriots

2022 stats: 2,550 yards | 65.6 comp % | 9 TD | 8 INT | 6.9 YPA | 32.3 QBR

Jones has been, much like New England’s offense, underwhelming this season. Too many mistakes and not enough sizzle.

23

Baker Mayfield

Last Week: 26 Los Angeles Rams

2022 stats: 1,884 yards | 61.0 comp % | 10 TD | 7 INT | 6.5 YPA | 27.2 QBR

Mayfield was sensational against the Broncos on Christmas, helping the Rams to 51 points. The question is whether he gets any looks as a starter come 2023.

22

Sam Darnold

Last Week: 25 Carolina Panthers

2022 stats: 759 yards | 61.4 comp % | 4 TD | 0 INT | 8.6 YPA | 59.0 QBR

Darnold has a chance to win the biggest game of his career on Sunday, with the NFC South at stake. Can he handle the Bucs’ defense?

21

Kenny Pickett

Last Week: 21 Pittsburgh Steelers

2022 stats: 2,041 yards | 65.2 comp % | 5 TD | 9 INT | 6.1 YPA | 46.8 QBR

Pickett has played better than his initial first few games, but he’s not making elite throws. You’d like to see more from an older first-round pick.

20

Taylor Heinicke

Last Week: 20 Washington Commanders

2022 stats: 1,859 yards | 62.2 comp % | 12 TD | 6 INT | 7.2 YPA | 44.9 QBR

Heinicke or Carson Wentz? The Commanders should stick with the former despite two consecutive losses and some middling play.

19

Deshaun Watson

Last Week: 18 Cleveland Browns

2022 stats: 703 yards | 57.7 comp % | 2 TD | 3 INT | 5.7 YPA | 37.4 QBR

Watson has been downright terrible since coming back. Is he going to rebound, or is Watson never going to be the same after two years away?

18

Brock Purdy

Last Week: 22 San Francisco 49ers

2022 stats: 912 yards | 67.0 comp % | 8 TD | 3 INT | 7.9 YPA | 67.1 QBR

Purdy is one of the league’s best stories this year. From unknown to indispensable, the Niners are riding the hot hand to Super Bowl dreams.

17

Daniel Jones

Last Week: 19 New York Giants

2022 stats: 3,028 yards | 66.5 comp % | 13 TD | 5 INT | 6.8 YPA | 56.9 QBR

Jones hasn’t been elite by any stretch, but he’s taking care of the football. If nothing else, that’s a huge step in development.

16

Andy Dalton

Last Week: 16 New Orleans Saints

2022 stats: 2,495 yards | 66.2 comp % | 17 TD | 8 INT | 7.5 YPA | 52.5 QBR

Dalton couldn’t do much in the impossible Cleveland climate. Still, on the season, he’s done a solid job.

15

Derek Carr

Last Week: 13 Las Vegas Raiders

2022 stats: 3,522 yards | 60.8 comp % | 24 TD | 14 INT | 7.0 YPA | 55.6 QBR

Carr has a disastrous night in Pittsburgh, throwing three interceptions. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to think he’ll return in 2023.

14

Tom Brady

Last Week: 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2022 stats: 4,178 yards | 66.0 comp % | 21 TD | 9 INT | 6.2 YPA | 49.5 QBR

Brady and the Bucs are doing nothing offensively, but somehow they’re in the lead for a home playoff game. Regardless, ugly year.

13

Aaron Rodgers

Last Week: 15 Green Bay Packers

2022 stats: 3,331 yards | 64.8 comp % | 24 TD | 11 INT | 6.8 YPA | 39.6 QBR

Could the Packers run the table and win their last five to make the playoffs? If they do, no NFC team will be lining up to face Rodgers, even with his diminished numbers.

12

Justin Fields

Last Week: 10 Chicago Bears

2022 stats: 2,167 yards | 62.3 comp % | 16 TD | 10 INT | 7.3 YPA | 55.5 QBR

Fields has been awesome to watch this year. Considering the lack of talent around him, he’s been downright excellent.

11

Tua Tagovailoa

Last Week: 9 Miami Dolphins

2022 stats: 3,548 yards | 64.8 comp % | 25 TD | 8 INT | 8.9 YPA | 68.7 QBR

Put Tagovailoa’s struggles aside. Now in concussion protocol once more, it’s time to sit him down if you’re the Dolphins. This is bigger than football.

10

Kirk Cousins

Last Week: 12 Minnesota Vikings

2022 stats: 4,117 yards | 65.7 comp % | 27 TD | 11 INT | 7.0 YPA | 51.1 QBR

Cousins earned his fourth Pro Bowl berth this year, and rightfully so. The Vikings are 12-3, and it’s solely because of their offense.

9

Jared Goff

Last Week: 8 Detroit Lions

2022 stats: 3,959 yards | 64.5 comp % | 26 TD | 7 INT | 7.6 YPA | 61.9 QBR

Goff has quietly done a terrific job in Detroit this year. The Lions are in the playoff hunt, and Goff has helped lead the proverbial charge over the last two months.

8

Geno Smith

Last Week: 6 Seattle Seahawks

2022 stats: 3,886 yards | 70.7 comp % | 27 TD | 9 INT | 7.6 YPA | 63.3 QBR

Smith has regressed a bit over the past month, but he’s still enjoying one of the biggest surprise seasons in recent memory.

7

Dak Prescott

Last Week: 11 Dallas Cowboys

2022 stats: 2,450 yards | 69.0 comp % | 20 TD | 12 INT | 7.8 YPA | 60.3 QBR

Prescott was tremendous after the Josh Sweat pick-six against the Eagles, putting Dallas on his back for 40 points. Also, the 3rd and 30 to T.Y. Hilton? Epic.

6

Trevor Lawrence

Last Week: 7 Jacksonville Jaguars

2022 stats: 3,749 yards | 65.9 comp % | 24 TD | 7 INT | 7.1 YPA | 56.5 QBR

Lawrence has ascended into elite territory. Imagine how great he’s already be if he had a head coach in his rookie season?

5

Justin Herbert

Last Week: 5 Los Angeles Chargers

2022 stats: 4,254 yards | 68.0 comp % | 21 TD | 10 INT | 6.7 YPA | 56.0 QBR

Herbert was limited against the Colts, but he’s finally in the playoffs. His legacy can finally add some pivotal moments.

4

Josh Allen

Last Week: 4 Buffalo Bills

2022 stats: 4,029 yards | 63.4 comp % | 32 TD | 13 INT | 7.5 YPA | 70.6 QBR

Allen had two more turnovers against the Bears, but Chicago couldn’t take advantage. Buffalo needs Allen to clean up the errors.

3

Jalen Hurts

Last Week: 3 Philadelphia Eagles

2022 stats: 3,472 yards | 67.3 comp % | 22 TD | 5 INT | 8.2 YPA | 68.7 QBR

Hurts should be back this weekend after missing a week with a sprained shoulder. The Eagles are trying to wrap up the NFC East and the No. 1 seed.

2

Joe Burrow

Last Week: 2 Cincinnati Bengals

2022 stats: 4,260 yards | 69.0 comp % | 34 TD | 12 INT | 7.6 YPA | 61.4 QBR

Burrow saw his performance break into a tale of two halves in New England. The first was incredible, the second was a mess. Still, he’s playing elite football since the first few weeks of the year.

1

Patrick Mahomes

Last Week: 1 Kansas City Chiefs

2022 stats: 4,720 yards | 66.9 comp % | 37 TD | 11 INT | 8.1 YPA | 78.5 QBR

Mahomes is the MVP. Stop the fight. He’s leading the NFL in total yards, passing yards, total touchdowns, passing touchdowns and QBR. He’s the best player on earth.