The 2024 NFL Season has been a spectacular one, and with the playoffs just around the corner, the league’s top contenders all have their eyes on one thing. The Lombardi Trophy. With Super Bowl LIX looming large on the horizon, let’s take a look at the best quarterbacks in the league at present.
Patrick Mahomes
While his form so far this term has been far from vintage, it’s impossible to rank Patrick Mahomes anywhere other than number one thanks to his exploits throughout his stellar career. In each of his seasons as a starter, he has reached at least the AFC Championship game, that’s a staggering eight years in a row. He has reached the Super Bowl in four of the last five seasons, winning three of them, including the last two back-to-back. If he goes on to make history by leading the Kansas City Chiefs to an unprecedented three peat this term, it will be hard to argue with him not just being the best QB of his generation, but instead the greatest of all time.
Josh Allen
One man aiming to stop Mahomes from making history is Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills star has already handed the Chiefs their first and only loss of the campaign, but websites allowing one to bet on sports don’t fancy them to repeat their exploits in the post-season, making the New York State side a narrow 9/4 second favorite behind the 2/1 Chiefs in the latest AFC Championship odds. But they have been wrong before. Online sports news and tips providers picked the Bills to defeat the Rams on the road in their most recent clash on week 14, but it was the Californians who managed to spring the shock. Buffalo will be aiming to get back on track quickly, and with Allen under centre, anything is possible.
BILLS PICK OFF THE CHIEFS AND WIN!!
KC’s undefeated streak is over.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/XqHIq3RDMq
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 18, 2024
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson is the reigning MVP, and he is having yet another career year. He has put up a mighty 3,290 throwing yards including 29 touchdowns, and he is approaching 700 yards on the ground as well. His dual-threat capabilities are second to none, but question marks remain over his dismal playoff record. If he can put that right this season, then he may very well be the consensus number one.
Joe Burrow
Another man having the finest year of his career is Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow. He’s thrown for a league-best 3,706 yards, almost 300 yards clear of his closest rival. Despite that, Cincy still has a paltry 5-8 record, and it looks as though Joey Brr will miss out on the postseason for the second straight year.
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts has balanced a mid-tier passing season (2,602 yards, 16 touchdowns) with his unique rushing ability, notching 13 rushing touchdowns. His mastery of the “Tush Push” play in short-yardage situations and leadership in tight games has made the Eagles a Super Bowl contender once again.
Justin Herbert
Herbert has had a steady if unspectacular year statistically, totaling 2,764 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and maintaining an impressive efficiency with just 1 interception. His QBR of 57.0 doesn’t tell the full story of his value to the Chargers, and the SoFi side looks set to claim a wildcard berth after a solid campaign.
Jared Goff
Many thought that Jared Goff was a step down from the departing Matthew Stafford in Detroit. However, both he and his teammates have proved the naysayers wrong, arriving seemingly out of nowhere to become favourites for the Lombardi this term, despite never before reaching the Super Bowl. Much of that is down to their QBs’ efficient displays, accumulating 3,265 passing yards, and 25 touchdowns.
Jordan Love
Aaron Rodgers’ departure from the Green Bay Packers 18 months ago was supposed to trigger a downturn in fortunes for the Cheeseheads. Instead, young quarterback Jordan Love has stepped up to the plate. His blistering 2023 season earned him the biggest contract in NFL history, and he looks set to lead his side to the playoffs once more while A-Rod rots in New York.
Kyler Murray
Former Heisman winner Kyler Murray is the big fish in a small pond with the Arizona Cardinals. Despite a less-than-stellar supporting cast in Phoenix, he has managed to pick up almost 3,000 yards and a playoff berth isn’t yet out of reach.
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield bounced back impressively in 2023 as he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFC South crown despite the retirement of Tom Brady. This season they look set to reclaim the divisional crown, and the quarterback’s 3,329 yards and 28 touchdowns – the fourth-best in the league – have been pivotal to that.