NFL Week 9 Analytical Quarterback Rankings: Two AFC East quarterbacks top the list

2T49805 Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) gestures as he celebrates running for a first down during an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)

Josh Allen stepped up in Week 8: Allen led his Bills to a Week 8 win over the Buccaneers, earning an 85.1 passing grade in the process. The Bills quarterback finished 31-of-40 (77.5%) for 324 yards, two touchdowns and 16 first downs.

• Speed kills: Tua Tagovailoa produced a 2.16-second average time to throw in Week 8, the fastest time of the week. Despite this, his average target depth was 7.3 yards downfield, the fifth-highest at the position.

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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, but we can often get stuck in their most recent blunders or successes, making it difficult to come up with an objective ranking.

This analysis utilizes a statistical technique called Bayesian Updating. With Bayesian Updating, we can use individual results to project PFF grades and expected points added (EPA) per play. You can find a more detailed explanation of the analysis in our Week 2 quarterback rankings.

Here is how the league's quarterbacks stack up after Week 8.

2023 Week 9 Analytical Quarterback Rankings

Most efficient passer: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen led his Bills to a Week 8 win over the Buccaneers, earning an 85.1 passing grade in the process. The Bills quarterback finished 31-of-40 (77.5%) for 324 yards, two touchdowns and 16 first downs.

The Bills offensive line helped Allen out, as the Buccaneers defense posted its lowest pressure rate of the season at 19.6%.

♦ Click here to see Week 8 QB grades


Most explosive passer: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott earned the highest passing grade on throws that traveled 10 or more yards downfield in Week 8 (94.8). He completed nine of 12 such attempts for 179 yards and four scores, all without recording a single turnover-worthy play.

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-by-depth report


Best under pressure: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow earned the highest PFF grade on pressured throws in Week 8 (95.0). Pressured 16 times, the Bengals signal-caller completed all 10 of his pressured passing attempts for 136 yards, one touchdown, two big-time throws and zero turnover-worthy plays.

He looked back to his usual self, scrambling from the pocket and even picking up two first downs with his legs.

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-under-pressure report


Best outside the pocket: Will Levis, Tennessee Titans

Levis went 3-for-3 for 50 yards and a touchdown on throws outside the pocket in Week 8, good for a perfect 158.3 passer rating and a league-best 16.7 yards per attempt.

♦ Click here to see PFF's passing-by-concept report


Quick passes: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

No quarterback attempted more quick passes than Tagovailoa, who finished 21-of-31 for 220 yards and three touchdowns on throws that took less than 2.5 seconds from snap to pass.

Tagovailoa produced a 2.16-second average time to throw in Week 8, the fastest time of the week. Despite this, his average target depth was 7.3 yards downfield, the fifth-highest at the position. He kept the ball moving and picked up 12 first downs on quick passes.

♦ Click here to see PFF's time-to-throw report


 

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