It was inevitable that after the record Week 2 performances from the league’s quarterbacks that we’d see a drop back in the numbers and ratings this week. Overall the average QB Index rating fell back from 57.7% last week to 52.8% this week. This is slightly down on week 3 last year where the average rating was 55.7%.
The top QB Index rating of Week 3 came from the arm of Ryan Tannehill, who posted the best rating of his career as he led the Dolphins to a 28-20 win over the Raiders. His 92.4% rating was the first time Tannehill has gone over a 90% rating in his career and his 12.6 yards per attempt was the best on show this week. Tannehill moves up six places in the overall ratings to now sit joint 4th alongside Philip Rivers.
We have a new leader in the overall standings, with Patrick Mahomes overtaking Ryan Fitzpatrick as the Chiefs kept their perfect record and Mahomes broke the record for the most touchdown passes in the first three games of the season (13). His 77.3% rating is just ahead of Fitzpatrick’s 76.3%, though Fitzpatrick leads the league in yards and fantasy points.
One noteworthy performance that has flown a little under the radar was from reigning league MVP Tom Brady, whose Week 3 rating was 22.7%. Brady has not had a lower rating since 2006 and he currently sits 22nd in the overall rankings. Whether this is a function of an offense in transition or Brady is finally starting the predicted ‘gradual decline’ is up for debate, but life comes at you fast in the NFL and the Patriots face the division leading Miami Dolphins this week. With Tannehill surging and Brady struggling, could there be a changing of the guard in the AFC East this year?
Finally, pour one out for Jimmy G. His season-ending knee injury means it CJ Beathard time (again) for the 49ers. In six games in 2017, Beathard had a QB Index rating of 37.9%, good enough for 36th in the NFL. He averaged 14.8 fantasy points per game, which had him ranked 22nd last season so there’s maybe a little potential with Beathard in his second year in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
QB Index Ratings - Week 3
QB Index Ratings - Season to Date
Do the rankings match up with your views of the league’s signal callers? Let me know in the comments below or hit me up on twitter @PaddiCooper