Who is QB1 in the NFL?

In a season where it seems like any team can win on any given Sunday, there is a league-wide debate on who truly is QB1. These quarterbacks have made a strong case with their play thus far and are all arguably the best in the world.

Patrick Mahomes

The greatness of Mahomes continues in year nine; he is third in passing yards (3,238) and fifth in passing touchdowns (22).
At 30 years old, Mahomes is already among the greatest to ever do it. He’s never failed to make the AFC championship game in his eight years as Kansas City’s starter and has three Super Bowl rings in 5 appearances.

If there was any quarterback that an NFL GM would want on their team to lead them to a Super Bowl, they would most likely pick Mahomes. However, his team’s success looked different from what NFL fans are accustomed to seeing.

The Kansas City Chiefs currently sit at 6-6 and are on the outside looking in for a wild-card spot. All six losses came in one-score games. Last season, the Chiefs were 11-0 in one-score games. The Chiefs are still putting up numbers, but just can’t seem to win those close matchups.

Mahomes's reign over the NFL may be slowing down a bit, but no team wants to see Mahomes and the Chiefs on Wild Card Weekend. Through all the doubt and hate throughout his career, Mahomes has always prevailed.

Drake Maye

The fan favorite, who has notoriously earned the nickname Drake “Drake Maye,” Maye has grown leaps and bounds in his second year in the league. Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, Maye and the New England Patriots currently hold the best record in the league and are on a 10-game winning streak.

Maye leads the league in passing yards (3,412) and is fourth in the league in passing touchdowns (23). Maye has also had a league-leading completion percentage of 71.5% (minimum 30 attempts) on just six interceptions.

While leading the league in passing yards, Maye has yet to eclipse 300 yards in a game. Maye’s stats during games don’t necessarily jump off the page. However, his game is all about consistency and being conservative with the football.

Maye is currently the odds-on favorite to win league MVP.

Matthew Stafford

Father Time does not have a hold on 37-year-old Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, as he is having his best year in year 17.

Stafford has been absolutely balling this season with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 32-4 and sits fourth in the league in passing yards (3,073). He has led his Rams team to the top record in the NFC with his exceptional performances.

The Rams have played 12 games thus far. Stafford has had the same number of games throwing for three or more touchdowns as he has had throwing for less than three.

Up until his tough loss against the Carolina Panthers, Stafford was the clear favorite for MVP. However, Stafford had his worst game of the season, turning the ball over three times. The Panthers' victory was sealed by his fumble in Carolina territory during the closing stages of the fourth quarter.

Although this was a rough game for Stafford, his play otherwise has been the stuff of legend. After throwing two interceptions in his first three games, he threw 28 consecutive touchdown passes in eight games without an interception.

When Stafford found Davante Adams in the end zone against the Panthers in the first quarter, he set the record with 29 consecutive touchdown passes.

Stafford has been playing too well for one bad game to sway his chances of league MVP and in year 17, his experience may give him the edge over a player like Maye as we near closer to the postseason.

Owen Buchholz is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him please email him at buchholz.owen13@gmail.com.