NFL QB Power Rankings: Jalen Hurts vs. Jayden Daniels, who has the edge?

Ryan OLeary

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NFL QB Power Rankings: Jalen Hurts vs. Jayden Daniels, who has the edge? image

Jalen Hurts got the best of soaring rookie Jayden Daniels last week on Thursday Night Football, but which quarterback would you rather have for the stretch run of the 2024 regular season?

Hurts’ poise and toughness were once again on display in Philadelphia’s 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders. He shook off a shaky start to lead three consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Daniels struggled against the Eagles’ buzzsaw defense, tossing a late interception that effectively ended the game with 4:58 remaining.

The Commanders haven’t yet hit their bye week, so they’ve played 11 games to the Eagles’  10. Still, Hurts holds a slight edge nearly across the board over his new young division rival, including completion percentage, pass yards per game, QB rating and rushing touchdowns, and has cracked the top five in odds for MVP:

CBS Sports recently released its Week 12 QB Power Rankings, and NFL analyst Cody Benjamin ranked Hurts (No. 6) one spot ahead of Daniels (No. 7). Here was his take on both players:

“The Eagles remain a touch erratic offensively, but boy do they deliver when it counts. Hurts is back to automatic as a rusher, and his downfield touch shows up late. Don't sleep on Philly in the NFC.

“Back-to-back games against legit defenses have taken a toll on his once-soaring rookie campaign, but that's more a testament to those teams. Daniels' natural tools still give Washington life.” — Benjamin

It’s important to note that Daniels dropped three spots in these rankings, so he’s spent the majority of the season ahead of Hurts. Both the Eagles and Commanders figure to be a tough out, but come January, it’s hard not to favor Hurts’ experience as a proven winner.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.