NFC North quarterback power rankings: Jordan Love falls entering Week 17

How do the quarterbacks stack up against each other heading into Week 17?

New Orleans Saints v Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints v Green Bay Packers | Patrick McDermott/GettyImages

After a big Week 16 win against the New Orleans Saints, the Green Bay Packers are heading back to the postseason.

They will join the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, who have already punched their ticket to the playoffs over the past few weeks.

The three quarterbacks have had their share of the spotlight atop these rankings, with Caleb Williams having a consistent seat in the basement. Without further adieu, let's jump into our rankings of the NFC North quarterbacks heading into Week 17.

NFC North quarterback rankings entering Week 18

4. Caleb Williams, Bears

Caleb Williams and the Bears already played in Week 17, losing to Seattle 6-3 on Thursday Night Football.

Williams was going to be in the basement of our rankings before the Week 17 loss, as he struggled against the Lions in Week 16, completing 26 of 40 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 17, things were magnified with the national audience, with the rookie completing 16 of 28 passes for 122 yards and an interception.

After starting 4-2, the Bears have stumbled to 10 straight losses, which have come in some incredibly heartbreaking fashion. This isn't all Williams' fault, as awful coaching, a terrible offensive line, and ultimately, a lot of bad luck have combined to put the rookie behind the proverbial eight-ball.

Still, the game against Seattle again showed the young signal-caller's lack of growth. Williams still thinks he can evade NFL pressure by running in circles in the backfield. While he isn't forcing as many throws, it is still evident to anyone watching that Williams has struggled to adjust to the NFL game.

3. Jordan Love, Packers

There is a significant distance from Williams to Jordan Love in the No. 3 spot. Against the Saints, Love completed 16 of 28 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown while avoiding an interception again.

Love slides from 1 to 3 this week, through no fault of his own. He opened up the game with a touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks, and the rest of Green Bay's scoring came on the ground, with Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks, and Emanuel Wilson all finding the end zone. Make no mistake about it: Love played a good game against the Saints, but he didn't need to be Superman to get the win this week, and, in turn, falls in our weekly rankings.

2. Sam Darnold, Vikings

Sam Darnold was a key piece of the Vikings' 27-24 win against Seattle in Week 16, completing 22 of 35 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns, including a late 39-yard connection to Justin Jefferson to put the Vikings up for good with 3:51 left in the ballgame.

READ MORE: Playoff projections reveal Packers' most likely first-round opponent

Minnesota continues to win, albeit ugly at times. Still, Darnold was a key piece in the win. I will be the first to say, I am incredibly surprised by Darnold's renaissance with the Vikings, and kudos to him. He is doing enough to win and ranks seventh in yards this season and fifth in touchdowns. This may end up being as high as Darnold gets the rest of the season, as he will face Green Bay and Detroit to close out the year.

1. Jared Goff, Lions

Jared Goff has been one of the top quarterbacks in the league, let alone the division, this season, and Sunday was no different. Against the Bears in Week 16, Goff completed 23 of 32 passes for 336 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

The Lions are on track to win the NFC North and can clinch it with a win and a Vikings loss in Week 17. Goff did more than his fair share against the Bears to lead the Lions' rout and reach a franchise-record 13th win for the season. While Goff likely won't win the NFL MVP award as Josh Allen seems destined to take home that hardware, a career year from Goff very well could lead the Lions deep into the playoffs and perhaps the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance.

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