The clear favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year is still Jayden Daniels. However, the competition for the honor can resume if results similar to those in Week 11 persist.
The Denver Broncos’ playoff hopes were further cemented when Bo Nix, who started Week 10 with the second-best betting odds for OROY, put on a tremendous performance and led the team to a decisive 38-6 victory over the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons.
Daniels, meanwhile, had to contend with the strong NFC East. Michael Penix Jr. suffered his first NFL failure, while Caleb Williams came dangerously close to recording a hallmark victory against the rival Packers.
As Week 11 progresses, here are the most recent NFL rookie quarterback power rankings:
Rookie QB power rankings
(The rating from last week is indicated in parenthesis.)
1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Stats for week eleven: 22 for 32 (68.7%) for 191 yards 7 rushes for 18 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Week 11 stats: 298 (68.7%) for 2,338 yards, 10 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and 92 runs for 482 yards and 4 touchdowns
Why he s #1
Daniels has built up enough of a lead early on to withstand the three-week statistical drop he has endured. His play has been somewhat lackluster since his historic Hail Mary convert that helped Washington defeat the Chicago Bears. He has only amassed 702 throwing yards, three touchdowns, and 58 rushing yards in that time, which has helped the Commanders record 1-2.
The Commanders (7-4) are still one of the NFC’s feel-good stories this season in spite of this. Daniels has only managed 18 carries in the last three games, though, which may be due to a rib injury that he is apparently struggling with.
In a pivotal divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles, however, Washington led 10-6 after three quarters and could smell first place. However, in the fourth quarter, Vic Fangio’s relentless defense proved too much for Daniels and the Washington offense to overcome, as the Eagles defeated the Commanders 26–18 after outscoring them 20–8 in the last 15 minutes.
Sadly for Daniels, there aren’t any more primetime showcase games scheduled for Washington. But, along with either of their final two games against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17 or the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, their Week 16 clash might be flexed to Sunday Night Football.
Although his MVP candidacy is formally gone, Daniels is still the overwhelming favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (-550, FanDuel Sportsbook) with seven weeks remaining, despite his recent dip and some rumors that Nix and others are entering the OROY discussion.
As Pennsylvania sports bettors, Daniels and the Commanders will host the Cowboys on Sunday.
2. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Stats for week eleven: 28 for 33 (84.9%) for 307 yards 4 TDs, 0 INTs, and 2 5-yard rushes
Week 11 stats: 234 for 357 (65.5%) for 2,275 yards, 14 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and 63 rushes for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns
Why he s #2
Denver has improved from a 0–2 start and an AFC also-ran to six wins in its last nine games, solidifying its position in the final AFC playoff place, one game ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, with seven weeks remaining. This is because Nix is no longer a game manager and can instead win the Broncos a game.
More significantly, though, Nix played his greatest professional game in a game that the Broncos really needed. With a loss to the Falcons, who had won five of seven going into Sunday, Denver, who had already lost two straight games, might have easily lost their postseason position.
The Broncos (6-5) will now play three consecutive games against teams that are below.500, including their Week 14 matchup against the Colts in Denver, as Nix smashed the Falcons, halting Denver’s slide.
As Bo gains more faith in Sean Payton’s offense, the excitement surrounding him is beginning to spread throughout the top PA sportsbooks and may intensify even more. With their fifth-ranked defense, the Broncos will be difficult to defeat if Nix plays this way.
When the Broncos play the Raiders in Week 12 in Las Vegas, where Denver is -5.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, Nix and the team will look to improve on their performance.
3. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Stats for week eleven: 23 for 31 (74.2%) for 231 yards 9 rushes for 70 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 penalties
Week 11 stats: 49 rushes for 306 yards, 325 (61.8%) for 2,016 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions
Why he s #3
Williams came very close to saving the Bears’ season in spite of the chaos and controversy that surrounded Halas Hall all week.
With a new play caller, after offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was fired, and Chicago (4-6) suffering a three-game losing run, Williams excelled by completing about 75 percent of his passes and assisting the Bears in converting all three of their fourth-down attempts and 9 of 16 third-downs. Williams finished just one yard short of D Andre Swift’s 71-yard performance for the Bears team lead, making plays with his arms and legs.
By moving the ball 42 yards on six plays and creating a chance for Cairo Santos to make a game-winning field goal from 46 yards out, Williams even placed Chicago in a position to win the game. Karl Brooks, however, stopped the kick, and Green Bay defeated Chicago 20-19, winning for the eleventh time in a row.
The Bears still have the most difficult schedule for the remainder of the season, according to Tankathon (.729-win %), so it’s wonderful to hear that Williams’ encouraging growth is all a part of Chicago’s rebuild.
The Bears will play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday to wrap off a three-game home stand as +3.5-point underdogs at BetMGM Sportsbook.
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Stats for week eleven: 30 for 40 (75.0%) for 282 yards 3 rushes for 27 yards, 1 INT, and 2 TDs
Week 11 stats: 125 for 190 yards, or 65.8%, for 1,236 yards 28 rushes for 260 yards, 1 TD, 6 INTs, and 9 TDs
Why he s #4
Even though it might seem unbelievable, this was the third-best performance a rookie quarterback had on Sunday. Before his desperate pick to Kamren Kinchens on the Pats’ final drive, Maye led his team back from an 11-point hole in the second half with three consecutive scoring drives, holding the lowly Patriots (3-8) in the game against the considerably superior Los Angeles Rams.
Even though New England might not win many games in the final stretch, it looks like the team is in good hands with Maye as its franchise quarterback because he has been putting up strong performances since replacing Jacoby Brissett in Week 6.
The Pats, who are touchdown underdogs at BetRivers Sportsbook, will travel to South Florida on Sunday to play the Dolphins.
5. Michael Penix Jr, Atlanta Falcons
Stats for Week 11: 2 for 4 (50%) for 24 yards Zero TDs and zero INTs
Week 11 stats: 3 for 5 (60%) for 38 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
Why he s #5
It is clear Penix is the quarterback in waiting in Atlanta, since he continues to fill in in mop-up duty he has done it twice in blowout losses, first against the Seahawks in Week 7 and then again Sunday against the Broncos.
Nevertheless, given that Atlanta is in win-now mentality and its rookie quarterback has only thrown five passes, Penix is also obviously Kirk Cousins’ backup, at least for this season.
In order to keep the peace and avoid any rumors of a quarterback dispute, coach Raheem Morris has demonstrated excellent judgment in obtaining his rookie quarterback NFL game reps. By selecting Penix with the eighth overall decision, Atlanta put him in a nearly impossible position. Penix was the fourth quarterback taken, four slots ahead of Denver, who selected Nix.
However, Atlanta (6-5) is still one and a half games ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has swept both of their meetings with them. They are also two games ahead of the New Orleans Saints for first place in the NFC South. When Atlanta finally secures its division in December, Penix may be expected to handle a greater workload.
After their bye week in Week 12, the Falcons will host the Los Angeles Chargers on December 1 in an attempt to end their two-game losing streak. At Caesars Sportsbook, Atlanta has -400 odds to qualify for the playoffs.
6. Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
Stats for Week 11: N/A
Results through Week 11:59 for 571 yards (59.6%) 9 rushes for 61 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Why he s #6
The Saints (4-7) featured three different quarterbacks in their 35-14 win over the Cleveland Browns, with Derek Carr, Taysom Hill and Jake Haener each taking at least two snaps under center. Yet, Rattler was inactive and served as the emergency third quarterback for the third straight week.
Rattler is unlikely to take another snap the rest of this season, barring an unforeseen appearance if or when the Saints are eliminated from postseason contention in December or January. Even if Carr and Haener were injured in a game, Hill would still be in line to take quarterback reps away from Rattler.
The Saints will have their bye week before trying to score their third straight win against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 1. New Orleans still sits as longshots (+2000,Fanatics Sportsbook) to win the NFC South.