NFL QB Power Rankings Week 8: Patrick Mahomes makes the jump in primetime

Successes and failures in the NFL are a week-to-week proposition.

That’s why the top and bottom spots in our NFL Quarterback Power Rankings will reflect the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately nature of the league.

Therefore, it’s a prime-time performer who leap-frogs the big three of Brady, Rodgers and Brees for the top spot. At the bottom is the quarterback of a Super Bowl-contending team that is losing patience.

Here are the QB rankings at the beginning of Week 8:

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs -- Mahomes wins the top honor for the week after coming through with a big game after being the main reason his team was elevated to a prime-time showing. (Last week: 4)

2. Drew Brees, Saints -- At 39, he leads the NFL in passer rating (121.6) and completion percentage (77.3) percent, and has yet to throw an interception. (3)

3. Tom Brady, Patriots -- He should get his four TD passes against the lowly Bills to move up to No. 2 with Brett Favre on the NFL's all-time list. (2)

4. Aaron Rodgers, Packers -- After a week to rest his weary body, he will try to shoot down the unbeaten Rams. (1)

5. Philip Rivers, Chargers -- He’s having such a great season that the Chargers’ fan base has completely forgot to buy tickets to watch him play. (5)

6. Matt Ryan, Falcons -- He threw for 379 yards, and in the end had to rely on Giorgio Tavecchio. (7)

7. Russell Wilson, Seahawks -- We’re not even halfway through the season, but the NFC West title is out of reach. But because of Wilson, the Seahawks can make a wild-card push. (6)

8. Jared Goff, Rams -- He has not enjoyed a blowout like that in the Bay Area since he led Marin Catholic to a rout over Tamalpais as a senior in high school. (8)

9. Cam Newton, Panthers -- Moving up the charts after an incredible fourth-quarter rally against the Eagles. (12)

10. Carson Wentz, Eagles -- There’s nothing special, Philly, about losing a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. (9)

11. Matthew Stafford, Lions -- With the luxury of a running game, Stafford can go into game-manager mode. That’s not a bad thing. (11)

12. Kirk Cousins, Vikings -- If he gets in a late-game bind against the Saints, throwing it deep to Stefon Diggs is a solid approach. (10)

13. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers -- Big Ben is starting to play some ball. (13)

14. Andrew Luck, Colts -- He had four TDs and just six incompletions against the Bills. He smells blood in the water this week against the Raiders. (21)

15. Alex Smith, Redskins -- He’s definitely a stable leader in D.C. (14)

16. Deshaun Watson, Texans -- He could not fly because of a partially collapsed lung and broken rib that necessitated a bus ride to Jacksonville. The ride home was sweeter after the Texans’ 20-7 victory. (16)

17. Mitchell Trubisky, Bears -- C’mon, Mitchell, can’t you throw that ball just 2 yards deeper? (17)

18. Dak Prescott, Cowboys -- Amari Cooper to the rescue! (18)

19. Andy Dalton, Bengals -- The NFL made the right call to demote the 49ers from prime time. However, they could have done a whole lot better than to elevate the Bengals to take the spot. (15)

20. Joe Flacco, Ravens -- What? Does Flacco have to do everything, like kick extra points, too? (19)

21. DEREK CARR, RAIDERS -- You have to wonder if tears were shed over the trade of Amari Cooper, the team’s fourth-leading pass-catcher. (20)

22. Eli Manning, Giants -- Two disastrous QB sneak attempts stood in the way of an otherwise strong game. (23)

23. Jameis Winston, Buccaneers -- His 356 passing yards outweigh a three-turnover showing in an OT win over the Browns. (22)

24. Marcus Mariota, Titans -- He’s having a difficult time getting over the hump. (30)

25. Baker Mayfield, Browns -- The No. 1 pick has been far from perfect, but he's clearly at the top of the rookie class. (26)

26. Case Keenum, Broncos -- He managed to do a good job of staying out of the way, as the Broncos rolled up 45 points on the moribund Cardinals. (29)

27. Brock Osweiler, Dolphins -- He faces his former team Thursday. Jadeveon Clowney accurately summed up Osweiler’s one season with the Texans, "We didn't win a lot with him.” (25)

28. Sam Darnold, Jets -- He’s coming off a loss to the Vikings in which he looked like a completely overmatched rookie. (24)

29. C.J. BEATHARD, 49ERS -- The 49ers have turned into a turnover factory since he replaced Jimmy G. (28)

30. Josh Rosen, Cardinals -- At least he has yet to demand a trade. (31)

31. Derek Anderson, Bills -- Hopefully, he learned his lesson and won’t be caught laughing on the sideline when the Patriots are up by 35 points in the second quarter Monday night. (Josh Allen, 32)

32. Blake Bortles, Jaguars -- Awful. Just awful. He got the hook last week in favor of Cody Kessler, and he'd better pick up his game or he’s going to the bench permanently. (27)