Sep 13, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
With nearly a quarter of the NFL season gone, we’re already in October, and by month’s end, half the year will be gone. The season flies by, and now we are already seeing bye weeks, which opens the door for two newcomers on these rankings.
Here are the fantasy football QB rankings for Week 5 of the season.
MORE: Fantasy Football studs & duds for Week 5 of 2026 NFL season
Ranks 12-10
Sep 27, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws downfield during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
12. Drake Maye-Patriots: Maye finally makes this list. The first three weeks of the season, Maye was statistically the worst QB in the league…so of course he went into Buffalo and defeated the previously undefeated Bills. This week’s game against the Raiders may be more difficult for him, with Maxx Crosby hunting him all game. Look for Maye’s rushing yds to be high as he uses his legs all game to get out of harm’s way.
11. Daniel Jones-Colts: Jones had a nice victory last week in London. This week, he and the Colts go to Pittsburgh to face off against the very mediocre Steelers team.
10. Joe Burrow-Bengals: The Bengals are what they have recently been over the last few years: a mediocre team. They are 2-2, and just not clicking on all cylinders. With that said, Burrow still puts up Burrow-like numbers. Burrow is averaging nearly 300 yards per game and completing over 70% of his passes. His QB rating is 99.5, and he has better than a 2-1 TD-INT ratio.
They go to Miami to play the woeful Dolphins…a team that is giving up over 25pts per game this year. Burrow would be higher on this list, but both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins left last week’s game. Chase left with a concussion and is day-to-day, while Higgins left with an abductor injury.
Ranks 9-7
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
Sep 27, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
9. Tyler Shough-Saints: Shough lost a game this week at home against the Saints. And while the team is 1-3, he’s still putting up solid numbers. He’ll be playing from behind this week and forced to throw the ball early and often.
8. Michael Penix-Falcons: With the best ground game in the league, Penix will continue to have a ton of time whenever the Falcons employ a play-action pass. And with their ball control and passing attack, Penix is thriving. And every so often he has the ability to uncork one deep. All of a sudden, the Falcons are a dangerous team.
7. CJ Stroud-Texans: Stroud and the Texans get off the schnide this week in Tennessee with Stroud having a solid game. He hasn’t been that bad this year, as it’s really their defense that has let them down, giving up an average of over 25pts per game. Stroud is averaging 285 passing yds per game, with 5 TDs and zero picks on the young season. His completion percentage is down to a career low of 61.6%, although he’s never been an overly accurate thrower.
Ranks 6-4
Sep 27, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) carries the ball for seven yards during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
6. Trevor Lawrence-Jaguars: Lawrence and the Jaguars are comfortable playing in London…it’s almost like their second home stadium. Lawrence has been a tactician this season and has led the Jaguars to first place and a 3-1 record.
There has been something off in Philadelphia all year, and their woes will continue overseas. The Jags’ defense is one of the best in the league this year and will get the ball to Lawrence in great field position all game. They’ve only given up 13pts per game. Lawrence will win this game rather easily.
5. Bo Nix-Broncos: The Broncos have sputtered out of the gate in this young season. They are 2-2 but should get well this week at home against the winless Chargers. They say it’s tough to face a wounded animal…and at the moment, not many teams are more wounded and desperate than the Chargers.
While the Broncos have had a difficult time scoring, the Chargers are giving up over 26pts per game. Nix will take advantage of the home cooking, as he continues to get comfortable with his new OC, Davis Webb.
4. Matthew Stafford-Rams: This season has been strange for the Rams. It started in Australia with their ridiculous strategy of arriving about 10 minutes before game time, and subsequently lost Miles Garrett. They’ve been surprisingly playing from behind and subsequently lost two games.
This week they are home to face the Bills. Points should fill the scoreboard for both teams, with the two veteran QBs putting on a show. The Bills defense has been somewhat non-existent this year. Look for that to continue, especially now that Stafford has Puka Nacua back healthy.
MORE: Fantasy Football biggest injuries entering Week 5: Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley & more
Top 3
Sep 17, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
3. Jared Goff-Lions: Whether they win or lose, the Lions score pts. They lost this week in Carolina, and it was the first time all year they didn’t score over 30pts. That blip changes this week, as they again put up over 30pts. They are in Arizona and will not lose to a team that has given up nearly 30pts per game. Between Goff and RB Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions will score five TDs, going away.
2. Josh Allen-Bills: Something is going on in Buffalo. They had five turnovers two weeks ago and lost their first game this week against the Patriots. Allen is still putting up solid numbers, but he’s made some awful decisions which cost them a W this week.
It doesn’t get any easier this week as they head to Los Angeles to play the Rams. It seems unlikely they will lose two in a row, but it seems equally unlikely the Rams will start the year 2-3. Something has to give this week. If Buffalo loses and the Patriots win, the Pats will take first place.
1. Dak Prescott-Cowboys: There are times that Prescott looks like the best QB on the planet. It feels like this will be one of those weeks. They are home against the winless Buccaneers, who have given up 24pts per game. Prescott has led the Cowboys to over 30pts per game this year. He is completing 70% of his passes and has an 8-1 TD-INT ratio.
He has been the field general Cowboys fans have been searching for for the better part of a decade. The Buccaneers will put up little resistance in this Thursday game, and the Cowboys will win by at least two touchdowns.