Browns’ Mayfield on a red-hot run Five to watch this week

Despite pick, Brees still best QB all season long

Each week during the NFL season, USA TODAY will assess everyone’s favorite topic: quarterbacks. Who’s hot? Who’s not? Who has the most exciting matchups? This week’s QB Hot Sheet:

1. Philip Rivers, Chargers: Coming off his record-setting day, Rivers will be without one of his top weapons in running back Melvin Gordon, who has an MCL injury to his right knee. Gordon ranks second on the team in receptions (44), third in yards (453) and tied for third in receiving scores (four). Against a Steelers secondary that ranks sixth (223.3 yards per game) in passing defense, Rivers will need to be accurate and efficient again.

2. Cody Kessler, Jaguars: The Blake Bortles era in Jacksonville might be over, but now Kessler is vying for his long-term future after coach Doug Marrone announced he’d start against the Colts. Marrone also figures to have a bigger role in the offense after he fired coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Look for Kessler to manage the game against the Colts and try to avoid turnovers, something Bortles couldn’t do consistently.

3. Dak Prescott, Cowboys: Since Amari Cooper landed in Dallas, Prescott and the offense has been significantly better. Prescott also hasn’t had a turnover in Dallas’ three-game winning streak. Going toe-to-toe with the explosive Saints offense that leads the league in scoring (37.2 points per game), Prescott can’t afford any mistakes.

4. Tom Brady, Patriots: The Pats rushed for their most yards (215) since 2014 last weekend against the Jets. And with New England getting healthy for this playoff push, an effective ground game could open up the passing attack. Whether that comes true this weekend might depend how Brady fares against a stingy Vikings defense allowing the fifth-fewest passing yards (221.1 per game) of any team.

5. Jeff Driskel, Bengals: Andy Dalton (thumb) landed on injured reserve and his season is over, so Driskel gets his first career start. The third-year pro played well in the second half to make a blowout loss to the Browns more competitive. Cincinnati is wrecked by injuries, so look for coordinator Bill Lazor to try to scheme players open and focus on the ground game against the Broncos.

Three trending up

1. Rivers: Setting NFL records for completion rate (96.6 percent) and consecutive completions to start a game (25) brought Rivers well-deserved attention.

2. Baker Mayfield, Browns: In the three games since interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens took over, Mayfield’s passer rating is 129.5, placing the rookie second in the NFL over that span. Four TDs and no picks against the Bengals bolstered a potential rookie of the year campaign.

3. Marcus Mariota, Titans: Mariota had just one incompletion with 303 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans, making him a bright spot for Tennessee in a loss.

Three trending down

1. Bortles: This might very well be the last we see of Bortles as the Jaguars’ starter, though cutting him will be costly ($11.5 million with a post-June 1 designation).

2. Matthew Stafford, Lions: The trade of receiver Golden Tate to the Eagles has hurt Stafford, but two crushing interceptions against the Bears, the latter of which was returned for a touchdown and served as the game-winning score, show Stafford is still far too inconsistent.

3. Dalton: Given the Bengals’ collapse in the middle of the season, perhaps it’s for the best that Dalton is out for the rest of the season. Changes to the coaching staff could be coming this offseason, so Dalton’s future in Cincy bears watching.

Season rankings

1. Drew Brees (last week: 1), Saints: He threw another pick but still has been the best QB all year long with 76.4 percent completion rate, 3,135 yards, 29 touchdowns and just two picks.

2. Patrick Mahomes (2), Chiefs: He was on a bye but stays at No. 2, even though a familiar foe closed the margin.

3. Rivers (4): As consistent as any quarterback playing right now, Rivers has an argument for league MVP.

4. Andrew Luck, Colts (3): He now has eight games with at least three touchdown passes and is second in the league with 32.

5. Russell Wilson (NR), Seahawks: Perhaps no other player in the NFL has greater influence on his team’s outcome in any given game than Wilson. A young and energetic defense is key, but Wilson is carrying the Seahawks to a surprise playoff push.

Dropped: Jared Goff (5)

AARON DOSTER/USA TODAY SPORTS Browns QB Baker Mayfield has had nine TD passes and only one interception in the three games since the coaching staff shake-up.