CBS Sports has released its Week 9 NFL Quarterback Power Rankings for the 2026 season, with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen returning to the No. 1 position after a strong performance that included 289 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 30 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Allen leads the league in yards per pass attempt (8.7) and total touchdowns (20) while guiding the Bills to a 6-1 record and the AFC's top seed.
The top five features Jared Goff at No. 2 after leading the Detroit Lions to a signature win over the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings, Brock Purdy holding at No. 3 during his bye week while leading the NFL in EPA per dropback (0.27), Joe Burrow at No. 4 despite becoming the first player in NFL history with 70% completion percentage and four-plus touchdowns in three consecutive games, and Trevor Lawrence at No. 5 leading the league in passer rating (112.6) for the 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Notable risers include Patrick Mahomes moving up two spots to No. 9 after a 321-yard, three-touchdown game, Kirk Cousins climbing three places to No. 10 with 19 passing touchdowns, and Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward jumping seven spots to No. 25 following a career-high 304-yard, two-touchdown effort against Burrow's Bengals. Gardner Minshew enters the rankings at No. 27 after throwing three fourth-quarter touchdowns in relief for the Arizona Cardinals.
Among the biggest fallers, Michael Penix Jr. drops five spots to No. 15 after throwing four interceptions in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Deshaun Watson falls six places to No. 26 after being sacked eight times by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Justin Herbert sits at No. 30 with a league-high 10 interceptions for the winless Los Angeles Chargers.
Baltimore Ravens undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano makes his first appearance at No. 32 after starting in place of injured quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, throwing for 91 yards and an interception in a loss to the Bills.
