A new NFL season is finally upon us, and right off the bat, with Thursday night's opener between the and , we'll get a clinic on the importance of quarterback play. If not for and , neither the Chiefs nor the Texans would be where they are today, and K.C. especially wouldn't be coming off a long-awaited title.In a pa sing league, the pa sers are royalty. (It's no coincidence that both Mahomes and Watson are fresh off mega-contract agreements, the former making sports history with a 10-year, $500 million deal and Watson just this week cashing in on a four-year extension that'll pay him $39 million per year starting in 2021.)And so it's hard -- no, impo sible -- to forecast the 2020 season without also forecasting the quarterbacks.It's with that in mind we are proud to introduce this year's QB Power Rankings, a weekly feature that'll be your cut-and-dry guide to the best and the worst of the 's signal-callers -- a 1-to-32 rundown of every starter under center.A couple of notes, before we get started: This isn't strictly a projection of where QBs will rank by the end of 2020, or even where they stand today ( , Kevin Minter Jersey for example, is ahead of both Watson and , but the latter two are obviously superior long-term talents). Rather, it's a combination of both, taking into consideration a QB's resume, upside and current team situation.After Week 1, the rankings will be more of a true weekly reflection, fluctuating with each game performance. So, for example, if throws 450 yards on Pittsburgh's defense (unlikely), he'll probably shoot up the board for Week 2.Love the rankings? Absolutely despise them? Either way, thanks for reading, and be sure to fire your feedback .QB Power Rankings1 Kansas City Chiefs QB Do you need an explanation? Any team, save for maybe the , would happily swap their QB for No. 15 here. It feels like we're already taking for granted just how athletic, poised and polished this guy is at 24. With a championship-level supporting cast, all signs point to Mahomes storming back into the MVP conversation.2 Baltimore Ravens QB He's still got the playoffs to tackle, and you could argue he still has room to John Miller Jersey grow as a pa ser. But there is pretty much no defending him otherwise. If Jackson is on the field, he's an immediate threat to score. Easily the most explosive dual-threat QB of his time.3 Seattle Seahawks QB He's been doing his thing for a long time now, but Wilson is as nimble at 31 as he was at 26. We can roll our eyes at Seattle's run-first approach all day, but the fact is he's still thrown at least 30 TDs in four of the last five seasons. Pencil him in for another 30 in 2020, with the touting a rock-solid receiving corps.4 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints QB Now in his 40s, Brees might seem like a risky top-five placement after mi sing five games due to injury in 2019, but we can't overlook the numbers: He's completed more than 70 percent of his throws in three straight years and is poised to contend for an MVP operating a loaded attack ( , , ) this year.5 Dallas Cowboys QB We've seen Dak crumble without his weapons before, but the trajectory since 2018 has been as promising as that of any QB. He may never boast the acrobatic wizardry of a Mahomes or Jackson, but Prescott is a smart, accurate and sturdy presence in the pocket. He's also got the benefit of a monster WR corps in 2020.6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Old Man River has been written off in some corners for an uninspiring finale in New England, but he's still one of the game's most dedicated pocket technicians. Consider that, over the last five years, from ages 38-42, Brady has totaled 149 TDs, just 36 INTs and 280 yards per game. Now consider that he's in a much better, more explosive offense in Tampa.7 Houston Texans QB Handsomely (and rightfully) paid, Watson is more privy to bad games than you'd think, but when he's on, he can go tit-for-tat with anyone. You have to wonder whether his ceiling Trey Hopkins Jersey would be higher if Houston's roster were managed differently.8 Philadelphia Eagles QB He's finished three straight seasons on the sidelines but -- believe it or not -- has also started all 16 games twice. In other words, yes, the injuries are a concern, but they're not the end-all, be-all description of a guy who's thrown 81 TDs and just 21 INTs since 2017. The could use a touch more stability from No. 11, but he's physically capable of top-five feats.9 Atlanta Falcons QB The interception bug was back in 2019, but you pretty much always know what you're going to get with Ryan. He's also had an on-and-off leap into MVP-caliber numbers as of late, and 2020 would mark an "on" year. With his receivers, it's po sible.10 Detroit Lions QB The opinions are often varied when it comes to Stafford, who's never won a playoff game and is fresh off a back fracture that cost him half the 2019 season. But if you need a guy who can sling it, he's your guy. On an MVP pace prior to his injury, Stafford has the arm and guts to win any shootout, and this year he's got an underrated offense around him.11 Green Bay Packers QB Like Brady, he's been shrugged off as "old news Damion Willis Jersey " by a good handful just because of 2019, when he had few answers in some big games but still to sed 26 TDs compared to just four INTs. Is he still the Unstoppable A-Rod of years past? Not nece sarily. But let's not kid ourselves. Even with an underwhelming WR corps, most teams would kill to have him running the show.12 Pittsburgh Steelers QB Everything is riding on his surgically repaired elbow, but all signs point to a big rebound for Big Ben. He's never been immune to a sloppy day or a string of turnovers, but rested and recharged, there's little reason he won't return to Pro Bowl form.13 Arizona Cardinals QB This is a lofty projection for a second-year starter Nick Vigil Jersey with plenty of growing to do. (If Murray wants to last 16 games, he has to be more decisive not only with his throws but moving in the pocket.) But the intangibles and raw dual-threat skills are undeniable. Having , , and helps.14 San Francisco 49ers QB He's not a perfect signal-caller, and if we're being honest, even at 28, he's still a signal-caller in terms of full-time experience. Imagine, though, how our perception would be different had San Francisco held on to win the Super Bowl. At the end of the day, Jimmy G is still an ideal play-action operator for Kyle Shanahan's attack.15 Minnesota Vikings QB A highly efficient gamer with an underrated deep ball off the play action, Cousins thrives as part of Minnesota's run-first approach. The underlying concern: When things break down, or when the season's on the line, will he ever be the showstopper to save the day? The ' perennial O-line i sues don't help.16 Indianapolis Colts QB Is Rivers, at 38, the guy who threw 20 INTs on a 5-11 team in 2019, or the guy who threw 32 TDs on a 12-4 Chargers team the year prior? Probably somewhere