After Week 5/6 games, it’s finally plausible to name the overrated and underrated QB’s thus far. It’s been a stressful season of football in the NFC; but even the AFC struggles since the refs aren’t helping the New England Patriots enough. On a more serious note, here’s an analysis of various NFC Quarterbacks expectations vs performances.
NFC North
In this NFC North division, Kirk Cousins (Vikings) and Mitch Trubisky (Bears) have exceeded any previous expectations of them. Aaron Rodgers is undeniably playing at his highest level, and Matthew Stafford is playing at usual Matthew Stafford (step above) mediocrity. At this point in the season, there isn’t too much to change for any of these QB’s, besides Stafford throwing 4 interceptions against the Jets in his first game. Granted, he did change that and has only thrown 1 interception since then. On Kirk Cousins end, he had been traded from the Redskins to the Vikings and this move is reassured by his results. Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers both have over 1900 total yards and 12 Touchdowns each. Both teams are 3-2, Greenbay just lost to the Detroit Lions with a final score of 31-23, and the Vikings don’t play Detroit for another week. Not to mention the fact that early in the season, these two teams actually tied in overtime 29-29.Mitch Trubisky continues to show his individual contributions to the team and his versatile play ability. It’s surprising that even with these four quarterbacks, no team has more than three wins, even Greenbay could’ve gone further than 3 wins. Trubisky is even destroying any doubt that may have preceded him with 1261 total yards and 11 touchdowns. This division doesn’t have any under-performing QB’s at this rate. Let’s see what the second half of the season holds up for the North as Playoffs start to roll in slowly. Here’s a video of Aaron Rodgers on just a usual Sunday game.
NFC East
In a very different manner, the NFC East have a more compiled quarterback situation. Eli Manning and Dak Prescott are two NFC East starting quarterbacks that are slandered by the public for opposite reasons and concerns. The Giants are now 1-5 and the Cowboys are 3-3, so it’s not unreasonable to raise questions on both ends of the Offensive spectrum. Is a bad offensive game attributed to this quarterback? Are these fluid offensive plays due to quarterback/receiver chemistry? Or is the lack of chemistry the cause of the L’s? As for the other NFC East teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, neither team is emerging as an alarming threat or a rollover win. But there aren’t any major quarterback issues between those teams so Carson Wentz and Alex Smith are in the clear for now. The main issue focuses in on Eli Manning and Dak Prescott.
Eli Manning, Giants QB
Still here to appreciate the utter greatness of both Manning brothers, but the younger Manning is still overrated. This time period of the Giants can be summed up by “New York State of Depression”. There is current discussion about if Eli is acceptable because of his reliance on his receiving squad; but even that isn’t overly impressive. Lets compare Manning at 6 TD passes and 3 interceptions, to breakout rookie Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) who has more than double the touchdown passes (14 TD’s) and only 2 interceptions. For a while, I fell victim to blaming the Offensive line, and granted they still have their faults. However, there visibly were improvements and allowed more time to throw. Onto the Giant’s main receivers like Sterling Shepard, Odell Beckham Jr, and even Saquon Barkley who can catch for a run: They showing up to every game! Flashing back to OBJ’s sideline fits, Shepard threw a familiar fit on the sidelines during this Carolina game after an interception was thrown while in the Redzone. Ironically, Odell Beckham was the player trying to calm Shepard as he blindly beat inanimate objects on the sideline. Linking the video down below for your viewing pleasure. Keep in mind the intensity of this game, and the pressure as a respected receiver whose team has only one win, but even OBJ has mostly learned from the sideline tantrums. There should be playoff and Super Bowl-winning Manning plays. Back to the QB, Manning overall is still an overrated player in congruence with his receiving squad: do better Eli.
Dak Prescott
After an extremely underwhelming passing game from Dak Prescott across the board, even this pro bowl quarterback was called into question. The Cowboys failure to successfully split the offensive side between passing and rushing, became a problem almost instantaneously. Zeke Elliott is a key component to the Cowboys Offense, but constantly rushing him into the teeth of the defense does’t always get the job done. Can Prescott rely on his own receiving squad? After Dez Bryant’s release and Jason Witten’s retirement, there hasn’t been much action from these new receivers. However, underrated slot receiver Cole Beasley has been underutilized until this past Sunday, that lead to a 40-17 blowout against Jacksonville Jaguars “top rated” defense in the league. Other notable contributions were Tavon Austin and Michael Gallup who made a few imperative receptions. Then Prescott rushed himself for his own career high of 82 yards, a rushing TD, and threw for 2 TDs. Disregarding some awful play calling and decision-making in the past games, Prescott looked more comfortable using his legs and moving around when his receivers weren’t open. This game made a statement for Prescott that he was never at full blame for receiver issues. When receivers are utilized in the ideal times, (thank you Scott Linehan, Offensive Coordinator); Prescott will deliver results. This next NFC matchup against the Redskins (3-2), will show if those Offensive improvements from Prescott and his receivers are a permanent threat in the future games.
About 9 minutes of Dallas Cowboys Offense running the game lead by Dak Prescott.
NFC South
Cam Newton and Jameis Winston are two quarterbacks from the NFC South who always seem to be in the negative public eye, for football reasons (and others swept under the rug). However, based on performance, leadership, and consistency this season, both of these quarterbacks are on the overrated side. The other half of the division with the 4-1 Saints lead by football god, Drew Brees, and the unfortunate case of the 2-4 Falcons by Matt Ryan, both of these quarterbacks are playing at their best level yet. Condolences to Matt Ryan who has thrown more touchdowns and passed for more yards than even Brady. Matt Ryan already has 14 TD and 1596 passing yards. Not to discredit Drew Brees with ranges of 200-400 yard passing games and 0 interceptions. Both of these historic quarterbacks are doing their job twice.
Cam Newton
Cam Newton doesn’t seem to be too over or underrated by the public, but he’s still a bit overrated based on his outlier passing yards. In his game against the Giants he had 237 passing yards, and two touchdowns, but also two interceptions. And the Giants almost sneaked up but fell short at 33-31: ending in a Panthers modest win. Or another example during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Newton threw for under 160 yds and 0 interceptions but came up with a win at 31-21. It seems like a trade-off with Newton, and it’s no longer an issue with the Offensive line. Cam now has more time to throw and improved protection in the pocket. Since he’s only getting sacked on average 1.6 times a game, just expecting more from this 7 year quarterback. Cam is also a capable running quarterback, so extra yardage is being picked up by himself. The time of possession is still an advantage that Carolina carries as a team, which helps them guide the game in their direction. At some point, Newton must be held as a key responsibility to have Carolina finish the game with a win. Still great respect for his recent game performance after a tough 23-17 loss to the Redskins. That video is linked below, it’s a brief but concise statement from Newton on the loss and improvements for the upcoming games. Not discrediting that Cam is completing 65.9% of his passes, which is best in his career thus far, but looking forward to improvements in Newton’s consistency from the 1st quarter of the game through the 4th quarter.
Jameis Winston
In his second game back after suspension, Winston is already creating new PTSD for Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans. Winston is still being overrated by fans, possible denial that Fitzpatrick is better. Flashing back to his first game back against Chicago, Ryan Fitzpatrick is replaced by Winston and he immediately throws an interception. As for this game there were great improvements in his completion percentages in this Falcons game at 73% and 4 Touchdowns. That being said, two interceptions and an overall loss when it came down to the last play of the game is typical Winston. Still a definite step up from previous games, but his failure to show up as a leader during crucial times is still a liability. Offensive line has improved, receivers are doing their job well, Winston has about a 50/50 shot at a great play or a terrifying one. This recent loss was due to a mediocre defensive game and Jameis Winston’s failure during crunch time. That last play of the game determined this win or loss, and the frustration was shown by Desean Jackson who was a receiver during that play. Not to over-analyze “one play”, however consistent quarterbacks can perform during those do or die moments. Winston had a very awkward attempt during this last play of the game, which is below for better visualizing the “awkward attempt”. Rewatching this video, Desean Jackson or Adam Humphries could be partially to blame, however, the first bad toss from Winston is a more accurate fault in the trick play. Who is more inconsistent; Winston or Fitzpatrick?
https://www.buccaneers.com/video/final-play-from-bucs-vs-falcons
NFC West
Jared Goff and Russell Wilson are the main entertainment in this NFC West Division. Since the 49er’s struggle with their QB1 Jimmy Garoppolo injured, their 1-5 team may continue deeper in it’s quarterback issues. The Cardinals are working with their rookie, Josh Rosen without much success so far. However, the Cardinals actually beat the 49ers with 28-18 score, then lost the next two games against the Vikings then the Broncos. The biggest spotlight in this division is Jared Goff who is all the hype.
Jared Goff
Needing no introduction, Jared Goff is leading the only undefeated team in the NFL, the 6-0 Los Angeles Rams. The Rams were reshaped and reformed in 2017 with Coach Sean Mcvey, and built onto their offense with Jared Goff. There is a flowing combination of quarterback talent, powerhouse Todd Gurley for the run game, and an intermediate defense holds well enough. Goff already has a total of 1,928 yards this season, and still going. Goff shows traits that most seasoned veterans possess; between his confidence when the pocket closes in, his level of strategic play, the accuracy of long passes, the list goes on. Not enough can be said about his record-breaking future, so enjoy the video below of pure thrilling football played by Jared Goff and company from their game against the Vikings.
Russel Wilson
Wilson showing his usual persistence even through the first two games with that horrendous offensive line. In the first two games/losses against the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears, there was a total of 12 sacks between just those first two games. That’s brutal for any quarterback, but the Seahawks won the next two games. Those wins were against the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals, which isn’t saying much since each offense was practically stationary and just pitiful to watch during both games. Then the next loss was against the undefeated Rams, but a close game at 31-33. There was a lot of hope instilled after that close game; Wilson had 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and only two sacks. It’s well known that Wilson is 5’11 and it’s difficult to see over the line already, so often forced to drop back without protection up front is chaos. Thankfully those 6 sacks/game decreased significantly and the past games there have only been 1 or 2 sacks. Wilson is quieting the outlandish critics now that protection has finally improved, there’s no question it was on the Offensive line. This past Sunday, the Seahawks plowed through the Oakland Raiders with a final score of 27-3; Wilson completed 17/23 passes, and 3 touchdowns. Seahawks play the 2-3 Detroit Lions on Sunday, you can expect to see a good matchup with Detroit’s #5 defense against Wilson’s slowly improving Offensive line. Below is a video with Wilson’s quick passes and an offensive line decent enough to pull off a win against Oakland.
“The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” -Vince Lombardi
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