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Here comes the playoff push. It’s go-time for the quarterbacks, whose shoulders will bear the weight and pressure that come with the final stretch before the postseason. Let’s take a look around the league at how these guys are performing.
In these quarterback rankings, I’m focused on monitoring the fluctuations of a quarterback’s performance throughout the season. No one — not even Matthew Stafford — is safe at the top. No one — not even J.J. McCarthy — is stuck at the bottom. There is room for quick ascent — and rapid decline. One question holds most important: What have you done for your team lately?
Previous: Preseason, Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
I’ll just deliver some statistics that contextualize how rough it’s been for McCarthy. To make matters worse, he suffered a concussion last week and will miss time. If backup QB Max Brosmer is at all competent, he might just end up taking over — maybe for the rest of the season.
But again, to the stats:
- J.J. McCarthy currently ranks 851st out of 852 quarterbacks in EPA per dropback (among qualified passers) since 2000, per Tru Media. Who is 852? Jamarcus Russell.
- Justin Jefferson is averaging 53 yards per game in six games with McCarthy. Jefferson averaged 90 yards per game with Sam Darnold and 99 yards per game with Kirk Cousins.
- McCarthy has thrown 10 interceptions in six starts and has four two-interception games. To some degree, he’s lucky he hasn’t thrown more. He has 12 turnover-worthy plays during that span, per PFF.
- In Week 12, McCarthy finished with a passer rating of 34.2. If a QB spiked the ball every play, his passer rating would be 39.6. This is the second time this season (over six starts) he has finished with a passer rating below 39.6.
There’s a approach for McCarthy to recuperate from all this. However it could be in opposition to all odds. He has processing issues and throwing movement issues that would take a number of offseasons to repair.
With Michael Penix out for the season and Kirk Cousins a lower candidate this offseason, will the Falcons prioritize taking one other QB within the 2026 draft? (Picture by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photos)
With Bryce Younger enduring one other uneven season, ought to the Panthers train his fifth-year possibility this offseason? (Picture by Brooke Sutton/Getty Photos)
There was lots to have a good time from this sport. Regardless of his circumstances, Ward is taking steps ahead as a passer and operator of his offense. It’s a miracle that Ward hasn’t taken a step again as a participant. (Simply have a look at what occurred to Caleb Williams final yr in Chicago.) However Ward‘s in-season progress — even the smallest kinds — makes me surprise if he may see exponential progress with the correct teaching employees subsequent yr. (Assume: Drake Maye.)
Within the early part of the sport, seemingly when Ward was on script, he seemed assured and fluent in his development. There have been plenty of performs the place he seemed to have expertise past his years within the pocket. Ward additionally flashed his inventive aspect, with a Brett Favre impression — whipping a sidearm throw to his check-down as he fell to the bottom — and even a Josh Allen impression — rolling proper and slinging the ball throughout his physique into the center of the sphere (which is most coaches’ nightmare) for an enormous play.
His potential is outrageous.
The issues began to indicate up when the Titans appeared to expire of scripted performs. The Seahawks protection gave the impression to be one step forward of Ward, who resorted to checkdowns so typically that the Seattle defensive backs began leaping these beneath routes. I counted three quick throws that would’ve been interceptions — and possibly even pick-sixes.
There’s no surefire strategy to develop a quarterback, however there have typically been shiny and regular offensive minds behind the current developmental success tales. Take a look at Josh McDaniels and Maye. Take a look at Ben Johnson and Williams. Take a look at Kliff Kingsbury and Jayden Daniels.
So … is Mike McCoy that man?
Is Klint Kubiak that man?
Brock Purdy had a nightmare efficiency versus the Panthers. Will he discover the consistency wanted to steer the 49ers to the postseason? (Picture by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Photos)
The situational consciousness that has made Hurts so profitable can also be what appeared to burn him in opposition to the Cowboys.
That situational consciousness is what has helped the Eagles defend their lead in so many video games. He has taken care of the soccer, with an absurd .3% interception price. He has not been aggressive with the lead (and typically with out it). And, significantly final season, he and Saquon Barkley have taken care of their opponents by killing clock.
That method failed in Dallas.
And to a point, A.J. Brown should really feel vindicated about his feedback over the Eagles’ “conservative” method. Brown had eight catches for 110 yards and a landing this week, and was good all through the sport. However when not concentrating on Brown, Hurts’ manufacturing went largely silent within the second half, which opened the door for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys to stage their comeback. Within the third quarter, Hurts resorted to checking the ball down and searching off open receivers. And it appeared like he was appearing as a directive of the teaching employees, as a result of the playcalling was additionally conservative.
On third-and-12, he hit his first learn: a 7-yard route from Dallas Goedert. Then Philly punted. That begs the query: Why was that the primary learn? Nicely, it was most likely to arrange Jake Elliott for a subject objective. However … he missed it.
The Eagles aren’t damaged. However as long as Barkley continues to hurry at 3.7 yards per carry, they’ll stay weak. That’s, except Hurts can break his conservative streak and begin to convert massive performs on the price he did final postseason.
It felt like neither Jones nor Shane Steichen had a solution for Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo’s blitzes.
The excellent news is that few NFL offenses do have a solution. Ask Josh Allen.
However the dangerous information is that the difficulty confirmed up time and time once more on third downs (and apparent passing conditions). And it proved to be the deadly flaw that sunk Indy. Spags stumped Jones on each single third down within the fourth quarter. And the Chiefs saved gifting the ball to Patrick Mahomes, who lastly bought his first one-possession win of the yr.
Apparently sufficient, this was a messy sport from begin to end for the Colts. That they had gamers working the incorrect routes on two essential performs on two separate drives. A kind of errors may’ve price them 4 factors, the place they settled for a subject objective on a play that would’ve scored (or at the very least picked up the primary down).
Jones wasn’t nice. His play-calling wasn’t nice. His pass-catchers weren’t nice.
It simply felt like a sport the place the Colts didn’t get the memo that the Chiefs are nonetheless the Chiefs. I’m unsure Jones or the Colts are damaged heading into the necessary stretch of their schedule with two video games apiece in opposition to the Jaguars and the Texans on the horizon.
However the Colts must kind out their third-down points — now. Or else they’ll be in peril of giving up what we thought was a dominant lead within the AFC South division.
They are saying that sacks are a quarterback stat.
On this case, they’re incorrect.
The opposite logical spot accountable can be the offensive line.
However in the event you did that, you’d once more be incorrect.
No, Allen’s career-high eight sacks had been largely a product of the Houston Texans’ tight protection, by which DeMeco Ryans had fierce and based confidence. So for the Payments, that meant these eight sacks had been really … receiver stats. And let’s not let offensive coordinator Joe Brady off the hook. He’s not doing a lot to arrange his passing sport for achievement, and that’s not simply route ideas. It’s additionally about how he’s establishing cross safety, not giving Allen additional blockers in opposition to Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and firm.
“After they hit the quarterback 12 occasions, I don’t like that,” Payments coach Sean McDermott stated after the sport in Houston. “I don’t like that stat in any respect. It’s not a wholesome strategy to play or a wholesome strategy to maintain our quarterback wholesome by the rest of the season. In order that’s simply not a very good system proper there.”
However the eight sacks weren’t the one drawback for Allen. He additionally had turnover points. And I wrote simply final week that I sensed this kind of efficiency was coming. And admittedly, it units the stage for a efficiency like this within the postseason, too. Allen had a tough sport, with two selections he certainly regrets on the 2 interceptions.
The issue is that the Payments want extra assist. They’re not going to get reinforcements from a participant personnel standpoint. However … Brian Daboll is on the market. He’s the man who helped Allen have the most effective statistical season of his profession. McDermott stated it wasn’t occurring.
However … Daboll is on the market.
Proper now, there’s a powerful case of the “haves” and “have-nots” at quarterback.
Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and even — to a point — Lamar Jackson are struggling with out the assist of a real WR1.
In the meantime, Prescott, Joe Burrow (when wholesome) and Matthew Stafford have excelled as a result of their rosters characteristic two WR1s.
It’s a matter of choice when deciding who’s “greatest” between the Cowboys, Bengals and Rams receiving corps. However with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, Dallas is in consideration. That’s an enormous cause why Prescott appears nearly as good as he has ever seemed. He trusts his wideouts with each throw — in some circumstances an excessive amount of, as we noticed on Prescott’s silly interception within the crimson zone.
However this offense proved it should by no means not be harmful. Not even down 21 to the Eagles.
It’s most likely too little too late for the Cowboys. They’ve a 9% probability of constructing the playoffs. They could must win each sport to do it. They usually have the Chiefs on Thanksgiving earlier than heading to Detroit for Week 14.
However maybe Dallas can construct an actual contender round this offensive core in 2026. That can imply retaining George Pickens on a contract extension. And also you’re loopy in the event you assume Jerry Jones will make that course of painless.
It doesn’t really feel like persons are taking the Patriots severely as Tremendous Bowl contenders, and that’s largely due to their energy of schedule — or lack thereof. It’s exhausting to consider in Maye and the Patriots when their greatest wins have come over the Payments and the Buccaneers.
However Maye’s final sport speaks to why New England may one way or the other be a darkish horse. (Are you able to be a darkhorse if you’re additionally the No. 1 seed?)
That’s as a result of this was one among his worst video games shortly. Or, on the very least, this was one among his worst begins to a sport shortly. Hit simply three of his first seven passes for 16 yards and an interception. He was battling the stress and appeared to assume he might throw each cross off platform (in some circumstances for no obvious cause).
His wake-up name arrived with an interception that he merely airmailed to tight finish Hunter Henry up the seam. There was actually no rationalization besides: Unhealthy, dangerous, dangerous throw.
“In all probability mentally, not his greatest efficiency,” Pats coach Mike Vrabel stated after the sport.
Then issues modified. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels bought Maye throwing the ball rapidly, with sizzling routes to beat the blitz and rollouts to get him working throughout the protection. He did end the sport struggling in opposition to man protection. However he additionally accomplished a number of of the pinpoint passes — some downfield and a few by tight home windows — which have outlined his season.
“That they had some good things that I didn’t do properly directing or get us in the correct appears,” Maye stated. “I’ve to be higher on the line of scrimmage. Credit score to them for catching us on some. I’ve to do my half to assist us play cleaner soccer.”
The rationale this efficiency felt encouraging was that Maye found out how you can beat what the Bengals threw at him. With extra movie on Maye, opposing defenses could have new challenges prepared for him. Particularly within the postseason. However he and the Patriots found out how you can work their approach by their points in actual time. Which may simply be probably the most helpful talent within the playoffs. In fact, it’ll be lots tougher to drag that off in opposition to the Chiefs — slightly than the Bengals.
However make no mistake: There was a silver lining to New England’s struggles.
Earlier than becoming a member of FOX Sports activities as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years overlaying the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports activities Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Comply with him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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