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 might 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 minimize 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 choice this offseason? (Picture by Brooke Sutton/Getty Photos)
There was quite a bit to rejoice from this recreation. 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 varieties — makes me marvel if he may see exponential progress with the appropriate teaching workers subsequent yr. (Assume: Drake Maye.)
Within the early section of the sport, possible when Ward was on script, he appeared assured and fluent in his development. There have been various performs the place he appeared to have expertise past his years within the pocket. Ward additionally flashed his inventive facet, 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 usually 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 technique to develop a quarterback, however there have usually been vibrant 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 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 charge. He has not been aggressive with the lead (and typically with out it). And, notably final season, he and Saquon Barkley have taken care of their opponents by killing clock.
That strategy failed in Dallas.
And to a point, A.J. Brown should really feel vindicated about his feedback over the Eagles’ “conservative” strategy. 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 looking out off open receivers. And it appeared like he was performing as a directive of the teaching workers, 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 in all probability to arrange Jake Elliott for a area 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 will stay susceptible. That’s, until Hurts can break his conservative streak and begin to convert huge performs on the charge 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 unhealthy information is that the problem 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 stored gifting the ball to Patrick Mahomes, who lastly received his first one-possession win of the yr.
Apparently sufficient, this was a messy recreation from begin to end for the Colts. That they had gamers operating the unsuitable routes on two essential performs on two separate drives. A type of errors may’ve value them 4 factors, the place they settled for a area objective on a play that would’ve scored (or at the 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 recreation the place the Colts didn’t get the memo that the Chiefs are nonetheless the Chiefs. I’m undecided 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 at risk 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 unsuitable.
The opposite logical spot responsible can be the offensive line.
However for those who did that, you’d once more be unsuitable.
No, Allen’s career-high eight sacks have been largely a product of the Houston Texans’ tight protection, through which DeMeco Ryans had fierce and based confidence. So for the Payments, that meant these eight sacks have been truly … receiver stats. And let’s not let offensive coordinator Joe Brady off the hook. He’s not doing a lot to arrange his passing recreation for fulfillment, 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 instances, I don’t like that,” Payments coach Sean McDermott mentioned after the sport in Houston. “I don’t like that stat in any respect. It’s not a wholesome technique to play or a wholesome technique to preserve our quarterback wholesome by the rest of the season. In order that’s simply not an excellent method 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 albeit, it units the stage for a efficiency like this within the postseason, too. Allen had a tough recreation, with two choices he absolutely 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 perfect statistical season of his profession. McDermott mentioned it wasn’t taking place.
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 help of a real WR1.
In the meantime, Prescott, Joe Burrow (when wholesome) and Matthew Stafford have excelled as a result of their rosters function two WR1s.
It’s a matter of desire 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 purpose why Prescott appears to be like nearly as good as he has ever appeared. He trusts his wideouts with each throw — in some instances an excessive amount of, as we noticed on Prescott’s silly interception within the purple zone.
However this offense proved it is going to by no means not be harmful. Not even down 21 to the Eagles.
It’s in all probability too little too late for the Cowboys. They’ve a 9% likelihood of creating the playoffs. They could must win each recreation to do it. And so they 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 for those who suppose Jerry Jones will make that course of painless.
It doesn’t really feel like individuals are taking the Patriots severely as Tremendous Bowl contenders, and that’s largely due to their power 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 recreation speaks to why New England may someway be a darkish horse. (Are you able to be a darkhorse whenever 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 recreation shortly. Hit simply three of his first seven passes for 16 yards and an interception. He was combating the stress and appeared to suppose he might throw each cross off platform (in some instances for no obvious purpose).
His wake-up name arrived with an interception that he merely airmailed to tight finish Hunter Henry up the seam. There was actually no clarification besides: Dangerous, unhealthy, unhealthy throw.
“Most likely mentally, not his greatest efficiency,” Pats coach Mike Vrabel mentioned after the sport.
Then issues modified. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels received Maye throwing the ball shortly, with scorching 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 great things that I didn’t do properly directing or get us in the appropriate appears to be like,” Maye mentioned. “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 discovered how you can beat what the Bengals threw at him. With extra movie on Maye, opposing defenses may have new challenges prepared for him. Particularly within the postseason. However he and the Patriots discovered how you can work their approach by their points in actual time. Which may simply be essentially the most beneficial talent within the playoffs. In fact, it’ll be quite a bit more durable to drag that off in opposition to the Chiefs — moderately 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 protecting the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports activities Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Observe him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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