Henry McKenna
NFL reporter
Remember again in Week 3 after we thought we had a quarterback stoop?
Remember when the league’s sign callers started one of many worst collective begins in NFL historical past?
Suffice it to say, they’re high-quality now. It’s not like there have not been some stinkers this week. (Yes, Jared Goff, I’m clearly speaking about you.) But, come on, Will Levis threw for 2 touchdowns this week. Kyler Murray had three whole touchdowns. Jalen Hurts had 4. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow (who performed one another) mixed for eight.
It was an incredible week for many quarterbacks. Let’s get into it.
Welcome again to QB Stock Market, the place we weight the latest performances with an significance of 30%, whereas making use of 70% to the remainder of 2024. One query issues above all others: what have you ever carried out on your group these days?
Previous weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Crows (⬆️ 1)
I maintain taking a look at Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow and Kyler Murray and assume: this man may actually win MVP. But then I flip by Lamar Jackson’s tape and it happens to me: Nobody can catch Lamar.
It really is in a category of its personal. He proved it as soon as once more final week towards the Cincinnati Bengals.
Of all individuals, Mike Tomlin addressed the Lamar matter this week. After beating the Washington Commanders, the Steelers coach was requested how Jayden Daniels in comparison with Jackson.
“Man, be actual sluggish about evaluating individuals to Lamar Jackson,” Tomlin stated. “He’s a multi-time MVP. This is Mr. Jackson. We’ll see Mr. Jackson in just a few days.”
The man is aware of to not poke the bear.
Let’s simply take a look at Lamar’s counting stats: 2,669 passing yards (2nd), 24 passing touchdowns (1st), two interceptions (T-2nd amongst full-time starters). And then there are the 538 speeding yards and two speeding touchdowns. He was a two-time MVP and but continued to evolve. The Ravens acquired Diontae Johnson in hopes of upgrading the receiving corps, however Jackson is okay upgrading them himself. If Johnson finally ends up changing into the risk they hope he could be, then Lamar will solely get higher.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo payments (⬇️ 1)
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (↔)
4. Jalen hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (⬆️2)
5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (↔)
By most measures, Herbert falls wanting what he did final season.
Fewer passes per sport. Fewer touchdowns per sport. Fewer yards per sport. But the effectivity statistics have seen a rise. His interception share dropped. His yards per try elevated. Most importantly, once you take a look at Herbert, it seems like Jim Harbaugh has a weight lifted off his shoulders.
You would assume that eliminating the QB’s prime two WRs (Keenan Allen and Mike Williams) would truly give Herbert extra. He may need the urge to be your complete offense. Hand. The departure of the celebrities helped Harbaugh rework the offense into its run-first id (whereas – bonus! – returning the wage cap to a wholesome place). Herbert has quietly elevated a solid of unproven wideouts, with the manufacturing of rookie Ladd McConkey, Joshua Palmer and Quinton Johnson, who beforehand trended towards failure.
It’s not like he put away his rocket arm. He has thrown 13 key passes since Week 7, probably the most within the NFL, for PFF. Justin Herbert’s emotional model remains to be there. We’re simply seeing much less of him and extra of the operating sport. That does not imply he is taking part in worse. It felt a bit like Herbert was toiling away for an irrelevant Chargers group final yr. Even with Herbert filling a uniquely restricted function, that is undoubtedly higher than final yr.
6. Jayden Daniels, Washington commanders (⬇️ 3)
7. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (⬇️ 1)
8. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (⬆️ 6)
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (⬇️ 1)
Even once you’re the image of fine well being, you possibly can have an upset abdomen.
Even once you’re probably the most environment friendly pocket passer within the NFL, you possibly can apparently throw 5 interceptions in a sport.
But in my view it was this: a lapse of time that isn’t a symptom of one thing extra critical. Don’t get me fallacious, the Texans have an incredible protection. DeMeco Ryans has his methods of messing with quarterbacks. But you may see Goff get himself collectively within the second half, and by subsequent week, we’ll most likely all have forgotten that any of this occurred.
Afterward, Goff performed off the dumpster hearth spectacle as if it had been a lesson discovered.
“Hey, if this ain’t a (expletive) lesson (that) ain’t over ’til it is over, that is what it’s, guys,” Goff said in the locker room. “Well carried out preventing all day. We’re (expletive) totally different. We’re (expletive) totally different than all 31 (groups) on this league. Alright? Well carried out.”
Love me some quarterback propaganda.
10. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (⬆️ 1)
It’s bizarre to say, however I feel we will all agree that we needed Purdy to do much less.
I do not know if it was strain on account of his contractual standing. I do not know if he felt like he needed to do extra with all of the accidents affecting proficient gamers. I do not know if he thought he wanted to evolve This yr. But he went too far and created issues for himself and the 49ers.
His efficiency towards the Buccaneers was distant from good. But it was a step again within the level guard function that San Francisco wants Purdy to fill. That’s to not say he will not be an elite QB at some point. He could be greater than a system quarterback. But even with Jake Moody lacking three kicks, Purdy was in a position to set the 49ers up for the win. He made a dent in Tampa’s protection with the assistance of Christian McCaffrey, lastly again from damage. Purdy was 25 of 36 for a season-high 353 yards and two landing passes.
This is the model of Purdy that can convey the 49ers group again into rivalry.
11. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (⬇️ 1)
12. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans (⬇️ 3)
13. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (⬆️ 5)
Moonballs are again, honey.
Tomlin knew this higher than any of us.
The Steelers are buzzing together with Wilson, now 3-0 since (controversially) changing Justin Fields.
This week, Wilson accomplished simply 14 of 28 makes an attempt towards the commander’s protection. But he had three passing touchdowns, together with skyball touchdowns to receivers Mike Williams and George Pickens.
They are the right receivers for this revitalized model of Wilson. Pickens is perhaps probably the most acrobatic receiver within the NFL. Williams is not what he as soon as was, however he secured the game-winning landing regardless of taking part in simply 9 snaps in his Steelers debut. That’s not unhealthy for a man who regarded fully destroyed for the Jets. New York has this impact on individuals (see: Aaron Rodgers). Just like Denver (see: Wilson final yr). And Pittsburgh succeeds in bringing these veterans again to the fountain of youth.
14. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (⬇️ 2)
15. Yours Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (⬆️ 1)
16. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (⬇️ 3)
17. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (↔)
18. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (⬇️ 2)
I’ve to present Darnold credit score for getting a win.
*swipes bank card*
OK, all the pieces carried out there? Because, holy shit, that was a horrible efficiency.
We’re speaking about Jaguars. Their secondary is an abomination. Even Caleb Williams, who ran one of many NFL’s most failed offenses, discovered how you can throw 4 passing touchdowns over Jacksonville.
Darnold has gotten progressively worse over the previous 5 weeks. I’m not fully dropping religion in him or the Vikings. They have too many proficient gamers and too many sensible coaches. But I’ll say this: I wager coach Kevin O’Connell would like to have a wholesome JJ McCarthy. Because Darnold could also be turning a nook, and never in a great way. Has the League understood this? Is O’Connell handcuffed to a QB who cannot regulate?
19. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (↔)
20. Drake May, New England Patriots (↔)
21. Derek Carr, Saints of New Orleans (⬆️ 1)
22. BoNix, Denver Broncos (⬆️7)
23. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (new)
24. Aaron Rodgers, New York jet (⬇️ 3)
25. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (⬆️ 1)
26. James Winston, Cleveland Browns (⬇️ 2)
27. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (⬆️ 1)
28. MacJones, The Jacksonville Jaguars (new)
29. Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts (⬇️ 2)
30. Gardner Minshew, Raiders of Las Vegas (⬆️ 1)
31. Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys (new)
32. Daniel Jones, Giants of New York (↔)
Before becoming a member of FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years protecting the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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