QB Playground Edition: Who’s Swinging Up, Who’s Sliding Down?

By: Josh Shippen, Sid Kalyani

As the season progresses, we start to see which QB’s just had one flashy performance, and which are legitimate greats, or at any rate what we thought they were. In this article, we will explore which QB’s we think will either be on the upswing, or sliding down. 

Up: Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy has not looked quite as impressive as I think the Panthers were probably hoping for in their new starting QB, especially in his last game against the Bucs (and don’t give us crap about his comp. % being good because that is SUCH an imperfect stat). Once this offense figures out what it is, we will be able to solve the mystery that is Matt Rhule, and the Teddy Bridgewater Panthers offense.

Down: Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones has been in such an impossible situation and done so well that a recession at this point would probably not be slammed too much. For the first time on Sunday, Jones took a snap with Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Golden Tate, and Evan Engram all on the field at the same time. Well, Shepard is on IR, Golden Tate is questionable, Engram never plays 16 games, and Slayton is not an established WR1. Look for Jones to struggle with a landslide of injuries to the Giants, and all while learning the new Joe Judge system.

Up: Justin Herbert

I am guessing that the consensus for Herbert is going to be that he will not be able to repeat his Sunday performance, but I do not believe this to be the truth. You have to remember that the Chiefs are arguably the best team in football, and Herbert was toe to toe with them throughout a great portion of the game. Assuming Anthony Lynn starts Herbert (and he’s a clown if he doesn’t), their next three games are against the Bucs, Saints both of which have adequate defenses so that will be a good test, and the Jets who are the ultimate milktoast borefest of 2020. Look for Herbert to win at least two of those games, and put up great numbers doing it.

Down: Philip Rivers

This one is a little obvious because what we’ve seen from Rivers already hasn’t been too great, but there is plenty of room to get much much worse. The Colts play the Bears, whose defense is capable of picking off Rivers a couple of times. They also have the Bengals and Browns, who if they are the same as week 2 will be able to keep up with this disabled turtle in molasses speed defense. Besides that, many of Rivers’ surrounding cast either are currently injured, or have a nasty injury history. Look for the Colts to possibly be the bottom of this AFC South division.

Up: Kyler Murray

Murray has shown so far that he has potential to be a top 10 quarterback in this league. His ability to throw the ball and run has made him probably the best dual threat QB in the league right now, and his WR corp is one of the best any QB could ask for with D Hop, Larry Legend, Christian Kirk, and Andy Isabella. With the Cardinals going up against the Lions, I don’t see how anyone on the Lions defense could stop Murray.

Down: Derek Carr

Carr has been on fire the last two week and he is showing everyone that the Las Vegas Raiders are here to play, but I believe that the New England defense will be waiting to meet him. The Raiders have scored 34 points in the last two games because of their solid passing attack and run game, but the secondary of the Patriots are second to none, and that will cause problems for Carr. If the Raiders aren’t able to have a good run game, then it will be up to Derek Carr to throw his way to a win, and that rarely works against the Patriots defense.

Up: Carson Wentz

After the first two weeks, Wentz went from bad to worse in his play. There have been rumors that if he plays bad again, he might go on the bench, which is why I believe that he will have a breakout game in week 3. The Bengals are a good team that lost both their games by a close margin, but their defense is a massive problem and Carson Wentz will be able to exploit their weakness. The Eagles losses have been against a great defense (Washington), and a great offense (Los Angeles Rams), but the Bengals have a ok offense and defense, so I believe that this game will come down to which offense does better which is the Eagles.

Down: Sam Darnold

Around the NFL’s Marc Sessler used a term a few years ago that I believe is applicable to this situation. Childlike, but not to suggest innocence or purity. That is how this Jets team, especially this snooze machine of an offense. As much as it is not Darnold’s fault for this front office being run by, uh, incompetent employees. Look for Darnold to be booted out after the Jets just keep on getting worse, and for the Jets to have a horrible record this year.