MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Also, if anyone could reliably predict success for NFL QB's, they'd be the most valued individual in the sport. Fact is, predicting success for NFL QB's is a complete crapshoot, especially with as little information as schmoes like people on this board have available to them. I'm all for celebrating successful predictions - but let's recognize that getting QB right is one of those things that no one actually does well, including NFL GM's. Isn't that right, Ryan Pace?

 

If the Steelers had a choice between the 4 QBs in the draft with Mayfield I would have only wanted Allen of those 4 first rd picks. I didn’t like any of the other ones. I believe that if Jackson couldn’t run like he does he would be out of the league now.

 

But, he does run and well. He's also an adequate passer... maybe not great, but adequate. He also wins and in the NFL, thats the bottom line. I also think a more moble QB is the trend these days for a few of the pro systems... and Jackson fits that bill, in my opinion.

 

Baker Mayfield: I’m probably the most beat up I’ve been



Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield added a knee injury to the list of ailments causing him trouble during the team’s loss to the Patriots last Sunday and he discussed his condition with reporters at a Wednesday press conference.

Zac Jackson of TheAthletic.com noted that Mayfield was limping as he made his way from the facility to the media session and the quarterback called himself “pretty sore” once he did get to the microphone. He said “I’ll be good,” but noted the cumulative effect of adding the knee injury to the left shoulder and foot injuries he was already dealing with this year.


“Probably the most beat up I’ve been. Multiple things, not just one,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield said he didn’t know if he will practice on Wednesday, but the plan remains for him to get the start against the Lions at this point in the week.

PFT

 

The Jets have a new starting quarterback: Joe Flacco.

Flacco is likely to start on Sunday against the Dolphins, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.


The move comes as a surprise, but with Zach Wilson not yet healthy enough to play and Mike White coming off a rough game, the Jets hope Flacco can provide some veteran leadership.

The Jets traded for Flacco last month, and now they’re going to see whether he has anything left.

PFT

 

Lamar Jackson not practicing on Thursday due to illness



An illness has kept quarterback Lamar Jackson out of his second consecutive practice.

According to multiple reporters, Jackson was not on the field during the portion of the session open to media. Jackson was officially a non-participant for Wednesday’s practice, too.


Via Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Sun, offensive coordinator Greg Roman said earlier on Thursday that he thought Jackson was feeling better. But apparently, Jackson is not quite well enough to be on the field.

Jackson is coming off a particularly frustrating performance against the Dolphins, as Baltimore scored only 10 points in the 22-10 loss last Thursday. Jackson was sacked four times in the contest and rushed for only 39 yards on nine carries.

While defensive back Jimmy Smith (hip), cornerback Tavon Young (foot), and center Bradley Bozeman (illness) were back at practice, receiver Marquise Brown (thigh), receiver Rashod Bateman, left tackle Alejandro Villaneuva, defensive tackle Brandon Williams (shoulder), and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee were absent.

The Ravens take on the Bears this Sunday.

PFT

 

Maturation of Mac Jones continues in Patriots' fifth win in a row

The maturation of Mac Jones continued on the prime-time stage Thursday night.

With that progress has come success and that was the case once more as the New England Patriots won their fifth straight game, downing the host Atlanta Falcons, 25-0, with Jones becoming just the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first five starts on the road.

"It was a good team win and the defense stepped up and played really well," Jones said Thursday night. "The goal is to score one more point than the other team and we were lucky enough to do that. It's really hard to win in the NFL and you can't take anything for granted. You just have to watch the film and get better, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is scoring one more point than the other team."

The aforementioned five-game winning streak is the Patriots' first since beginning the season 8-0 in 2019, when Jones was a sophomore at Alabama backing up his current AFC East rival Tua Tagovailoa. Indeed, these are different times for the Patriots franchise in the post-Brady era, but with the rookie under center they have rediscovered their winning ways.

With his victorious showing on Thursday, Jones propelled himself into some rarefied rookie air. He improved to 5-0 as a starter on the road this season, becoming just the third rookie QB to do so, per NFL Research. The others were Dak Prescott and Ben Roethlisberger. Jones' seven wins in total are more than the rest of the 2021 NFL Draft's quarterback class combined (5-24 entering Week 11).

Still, the maturation of Mac continues and head coach Bill Belichick was far from glowing after the Jones-led offense produced just one touchdown and had to settle for four Nick Folk field goals.

"We had plenty of good plays, we just, we didn't get enough points cause we had too many drive-stopping plays," Belichick said when asked bout Jones' night. "You gotta avoid those plays in order to score in this league, we just didn't do a good enough job of it tonight.


"I don't think were a lot bad plays out there, we just had too many negative plays that killed drives."

The Falcons defense has struggled all season with its pass rush, but defensive coordinator Dean Pees was able to cook up nine QB pressures and three sacks against Jones, showing him plenty of looks. It limited production, though it didn't seem to ever rattle the rookie all that much.

"They emptied the clip on what they were going to try to bring against us and they did a good job on the defensive side and we can do better," Jones said.

Having sputtered to a 2-4 record after an overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, the Patriots' five-win response has gone hand-in-hand with Jones establishing himself not just as a solid rookie QB, but a dependable NFL signal-caller, regardless of his experience.

Now 7-4, the Patriots head into the Week 11 weekend as the AFC's No. 4 seed.

NFL.com

 

Three QBs being intercepted in same game a rare feat by Falcons



The Atlanta Falcons were intercepted four times in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s 25-0 loss to the New England Patriots.

All three quarterbacks in uniform for the Falcons contributed to the cause as well. Matt Ryan was intercepted twice, once by Devin McCourty and once by J.C. Jackson. Ryan was then replaced at quarterback by Josh Rosen, who promptly was intercepted by Kyle Van Noy for a 35-yard touchdown. Rosen then took a seat as Feleipe Franks came in and had his one pass attempt picked off by Adrian Phillips.


According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, it’s the first time in over 20 years that a team had three separate quarterbacks throw interceptions in the same game.

The last time such a game happened was for the San Diego Chargers in 2000. Moses Moreno started the game and was intercepted twice in 21 attempts.

Ryan Leaf replaced Moreno in the third quarter and was intercepted once before Jim Harbaugh came in for the closing stages of the game and was also intercepted. Brian Walker picked off Moreno and Leaf with Sam Madison also getting a pick off Moreno and Patrick Surtain picking off Harbaugh.

The Houston Texans are responsible for a slightly more recent game that featured three separate offensive players picked off.

Matt Schaub, Rex Grossman and running back Chris Brown all tossed interceptions in a 2009 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Schaub was injured on a sack on the first offensive play of the game for Houston with Grossman replacing him. Grossman was intercepted by Anthony Smith on his second pass attempt of the game.

Schaub would step back in during the second quarter and he would be picked off by Justin Durant. Brown was then intercepted on a halfback pass attempted midway through the fourth quarter by Gerald Alexander.

The stunning part of the Falcons feat on Thursday night was that the interceptions came on four consecutive possessions. Atlanta has now gone two straight games without scoring a touchdown. The fact many teams don’t have more than two quarterbacks active for games anymore make the chances of such a game occurring even more rare.

PFT

 

Lamar Jackson, Marquise Brown return to practice



Quarterback Lamar Jackson is back with the Ravens on Friday.

Jackson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of an illness, but he was feeling well enough to get on the practice field to close out the week. Assuming he continues to feel well, Jackson should be good to go against the Bears on Sunday.


The Ravens got a couple of Jackson’s receiving targets back on the practice field as well. Marquise Brown is practicing after sitting out the last two days with a thigh injury and Rashod Bateman is back after missing Thursday with an illness.

The team will release its full injury report for the game against Chicago later on Friday.

PFT

 

After Baker Mayfield hurt his knee last Sunday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that he thought Mayfield would be well enough to play against the Lions this Sunday.

That’s exactly how things have played out in Cleveland. Stefanski said Mayfield looked good in Friday’s practice and that he will be in the lineup for the home date with Detroit.


Mayfield will have running back Nick Chubb with him in the offensive backfield. Chubb was activated from the COVID-19 reserve list Friday and Stefanski told reporters that he is good to go.

Defensive end Takk McKinley and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones are both questionable to play due to groin injuries. Cornerback A.J. Green (concussion), cornerback Troy Hill (neck), and wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (concussion) will not play.

PFT

 

Kyler Murray game-time decision, DeAndre Hopkins out for Cardinals-Seahawks



There’s a chance quarterback Kyler Murray will return for Arizona’s Week 11 matchup with Seattle. But receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be out until at least Week 13.

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters in his Friday press conference that Murray will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s game. The quarterback has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but has participated in all three practices this week.


Murray injured his ankle on the penultimate play of the Week Eight loss to Green Bay.

But Arizona has a bye in Week 12, which would give Murray some extra time to heal before the stretch run of the season.

That’s part of why we now know Hopkins’ hamstring injury will keep him out until Arizona’s game against Chicago on Dec. 5. Kingsbury announced Hopkins is out for Sunday’s game, which will mark his third consecutive game missed. But Kingsbury expects Hopkins to be available for Week 13.

Hopkins had never missed more than one game in any season before this hamstring injury. He has 35 receptions for 486 yards with seven touchdowns in 2021.

Via Darren Urban of the team’s website, Kingsbury also noted that quarterback Colt McCoy is “getting there” to be available after suffering a pectoral injury in last Sunday’s loss to Carolina. The team also has Chris Streveler on its roster as a third quarterback. Additionally, Kingsbury said offensive lineman Justin Pugh is out while fellow OL Max Garcia has a chance to play.

PFT

 

Cam Newton is once again the starting quarterback for the Panthers.

Newton spent the first nine years of his career in that role and head coach Matt Rhule announced on Friday that he would be back in it against the Washington Football Team this Sunday. Newton returned to the Panthers last week after spending the 2020 season with the Patriots and he contributed two touchdowns to their win over the Cardinals.


P.J. Walker started that game and Rhule suggested he’ll be in the mix this weekend as well. Rhule said that Newton will take the first offensive snap of the game and that Walker will probably see some action.

Newton in the starting lineup won’t be the only blast from the past in Charlotte Sunday. Former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera will be calling the shots for Washington in the game.

PFT

 

I find this very interesting for a couple of reasons: 1) We don't know how the Bears felt about the QBs outside of Trubisky. Clearly he is was their #1 and it probably wasn't particularly close considering they traded up one spot to secure their guy. But what happens if someone made the 49ers a better offer and grabbed Trubisky. Is it unlikely? Sure, but had it happened we can't know the Bears don't take Mahomes in the 3rd spot. Not with enough certainty to say *never* in my opinion.

There were a number of well know talent evaluators that had him #1 and went on the record with it. The theme was the same of course, he was very raw. But they also all recognized his insane upside and a they all talked about his limited coaching at the college level. And I think you are revising things yourself when you suggest there would have been uproar. Obviously, there would have been uproar among some people as there was with some people when Mayfield was the selection.

But I think you forget Allen was actually expected to be picked #1 a couple days before the draft. People were suggesting Dorsey tipped his hand in one of the interviews leading up to the draft. Not going to go back and look but it had something to with hand size and playing in cold weather. It wasn't until I believe the day of the draft when it came out that the pick was Mayfield.

I just don't remember Mayfield being considered that safe. To me that is a bit revisionist. I will agree with you on Darnold because he had the size and pedigree but there were a number of people that questioned Mayfield as it related to his size and demeanor. There were even a few Johnny Football comparisons - fair or unfair. Personally, I didn't think he was a bad QB. I had him 2nd or 3rd I believe but that's not safe to me. That's having only so many options to choose from. For me, Allen was the only choice at #1 and a lot of that was just how good he looked at the Senior Bowl. He showcased everything we see now in that small window. I didn't need to see anything else.

But there's no doubt Brian Daboll has been huge for him. He's not the same QB if he's drafted by the Browns.

 

Jackson has been successful because from Day 1 the Ravens were all-in. They hired THE coordinator for Lamar to succeed. They've never wavered in their belief the system could work and they've never feared Lamar getting hurt in a system with so many designed QB runs. Has it worked? If regular season wins are your basis for success it has worked to perfection but I think there are two flaws in that thinking:

1) They have never and don't appear to be ready to win consistently win they can't run the football. Without the threat of the run and the play action game they haven't been able to generate offense AND
2) I think they've been extremely lucky that Lamar has been able to play without significant injury. I just can't explain it any other way because unlike a guy like Russell Wilson, Lamar takes hits. He runs between the tackles and defenders have teed off on him at times. It's inexplicable to me how he just bounces back up time and time again.

 

Lamar Jackson (illness) is listed as questionable for this weekend...

Big Ben is back from Covid list and will start Sunday night...

 

Fair enough, never say never and all that. But this has been widely covered in the media subsequently, the Bears were the only serious suitors for that trade up. Pace was always bidding against himself. Pace was so hooked on Trubisky that no one was outbidding him. The pick was gonna be made at #2 and it was gonna be Mitch.

With all due respect, this conversation is veering into "not serious" territory. Mayfield was a massively safer prospect Allen and its not even close. Mayfield led college football in passer efficiency by a very wide margin, against both pressure and non-pressure as memory serves me. His completion % was massively higher than Allen's in college, YPA massively higher, TD-INT ratio massively better, he played in roughly twice as many college games as Allen so also massively more experienced. Mayfield played in a conference with a higher level of competition than Allen.

Sorry but this isn't serious conversation anymore, Allen was a classic boom or bust who if he did even make it, then IT would be years away. And it was. Mayfield was the 1st or 2nd safest QB pick in that draft for Cleveland. They deserve no criticism whatsoever for taking Baker over Allen imo.

You thought Allen should go #1, fair enough. There were plenty of talking heads running their mouths saying that pre draft. They also had no skin in the game, maybe thats the difference...

I did? He was? Who decreed this ahead of time, God? Sorry this line is just a thing that gets written on message boards and has no meaning.

I know i didn't expect Allen to get picked #1. Was right too.

You can't possibly be this naive. Dorsey said something to someone in an interview during draft season and thats meant to back up your argument? Do you know the Browns were also legitimately trying to float the notion that they might take 2 QBs at #1 & #4 in the runup to that draft? Did you buy that one as well? Come on now.


I'll be moving on now, but have a great day watching football

 

Reports: Kyler Murray unlikely to play today, Colt McCoy likely to start



For the third straight game, the Cardinals are expected to start Colt McCoy at quarterback.

Kyler Murray is expected to miss his third consecutive game with an ankle injury, according to multiple reports.


McCoy is also injured, having suffered a pectoral injury last week, but he is expected to be able to go.

The 8-2 Cardinals are at 3-6 Seattle, and the uncertainty surrounding the Cardinals’ quarterback situation has made the Seahawks 2.5-point favorites.

Murray was an MVP candidate before suffering his injury. McCoy played very well in his first game as Murray’s replacement but struggled in last week’s loss.

PFT

 

Bears see major signs of QB Justin Fields developing into their franchise starter

Down six with less than three minutes go to on Monday Night Football at the Steelers, Bears coach Matt Nagy approached his rookie quarterback Justin Fields to offer encouragement. And all he saw was Fields with a big smile on his face.

Later, the first-rounder described his look as saying, "It's time, we're here." In a tight moment, it was exactly what Nagy wanted to see. But going out and showing it was another story.

While Chicago eventually lost thanks to a late Pittsburgh field goal, the Bears organization saw the biggest signs yet during that game that Fields, who faces the Ravens on Sunday, will be exactly what they want him to be: their QB of the future.

As one person in the know explained, acting like you're ready and being ready are two different things. For Fields in Week 9, it was both.

He engineered a seven-play, 75-yard drive to give his team the lead, highlighted by a 39-yard strike to Allen Robinson and a 16-yard touchdown to Darnell Mooney. In a perfect world, the Bears would have won. But those who watch and study Fields every day believe that this was his most impressive growth moment.

According to those who are there every day, teammates fed off Fields' confidence, both in the game and in practice. His confidence was infectious and that carried over into the next two weeks. Plus, they view his performance in crunch time as evidence the game is slowing down for him, allowing him to diagnose what the defense is doing and still play fast. No longer is it going 100 MPH for him.

Fields has had other moments. The 25-yard run against the 49ers on fourth-and-1 was another big one. That big-time throw to Jimmy Graham. But what they saw on Monday night late also has a cascading effect, as his work in situational football – red zone, two-minute – has improved greatly, as well.

With any franchise quarterback, you want him to be able to be comfortable enough to play like himself and be himself. Which is why, when the coaches look over during practice and see a loose, calm Fields having fun and dancing around between plays, they love it. Just like they love when sometimes after a team meeting, Fields will call the receivers together, grab the clicker and run an impromptu film session.

He has found that comfort zone to relax during practice, just like he did before he took over the starting job and all the stresses that come with it. He's relaxing and settling in.

It hasn't been an easy rookie season for Fields, who is near the bottom in passer rating. But the Bears didn't trade up for him for this year. This was always about the future. And based on the last few weeks, Chicago believes Fields will be a huge part of that future.

"When he's in the game in that moment, guys just feel something good is about to happen," one source said. "Then when he has those moments in back-to-back weeks, it's like, 'Holy (cow). This is awesome.' And the whole team feels it, too."

NFL.com

 

Jared Goff out for Lions vs. Browns, has uphill battle to play Thanksgiving; Tim Boyle to get first NFL start

Still vying for their first win of the season, the Detroit Lions will go for win No. 1 with their QB2 under center.

As expected, Lions quarterback Jared Goff will be inactive due to an oblique injury and backup Tim Boyle will get his first NFL start against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Goff entered the day with a doubtful designation due to an oblique strain he sustained in Detroit's Week 10 tie with the Steelers. Goff didn't practice all week, and Boyle hasn't played all year due to a broken thumb on his throwing hand that landed him on injured reserve.

Activated on Friday, Boyle is now set for his first career start and looking to lead the winless Lions (0-8-1) to their first victory of the year against the Browns (5-5).

Boyle signed with the Lions in the offseason after backing up Aaron Rodgers with the Packers. Over the past two years, Boyle saw action in 11 games for Green Bay.

Depending on how he fairs and how Goff heals, Boyle's first start might not be his last as the Lions have a short week ahead with their annual Thanksgiving game on Thursday. Goff has an "uphill battle" to play next week against the Bears due to Detroit's quick turnaround, Rapoport added.

Goff has struggled much of the season and recently drawn doubts as to whether he should remain Detroit's starting QB regardless of injury. The former No. 1 overall pick has gone without a touchdown pass over the past two games and has just one TD toss over the last five contests. Should Boyle throw a touchdown pass Sunday, it would be the first for the Lions since Week 7 and the first of his career.

NFL.com

 

Lamar is out vs Bears



Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has missed practice time with an illness three times this season and this Sunday will be the first time that he’s missed a game for that reason.

Jackson is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Bears. Tyler Huntley will play in Jackson’s place.


It is the first time Jackson has missed a game this season and the first time he’s missed a game since being sidelined due to COVID protocols last season. Jackson has not tested positive for COVID this week, but is ill enough that he will not be able to take the field on Sunday.

The Ravens will also be without wide receiver Marquise Brown, cornerback Anthony Averett, cornerback Jimmy Smith, tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, wide receiver Miles Boykin, and defensive tackle Brandon Williams on Sunday.

PFT