The 2018 NFL draft had five quarterbacks chosen in the 1st-round. Time to look in on how they're doing through week 9 of season four.
The hot start the quarterback class from the 1st-round of the 2018 NFL draft had in the first four weeks of 2021 has gone off the rails the last five weeks.
Two of them managed to lead their teams to wins in week 9, but the last five weeks have been highlighted by bad play, injuries, miscues, and surprise losses. Yes, there were big wins and solid play, too, but as a collective whole, struggles were the story.
Over in Buffalo, Josh Allen and the Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in week 5. This was a statement win for this team. And while a tough loss on the road to Tennessee can be explained, it's hard to do the same for a 9-6 loss last week to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Allen isn't the only one prone to these surprises. The Bengals dismantled Lamar Jackson and the Ravens one week. So, what do Baker Mayfield and the Browns do? They go ahead and beat Cincinnati by almost the exact same score the Bengals beat the Ravens by.
No one expects (all) these quarterbacks to perform at the exact same level each and every week. It is a team sport and so much relies on other aspects of the game for success. Huge stats can sometimes mean a loss. Pedestrian stats can often equal a win.
In the end, it's about leading their respective teams to the next level. In season four of their careers, some are still definitely on that path. There may have been hiccups and pot holes, but the second-half of the season gives them time to right the ship.
For others in this first-round quarterback class, however, their time as starters may officially be on the fast track to ending.
Josh Allen
Allen continues to put very nice numbers, though one of the pitfalls for Buffalo is scoring touchdowns, especially when hitting the red zone. It was a struggle in a week 1 loss to Pittsburgh and it has been an issue in victories and defeats since.
The Bills have managed only 32 points the last two games. Backed by a strong defense, this shouldn't be much of an issue. Considering in those same games Buffalo has only allowed 20.
This team has too much talent on the offensive side of the ball to be only putting up six points game. When they are clicking, the Bills and Allen are a joy to watch. Allen threw a combined 668 yards, six touchdowns, and ran for 85 yards in the games against the Chief and Titans.
There has been a slight drop-off coming off the bye week. Allen has still thrown for 513 yards but only two touchdowns. Worse yet, the turnover bug returned against the Jaguars, with Allen throwing two picks and losing one fumble.
Allen is at a 65.5 completion percentage rate and has thrown for 2236 yards. He has 17 touchdown passes against only five interceptions while only being sacked 12 times.
There's a lot more here to indicate the Jacksonville game can be written off as a bad game. The Bills, at 5-3, hold a slim first-place lead over the Patriots. If they get back in sync on offense, a 4-0 stretch on the horizon is a strong possibility.
Next four weeks: @NYJ (11/14), vs IND (11/21), @NO (11/25), vs NE (12/6)
Lamar Jackson
Jackson has been the most consistent of the bunch the last five weeks. He had the added advantage of a bye week and four-straight home games. Still, the Baltimore Ravens went 3-1 and are 6-2 on the season, good for first-place in the AFC North.
The Ravens averaged 33 points per game in victories during this recent stretch. The anomaly was a 41-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in which Jackson was only 15-31 (though he did through for 257 yards).
Jackson began the recent stretch off with a bang, throwing for 442 yards in a 31-25 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He was 37-43 that game and threw four touchdowns, playing quite possibly the best game of his young career.
It can even be said he's playing at a much higher level and doing more for the Ravens than he did during his MVP year. During his NFL career, Jackson has always been a top-runner. Now he's doing even more as the Ravens are getting by at the running back position with a collection of solid, if not past-their-prime, running back unit.
Jackson has 600 yards on the ground on 6.2 yards per carry.
Jackson has also thrown for 2209 yards and is completing 65 percent while tossing 13 touchdowns.
Three of the next four games for Baltimore take place on the road. Two divisional matchups are also on the agenda. If Jackson keeps the Ravens on track, with his arms and his legs, this team could very well be 10-2 entering the final phase of the season.
Next four weeks: @MIA (11/11), @CHI (11/21), vs CLE (11/28), @PIT (12/5)
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield has been battling a shoulder injury as the Cleveland Browns went 2-3 in the last five games. One of those wins was with Mayfield not playing but at 5-4, Cleveland is still very much in the thick of a competitive AFC North.
The team is in a bit of disarray, too. Odell Beckham Jr. and the team reached an agreement for his release. Mayfield actually seems to play better without Beckham in the lineup so this could possibly help Cleveland in the long run.
The running backs have been hampered with injuries. Now a case of positive COVID-19 cases, Nick Chubb among them, is hampering the team's strength. Chubb could possibly be back by Sunday's game, but if not, the team could squarely be on Mayfield's back.
Mayfield hasn't been horrible in the recent stretch, despite the team going 1-3 in his last four starts. Two of those losses were by five points and he's only thrown one interception since week 4.
Overall, he's completing 66.7 percent with 1917 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. Sacks have been an issue, with Mayfield getting downed 24 times.
A stretch of at least 2-1 in the next few weeks should have the Browns sitting in good position still. A lot of that depends on Mayfield. He's likely headed for offseason surgery on the shoulder. Troubles have been abound but if Mayfield can keep the team moving forward and continue to be accurate, life around the Browns will be just fine.
Next four weeks: @NE (11/14), vs DET (11/21), @BAL (11/28), BYE
Sam Darnold
The "Sam Darnold Experience" has come full circle in the season's first nine weeks.
After looking rejuvenated and putting up the best numbers of his career in the season's first four games, Darnold regressed and became the quarterback he was during his first three seasons.
Bad throws. Bad reads. And he's been nicked up, with a shoulder injury suffered in Carolina's loss to New England that will keep Darnold out at least the next 4-6 weeks.
A promising 3-0 start has turned ugly, with the Panthers losing five of their last six. Darnold has only crossed the 200-yard barrier once in his last five games, with 207 in an overtime loss to Minnesota in week 6. He also only threw for two touchdowns in this span, none in the last three, with a total of eight interceptions.
Darnold has been sacked 22 times this season. He's completing 59.5 percent of his passes with 1986 yards, seven touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Uneven play in 2021 is putting it mildly for Darnold. This was likely going to be a make-or-break season for Darnold has a starter going forward. While his first four games were a breath of fresh air, the last five may have cemented his status. Concerning, too, is a history of injuries and bad luck. Bouncing back could still be a factor but the larger question remains if it will be in Carolina or not.
Next four weeks: @ARI (11/14), vs WFT (11/21), @MIA 11/28), BYE
Josh Rosen
The odd man out of this group continues to be Josh Rosen. Atlanta has been more competitive as of late, winning three of their last four games to improve to 4-4 on the season. And while Rosen got some mop-up duty early in the season for the Falcons, he has not thrown a pass since as he remains the backup to Matt Ryan.
Next four weeks: @DAL (11/14), vs NE (11/18), @JAX (11/28), vs TB (12/5)
Check back in on these quarterbacks' progress following the week 13 set of games.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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