MVP candidacies took hits in recent weeks for the first round quarterbacks taken in the 2018 NFL draft. Losses mounted for some, turnovers occurred for many, and for all four quarterbacks, with the season heading into its final five weeks, playoff spots are on the line.
Though the teams represented by each of these quarterbacks are at or near the top of their divisions, a recent stretch saw two of the quarterbacks go a combined 3-5. The other two went 6-2 but still there is concern. The stretch wasn't horrible but surprising, given that the talent and prior MVP wins (or consideration) of these quarterbacks and their teams.
Defenses have contributed to the woes of these teams. So, too, have lack of star players in key areas. Injuries played their part through 13 weeks too. Toss in surprise teams like the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers, well, the result is concern for the Bills, Bucs, Ravens, and Seahawks in contending for playoff spots.
Five weeks remain on the regular season schedule, with the four quarterbacks aiming to hunker down and rise above. Even so, there is a good chance at least one of these quarterbacks and their team will not be present come playoff time.
Sam Darnold
Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks (9-3) won three of four but the loss was a big one, a 21-19 defeat by the Los Angeles Rams (9-3). By virtue of the L.A. victory, the Rams currently hold the first-place tiebreaker in the NFC West.
Darnold continues to be the best of these four quarterbacks this season, and the most consistent. Of course, in the big spotlight game, Darnold faltered, throwing four interceptions in a game Seattle still almost won, if not for a missed 61-yard field goal at the end of the game.
He dropped back in the MVP race but is still having a fine season. Numbers fell a little in the recent four-game stretch, twice failing to reach 200 yards passing. Powered by a stellar defense, buoyed by wonderful special teams play, and back by a strong ground game, Darnold had to do less in recent games.
On the season, Darnold is at a 68.2% completion rate with 2,913 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Three road games remain on Seattle's schedule, including likely a key matchup at San Francisco to close the regular season. After a trip to Atlanta, the Seahawks close the season with four teams currently above .500. A daunting schedule and a chance for Darnold to put those "big game" demons behind him.
Final five weeks: @ ATL (12/7), vs IND (12/14), vs LAR (12/18), @CAR (TBD), @ SF (TBD)
Josh Allen
One of the bigger surprises this season has been the record for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (8-4). This includes a 30-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins (in which the Bills didn't score until the fourth quarter). And a loss to the Houston Texans, where Allen was sacked eight times.
Buffalo currently sits in second place in the AFC East, 2.5 games back of the Patriots.
Allen had his first 300-yard game since week one during the recent four-game stretch, where the Bills went 2-2. Considering injuries to his tight ends and no real "star" receiver, this is understandable. Of course, it is odd to see Allen throw for only 123 yards in a game, a 26-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Allen's passing numbers are similar to those of Darnold. He owns a completion percentage of 69.2, throwing for 2,832 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions (six in the last four games). In the rushing attack, however, Allen is best of those bunch with 409 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In the victory over the Steelers, Allen set the career rushing touchdown mark by a quarterback, crossing the goal line for the 76th time.
Buffalo and Allen close the season with three home games but do travel to New England. Eleven or twelve wins is still a possibility for the Bills but they will need to be at the top of their game to make that happen.
Final five weeks: vs CIN (12/7), @ NE (12/14), @ CLE (12/21), vs PHI (12/28) vs NYJ (TBD)
Baker Mayfield
Despite losing three of four, Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) remain in first place, barely ahead of the surprising Panthers (7-6). A three-game losing streak finally broke last weekend with a 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
While the losses are concerning, they did come against teams that currently have a combined 28 wins.
Mayfield is battling a left shoulder injury that occurred in a week 12 loss to the Rams in which he left at halftime after throwing for only 41 yads and two interceptions.
Mayfield was under 200 yards passing in each of the last three games but overall, he continues to take care of the ball. Completion percentage is down to 62.8 and Mayfield has 2,600 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. He also has 243 yards on the ground, averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Of the four quarterbacks, Mayfield likely has the easiest remaining schedule, with the only current winning team they face will be Carolina. The Panthers are on the schedule twice and there is a good chance the NFC South will be decided in week 18.
Final five weeks: vs NO (12/7), vs ATL (12/11), @ CAR (12/21), @ MIA (12/28), vs CAR (TBD)
Lamar Jackson
Jackson missed three games due to a hamstring injury, but he and the Baltimore Ravens (6-6) are currently in first place in the AFC North. The Ravens are tied with the Steelers, with the Cincinnati Bengals lurking at 4-8. (I say "lurking" because with Joe Burrow back in the saddle, anything can happen.)
The Ravens are fresh off a 32-14 loss to the Bengals but prior had won five straight, including four with Jackson back under center. Touchdown passes have fallen by the wayside in recent weeks for Jackson, with none in the last three games. The offense is lacking in areas, and Jackson isn't running as efficiently (with only 17 carries for 48 yards in the last three games).
Jackson has 264 yards on the ground, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and only one touchdown.
In the passing attack, Jackson is completing 64.8% of his pass attempts with 1,841 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Baltimore has a chance to leave their mark and win this division, but has a difficult stretch. Three of the games are on the road, and four of their final five games are against teams currently first or second in their respective division.
Final five weeks: vs PIT (12/7), @ CIN (12/14), vs NE (12/21), @ GB (TBD), @ PIT (TBD)
Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen, of course, is not on an active NFL roster, off pursuing other dreams.
Thank you for following along with this continuing series. Be sure to check back in after week 18 to see how the eighth season for these quarterbacks ended.
image credit: Flickr
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