NFL writer Shane Shorette recaps the week 3 QB standouts.
These backup quarterbacks do know how to handle themselves in the NFL, Besides the obvious.
1. Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Wow, did anyone not see this coming? Eli Manning struggled through the first 2 games vs the Bills and Cowboys. In those games, Manning completed 56-89 and threw only 2 touchdowns while adding on 2 interceptions to start the year. With Tampa Bay next on the schedule, it was rookie backup quarterback Daniel Jones who would get the start, and for whoever said he was gonna tear it up, you were not wrong. Jones picked apart the Buccaneers defense, completing 23-36 passing for 336 yards in the air, while also tallying 2 passing touchdowns. Now if I stopped there, that would only be half of Jones amazing debut statline, as he also added 2 rushing scores, one of them on the game winning drive to put them in the lead 32-31. Jones looked spectacular in his debut and is expected to make the next start vs the Washington Redskins. Coach Pat Shurmur had nothing but positivity to say about Jones after the game: “ Probably the story of the game is our rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, sure he had a few mistakes here and there, but we believed in him from the day we drafted him and first time out, he didn’t disappoint.”
2. Kyle Allen, Carolina Panthers
Just like Jones, Allen started for an injured-but-struggling-the-first-2-weeks Cam Newton. Against the Buccaneers and Rams, Newton completed 50-89 passes, totaling 572 yards in the air and only adding on 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Panthers were 0-2 with Newton in, and when Cam went down with a foot injury, they were excited to give backup quarterback Kyle Allen the start vs the Arizona Cardinals. Like Jones, Allen did not disappoint. Allen completed 19-26 with 261 yards in the air. Not only was his completion percentage very high, but Allen also tallied 4 passing touchdowns, leading the Panthers to their first victory with a 38-20 win over Arizona. With Newton ruled out once again with his foot injury for week 4 vs the Texans, Allen will look to continue to shine in the spotlight against a higher ranked Texans defense (ranked 7th).
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had a huge game on Sunday, facing an explosive Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. The fans had a feeling it was going to be a shootout between both quarterbacks, but Mahomes slowly caught fire and seemed to intimidate the Ravens after the first rough drive. The Chiefs came and scored the next drive and didn't let up from there, as the Chiefs lit into the Ravens for the rest of the game even with the late-game run Baltimore went on. Jackson finished the game with no passing TD’s and only had 1 rushing, while Mahomes continues to look like the reigning MVP should. Mahomes threw 27/37 for 374 yds and passed for 3 TD’s in this game, shutting the Ravens up and showing the Chiefs are still a team to fear even with the loss of players on the defensive side. Next week, we will see if Mahomes carries that explosive streak in Detroit for week 4.
