Football is back and life is good. Let’s attempt to predict the future.
What follows are my best guesses for every starting quarterback’s defining Week 3 storyline. This will be accomplished through a superlative format identifying who is most likely to accomplish whatever.
Please don’t confuse this as an all-encompassing preview of the position; the goal is merely to get a solid preview on the game’s most-important position and attempt to learn a thing or two along the way.
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Most likely to continue tricking people into thinking he’s good: Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold
The mere fact that Darnold has played well through two weeks is fantastic news for his future in Carolina. There simply weren’t many good performances to pick from during his three years with the Jets. Overall, two of Darnold top six career games in PFF grade have come during his first two appearances of 2021.
Of course, matchups against the Jets as well as a Saints defense missing five starters weren’t exactly what the kids would call tough bosses. It makes sense swapping out Adam Gase for Joe Brady and Jamison Crowder for D.J. Moore would produce better results; just realize we haven’t exactly seen this offense face a real challenge through two weeks.
This latter point won’t be changing anytime soon: Up next, the Panthers take on the Texans before traveling to Jerry World in Week 4. All Darnold can do is continue to play well against whoever happens to be in front of him; I’ll just be waiting another few weeks to *best Dennis Green voice* crown his a**.
Related: 10 biggest fantasy reactions to NFL Week 2 via Nathan Jahnke
Most likely to take a ride on the struggle bus: Houston Texans QB Davis Mills
Mills wasn’t terrible upon relieving Tyrod Taylor (hamstring), who has already been ruled out for Thursday night’s matchup against the Panthers. Still, removing a true dual-threat talent from under center could make life particularly difficult against a front seven that suddenly finds itself as one of the more productive groups in the league:
- Pressure rate: 52% (No. 1 in the NFL pre-MNF)
- NFL passer rating allowed: 67.9 (No. 2)
- Pass yards per attempt allowed: 6.25 (No. 4)
- Explosive pass-play rate allowed: 12.3% (No. 12)
Keep a close eye on Brian Burns; the 16th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft appears to be finding his groove and has already racked up eight pressures to go along with two sacks after two weeks. The Panthers have faced off against Zach Wilson and Jameis Winston; don’t confuse them for the '85 Bears just yet, although it makes sense why only the Jets-Broncos (42.5) matchup opened with a lower game total than Panthers-Texans (44).
Most likely to throw for 300 yards and/or account for three total scores: Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert
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