NFL Week 3 we learned that the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson continues to make strides as a bonafide dual-threat QB as he fought out of a hole against Patrick Mahomes II and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday but fell just short in a 33-28 loss.
Tyrann Mathieu played his first home game as a Chief. Also listen to who he compares Lamar Jackson to. pic.twitter.com/3kSbXYt8xf
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 23, 2019
He’s definitely half man-half amazing. Some of those plays Jackson made were straight from the school of defying the odds.
Omg Lamar jackson 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ehmNwTyY16
— Mr.SkipThruDatLane (@filayyyy) September 23, 2019
We also learned that Mahomes — believe it or not — is getting better. He threw for 374 yards and 3 TDS to boost his season totals to 10 TDs and 0 picks through the first three games of the season and hasn’t missed a beat. The reigning NFL MVP seems poised for another record-breaking passing year.
An ESPN Get Up analyst said of Mahomes: “We marvel at the physical stuff as we should. The fadeaway touchdowns, the ball fakes..but I said this last year and I’ll say it again (Patrick Mahomes) is so smart. He’s so smart with how to manipulate defenses or to use eyes or how I need to throw this certain throw.”
https://twitter.com/ab89/status/1176086162466906113
Kyler Murray’s Growing Pains
After becoming the second QB in history to throw for 300 yards in his first two starts (Cam Newton was first) Kyle Murray hit some skids against the Carolina Panthers who were riding high with 23-year -old Kyle Allen who had four passing TDs.
Murray tried his best to keep the Cardinals in the game, but he spent a lot of his day running wild trying to avoid Panthers defenders. His passing wasn’t sharp as he threw for just 173 yards and two picks.
Panthers have sacked Kyler Murray 8 times today.
The Arizona rookie has now been sacked 16 times this season.
— Max Henson (@maxhenson) September 22, 2019
We know his roster is basura, so you have to be impressed with the way Murray is competing and having success while going through his rookie trials with an outmatched squad.
What we do know is that Murray can handle himself in the league. As his team improves, his effectiveness will increase.
Cam Newton Is About To Get Wally Pipped
Kyle Allen knows what it feels like to be considered second-rate.
Last 6 years for Kyle Allen:
2014: True freshman starter at Texas A&M
2015: Benched for Kyler Murray
2016: Transfer to Houston
2017: Starter, benched for Kyle Postma
2018: Signed by Panthers as UDFA
2019: Starter in hometown in Week 3, facing MurrayJust how he drew it up
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 20, 2019
Cam Newton is so secure in his status and position as the face of the Panthers franchise that he wears clothes that make him look like a combination between Mary Poppins and Little Richard. Fashion aside, Panthers fans have been unenamored with Cam’s play on the field the past few seasons.
We know he’s battled injuries, but his passing efficiency has gotten worse and he’s no longer a Red Zone renegade. The Panthers have struggled to put up points and they haven’t won nearly enough games since their 2015 Super Bowl appearance
With a permanent chip on his shoulder, Allen took full advantage of his opportunity, throwing for four TDs and 0 picks and leading the Panthers to a 38-20 win over the Cardinals.
Panthers fans have been waiting for a passing performance like the one Allen delivered. They also rode a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey.
The tandem of Allen and McCaffrey might be the future. Sometimes change is good and if Cam does not come back anytime soon and Allen keeps studying it up, then fickle fans will forget Cam Newton quickly.
Jameis Winston Showing Growth
Maligned New York Giants rookie Daniel Jones stole the show in his debut on Sunday, throwing for 336 yards and two TDs and exhibiting the mobility that anybody with a pulse has been saying the Giants need from the quarterback position. Jones’ debut became a winning one when Tampa Bay’s kicker missed a 34-yard chip shot that could have won it.
While all of the excitement optimism and adulation is heaped upon Jones and The Eli Manning Era officially comes to an end, Jameis Winston had another solid start throwing for 380 yards, 3 TDs, and just one pick.
Halftime #Bucs Thoughts:
-This is the best Jameis Winston has ever looked in any game in the NFL.
-The Buccaneers are going to win the NFC South.
-Bruce Arians will get a statue in Tampa Bay when it’s all said and done.
— JC Cornell (@CornellNFL) September 22, 2019
Once again, he had the Bucs in a position to win and a lack of talent spoiled his performance. Let’s give Winston his props for orchestrating a sound offense game and ripping the Giants’ porous defense to shreds.
Tampa Bay’s problems sure aren’t him and there will be a line of teams ready to trade for his talents, should the Bucs feel a need to move on from their 25-year-old all-time passing leader.
Andrew Luck Who?
When Jacoby Brissett took over for Andrew Luck, Colts fans pushed the panic button and many of them said some disparaging things about the future of the franchise with Brissett at the helm.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, however, let us know the reasons why Brissett was on his way to superstardom. There were still plenty of skeptics.
After Sunday’s performance and his coach’s praise, Colts fans are shouting, “Andrew Luck who?”
Brissette was 28-of-37 for 310 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 win over Atlanta that left the Colts with a 2-1 record on the season. He completed the first 16 passes he tried to open the game, which led head coach Frank Reich to say after the game that “you can’t play quarterback much better than he played today.”
The Magician Strikes Again
Who’s more exciting than Deshaun Watson? He’s the Dr. J of the NFL. It’s like he’s playing hoops on the gridiron.
.@DeshaunWatson is a downright magician.
Unreal TD to Jordan Akins 😱 #HOUvsLAC
📺: CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/qnNxI5gZ8j pic.twitter.com/TitlIkNJoG— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2019
When Snoop Dogg is running into your locker room after a win, your team is hot right now. With all of the discussions about supernatural black quarterbacks, DeShaun Watson can’t be left off the list. He’s often overlooked and under pressure because the Texans offensive line is putrid.
But Watson proved it in his injury-shortened rookie season and continued to prove on Sunday that the Texans are twice the team when he is flowing and throwing and somewhat protected. Even if his miserable line fails to protect him he still gets the job done.
People forget that when assessing the top quarterbacks. Watson has the complete opposite of what Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have to work with as far as pass protection is concerned.
Deshaun Watson takes an absolute beating week after week and just keeps balling. Legend.
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) September 22, 2019
On Sunday, his 351 passing yards and 3 TDs led the Texans to a comeback win over the LA Chargers.
Several ESPN football analysts were asked who they would start a franchise with? Most of them said Patrick Mahomes, but Damien Woody said, “Watson”.
The kid from Clemson is finally starting to get his props and as long as the 2-1 Texans are winning, his status among the game’s best QBs will rise.