It was a stellar week on the gridiron for these Black signal-callers, but none of them outshined Patrick Mahomes and Geno Smith.
1. Is Patrick Mahomes The NFL MVP?
The crème de la crème of the quarterback position in the NFL, each week it seems as if Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is reaching new heights and milestones. In Sunday’s 27-24 win over the reeling Broncos, Mahomes passed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. His efforts have the Chiefs at 13-3 and with a chance to secure homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs next week.
In the game Mahomes surpassed the 5,000-yard plateau for the second time in his five-year career. He becomes just the third QB in league history to have multiple seasons of such joining Drew Brees and Tom Brady.
2. They Wrote Geno Smith Off, But He Didn’t Write Back
Seattle Seahawks All-Pro QB Geno Smith continued his redemption tour with another strong outing. The former West Virginia Mountaineers star, who was once considered to be done as a starter, passed for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-6 win over the Jets. Smith has been great this season, earning a surprise Pro Bowl nod, the first of his career.
He’s been much better than RW, the guy he replaced. Smith’s 29 touchdowns and just nine interceptions and over 4,000 yards passing is something most didn’t see coming this season. Great comeback story.
3. Love Him Or Hate Him, Deshaun Watson Is Back
Cleveland Browns signal-caller Deshaun Watson is continuing to work off the rust of not playing in a regular season NFL game for exactly 700 days. And while he’s yet to put together one of those gaudy stat outings, he’s showing some real progress.
In Sunday’s road win at the Commanders, which essentially ended their playoff hopes, Watson went a pedestrian 9-for-18 for 183 yards, but three of those nine completions were touchdowns. Next year expect Cleveland to be a real player in the AFC with the talented signal-caller under center for a full season.
His play even caught the attention of LeBron James …
Yessir D Watson!! Another one. That boy getting his rhythm back! #Browns
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 1, 2023
4. Can Dak Prescott Win A Big Game For The Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has had a string of throwing interceptions in games lately, and that didn’t change Thursday night in Tennessee as his tossed two more. He also rebounded with two touchdowns, as he led the Cowboys to a road win and back-to-back 12-win seasons. The Cowboys have Super Bowl aspirations, but for that to come to fruition Prescott must play better than he has the last few weeks.
Prescott’s 14 interceptions are a career-high, and he knows he has to be better.
“They’re all frustrating. Somehow or another, I got to stop.”
5. Can Justin Fields Be A Passer And Runner?
Chicago Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer, and it doesn’t look like Fields will be the first anytime soon. Fields didn’t throw the ball well at all in going a paltry 7-21 for 75 yards this past weekend, but he ran it well as he always does, rushing for 132 yards. That brings his total to 1,143 and eight rushing touchdowns. Numbers you would rather see coming from your running back.
Fields has passed for over 2,200 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He’s still a work in progress, but he’s the best weapon the Bears have by a lot.
