It’s that time where we rank our melanated signal-callers following another week on the gridiron. Mahomes is still Mahomes, but Geno Smith and Justin Fields are beginning to crash the party weekly.
1. Patrick Mahomes — Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs offense started slow but picked it up after halftime. As he is normally, Mahomes was the catalyst, leading four consecutive scoring drives, three touchdowns and a field goal, to turn a 20-7 deficit into a 30-29 win. His play just further cemented his stranglehold on the best QB in the league title. He threw four touchdowns, all to All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. He’s now 8-1 versus the Raiders in his career and 23-3 versus the AFC West.
2. Geno Smith — Seattle Seahawks
The strong-armed Smith continues to make the Seahawks forget about Russell Wilson with his inspired play. In Sunday’s 39-32 road loss to the Saints, Smith was very impressive passing for over 250 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. For the season the former West Virginia star has passed for over 1,300 yards, nine touchdowns and just two picks. His 77.3 completion percentage is tops in the NFL.
Former Seahawks star Richard Sherman was asked on Twitter about Smith’s prospects with the team beyond this season, and he responded like this.
“Yes and yes! Seattle will have to keep him! He is perfect for them right now! Rookie OTs are balling as well!”
3. Jalen Hurts — Philadelphia Eagles
In a 20-17 road win over the Arizona Cardinals, Hurts accounted for 300 yards of total offense, 239 passing and 61 rushing. He also accounted for two scores on two 1-yard QB sneaks. Hurts efforts helped keep the Eagles the lone unbeaten left in the NFL at 5-0. For the season, Hurts has demonstrated leadership and poise at the position while guiding the attack. He’ll face his stiffest test to date this season next week as the stingy Dallas Cowboys come to town for SNF.
Despite being 5-0, Hurts isn’t for the hype. He told reporters this.
“I personally, honest — I hate hearing 5-0. I don’t like to hear it.”
4. Lamar Jackson — Baltimore Ravens
In an ugly contest in Baltimore, the Ravens outlasted the Bengals 19-17 on a game-winning field goal. Jackson led the drive, getting the Ravens into range as time expired. In the game LJ accounted for 232 total yards and two touchdowns. While he missed some really easy throws that probably would’ve been touchdowns, he didn’t let that affect his play on the late-game drive.
Lamar misses 2 open receivers and people suddenly forget he was torching secondaries for four games straight (3.5 but close enough)… 🤦🏾♂️Say it with me, divissssionnnnnn gaaammessss aarrre ugggly in the AFC North. #RavensFlock #RavensNation
— Brandon Lockett (@neutronceo) October 10, 2022
5. Justin Fields — Chicago Bears
Albeit in a 29-22 loss to the Vikings, Fields was pretty solid. The former Ohio State Buckeyes star passed for over 200 yards and one touchdown.
A hot second half from @justnfields helped lead the near comeback in Minnesota
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 10, 2022
Under a heavy Vikings rush all game, Fields used his legs to rush for 47 more yards and keep drives going. He just doesn’t have the help he needs to get many wins, but it’s not for lack of effort.
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