Week 6 in the NFL wasn’t too kind to the Black quarterback. In fact, most suffered losses in games where they didn’t play that well. But in spite of that, here are the five who had the best week, led by Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts. The burgeoning star’s play helped keep the Eagles undefeated at 6-0. Pretty sure the 1972 Miami Dolphins are starting to take a peek, hoping that first blemish comes sooner than later.
1. Jalen Hurts — Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts was his usual efficient self in leading the Eagles to a crucial early-season win over the division rival Dallas Cowboys. While Hurts’ numbers (15-for-25 for 155 yards and two touchdowns, plus another 27 yards on the ground) don’t jump off the screen, it was his control of the offense and dual-threat ability that opened it up for his teammates to make plays.
Hurts is growing, and don’t look now, but the last time the Eagles began 6-0 they were led to the Super Bowl by another dual-threat sensation in Donovan McNabb.
It's a journey@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/zP1CtBsrOR
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 17, 2022
Hurts admits he used last season’s struggles as motivation, saying this to reporters:
“I try to treat each game independently. But you’d be naive to think that I hadn’t remembered that. I try to find value in all my experiences and that was a valuable experience for me.”
2. Geno Smith — Seattle Seahawks
The former West Virginia Mountaineers star continues to rewrite his story. Considered a backup at best a couple years ago, Smith has turned into a solid starter for the Seahawks. The team is currently tied for first place in the underwhelming NFC West, but not many had them being 3-3. In Sunday’s 19-9 win over the division rival Cardinals, Smith was 20-31 for 197 yards, but he escaped three key sacks to gain 48 yards on the ground. Last week Pete Carroll made it sound like backup Drew Lock was on Smith’s heels as the starter.
On what planet? Smith has been very solid under center.
One quarter completed. #GoHawks x @VMFHealth pic.twitter.com/Sc89Oe9l9W
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 16, 2022
3. Patrick Mahomes — Chiefs
In another epic battle against the Bills and their star quarterback Josh Allen, Mahomes was solid, but his two picks proved costly in the 24-20 loss. The second one sealed the game, as Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier caught Mahomes with a disguise and baited him into a throw that was intercepted.
Mahomes was still magical for stretches, per usual, finishing with 340 yards passing and two touchdown passes. The loss didn’t seem to waver the confidence of Mahomes one bit, judging by what he told reporters.
“I think you just want to win, just because you’re a competitor and you know you’re playing the best of the best — and you feel like you’re one of the best. You wanna win those games.”
JuJu takes it home‼️
📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/5UyTeTOo25
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 16, 2022
4. Lamar Jackson — Ravens
Jackson would be much higher on the list if not for two late-game blunders that cost the Ravens a win over the Giants. A fourth quarter interception and fumble led to 14 points for the Giants as they overcame a 20-10 deficit to win 24-20. In the game Jackson passed for 210 yards and a touchdown and 77 yards rushing on seven attempts for an 11-yard per carry average.
5. Russell Wilson — Broncos
A solid beginning on “Monday Night Football” turned into another putrid showing by Wilson and the Broncos for the fourth time in prime time this season. While Wilson finished with 188 yards passing and one touchdown, only 15 of those yards came after halftime. In the second half he went 3-11 for those 15 yards. Now he’s day-to-day with a hamstring injury that could be a three-to-four-week injury.
