Thus far the 2022 NFL season has given us some great performances by Black signal-callers. Lamar Jackson has wowed us weekly. Jalen Hurts has arrived and seems to be a mainstay. Geno Smith has been the surprising one to the list. But when it’s all said and done, Patrick Mahomes is still the top dawg. And his performance at Tampa Bay did nothing to dispel that notion.
1. Patrick Mahomes — Kansas City Chiefs
Following last week’s surprising loss to the then-winless Indianapolis Colts, where they left a lot of plays on the field, Mahomes and the Chiefs rebounded with a wire-to-wire 41-31 win at the Buccaneers. In the game Mahomes was up to his weekly wizardry, throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. His ability to extend plays was on full display, none bigger than his spinning flip to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a touchdown while being chased and hit. It was a play not many in the league not named Mahomes, Jackson or Allen can make.
Mahomes hit 'em with the 360 spin move ➡️ pull up jumper 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M8zpgXrWVr
— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2022
After the victory Mahomes told USA Today Sports this:
“It was a relief to play well against this defense. That is a heck of a defense. To be here makes it even more special because the last time we left this field it was one of the worst times of my entire life.”
2. Geno Smith — Seattle Seahawks
After leading the Seahawks to a Week 1 win over the Broncos and former Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, Smith told the media, “They wrote me off, I ain’t write back though.”
Smith seems to have taken that quote to heart, as his play since has gotten better each week. On Sunday the former West Virginia Mountaineers star passed for 320 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-45 road win over the Lions. He also ran one in, showing the mobility that he’s always had. This season Smith has been better than the guy he replaced in Seattle.
Geno Smith has been outplaying Russell Wilson this season so far 😳 @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/m6MzjIf8yy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 3, 2022
Head coach Pete Carroll said his QB is playing some “spectacular football,” after Sunday’s win.
3. Kyler Murray — Arizona Cardinals
With the Cardinals in danger of falling to 1-3, the diminutive Murray stepped up and made some plays in the passing game to help secure a 26-16 win at the hapless Carolina Panthers. In the game Murray passed for over 200 and two touchdowns, including a beautiful corner route to first-year Cardinals receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
A dime from Kyler! 🎯 @K1
📺: #AZvsCAR on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/9lU7qSdJtG pic.twitter.com/oBAMuvOh4K— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2022
The throw was reminiscent of the duo’s time at Oklahoma together.
4. Jalen Hurts — Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles fell behind 14-0 at home to the rising Jacksonville Jaguars. But behind the cool and calm Jalen Hurts they didn’t panic, scoring the next 29 points to win 29-21 and remain the lone unbeaten team in the NFL. Hurts didn’t have his usual all-around performance, passing for just 200 yards and rushing for under 40 yards. And for the first time this season Hurts didn’t touch paydirt by air or ground. But it’s the threat of Hurts in the run game that’s giving defenses nightmares and allowing others to be successful. In their first four games Philly has reached at 400 yards in each game, and they have a league-best 10 rushing touchdowns.
5. Russell Wilson — Denver Broncos
Wilson was solid in a loss to the Raiders, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes along with two touchdowns. Wilson and head coach Nathaniel Hackett haven’t gotten the offense on track just yet, but Wilson has still been efficient in three of the four games this season.
He’ll need to put his Superman cape on going forward, as the team lost starting running back Javonte Williams for the season with a torn ACL.
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