As we head down the stretch of the NFL season there’s an abundance of Black signal-callers playing at a high level. These pigskin pushers are using their arms and legs and it’s a wonderful sight to see.
From Mahomes to Jackson to Murray To Hurts, the soul patrol is leaving a mark on this NFL season. So here are my Top 5 through 14 weeks of football, with a few honorable mentions mixed in.
1. Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) – All he’s done is lead the Chiefs to an NFL-best 13-1 record after a big road win at the Saints. He’s a top 2 MVP candidate, having passed for 36 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions with a QB rating of (111.0) in tow. Chiefs need to fix their offensive line issues. He’s as tough as they come but he’s been taking some vicious licks lately.
Pat Mahomes got rocked helmet to chest. He’s a tough, tough customer
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague) December 21, 2020
2. Kyler Murray (Cardinals) – After struggling for a few weeks and his team sitting at (6-6) and fighting for its playoff life, Murray has responded with back-to-back big games in leading the Cards back into a wildcard spot at (8-6).
Having all-world pass catchers in DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t hurt but Kyler was dropping dimes all game in a 33-26 win over a game Eagles squad. His 406 yards passing is a career-high for the diminutive dynamo by way of Allen Texas.
READ MORE: Black QB Chronicles: Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray Redefine The QB Position
3. Lamar Jackson (Ravens) – With the Ravens sitting at (7-5) heading into their huge Monday night game at the Browns, Jackson returned to lead them to a thrilling, nailbiting (47-42) win. In that game he channeled his inner “Willis Paul Pierce Reed” by coming out of the locker room to lead the Ravens to a very big win. Sunday against the hapless and downright hopeless Jaguars it was business as usual as he shredded them for 4 total touchdowns in a (40-14) blowout. The win keeping them right in the thick of the AFC playoff race at (9-5) with two weeks to play.
Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts put on a SHOW:
Murray:
27/36 Comp/Att
435 Total Yards
4 Total TDHurts:
24/44 Comp/Att
401 Total Yards
4 Total TD pic.twitter.com/l46q6tAt7l— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 21, 2020
4. Jalen Hurts (Eagles) – What a pleasant surprise by a guy many said would never play the QB position at the NFL level. All he’s done in his first two starts is become the first passer in league history to pass for over 500 yards and rush for over 150 yards. He’s injected life into these Eagles and although they may have waited too long to play him this season it’s setting up for a real QB competition next season between he and Carson Wentz.
5. Russell Wilson (Seahawks) – Led his team to a big road win against a very good defense in the WFT (20-15). He didn’t have to pass for many yards as the run game took center stage and their defense has risen lately and held four straight opponents to 17 points or less. That hasn’t happened since the days of the “Legion Of Boom”. RW3 mentioned he and the team wanted this one for all world safety Jamal Adams who’s never been to the playoffs. Typical Russ always being the consummate leader and teammate.
Honorable Mention:
Deshaun Watson (Texans) – He’s doing all he can but the results just haven’t been there for the former Clemson dynamo. This team has been hamstrung by bad decisions that have really hurt them this season. Two of the last three weeks versus the Colts they fumbled inside the 5-yard line.
Subsequently losing both games at the very end. Even still Watson has had a good year throwing the football, he’s passed for over 4000 yards with 27 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. Patiently waiting for Eric Bienemy to walk through that door in HTown?
Dwayne Haskins (WFT) – Shook off a shaky first half against the Seahawks and nearly led the team to an upset win falling (20-15). He was good in the second half and showed some real improvement. If he’s thrust into the starting job again next week it could very well be with an opportunity to clinch the NFC East.
Teddy Bridgewater (Panthers) – He’s been keeping his team in many games but Carolina’s youth and inexperience have taken a toll as we reach the dog days of the season. He’ll look to play spoiler at the WFT next week.
