Another week has passed and it’s time to rank our top five Black signal-callers in the NFL. With Patrick Mahomes still the “crème de la crème,” a few others played their way onto the list.
1. Patrick Mahomes — Chiefs
The league’s best QB was on fire in Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch with the San Francisco 49ers.
After starting slow, Mahomes and the Chiefs picked it up, tallying 529 total yards, including 423 passing by Mahomes to go along with three touchdowns. In rematches this season versus K.C.’s past two Super Bowl opponents, Mahomes has passed for 672 yards, seven touchdowns and just two interceptions. With the Chiefs heading into their bye week at 5-2, the focus will be on getting some key guys back from injury for the second half run.
Through seven games Mahomes leads the league in passing touchdowns with 20, passing yards with 2,159, and passer rating with 109.5 while facing three of the top 10 scoring defenses in that time frame.
2. Justin Fields — Bears
In arguably his most complete performance since he’s been in the league, Fields passed for 180 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 82 yards and a touchdown in his Chicago Bears 33-14 domination of the New England Patriots on Monday night in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Fields was dynamic, and for the first time in his NFL career the offense seemed catered to his strengths. The former Ohio State star looked decisive and sure of himself. That’s a credit to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who put him in some good situations, allowing Fields’ elite athleticism and arm talent to shine.
Justin Fields is 1 of 2 players in the last 30 seasons to have 100+ pass yards, 1+ pass TD, 70+ rush yards and 1+ rush TD in an opening half.
The other guy, Russell Wilson, has done it twice: in Week 15, 2012 and Week 5, 2014.#DaBears @ChicagoBears
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 25, 2022
3. Kyler Murray — Cardinals
The return of star wideout DeAndre Hopkins was a welcome sight by all Cardinals fans. But no one was happier than Murray. The entire Cardinals offense looked to be in sync, and a lot of that stems from Hopkins commanding so much of the opposing defense’s attention.
In the team’s big 42-34 win over the reeling New Orleans Saints, Murray passed for 204 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for another 30 yards, but his overall command of the offense showed the most improvement.
Hopkins says Murray’s leadership took a giant step forward during a players-only meeting.
“I made sure Kyler was the first one to go up there and speak. I feel like he needed to do that, the team needed to hear him and I feel like he took a step from last week to this week.”
4. Geno Smith — Seahawks
Surprise, surprise the “rebuilding” Seahawks are 4-3 and in first in the underachieving NFC West due in large part to the play of Geno Smith, who continues to be solid and much more than a game manager. Replacing Russell Wilson seemed impossible, but Smith is doing a great job of it. For the season, Smith has passed for over 1,700 yards, 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
5. Dak Prescott — Cowboys
In his return after a five-game absence, Prescott was efficient and smooth. The former Mississippi State Bulldogs star went 19-for-25 for over 200 yards and a touchdown. Prescott showed no ill effects from his thumb injury suffered in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers.
