As the weeks pass, the quarterbacks begin to suffer the aftereffects of another tough season. The fear of injury continues and the number of injuries is dropping like flies, which has been on an upward trend in recent years, which is not without cause for concern.
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It's not just about the quarterbacks, and football is a team sport, but now more than ever it is the most important position on the field.
The season got off to a difficult start with Aaron Rodgers' injury making headlines. Since then, several quality starters have been lined up, including Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, and as of last Sunday, Justin Herbert and rookie sensation CJ Stroud have been added to the roster.
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At this point, it is no exaggeration to call it a massacre. No fewer than six starters saw their seasons come to an end unless Rodgers actually manages to come back despite a torn Achilles tendon.
So far, only 18 of the 32 teams have used the same quarterback to start all of their games due to injuries or efficiency issues. This week that list will increase to 16 due to the absence of Herbert and the very likely absence of Stroud. This makes up half of the teams that have used more than one quarterback.
A trend
At the end of the week, with Easton Stick replacing Herbert, Nick Mullens replacing Josh Dobbs, and Davis Mills returning in place of Stroud, we will have 58 different quarterbacks who have started at least one game .
It's huge, but it's not a first. In 2020, the last season in which the schedule consisted of 16 instead of 17 games, 58 starting quarterbacks were also used. The following season that number rose to 63.
In fact, the trend has been increasing since 2018, including a dismal record last season with 69 quarterbacks starting at least one game. We will see if the current season continues the upward trend. It seems hard to believe, but the clock is ticking fast.
For what?
Running quarterbacks are at risk of injury. Lamar Jackson missed eight games in 2021 and 2022. Getty Images via AFP
A few factors explain this increase in quarterback injuries.
Of course the number of games has increased, but above all the teams are becoming more and more pass-oriented. Who says more headers means a higher chance of a pivot being at risk of injury?
We also cannot forget the increasingly common and expected contribution of quarterbacks in the ground game. The most sought-after quarterbacks today are those who can both run and pass.
For example, in 2010, all of the league's quarterbacks combined totaled 1,377 carries for the entire season. Last year we were talking about 2,400 races. The risk of injury skyrockets and the position has never been more physically demanding.
Teams with an injured starter often unintentionally end up in a musical chair at the position. The Browns have used four quarterbacks this season. The Jets and Vikings will also reach that plateau on Sunday.
However, the league has done everything in its power to reduce the risks, to the point that the referees, whose goal is to protect the pivot points, sometimes throw the hanky-panky excessively.
We will have to get used to this reality and the fact that more and more teams will no longer hesitate to develop multiple quarterbacks and invest even more heavily in the position.
WEEK 15
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
- LA Chargers in Las Vegas robber
SATURDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Minnesota near Cincinnati BENGAL
- Pittsburgh to Indianapolis COLTS
- From Denver to Detroit BRONCOS
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Atlanta, Carolina (1 p.m.) FALCON
- Chicago at Cleveland (1 p.m.) BEARS
- Tampa Bay at Green Bay (1 p.m.) PACKER
- NY Jets at Miami (1 p.m.) DOLPHINS
- NY Giants at New Orleans (1 p.m.) SAINTS
- Houston, Tennessee (1 p.m.) TITANS
- Kansas City in New England (1 p.m.) Chiefs
- San Francisco, Arizona (4:05 p.m.) 49ERS
- Washington at LA Rams (4:05 p.m.) RAMS
- Dallas at Buffalo (4:25 p.m.) BILLS
- Baltimore at Jacksonville (8:20 p.m.) RAVENS
MONDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Philadelphia at Seattle (8:15 p.m.) EAGLE
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 9 out of 15 (60%)
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 135 of 208 (64.9%)
SELECTION OF NEWSPAPER
Minnesota Vikings (7-6) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
FOOTBALL ON SATURDAY!
The Vikings defense had some big plays and big celebrations this past weekend. Getty Images via AFP
Everyone blames the Vikings for their underwhelming 3-0 win last week, but the defense still deserves credit. In the last eight games, the Vikings have given up more than 21 just once. Nick Mullens will be the quarterback, which means the offense will continue to look for itself. For the Bengals, Jake Browning impresses the gallery. He is completing 79.3% of his passes, the highest rate for a quarterback in his first three starts since 1950. Remember, it's Saturday!
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) vs. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
LOSING TEAM
Mitchell Trubisky will have to take his hands out of his pockets against the Colts to revive the Steelers' offense. Getty Images via AFP
A catastrophe has occurred that is even worse for humanity than the Steelers' attack. This is the Steelers offense with Mitchell Trubisky at the helm. The proof is that the Steelers looked crazy last week against the Patriots AND the week before that against the Cardinals. We're talking about a sequence that should see any club relegated to Division B, and yet the Steelers still have a positive record. With TJ Watt on defense, this club still has a chance.
Denver Broncos (7-6) vs. Detroit Lions (9-4)
Opposite trajectories
Russell Wilson and the Broncos are finding ways to win lately. Getty Images via AFP
On paper the Lions are superior, but you also have to consider the dynamics of the two teams going in opposite directions. The Broncos are 6-2 in the last eight weeks and their defense has forced 18 turnovers and allowed just 12 touchdowns in that stretch. Instead, the Lions have given up an average of 28.3 points in the last eight weeks and Jared Goff alone was responsible for 12 turnovers. Another factor: The Lions have a difficult time against mobile quarterbacks.
Atlanta Falcons (7-6) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-12)
SAD PANTHERS…
It's not always fun being a Panthers fan this season. Getty Images via AFP
The Falcons offensive line is riddled with injuries to keep an eye on. To be effective, the Falcons must be able to establish the ground game early in the game. Luckily, the Panthers have lost their last six games and have not scored more than 18 points in this series. Their attack is honestly sadder to watch than the rain that falls in December. It's hardly more captivating than a darts game on TV or a series with Serbo-Croatian subtitles about growing chia seeds.
Chicago Bears (5-8) vs. Cleveland Browns (8-5)
BEARS THREAT
Montez Sweat is doing great for the Bears. Getty Images via AFP
Are the Bears showing a new face? For the first time under the leadership of Matt Eberflus, they have just won two games in a row. Justin Fields is largely in control while the defense has committed 11 turnovers in the last three games. There are several injured starters on the Browns' offensive line and the Bears' defensive front has been unrecognizable since the acquisition of tight end Montez Sweat. We come here for a surprise.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) vs. Green Bay Packers (6-7)
UNCONVINCING
Rachaad White and the Buccaneers head to Green Bay. Getty Images via AFP
The Packers disappointed on Monday with a loss to the Giants, who appeared to be off to a good start. Such a roller coaster ride is to be expected with such a young team. The Bucs, on the other hand, have a good series of two wins against teams from their weak South Division. They are 3-1 against their division rivals and 3-6 against the rest of the NFL. Note that the Bucs have won just one of 15 regular-season games in Green Bay since 1990.
New York Jets (5-8) vs. Miami Dolphins (9-4)
READY TO COME BACK
Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins offense are hoping to get some celebrations in the end zone against the Jets. Getty Images via AFP
The Dolphins are one of the few teams that made the Jets' defense look bad this season with a 34-13 win in November. In addition, the Dolphins have won 10 of the last 12 duels against the Jets. The offense should be able to rely on receiver Tyreek Hill, who injured his ankle last Monday. However, we must remember that the Dolphins' offensive line has a slew of injuries, a recurring problem for several years that the offense usually deals with.
New York Giants (5-8) vs. New Orleans Saints (6-7)
THE DEVITO EFFECT
Tommy DeVito and Saquon Barkley play key roles for the Giants. Getty Images via AFP
Should we really believe in Tommy DeVito's madness with the Giants? For a few games here and there until the end of the year, why not? Saquon Barkley should also play a key role against the Saints, who have given up more than 200 yards rushing in two of the last three games. The Saints' meager 207 yards of offense on Sunday against the Panthers represents their lowest total in a win since 1997. They won't be that lucky again.
Houston Texans (7-6) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-8)
REDUCED TEXANS
It is very likely that Davis Mills will take CJ Stroud's place on Sunday. Getty Images via AFP
The Texans come to this meeting in deplorable condition. Quarterback CJ Stroud suffered a concussion and is out. The top two receivers, Tank Dell (out for the season) and Nico Collins, are out, as is standout linebacker Blake Cashman. With Davis Mills at quarterback and a rather small group of receivers, it's difficult to favor the Texans, especially since Will Anderson will also be on the sidelines on defense. Rookie quarterback Will Levis is performing well for the Titans.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) vs. New England Patriots (3-10)
IN REVENGE MODE
Patrick Mahomes will be maximally motivated against the Patriots. Getty Images via AFP
Despite their win last Thursday, the Patriots are officially out of the playoff race. Bailey Zappe had a good first half before becoming himself again in the second half. It's more the latter version that the Chiefs should deal with. The Chiefs have lost two games in a row for the first time since 2021 and are angry about the way their last game against the Bills ended. Poor patriots in the wrong place at the wrong time…
San Francisco 49ers (10-3) vs. Arizona Cardinals (5-7)
A WHOLE TEAM!
Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk are just two of the 49ers' many offensive players. Getty Images via AFP
How dominant are the 49ers? Know that they are on pace to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to field the champion running back (Christian McCaffrey) and the defense that allows the fewest points (15.8 per game ). Not to mention all the explosive plays they produce, scoring eight gains of at least 25 yards last week alone. Brock Purdy is relentless, averaging an astronomical 9.9 yards per pass. Didn't we talk about the cards? Well, another time…
Washington Commanders (4-9) vs. Los Angeles Rams (6-7)
FREEFALL
Ron Rivera can no longer seem to find a solution to revive the Commanders. Getty Images via AFP
There is hardly a club that is more confused than the Commanders. They have lost their last four games by an average of 40 points and have lost by an average of 20 points. They also allowed gains of more than 400 yards on three occasions. We could add that the turnover differential fell to -9 during this infamous negative streak. Head coach Ron Rivera is expected to survive until the end of the season, but there is no longer any doubt that he will vacate his position on January 7th. Not even the next day.
Dallas Cowboys (10-3) vs. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
CRITICAL DUEL
Josh Allen is often on fire in front of his fans in Buffalo. AFP
Some will wonder how on earth the Bills can be favorites when the Cowboys play their best game of the season. Simple question of geolocation! The game is in Buffalo and the Cowboys, who are perfect at home, are just 3-3 on the road. Away in Dallas they scored 23.7 points per game and at home they scored 39.9. The Cowboys are on fire with five straight wins and at least 30 points per game, but the Bills are outstanding in Buffalo. Josh Allen will make the big appearances.
Baltimore Ravens (10-3) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
RAVENES TOO STRONG
Odell Beckham Jr. and Lamar Jackson form a dangerous duo. Getty Images via AFP
We mentioned it to you last week, Trevor Lawrence was 0-2 against top-8 defenses and the loss to the Browns dropped his record to 0-3. He doesn't appear to be at the top of his game as he suffered an ankle injury and fell victim to three interceptions. The Ravens are fourth against the pass and second overall in defense. The Jaguars offense will be tough again. Lamar Jackson and his receivers will have a picnic against the 31st pass defense. The Jags are 2-4 at home.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-7)
The hungry eagles
AJ Brown and the Eagles have piled up frustrations for two weeks. Getty Images via AFP
The Eagles have been nothing but embarrassed the last two weeks, and it's a safe bet they'll bounce back. Especially since the Seahawks, who have lost in five of their last six games, are completely lost. Geno Smith was supposed to return to the game, but even with him they couldn't win. The defense has given up just 527 yards to the Niners, and the Eagles also rely on an impressive offensive arsenal that won't stay in sleep mode for two weeks in a row. They didn't score an offensive touchdown on Sunday, the first time since 2019.