The matchup between the Texans and the Panthers, featuring the first two draft picks Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, is a reminder that the valves for rookie quarterbacks are more open than ever before in NFL history.
• Also read: Tyson Bagent: Anyone can become a hero in the NFL
• Also read: Quebecer Sidy Sow played a key role in the Patriots’ renewed life
• Also read: NFL trade deadline: 10 players who could change their address
Last April, Young was selected first overall by the Panthers, while the Texans followed with Stroud at second. Sunday’s duel will be only the fifth in history to feature quarterbacks selected with the first two picks in the same auction.
- Listen to the podcast The payment zone below:
However, there are currently many more options for rookie centers than these two youngsters who were highlighted in the draft.
If the Titans give their second-round pick Will Levis a first start as expected, the latter will be the seventh rookie quarterback this season to start a game after Young, Stroud, Anthony Richardson (Colts), Aidan O’Connell (Raiders). . , Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Browns) and Tyson Bagent (Bears).
When you think about it, it’s still incredible that seven recruits were thrown in so early! Some will say that in the cases of Levis, O’Connell, Thompson-Robinson and Bagent it was due to injuries to the starters and that the number 7 was therefore artificially inflated.
Maybe, but at the end of the day, all of these quarterbacks managed to quickly rise to the rank of starter or primary backup. This says a lot about the fact that teams are increasingly trusting green navels.
Bryce Young has so far rushed for 967 yards and six touchdowns. Getty Images via AFP
An explosion over time
Above all, we must not believe that this situation has always been the same. This season, three of the seven rookie quarterbacks mentioned made their debut as starters in the first week of action.
In the entire 1980s, only five rookie quarterbacks were given the same opportunity. The scenario was exactly the same in the 1990s.
In the 2000s, that number quietly increased to nine. Then, from 2010 to 2020, the current trend really began to take hold, with 18 first-year quarterbacks starting the season as starters.
Since 2008, 23 of the 44 quarterbacks selected in the first round have started the season for their team. To put it in context, of the 21 pivot players selected in the first round, only two had started in the last eight seasons.
Teams in a hurry
Why has the philosophy changed so much when it comes to rookie quarterbacks, you may ask? We can assume that the early success of Matt Ryan with the Falcons and Joe Flacco with the Ravens in 2008 changed the mentality.
Since then, the numbers show that it’s common practice to throw a young quarterback into the game as quickly as possible. More coaches in the NFL are incorporating NCAA offensive concepts to make their young players comfortable.
The element pushing teams to quickly evaluate their quarterbacks was primarily the imposition of a salary cap on rookies in 2011. Since they have since come into the league with contracts that are not astronomical, it is tempting to use them quickly . When a young quarterback is successful, it’s easier to invest heavily elsewhere in the lineup without becoming financially alienated.
Does this approach guarantee more success? That’s a completely different story! To stay with relatively current cases: Four of the twelve quarterbacks drafted in the first round from 2018 to 2020 are no longer with their original team. Two others (Daniel Jones and Kyler Murray) cannot yet be described as great success stories.
While it remains a roll of the dice, rookie quarterbacks will continue to take the field with great success. That’s the nature of the NFL.
WEEK 8
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
- Tampa Bay at Buffalo BILLS
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Houston, Carolina (1 p.m.) PANTHER
- LA Rams at Dallas (1 p.m.) COWBOYS
- Minnesota at Green Bay (1 p.m.) VIKINGS
- New Orleans to Indianapolis (1 p.m.) SAINTS
- New England to Miami (1:00 p.m.) DOLPHINS
- NY Jets at NY Giants (1 p.m.) JETS
- Jacksonville to Pittsburgh (1 p.m.) STAHLER
- Atlanta, Tennessee (1:00 p.m.) FALCON
- Philadelphia to Washington (1 p.m.) EAGLE
- Cleveland at Seattle (4:05 p.m.) SEAHAWKS
- Baltimore, Arizona (4:25 p.m.) RAVENS
- Kansas City at Denver (4:25 p.m.) Chiefs
- Cincinnati to San Francisco (4:25 p.m.) BENGAL
- Chicago at LA Chargers (8:20 p.m.) CHARGER
MONDAY
MY CHOICE
- Las Vegas in Detroit (8:15 p.m.) LIONS
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: 4 for 13 (30.8%)
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 66 out of 106 (62.3%)
THE CHOICES OF NEWSPAPER
Houston Texans (3-3) v. Carolina Panthers (0-6)
IT NEEDS A…
Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Getty Images via AFP
The Panthers will win one at some point. It may not be 2023, the evil tongues will say, but this duel against the Texans is accessible. The game will take place at home and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will call the plays instead of Frank Reich. It should come as no surprise that Bryce Young and his offense will be affected by this change. The Texans are a better team, but they have lost to two top-10 pass defenses (Ravens and Falcons). The Panthers are ninth.
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) v. Dallas Cowboys (4-2)
Which cowboys will be there?
Micah Parsons and the Cowboys defense looked good in their last game against the Chargers. Getty Images via AFP
Who knows what cowboys will show up! From one week to the next, their excellent or poor version can take over. Despite the loss of cornerback Trevon Diggs a few weeks ago, the pass defense ranks third and should limit the Rams’ outstanding receivers. The tertiary will be supported by Micah Parsons and the front line, which should easily win the battle against the Rams’ offensive line. The Rams will continue to sell their skin dearly.
Minnesota Vikings (3-4) v. Green Bay Packers (2-4)
Tough rivalry
Kirk Cousins has had some good times against the Packers in recent years. Getty Images via AFP
While there are one-sided rivalries, this is not the case with the Vikings and Packers. The Vikings have won four of their last nine games and the Packers have five. After a disastrous start to the season, the Mauves have won three of their last four games and rookie receiver Jordan Addison is starting to shine. In his career against the Packers, Kirk Cousins has thrown 21 touchdown passes in eight games. With the Packers, Jordan Love will continue to find himself.
New Orleans Saints (3-4) v. Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
LOSING FORMULA
Gardner Minshew has had problems with turnovers in recent weeks. Getty Images via AFP
The Colts have lost their last two games and one shouldn’t look too far for the reasons. In Week 6, Gardner Minshew had three turnovers against the Jaguars. In Week 7, he felt even more unselfish as he was responsible for four turnovers. The big plays are there, but mistakes are unforgiving. What’s concerning with the Saints is the disagreement that seems to be emerging between Derek Carr and his receivers. The quarterback openly criticizes them and the situation can escalate.
New England Patriots (2-5) v. Miami Dolphins (5-2)
BACK TO NORMAL
Mike McDaniel and Bill Belichick cross swords again after their duel in Week 2. Getty Images via AFP
The Dolphins are now 5-0 against teams with an overall record of 8-25 and 0-2 against the Bills and Eagles. Good news, they find a losing team, but be careful! The Patriots will be motivated by their win on Sunday and will once again rely on an offensive concept with quick and short passes. The Dolphins have won five of their last six meetings against the Pats in Miami, but with plenty of lameness it won’t be easy.
New York Jets (3-3) v. New York Giants (2-5)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Zach Wilson was beaming after the win against the Eagles two weeks ago. Getty Images via AFP
What a luxury for the Jets to play a game on the road in their own stadium in New York! The offense will still be a bit of a struggle with Zach Wilson, but the defense will get the job done. To date, he has 11 wins, including six in which he didn’t throw a touchdown pass. And in the other five? He didn’t get 155 yards. In short, the Jets can win despite him, especially since their defense has already committed 13 turnovers in six games.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) v. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
A BEAUTIFUL WEAPON
The connection between Kenny Pickett and George Pickens can sometimes have devastating consequences. Getty Images via AFP
With four straight wins, the Jaguars have the wind in their sails, but if they have one problem, it’s that they allow the second-worst passing yards in any game (273.9). The Steelers are beginning to realize that there’s a certain magic that happens when they throw to George Pickens. They are now 4-0 when the receiver gains at least 75 yards. The Jaguars’ offense produces good results, but Pittsburgh is a very hostile environment.
Atlanta Falcons (4-3) v. Tennessee Titans (2-4)
INTRIGANT STRATEGY
Will Levis should start a first game for the Titans. Getty Images via AFP
Ryan Tannehill will be out for the Titans and while second-round pick Will Levis is expected to start, head coach Mike Vrabel also intends to use Malik Willis. The latter, even if he is athletic, is the victim of a sack in 17.5% of his plays and Levis has not yet seen the field. It’s a risky plan against the Falcons’ defense that surprises. It is seventh against the run, eighth against the pass and ninth in points allowed. Who would have believed that?
Philadelphia Eagles (6-1) v. Washington Commanders (3-4)
FREEFALL
As the weeks go by, the same goes for Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, who has suffered tons of sacks. Getty Images via AFP
The Commanders steamrolled the Eagles early in the season, defeating them in November last year. On the other hand, they are collapsing in the last three weeks. In fact, they were the first to lose to the Bears and just lost to the Giants, who only managed one win. The team has not reached 100 yards rushing in three games in a row, and it has not reached 200 yards passing in two games in a row. Sam Howell has already been the victim of 40 sacks. In the end it will be full…
Cleveland Browns (4-2) v. Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
A BIG TEST
Geno Smith will need to be at his best against the Browns. Getty Images via AFP
I don’t know what to think of the Seahawks anymore. The talent is certainly there in several positions. However, it should be noted that their three wins came at the expense of the Cardinals, Giants and Panthers, who have a combined record of 3-17. Geno Smith has thrown three interceptions and been the victim of six sacks in two games, which is concerning going into a matchup against the Browns and their defense. The Browns are still unclear about Deshaun Watson, and PJ Walker will be at the position.
Baltimore Ravens (4-2) v. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)
FANTASTIC RAVENS
The Ravens defense has been dominant since the start of the season. Photo AFP
Last Sunday there were doubts about the Ravens’ defense against a real offensive team (Lions), but this unit destroyed everything. The Cardinals are next and certainly don’t pose the same threat. This doesn’t take into account that Lamar Jackson and his receivers seem to have a great symbiosis. As soon as we get excited about a team this season, they start to disappear. However, the Ravens appear to be really serious. It is believed…
Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) v. Denver Broncos (2-5)
NO WONDER
Since arriving with the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes has done whatever he wanted with the Broncos. Getty Images via AFP
The Broncos have been playing better lately, with a defense that has given up just 36 points in the last two weeks. It’s emotional, but the offense only scored 27 points. It is often said that this player never loses to this team, but in the case of Patrick Mahomes against the Broncos, that is the pure truth. He has never lost in 12 games and his 13th win against them would be a record for a quarterback against a team without a loss. Mahomes is also 16-0 in intradivision games.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) v. San Francisco 49ers (5-2)
DUEL OF THE WEEK
Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins should be healthy against the 49ers. Getty Images via AFP
Is it really conceivable that a top team like the 49ers would lose three games in a row? Anything is possible considering receiver Deebo Samuel will still be out and the offensive line has some issues, especially if Trent Williams is out again. The Bengals defensive line can dominate. The Niners played an emotional road game on Monday night, while the Bengals took advantage of a useful week off to recover Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins.
Chicago Bears (2-5) v. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
IMPROVED BEARS
Tyson Bagent looked good in his first start. Getty Images via AFP
The Bears actually look more credible than they did at the beginning of the season. They are 2-2 in their last four games. Their losses were determined by one possession, while the wins were recorded by 18 and 20 points. Without dominating, rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent brings more structure and discipline than Justin Fields. However, it’s hard to believe that the defense can withstand the Chargers’ attacks, which come from both Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler.
Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) v. Detroit Lions (5-2)
GREAT COMEBACK
Jared Goff is generally well protected by his offensive line. Getty Images via AFP
If Jimmy Garoppolo returns to the game, the Raiders could see a bit of an offensive boost. After all, you can’t possibly do worse than Brian Hoyer, who is ready for retirement. The Lions need to bounce back after last Sunday’s dismal performance. Anyone can have a bad body day and it’s better if that day comes in October than in January. The Raiders can apply pressure, but Jared Goff is very well protected. This will be Detroit’s first Monday night game since 2018.