Lamar Jackson’s second prime-time quarterback showdown went significantly better than the primary.
The 2-time MVP’s Baltimore Ravens drubbed Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments, 35-10, on Sunday evening. Jackson amassed three touchdowns however didn’t must do all of it himself, because the operating again tandem of Derrick Henry and Justice Hill mixed for 305 yards from scrimmage, and the protection delivered its most suffocating displaying of the season.
In contrast to the Week 1 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs when Jackson needed to do all the pieces earlier than operating out of fuel on the finish, this victory confirmed the star quarterback’s true potential when he’s in a position to delegate. Jackson has confirmed to be an unstoppable pressure when he’s at his finest, and he overtook C.J. Stroud on this week’s QB rankings in consequence.
Allen stayed on the prime for a second week, not due to something that he did Sunday however due to your complete physique of labor this season. He’s already pocketed three good performances and was afforded a substandard displaying in Baltimore.
Plus, Patrick Mahomes continues to be combating it with a number of the Chiefs’ offensive struggles, whereas Jackson and Stroud have had a few of their very own forgettable moments within the opening month.
GO DEEPER
Assessing 4-0 groups, from Vikings’ surprising begin to Chiefs’ WR setback: Sando’s Choose Six
There’s a little bit of a niche between the highest 4 quarterbacks and Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers and Brock Purdy, however that trio may enter the combination with extra constant upper-tier performances within the coming weeks.
The Athletic’s Week 5 QB rankings
Bolt down
Justin Herbert has opened the season with 4 consecutive video games with fewer than 200 passing yards. Earlier than the season, he’d by no means even gone back-to-back video games with that little manufacturing, and he solely had seven complete video games with fewer than 200 yards by means of the air.
Herbert has performed effectively with a 96.3 passer ranking and a single interception whereas adjusting to an overhaul on the talent positions and taking part in by means of a excessive ankle sprain. League evaluators believed earlier than the season that he’d function a extra conservative offense below new head coach Jim Harbaugh, so it’s not a serious trigger for concern, however it will be good to see the Los Angeles Chargers open it up a bit extra when he’s more healthy.
Ladd McConkey & Justin Herbert often is the throw and catch of the 12 months to date.
pic.twitter.com/QjPeJ5pOvZ— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) September 29, 2024
One other hurdle: Herbert has been sacked six occasions — the 6.19 p.c sack charge could be the best of his profession if it doesn’t enhance. With Herbert’s accidents seeming to mount every season, the safety points are definitely a priority.
It’s nonetheless too early to know who the Chargers actually are as they enter their bye week, partly as a result of they’re deploying Herbert in a special method. They’ve crushed the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers however misplaced to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chiefs. There’s not a whole lot of center floor with these opponents.
They’ve performed excellent protection in all 4 outings and ran the ball extraordinarily properly of their two victories. Harbaugh is probably going nonetheless making an attempt to determine what he’s received for a staff earlier than unleashing Herbert — to an extent, anyway — however their ceiling hinges on their star quarterback’s means to go throw for throw along with his top-tier counterparts.
Love up
Jordan Love delivered an electrical comeback try that in the end fell quick in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings, and he improved his standing from his final look within the rankings.
Certain, there was a whole lot of consideration on his three interceptions in his return from an MCL sprain, nevertheless it appeared much more spectacular to place up 29 factors in opposition to a Brian Flores protection that has given everybody else nightmares this season.
Love’s first interception was a late learn on his second possession after the two-week absence, so that may be defined away. His second went by means of two receivers’ fingers. His third was a results of urgent with a 31-22 deficit late within the fourth quarter. That was the largest mistake, with Love probably considering he’d solely get yet another possession. He in the end received two extra collection, so the misplaced factors from the decide have been important.
Once more, take a look at it from one other manner. The Vikings had surrendered 30 factors of their first three video games, and Love put that protection to work whereas working in apparent passing conditions. The Packers additionally missed two area targets and twice turned it over on downs in field-goal vary whereas trying to erase a 28-point deficit.
Like to Wicks once more! #MINvsGB pic.twitter.com/NOYEmbUCOO
— Inexperienced Bay Packers (@packers) September 29, 2024
The Packers had quite a few possibilities to ship the Vikings’ first loss, and Love’s play was a cause why.
GO DEEPER
Learn how to halt the fantasy soccer tight finish scoring nightmare
Muddied within the center
The quarterbacks ranked Nos. 13-18 may have been submitted in any order, which is hard as a result of every finish of that spectrum is vital. Ranked thirteenth, and also you’re on the cusp of cracking into the highest third. Ranked 18th, and also you’re considered as beneath common.
This tier may widen, too, with the quarterbacks within the vary of Nos. 19-23 simply needing a bit of extra consistency to push up the rankings.
For instance, Sam Darnold dropped a spot as a result of there’s a lot parity in that space of the rankings. Vikings followers received’t love that, nevertheless it got here right down to ball safety. Darnold had an interception and a misplaced fumble in opposition to the Packers. He’s now received three picks and 4 fumbles (one misplaced) in 4 begins.
X gon’ take it from ya.#MINvsGB pic.twitter.com/iuUdeNQkS8
— Inexperienced Bay Packers (@packers) September 29, 2024
Matthew Stafford and Jalen Hurts have additionally had issues defending the ball. Stafford has thrown two end-zone interceptions, each coming in 6-point losses. Hurts has 4 interceptions and a league-worst 5 fumbles. That’s why they’ve fallen so removed from their preliminary rankings.
In ‘Command’
After which there’s Jayden Daniels, who’s lighting the league on hearth with an obscene 82.1 completion proportion, 897 passing yards and three touchdowns to at least one interception. He’s additionally received 218 dashing yards and 4 scores, with 18 of his 46 runs going for first downs.
The Commanders offense has punted as soon as in three video games.
They’ve averaged over 33 factors per sport in these contests.
Washington sits alone atop the NFC East after 4 weeks. pic.twitter.com/iVFtAWyol3
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 29, 2024
Daniels is having a greater season than just a few quarterbacks forward of him, and he’ll proceed transferring up the rankings with a bigger pattern measurement. There’s an anticipated adjustment coming for the rookie. If he handles it in addition to he has with each different impediment to date, it’s not unreasonable to assume Daniels may push for a top-10 spot later this season.
Daniels deserves all of the credit score on the planet for his means to remain in management. He’s making nice choices and sensible reads, and he’s delivering a terrific ball. A Stroud-like rookie 12 months could also be within the making.
Tip your cap to these round him, too. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is retaining the offense on schedule and getting assist from the operating sport, and Daniels has delivered the massive performs each time vital.
The Commanders are reliable gamers within the playoff race, and so they may even have endurance atop the NFC East with their division rivals coping with rather more adversity.
GO DEEPER
NFL playoff projections 2024: Are Commanders staff to beat in NFC East?
Second-year setback
Anthony Richardson’s alarming season received worse Sunday with a hip harm. Even when he doesn’t miss time, it’s arduous to not discover it occurred in his fourth sport, which is what number of he performed as a rookie earlier than happening for the season.
Richardson’s inaccuracy woes are the foundation of the issue. He’s accomplished 50.6 p.c of his passes this season and has a league-high six interceptions. He doesn’t seem like seeing the sphere properly sufficient and is struggling to keep up correct mechanics, which frequently comes from being too sped up or being quick on confidence.
What’s extra, the ageless Joe Flacco stepped in Sunday and was 16-of-26 for 168 yards and two touchdowns within the victory in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. To be honest, the offense was off to a great begin with Richardson on the sphere, so it’s attainable that might have continued if he stayed wholesome.
However seeing how the offense operated throughout an prolonged look with Flacco, relative to the earlier three video games, it’s price questioning if it’d make sense to present Richardson a breather to heal the hip and watch Flacco. The Colts are adequate to make a cost for a playoff spot, in order that they’re in a difficult spot in the case of growing Richardson whereas making an attempt to stack wins.
Free, every day NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, every day NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Signal Up
As for Flacco, may this be the second 12 months in a row when he’s spelled a franchise quarterback and offered an improve? Flacco had one of the best statistical stretch of his profession final season with the Cleveland Browns, so he’s nonetheless received one thing within the tank. But when Richardson is certainly good to go and head coach Shane Steichen believes he is able to flip the nook, the purpose about Flacco could be irrelevant.
(Photograph of Justin Herbert: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Photos)