Jackson one win from taking Ravens to playoffs
Each week during the NFL season, USA TODAY assesses everyone’s favorite topic: quarterbacks. Who’s hot? Who’s not? Who has the most exciting matchups? This week’s QB Hot Sheet:
Five to watch this week
1. Andrew Luck, Colts: There’s nothing better than a win-and-in scenario, and that’s what the Colts will have against the Titans. How Luck performs against the NFL’s second-ranked scoring defense (18 points per game) should determine whether Indy moves on. He
has scored four total touchdowns over the past four games, and that pace might not be enough. 2. Marcus Mariota or Blaine Gabbert, Titans: Mariota is dealing with a stinger and likely will be a game-time decision. Gabbert filled in, played well and eventually led a seven-play, 75-yard go-ahead drive capped by a 2-yard TD pass. Whoever plays, the key could be efficiently managing the game to help open up Tennessee’s fifth-ranked rushing offense (128.7). 3. Nick Foles, Eagles: He’s showing his value as one of the top backups in the league, and Foles helped keep Philly’s slim playoff hopes alive in a lastminute, comeback victory against the Texans. The Eagles need help in the form of a Vikings loss, but Philadelphia still needs to beat the Redskins. Foles maintaining his hot play would be a big part of making that happen.
4. Lamar Jackson, Ravens: Since Jackson became Baltimore’s starter, the team has turned into a dominant, rushfirst offense. The Ravens have won five of six in that span. A victory against the Browns gives them the AFC North title.
5. Kirk Cousins, Vikings: Since interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski took over two games ago, Cousins and the Vikings have been more efficient. Scoring 27 unanswered points after a slow start against the Lions was a good sign. Needing a victory against an aggressive Bears’ D to maintain the sixth seed in the NFC, Cousins will need to avoid turnovers and sustain drives.
Three trending up
1. Russell Wilson, Seahawks: In a salivating matchup, Wilson edged the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes with an ar- senal of touch passes and deep balls. He deserves some consideration in the MVP conversation.
2. Foles: He set the franchise record for passing yards (471) and threw for four TDs. He is an excellent fill-in as a backup in Philly but likely would get consideration as a starter if he hit the open market. 3. Sam Darnold, Jets: The rookie is getting better each week and set career highs in yards (341) and passer rating (128.4) and matched one in throwing scores (three) against the Packers.
Three trending down
1. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins: He might be playing his last game with Miami, as Tannehill’s issues with inconsis-
tency and lack of production against the Jaguars served as a microcosm of his time with the team. Potential coaching and front office changes complicate things further.
2. Philip Rivers, Chargers: Easily his worst game of the year (181 passing yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions) came at a time when Los Angeles was fighting for the AFC West crown.
3. Josh Allen, Bills: A tough game against the Patriots showed how Allen’s production can dip (20 of 41 for 217, one TD, and one interception) if teams take away his running ability (30 yards).
Season rankings
1. Drew Brees (last week: 2), Saints: This race is so tight, but he inches ahead because he has been a model of efficiency, especially in big stages. 2. Patrick Mahomes (1), Chiefs: Though he slips one spot, it’s not so much about his play — he was excellent against the Seahawks and has managed to keep turnovers down lately — it’s just more about Brees.
3. Wilson (4): Arguably no player in the league impacts whether a team wins or loses more than Wilson does. He was masterful (328 total yards, three TDs) against the Chiefs.
4. Rivers (3): He’s still on pace for a career high in passer rating (107.7), but a no-TD, two-pick day drops Rivers a spot. 5. Matt Ryan (NR), Falcons: Overshadowed by Atlanta’s poor record, he has steadily produced. A 9-1 TD to interception ratio over his last four games and 33-6 over the season shows how much he has rebounded from his 20-12 season last year. Dropped: Andrew Luck, Colts (5)