Belichick knows all about great QBs
Patriots coach was prophetic in his praise of Seahawks pivot ahead of Sunday's thrill ride
Maybe it took Bill Belichick last week to make more people realize just how exceptional Russell Wilson is at playing quarterback in the NFL.
The six-time Super Bowl champion head coach heaped so much praise on the Seattle Seahawks' on-field leader since 2012 that jaws dropped around the league. Over his whole career, Belichick has gushed like that about only a few elite players.
But on and on the New England Patriots head coach raved about Wilson.
“This guy's a tremendous player (who's) maybe underrated by the media or the fans … I don't really see anybody better than this player. He can do everything.
“He's got obviously great leadership, playmaking skills. He plays very well in the most critical situations in the game.
“His passing numbers are extraordinary. You could put him up against anybody since he's been in the league, literally anybody, in any category.
“His winning percentage is impressive. He's there for every game, never missed a game.
“I don't think there's a better deep-ball passer in the league in terms of decision making and accuracy. He attacks literally every inch of the field … and then you have to try to tackle him, which that's very difficult, too.”
Wilson proved all those things to be true on Sunday night, in one of the most thrilling games of the young NFL season. He threw five touchdown passes in Seattle's 35-30 shootout win over the visiting Patriots, shooting far ahead in the race for the 2020 NFL MVP award.
The 31-year-old completed 21 of 28 for 288 yards, constantly burning one of the NFL's top secondaries, especially with his patented high-arcing, pinpoint deep lobs, three of which went for scores.
After two games, Wilson not only leads the league with nine touchdown passes and the highest percentage of touchdowns on all throws (14.3 per cent), but ranks first with an insane 82.5 per cent completion rate, and first with a whopping 11.8 yards per pass attempt.
“You can just see that he's really in command of what we're doing,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said.
Wilson did throw a pick-six on Seattle's opening possession, but the ball was deflected; it wasn't a reckless or inaccurate throw. Teammates afterward said Wilson wasn't rattled in the least by it. As usual.
“I go straight to neutral … not being too high, not being too low,” Wilson said. “Neutrality is going to allow me to be successful more times than not. I'm such a big believer in it. (It) allows me to just focus on the next play, the next moment.”
Belichick, though miserable and curt as always following a defeat, tipped his hat again to Wilson.
“He hurt us tonight in pretty much every way possible,” Belichick said.
“He's very, very hard to defend. … I'm glad we only have to play him once every four years.”
How underrated has Wilson been? NBC Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth said Wilson has never received so much as one vote as NFL MVP in any of his previous eight seasons.
If the 2020 season ended today, Wilson might be the unanimous choice.
■ Buffalo has the NFL's No. 1 passing offence. Yes, Buffalo … Cam Newton threw for 312 yards in the second half at Seattle, his career high for a single half … Seattle has allowed a league worst 970 yards so far … Philadelphia's six giveaways in just two weeks leads the league … Since last season the Chiefs are 6-0 when Patrick Mahomes starts and they trail at any point by double digits, per Gil Brandt.
■ Carolina RB Christian McCaffrey suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday. Although Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said he didn't know how long his star offensive performer would be out, reports said it could be for as long as 4-6 weeks … The shoulder injury Broncos QB Drew Lock suffered Sunday in Pittsburgh doesn't appear too serious. Denver TV reporter Mike Klis said Lock has a rotator/labral issue in his back shoulder area, and could miss just two weeks … Tampa Bay WR Chris Godwin has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play this week … The Bucs sure can use him because receivers dropped seven of Tom Brady's passes Sunday. Of them, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said Monday: “You're supposed to catch the damn ball.”