NFL QB Hot Sheet
Week 11 matchups end with Mahomes-Goff
Each week during the NFL season, USA TODAY will assess 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. Lamar Jackson/Joe Flacco, Rav
ens: If a hip injury forces Flacco out of Sunday’s divisional, must-win game against the Bengals, Jackson will likely start. The first-round rookie’s speed and running ability could spark an offense that has been flat, scoring 18 points per game in a five-game span that has seen four losses. If Jackson shines, it could be a glimpse into Baltimore’s future.
2. Matthew Stafford, Lions: Though he has played well this season, Stafford can’t escape the occasional inconsistent performance. In a loss to the Bears, he completed 59.5 percent of his throws and had two touchdowns and two interceptions. With a Panther defense that’s tied for eighth with 15 turnovers forced, he’ll need to protect the ball.
3. Eli Manning, Giants: In response to whispers about his job being in danger, Manning posted his best game of the season in a victory Monday over the 49ers. Now, with a Buccaneers defense that ranks dead last in scoring (32.3 points per game) coming into town, Manning (signed through 2019) needs to stack crisp performances to erase any doubt about his future with New York.
4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: One half of a scintillating matchup between two 9-1 teams, Mahomes has answered every question. He leads the league in yards (3,150) and passing scores (31) and infuses versatility into the offense. The Rams’ pass rush is tied for ninth in the NFL with 26 sacks, so he might need to get the ball out quicker than his average of 2.85 seconds (seventh highest).
5. Jared Goff, Rams: The other half, Goff ranks second in the NFL in yards (3,134) and continues to accurately and efficiently command L.A.’s attack.
Three trending up
1. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: He torched Carolina’s defense for five TDs (versus three incompletions) and a perfect passer rating. Pittsburgh is rolling.
2. Mitchell Trubisky, Bears: Inconsistency aside, when he and Chicago are on, they’re lethal. A healthy chemistry with receiver Allen Robinson (six catches for 133 yards and two TDs) highlighted an efficient day against the Lions.
3. Baker Mayfield, Browns: Since Freddie Kitchens became interim offensive coordinator, Mayfield has completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 513 yards and has thrown 5 TDs versus 1 interception.
Three trending down
1. Andy Dalton, Bengals: Just 12 Packers (4-4-1) at Seahawks (4-5)
Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Thursday, Fox and NFL Network
Pregame.com line: Seahawks by 21⁄ 2
Packers’ keys: QB Aaron Rodgers struggled with a knee injury during the first half of the season but has shed his bulky brace. With more practice time, he should start to jell more with his wide receivers and former Seattle TE Jimmy Graham. Seahawks’ keys: RB Rashaad Penny ran for 108 yards in the Week 10 loss to the Rams, and Seattle will need more of that if RB Chris Carson remains sidelined by a hip injury. Who wins? The Seahawks need to clean up their sloppy play, strike quickly and keep the turnovers down. Do that and they win. Seahawks, 27-20 Liz Mathews of TheSeahawksWire
completions for 153 yards, 1 TD and 2 interceptions meant the Bengals, who needed to keep pace with the Saints, had no shot in their blowout loss.
2. Tom Brady, Patriots: Drops and inept pass protection bear some blame, but Brady made poor decisions and had unusual misses on throws he normally completes in a loss to the Titans. His 51.2 percent completion rate was the lowest of Week 10. 3. Josh Rosen, Cardinals: When the O-line is as bad as Arizona’s, it’s hard to dump on the rookie. But eight completions for 58 yards to wide receivers in a loss is unacceptable. It’s good he and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich are using running back David Johnson in the passing game, but Rosen needs to build chemistry with his wideouts.
Season rankings
1. Drew Brees (last week: 1) Saints: Another dominant performance in which he had as many incompletions
(three) as TDs. His 21:1 TD-to-interception ratio is absurd.
2. Mahomes (2)
3. Philip Rivers, Chargers (3): He posted an average game (18-26 for 223 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception) but stays No. 3 because of his season work.
4. Andrew Luck, Colts (5) Another exceptional performance was marred only by a pick that wasn’t his fault. 5. Goff (NR)
Dropped: Cam Newton, Panthers (4)