Who were the first defenders, for better or worse, in week 17?
On the last day of the regular season, we had some high-level performances among the defenders and, for that, we didn’t have so many really miserable performances, compared to other weeks.
We present – as always, in alphabetical order – the quarterbacks who stood out the most, positive or negative, in NFL the last day:
Five defenders of the East
Bills ended the season with one of the most resounding victories of the day, and Allen was decisive, as a true MVP candidate, in the goal against Miami. Allen completed 18 of his 25-pass attempts for 224 yards with three touchdowns and an interception to make Buffalo the strongest team in the Wild Card round. His QBR total was 88.0, the third highest of the day.
It was great to see Herbert close his season on such a positive note that 22 of 31 attempts for 302 yards with three touchdowns without interceptions at Arrowhead Stadium, even though the Chiefs did not the complete arsenal. Although the Chargers have already been eliminated, these types of road experiences are invaluable for a young defender who needs as many reps as he can get this year. His (6.1 was the fifth highest QBR total of the week. Overall, naming the new NFL debut pass record at 31 is quite valuable.
For the second year in a row, Jackson has managed to accumulate more than 1,000 rushing yards this season, becoming the only back-to-back defender in league history to do so several times. Although his total number dropped in the second year as a full-time starter, there is no doubt that he has faced several adversities this season and yet he still has the Ravens in the postseason. Against Cincy, he completed 10 of 18 passes for 118 yards with three touchdowns and an interception and carried the ball 11 times for 97 yards to rank as one of two defenders to record a total QBR. high 90’s last time. The real test comes against the Titans, a team against which they accumulate two consecutive losses, including the playoffs.
If it is true that Newton will no longer wear the Patriots uniform, at least he had to say goodbye to the best performance. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 242 yards with three touchdowns without interceptions, rushed 11 times for 79 yards and caught a 19-yard touchdown in the last game. Newton was the target of multiple criticisms throughout the season, for the most part, but it is undeniable that he also led one of the most limited lists in the NFL.
There was no better way to end a regular season that could lead Rodgers to his third MVP title than with a 19-for-24-meter, 240-meter performance with four touchdowns. zero interceptions and interceptions. In addition, he left with the highest total QBR of the day, a 92.2, which cemented him as the best in this area for the entire campaign, with an 84.4. No one threw more touchdown passes than Rodgers’ 48, and for that matter, it’s just as amazing that he threw only five interceptions this year.
Five defenders down
One of the lowest Total QBRs of the season was Allen in Week 17, 3.1, the product of six completions of 21 attempts for 48 yards without a touchdown and with two interceptions against Baltimore. The 2.29 meter step test is the smallest number I can remember for a game this year as well. The only thing to save here for Cincy is that he expects Joe Burrow to be fully healthy by the start of next season.
If he played for a much more average market, there would be much more talk about Bridgewater in negative terms, after this year he ranked 4-11 as a starter in Carolina. In week 17, he completed 13 of 23 passes for 176 meters without a touchdown against two interceptions and suffered two beatings. He seems to have the full support of head coach Matt Rhule, but he definitely needs to raise the bar.
Dalton completed just 29 of 47 passing attempts for 243 yards without touchdown and interception, but was also dismissed six times, eliminating Dallas in a game that was to win, yes or yes. After seeing it this year, it’s hard to believe that Dalton will get a real opportunity to compete for a starting position in another franchise.
It was possible that the Darnold era did not end entirely in New York, but the reality is that with the change of head coach and second draft pick, along with the talent available in this position, it seems more likely. If so, Darnold leaves for the Jets with 23 completions of 34 tries for 266 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and the second of three league seasons completing less than 60% of his deliveries. Also, for the first time in his career, he threw fewer touchdowns (nine) than interceptions (11).
Despite going 6-3 as a rookie, there is no doubt that Tagovailoa’s worst performance came this week 17, when he completed just 35 of 58 passes for 361 yards with a touchdown and three costly interceptions against Bills that closed the playoff door to Miami. It was a tough lesson for the beginner, who now has to learn a new offensive system in 2021, following the resignation of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.