Perhaps it’s because it’s the week of giving thanks along with an unlucky number that has caused such QB turmoil in the NFL.
Who’s in? Who’s Out?
1. The incomparable David Blough is in
The Detroit Lions announced that third-string QB David Blough will be starting tomorrow on Turkey Day against the Chicago Bears.
Blough, an UDFA from Purdue, was picked up by the Cleveland Browns in 2018. The Lions liked Blough so much that they gave a 7th rd pick to get Blough and like a turkey stuff him on their practice squad.
Now that Matthew Stafford has a broken spine, and Jeff Driskel is both bad and injured, it’s Blough time in the Motor City.
2. Andy Dalton is back. Deal with it.
The Cincinnati Bengals announced that Andy Dalton is going to return to his starting job after a three week sojourn on the bench. Bengals fans can give thanks that while they’ll lose again this weekend, the team will continue their run at the #1 pick.
3. Devlin Hodges is going to start. Sure, why not?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are handing the reins back to third-string QB Devlin Hodges after he came in and looked competent against the Bengals last week. Mason Rudolph, who has had perhaps the most trying 2019 of any QB, has been benched for the foreseeable future.
In an interview about getting the job back, Hodges stated: “I don’t have anything to lose,” he said. Hard not to be confident in a QB like that!
While no other official QB switches have been announced, here are teams to keep an eye on this week:
1. Atlanta Falcons – While Matt Ryan is the franchise leader in everything, including embarrassing Super Bowl losses, he no longer appears to have a stranglehold on the starter’s job. He was benched last week for Matt Schaub of all people.
2. Oakland Raiders – Derek Not David Carr was benched in favor of Mike Glennon last week. That sort of sums up how things are going for the soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders.
3. Philadelphia Eagles – Carson Wentz’ hand appears to be holding together through a combination of sheer will and Gorilla Glue. The Eagles may stick with him in hopes of keeping in the race for the NFC East Title, but if things go awry you’ll see Josh McCown taking snaps under center. Normally you only see him when visited by two other spirits on Christmas Eve.
4. Washington – Dwayne Haskins finally got a win! His job appears safe, but there’s lingering resentment among the fan base over a black QB celebrating his first career win. Bill Callahan is coaching for a potential HC job next year so he may be forced to let Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, or a Case McCoy hybrid take snaps in order to quell the noise.
5. Minnesota Vikings – As always at QBW, we look after our own, so we continually root for the demise of Kirk Cousins so Sean Mannion can get a chance to play.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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