Week 6 and lo and behold we have six teams sending us replacement qbs this week!
6. Ben DiNucci, Dallas Cowboys
DiNucci came off the bench for the final series of the Cowboys’ game Monday against the Arizona Cardinals. Starter Andy Dalton had suffered all night yet the Cowboys left Dalton out there in hopes of having him get enough reps to bring him up to speed quicker in order to lead this Cowboys team in the wake of Dak Prescott’s injury.
DiNucci attempted no passes during his stint on the field and was mostly there to avoid having Dalton take any more punishment before the game ended.
Stats: 0/0, 0, 0
Next week: While DiNucci won’t start unless something awful happens to Andy Dalton, he is in a position to step in during 4th quarters if Dallas is suffering badly. It’s unlikely this was his final appearance.
5. Tim Boyle, Green Bay Packers
Boyle, a relative unknown to fans, came into his first game of the 2020 season for Green Bay. The Packers were getting shellacked by Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so the reins were handed to Boyle late in the fourth quarter to help eat up some time and get the team through the rest of the game.
Boyle attempted no passes and was relatively unimportant to the game, but it was fascinating to see anyone other than Aaron Rodgers under center for Green Bay. Jordan Love may have gotten this spot, and maybe even earlier in the quarter, if he wasn’t hurt. Because of that Green Bay may have waited until the last second to let a backup in.
Stats: 0/0, 0, 0
Next week: Unlikely to see any time unless either Green Bay is getting beat up again, or they’re beating someone else up.
4. Blaine Gabbert, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 0/1, 0, 0
Our third straight reliever, Gabbert stepped onto the field to help secure a Tampa Bay victory of Green Bay. Starter Tom Brady had put the Buccaneers so far ahead that he was able to sit and enjoy the final portion of the game as Gabbert led a drive downfield. Gabbert only attempted one pass, which was incomplete, but repeatedly handed the ball off to help eat up minutes.
Stats: 0/1, 0, 0
Next week: Gabbert may see more time if the Bucs continue to beat up opponents.
3. Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers
Much like Gabbert, Rudolph saw action after Pittsburgh was cruising to a victory over the hapless Cleveland Browns. Rudolph saw limited action but unlike Gabbert was able to complete his one pass and therefore have one of the better showings for the relief QBs this week.
Stats: 1/1, 6, 0, 0
Next week: Rudolph started several games last year so Pittsburgh knows what they have with him to an extent. He may get some more time during blowouts and is a steady enough hand that he’ll be the starter should anything happen to Ben Roethlisberger.
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
It finally happened! The moment all of Miami has been waiting for since the NFL Drafter earlier this year: Tua took the field in a Miami Dolphins jersey in a real game. The Dolphins were blowing out the New York Jets, in an awful game where both teams combined for 19 straight missed third down conversions and nearly completed an entire game without converting one before the Jets – Not Miami! – converted one in the fourth quarter.
Despite that, the few Miami fans in attendance roared when the Dolphins decided to let Tua lead the final drive with 2:29 left in the fourth quarter. His time was limited, much like everyone else so far, but he made the most of his appearance completing both attempts and getting a first down which led to them draining what was left of the clock. Nothing extraordinary but something to build upon.
Stats: 2/2, 9, 0
Next week: Well as of yesterday, Tua was officially named the starter for what’s likely the remainder of the season. A strange move given that Miami was 3-3 and Ryan Fitzpatrick was starting to make some noise.
1. Case Keenum, Cleveland Browns
Keenum was the only quarterback who came off the bench for a fairly long portion of time. Keenum came in to replace Baker Mayfield during the 3rd quarter of a disastrous loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though he was never in a position to win, Keenum played well and was able to solidify a position that had been trampled for most of the game.
Stats: 5/10, 46, 0
Next week: Cleveland remains a bit of a mystery. They’re 4-2, which is good, but the losses have been noticeable: 38-6 to Baltimore and 38-7 to Pittsburgh. The Browns will likely start Mayfield for the foreseeable future as they’re still in the playoff hunt and they need to see as much tape of Baker as they can since they have a big choice to make coming up regarding his 5th year contract option, but Keenum remains a viable option if things get out of hand.
# of Times each Franchise has made the list in 2020:
Dallas 2
San Francisco 2
Baltimore 1
Buffalo 1
Chicago 1
Cleveland 1
Denver 1
Green Bay 1
Indianapolis 1
Miami 1
New Orleans 1
NY Jets 1
Philadelphia 1
Pittsburgh 1
Tampa Bay 1
Washington 1
QB Watch 