Week 7 of the NFL is in the books and yet again a large number of backup qbs were granted access to the field during live plays.
5. Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Hill is a real question mark for the team as it’s unclear what the ultimate goal with him is. Every week he’s brought onto the field and mostly used in the wildcat, a few RPOs but rarely allowed to throw the ball. Case in point: He’s run the ball 78 times in 4 years while only attempting 16 passes over the same period of time. He’s a QB who is rarely used as a QB.
Even in the game against Carolina, Hill carried the ball once, was thrown to once, and threw the ball himself once. Whatever New Orleans’ master plan for him is it’s just not clear yet.
Stats: 1/1, 0 yards, 0 TDs
Next week: Most likely he’ll be back on the field as he’s been involved in 23% of the offensive plays so far this season. Whether he passes the ball will be up to Sean Payton.
4. Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers
Stick took the field for part of a series during the opening quarter of the Chargers game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He only saw two plays from the field, one where he ran for -2 yards, but a second play where he threw for 4 yards. His first NFL completion on his first NFL attempt. Ultimately, a successful day.
It’s also a rarity to see another North Dakota State QB take the field during the NFL season, so an interesting development there.
Stats: 1/1, 4, 0
Next week: Stick is unlikely to see much playing time.
3. Ben DiNucci, Dallas Cowboys
The carnage continues for the Cowboys. One game after losing starter Dak Prescott to a gruesome season ending injury, the Cowboys lost their high paid backup Andy Dalton on a vicious hit in the third quarter. Dalton suffered a concussion and did not return.
Instead, Ben DiNucci, the 7th round draft pick from FCS James Madison took the field and basically just held things together for Dallas. The Cowboys were already down 22-3 in the 3rd quarter when they lost Dalton and there was little hope of a comeback, so DiNucci simply helped hand the ball off and eat up time so they could just go home. DiNucci was given a few opportunities to throw and made a nice 22 yard pass that extended his first drive. But ultimately he provided little and put no points up.
Stats: 2/3, 39, 0
Next week: Dalton’s concussion will be an issue as he hasn’t been medically cleared to practice. If he’s unable, DiNucci will become the third 7th round quarterback to start a game in his rookie season since 2000.
Special Note: This marks the third time Dallas has used a backup qb during a game, which puts them at #1 so far.
2. Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots
Much like the Cowboys, the Patriots are a team facing massive disarray. They lost their franchise qb, had Covid take out a slew of starters, and current starting qb Cam Newton does not look like he’s capable of playing right now. He’s made many mental mistakes throughout the season and in a blowout loss to San Francisco, Newton saw himself watching most of the second half from the bench.
Stidham, the presumed starter before the team signed Newton, was brought in to help slow the bleeding, just like DiNucci. Stidham fared slightly better and was given more opportunities to throw which is a sign of trust from the coaching staff.
Ultimately, Stidham provided very little and simply helped the Patriots get to the end of the game without any serious injuries to their main position.
Stats: 6/10, 64, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Next week: Newton’s health has been a mystery both in recovering from surgery last year, as well as recovering from Covid. Something appears off in his play and it’s possible Stidham either starts or sees more time as the quarterback.
1. Chad Henne, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s 2020 and we got a Chad Henne sighting! Henne, who hasn’t started a game since 2014, and hasn’t been in a game since 2018, came in off the bench for the Chiefs after Patrick Mahomes spotted them a massive lead in the fourth quarter. Henne came in and did what a good backup does with the lead: He kept the ball moving, the clock running, and didn’t make any mistakes. There were few opportunities given for Henne to make a mistake, and he did his best completing both of his pass attempts and scoring on a rushing TD.
Stats: 2/2, 13, 0, 1 rushing TD
Next week: A Chiefs blowout is always a possibility, so Henne is one to watch out for.
# of Times each Franchise has made the list in 2020:
Dallas 3
New Orleans 2
San Francisco 2
Baltimore 1
Buffalo 1
Chicago 1
Cleveland 1
Denver 1
Green Bay 1
Indianapolis 1
Kansas City 1
LA Chargers 1
Miami 1
New England 1
NY Jets 1
Philadelphia 1
Pittsburgh 1
Tampa Bay 1
Washington 1
QB Watch 