Here’s a quick look at who is in and who is out this week at QB:
1. Jacksonville
Out: Gardner Minshew
In: Jake Luton
Minshew is out for an indefinite period of time due to thumb ligament issues. It’s possible he may miss a game or upwards of a month depending on the severity. This one is interesting because Jacksonville is replacing their starter, their 6th rd pick in 2019, with their 6th rd pick of 2020: Jake Luton. The former Oregon State University qb star was drafted late due to what most considered a less than average NFL arm. While it’s possible he won’t light up the Houston defense this week, he may show one of his core strengths from his time at OSU: his ability to make good decisions. His senior year, Luton threw 28 TDs to only 3 INTs. The strong ratio was one of the many factors that led him to be drafted rather than fall out completely.
Luton probably needs a decent showing this week in order to keep the starting job over perennial backup Mike Glennon. What might that look like?
Somewhere along the lines of 55-60% passing, 150-225 yards, and hopefully a TD would all be considered good for a 6th rd rookie making a relief start in the middle of a season. While Luton might not impress the way the other qb rookies have in 2020, he’s one to watch because Jacksonville may be able to use him as trade bait should they wind up with a top 3 pick in next year’s draft.
2. Dallas
Out: Andy Dalton
In: Ben DiNucci
Well this was how it was supposed to go, but then Dallas decided that DiNucci just wasn’t read to be a multi-game starter in the NFL, so…..
Out: Ben DiNucci
In: Garrett Gilbert/Cooper Rush
Yes, that’s right, a double switch in one week. Dalton will miss time due to being possibly exposed to Covid-19 and he’s officially out this week because of that. DiNucci just didn’t show enough in last week’s game to get a vote of confidence.
So that leaves us with two qbs, neither of which have ever started an NFL game. And we don’t know who it’ll be because they’re both still competing for the job. Coach Mike McCarthy said he hopes to know by early Saturday.
Neither of these guys inspire much confidence:
Garrett Gilbert has been in the league since 2014 but is only 2/6, 40 yards over that span.
Cooper Rush is 1/3, 2 yards and has not attempted a pass since 2017.
What would be a good game for either?
Well, eclipsing DiNucci’s numbers from last week is probably a good start. He went 21/40, 180, 0 TDs. So someone will have to complete closer to 60% and get well over 200 yards passing to get another start.
Compounding this problem is the fact that they’re playing the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) this week in what will likely be a bloodbath for either choice. Best of luck!
3. San Francisco
Out: Jimmy Garoppolo
In: Nick Mullens
This game will have started by the time you read this, but with Jimmy G out for what could be the rest of the season, it’s now Nick Mullens’ team. A spot he has been in before, but one that has never felt official, or one that feels long lasting.
Mullens is 1-1 this season, having already replaced Jimmy G twice as the starter. He’s 4-6 overall as the 49ers stater since he got there three years ago. While his numbers haven’t been impressive (17 TDs-13 INTs, averaging 240 ypg), he’s played well enough to not only keep a roster spot, but to stay as the primary backup over CJ Beathard, another person to watch during the stretch Jimmy G is out.
Mullens will be expected to play better than both Luton and Gilbert/Rush will be as the 49ers are 4-4 and still in the playoff hunt. These are also important games because with Jimmy G possibly being cut after this season, Mullens would be in the running to earn the starting spot for 2021.
4. Detroit
Out: Matthew Stafford
In: Chase Daniel/David Blough
Again, we don’t know who the official starter will be since the decision to sit Stafford came yesterday (Wednesday). Stafford was removed from this weekend’s game due to possible Covid exposure, just like Dalton, and will have to sit at least this game until he can rejoin the team.
The options aren’t great here for Detroit. Daniel joined the team after being the long time backup in Chicago, and is only 2-3 as a starter in the league despite being in his 11th season. He’s only thrown 7 TDs, and even worse thrown 5 INTs. His ratio is not good and it’s unclear as to what Detroit could do with him.
Blough, a 2nd year backup with Detroit, has some experience as he filled in a lot last season when Stafford was out with his back injury. Blough went 0-5, and threw 4 TDs-6 INTs. This is going to be close to a game-time decision for coach Matt Patricia.
They are playing the Minnesota Vikings (2-5), so there’s a chance that Detroit can game manage either guy to a victory here on the road.
A likely prediction is that Minnesota will prevail due to Detroit’s lack of ability to move the ball well through the air. A solid run game could help, but it’s unclear as of yet what Detroit will be able to do.
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