NFL Week 2 has come and gone and apparently 2-High Safety defenses are getting banned? Either way, it is time for another week of game analysis and my Top 5 Quarterback Performances of the week. In today's blog you will notice quarterback play was still not the best we've ever seen league-wide but we did have our first perfect passer rating of 2024. Where does this player fall in the rankings? Well, you are just going to have to read to find out! Make sure you go over to my socials and leave a like, follow and comment your opinions on these lists, so more people can see the amazing work we are doing over here at A11 Performance.
Honorable Mentions
C.J. Stroud, Gardner Minshew, Malik Willis, & Josh Allen
This week we have a lot more honorable mentions than we had in Week 1, which tells us that, yes, quarterback play was still not as good as we've seen but more guys stepped up to make notable contributions for their teams this week. In a battle of young quarterbacks that the media want to compare, C.J. Stroud came out on top showing the young Caleb Williams, how solid quarterback play should look. C.J. took care of the football, extended plays with his legs and flooded the ball to Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs with tremendous poise and accuracy. In Baltimore, Gardner Minshew was near perfect and created big play after big play to his lethal targets in Brock Bowers and Davante Adams. The gamer needed a huge performance to take down the Baltimore Ravens, but like Gardner seems to do time and time again, he stepped up and delivered a great performance in an upset. Now for a personal addition, one of my closest friends and a player in a knew place, with a new opportunity to tryout for 31 other teams on the national stage, Malik Willis. Malik was protected by Matt LaFleur with some QB runs and quick run pass options, but when Malik needed to make plays down the field, he connected on a high clip. He protected the ball, which was something we did not see too much of in the action from the last few years in Tennessee. And last but not least, our number 1 quarterback from Week 1 with another solid performance. In a game that was dominated by the headline of Tua's concussion, Josh Allen still balled out. The signal caller took what the defense gave him and conducted several touchdown drives in a blowout of the Dolphins in primetime.
My Top 5 QB Performances of Week 2
5. Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals
A bounce back game of sorts for Joe Burrow this week against the dynasty, Kansas City Chiefs, in Arrowhead (Burrowhead if we still can call it that). Joe Burrow finished with a stat line of a 103.7 QBR; Completing 23 passes on 36 attempts for 258 Yards and 2 touchdowns, but also had a costly fumble. When you have Patrick Mahomes on the opposing sideline, there is always pressure to consistently go down the field and score. Burrow did just that. From the start of the game, Joe Burrow was deciphering the looks and rotations that Steve Spagnola was giving him. Typically with Spagnola, you will see a lot of weak safety rotation right at the snap or post-snap to completely change the picture for the quarterback. In this game, there was a lot of pre-snap 1-High looks that rotated around into a 2-High shell. Burrow caught on quick and immediately took his eyes repeatedly to the corners that give away what coverage they were in. A lot of Cover 2 Palms and Cover 2, 3 and 5 were shown, which forced him to dink and dunk down the field, but he made almost every throw you can ask him to make. The only real mistake was the 4th quarter fumble that led to the first late game lead change. Burrow made some big throws on 3rd and longs to even extend drives. This is what we need to see more of this season from Joe.
4. Derek Carr - New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr returns to our list in Week 2 with another outstanding performance against, what we thought was a great defense, in the Dallas Cowboys. Carr finished the game with a stat line of a 125.0 QBR; Completing 11 passes on 16 attempts for 243 Yards and 2 Passing touchdowns, an interception and a one yard QB sneak for a rushing TD. Derek Carr was teach-tape in subtle pocket movement this week. He didn’t need to throw the ball much due to the Cowboys poor run defense, but when Carr dropped back he was gashing the 2 Man looks he was given. He did a great job in throwing guys open and creating high percentage throws. The late game interception, you could argue was a catchable ball my the wide out. This saints offense is humming and Carr is one of the key reasons.
3. Sam Darnold - Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold continues to shine in Minnesota with a strong win over Darnold's old teammates. Darnold commanded a Viking offense with a 109.1 QBR, completing 17 passes on 26 attempts, 268 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in the air, an interception and an additional 5 rushes for 32 yards. What do I keep saying.. Sam Darnold is that guy! This week Darnold was surgical, especially on 3rd downs all game. He made big time throw after big time throw and even got the legs involved with his highly underrated athleticism to make big plays when the pass rush opened up lanes and vacated space. Two forced throw in the redzone, one for a pick and another that should have been, are the only real minuses from his game this week. Sam does have a tendency to force throws at times because of the confidence he has in his arm talent, but at this rate, he has the Vikings competitng as one of the best offenses in football and they look to continue that next week against a tough opponent in the Houston Texans.
2. Kirk Cousins - Atlanta Falcons
Captain Kirk is back, but this time making us like that in Atlanta! Kirk finished a prime time game against the Eagles with a 117.2 QBR, completing 20 passes on 29 attempts for 241 Yards and 2 Touchdowns. On Monday night Kirk showed why the Falcons needed a veteran quarterback. In the crucial downs and key situational football moments, he was the best guy on the field. He was decisive, accurate and poised running through reads, especially on 3rd downs, 4th downs and the 2-minute drill to drive the length of the field and win the game. He was making great decision after great decision. You can tell he’s not fully healthy and still a bit stiff in the pocket movements or escapes, but getting him back under center and in the shotgun, where he is most comfortable, for the play action and normal gun drop back reads showed that Cousins can still pick defenses apart.
1. Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Perfect passer rating alert! We have our first perfect passer rating of 2024 and it is Kyler Murray in a blowout of the Los Angeles Rams at home. Kyler finished this outstanding game with a 158.3 QBR, completing 17 passes on 21 attempts for 266 Yards and 3 touchdowns. Like we have come to expect, Kyler added another few huge rushes with 5 carries and 59 yards. We all know Kyler has an innate ability to extend plays and make something happen from nothing. This dude is special when the play breaks down. But today Kyler looked in command from the jump. Anytime the Rams gave Kyler 2-High safety looks, he was challenging them and making plays in zones that should be capped. Kyler was surgical on 3rd down today and truly deserves the 1st perfect passer rating of 2024, but also the number 1 on my list for week 2.
