Backup quarterbacks are now trending in the NFL.
Mike White, in his first game as a starter, he had a great game (405 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions) against Cincinnati and the Jets gave a new surprise by defeating another contender in the AFC (they had already beaten Tennessee).
Now the coach Robert Saleh must make a decision: or reinstall the rookie Zach Wilson or stay with White for the rest of the season.
Cooper Rush He took the place of Dak Prescott (calf) Sunday night in Minnesota and the Cowboys backup did not badly: 325 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Dallas’ win over the Vikings.
His second pass to the end zone was 51 seconds from the end of the game to secure the Cowboys victory.
Geno Smith he threw two passes to the end zone and the Seahawks eventually won at home (31-7 to Jacksonville). Russell Wilson bragged on social media that the nail in his fractured finger was removed and that means we will soon see him back in Seattle, which with a 3-4 record is not far from competing for a Wild Card ticket in the NFC .
Finally in New Orleans Trevor Siemian supplied the injured Jameis Winston (knee ligaments) and threw his first touchdown pass in two years to help the Saints beat Tampa Bay.
Not all substitutes, however, have managed the package. Taylor Heinicke, of the Washington Football Team, is 2-5 since taking the place of Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip), with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
The coach Ron Rivera he will have to use his first pick from the 2021 Draft (which will presumably be high) on a quarterback.
This Sunday is the turn of Jordan Love, who will take the place of Aaron Rodgers on the Packers’ offense, after the starter tested positive for COVID-19 (and also not vaccinated).
Love makes his NFL QB1 debut at Arrowhead against the defending AFC champs.
Which brings me to the Week 9 picks:
GAME OF THE WEEK
Green Bay en Kansas City (-1)
New opponent with a winning record and a new opportunity for the Chiefs to show that they can still rescue the season.
Kansas City is 0-4 against teams with a winning record and, after suffering at home against the Giants on Monday night, they now face the Packers (7-1) in Arrowhead, who have not lost since Week 1.
They will, of course, be very different Packers because Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and he’s out for this game. His place will be taken by Jordan Love, Green Bay’s controversial first pick in the 2020 Draft.
Love, who will play his first game as a starter in the NFL, is the only available quarterback for the Packers, as Kurt Benkert, from the practice squad, also caught coronavirus.
Last week, the wide receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard they missed the game against Arizona after testing positive for coronavirus and lost the tight end during the game Robert Tonyan, who has already been put on injured reserve.
Lazard has already tested negative and can return on Sunday.
Without Rodgers, the game plan must revolve around Aaron Jones, who had 110 combined yards and a touchdown in the win over the Cardinals.
The Chiefs have their own problems, but it’s all concentrated in the trenches: an offensive line that hasn’t been able to protect Patrick Mahomes and a defense that has only performed “up to scratch” against second-rate teams.
Mahomes has also not played at the level expected of an MVP: He has completed 66.5% of his passes, leads the league in interceptions with 10 and his 94.5-point rating is 17th among qualified quarterbacks.
Mahomes will face a defense that is seventh in yards per game (331.8), sixth in passing yards (216.8) and ninth in points (20.9).
Rivals have found a way to keep Mahomes’ performances low-key; They only pressure him with four men and the rest are in charge of defending the pass. The Giants, for example, used double teams against Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, and the Chiefs quarterback had to resort to very short passes or flat to throw the ball down the wings.
The Green Bay defense has to do something similar and force Mahomes to hold the ball longer than desired or force him to throw compromised passes, which have cost him some of those 10 interceptions.
Pick: No one knows what the Packers’ offense will look like with Love at the controls, but, just like they did in Arizona, your game plan should be to run the ball with Jones, control the game clock and trust your defense. Yes, even without Rodgers, Green Bay is a better team than Kansas City. Packers 23-20 Chiefs
SURE PICK
Buffalo (-14.5) en Jacksonville
The only question here is whether or not Buffalo will cover that 14.5-point line. Well I think so. Bills 33-17 Jaguars
UPSET
Las Vegas (-3) at New York Giants
First Jon Gruden and now Henry Ruggs. Derek Carr’s world is slowly falling apart. Giants 27-24 Raiders
TWO MINUTE DRILL
New York Jets in Indianapolis (-10.5)
Another surprise from the Jets? Another Carson Wentz fiasco? Colts 31-21 Jets
Minnesota and Baltimore (-5.5)
If your defense allows 120 rushing yards per game, you’re in trouble in Baltimore. Ravens 29-20 Vikings
New England (-4) and Carolina
Nobody respects her home, but Mac Jones and the Patriots are 3-0 on the road. Patriots 24-17 Panthers
Cleveland en Cincinnati (-3)
After the fiasco against the Jets, Cincinnati returns home and receives Cleveland, which has lost three of the four most recent. Bengals 28-24 Browns
Denver at Dallas (-10)
Dak Prescott is back and Von Miller is on the Rams. Cowboys 28-14 Broncos
Houston in Miami (-6.5)
Two teams that won in Week 1 and then lost seven in a row. It is recommended to stay away from this poor show. Dolphins 19-13 Texans
Atlanta en New Orleans (-6)
With Trevor Siemian as its starting quarterback, New Orleans relies more than ever on its defense. Saints 23-19 Falcons
Los Angeles Chargers (-1.5) en Philadelphia
The Chargers’ run defense is the worst in the league and Philadelphia comes into this game after racking up 236 yards at Detroit. Chargers 33-31 Eagles
Arizona in San Francisco (pk)
Including the 2020 season, San Francisco is 1-10 at home. Cardinals 29-20 49ers
Tennessee en Los Angeles Rams (-7.5)
Adrian Peterson makes his debut in place of the injured Derrick Henry. The Titans were orphaned. Los Angeles 31-21 Tennessee
Chicago en Pittsburgh (-6.5)
Justin Fields has had his moments, but the Pittsburgh defense will make him look like what he is: a rookie quarterback in the NFL. Steelers 27-17 Bears
OVER UNDER
Raiders en Giants OVER 46
Broncos in Cowboys UNDER 49.5
Bears and Steelers OVER 40
Last week: 9-6
In the season: 79-43
Ariel: 84-38
