Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson were all being discussed as Most Valuable Player candidates entering Sunday’s games.
Watson did nothing to hurt himself, throwing for two touchdowns in Houston’s easy victory over Jacksonville in London. Rodgers dropped a few notches, throwing for only 161 yards and one touchdown in the Packers’ 26-11 loss to the Chargers. Wilson helped his cause greatly by throwing for 378 yards and five touchdowns in Seattle’s overtime win against Tampa Bay.
But Wilson didn’t have the best day of any quarterback Sunday. That honor belongs to Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. Although some observers have said Jackson is a runner and not a passer, they’re wrong. Jackson again showed he can do both.
Jackson headlines the list of nine things we learned from Sunday of Week 9 of the 2019 NFL season. Here we go:
9. Tyler Lockett is the NFL’s most underrated receiver
With the release and retirement of Doug Baldwin, Lockett has been asked to take over as Seattle’s No. 1 receiver — and he hasn’t disappointed. Although he’s an unimposing 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds, Lockett has shown he can do it all. He can line up outside or in the slot. He did both in Sunday’s overtime victory against Tampa Bay and thrived. Lockett finished with 13 catches for 152 yards with two touchdowns. Quarterback Russell Wilson is a strong candidate for Most Valuable Player, and Lockett’s play is a major reason why.
8. Dwayne Haskins is nowhere near ready
The Washington Redskins gave their rookie quarterback his first start, and it didn’t go well. The Redskins scored only nine points in a loss to Buffalo. The Bills have a good defense, but Haskins barely moved the ball through the air, averaging only 6.55 yards per pass. Haskins has miles to go, and the Redskins don’t have any other attractive options. So, they might as well let Haskins continue taking his lumps and gaining experience for next year. For the Redskins, it’s all about next year.
7. Dolphins are not the NFL’s worst team after all
If there was one thing most football fans agreed upon during the first half of the season, it was that the Miami Dolphins were the worst team in football. They were terrible, and it seemed obvious they were tanking to accumulate the best possible draft picks for 2020. But the Dolphins couldn’t even get the tanking part right, as they defeated the Jets. New York only has one win and might be the worst team in the league. But the winless Cincinnati Bengals, who had a bye Sunday, currently have the strongest argument. Oh, let’s not forget Washington, which also belongs in the conversation.
6. Mike Tomlin is saving his job
The Pittsburgh coach came into the season on the hot seat after missing the playoffs last season. Things got even worse when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered an elbow injury that shut him down for the season. But the Steelers won their third consecutive game Sunday with a victory against a solid Indianapolis team. With second-year pro Mason Rudolph playing in Roethlisberger’s place, the Steelers now are 4-4, and Tomlin may be doing the best coaching job of his career. If the Steelers can stick around .500 the rest of the way, Tomlin’s job will be safe. If they can somehow get to the playoffs, Tomlin will be a candidate for Coach of the Year.
5. Bring on Chase Daniel in Chicago
You’re not going to win many games when you only score two touchdowns, which is what the Bears did in Sunday’s 22-14 loss to Philadelphia. You’re also not going to win many games when your quarterback completes 10 of 21 passes for 125 yards and is sacked three times. Those are high school numbers. But those are the numbers Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky put up Sunday. Is it just me? Or does anyone else realize Trubisky is playing so badly that he could keep an otherwise-good team out of the playoffs. The Bears have to hand the offense to backup Chase Daniel before it’s too late.
4. Adam Gase could be one and done with the Jets
A newly hired coach generally gets two or three seasons to show progress. But New York’s Adam Gase might only get one season — because the Jets are a wreck. Gase was supposed to bring an explosive offense and develop quarterback Sam Darnold, even though he failed to develop Ryan Tannehill in Miami. Gase hit some bad luck when Darnold was out with mononucleosis. Nevertheless, the Jets are 1-7 after their loss to previously winless Miami. Under the glare of the New York media, Gase easily could be run out of town after just one season.
3. When Nick Foles is healthy, he’ll be Jacksonville’s starter
Gardner Minshew has been one of the nicer stories of the NFL season. The rookie QB took over for an injured Nick Foles in the opener and has helped the Jaguars keep afloat. Minshew had been playing mistake-free football, throwing only two interceptions – until he threw two more in a loss to Houston in London on Sunday. That should bring the Jaguars back to reality as soon as Foles is ready to play. Minshew is a sixth-round pick. He’s a nice backup. But, if the Jaguars are going to make a playoff run, they need to hand things back to Foles the moment he’s ready. Foles won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia. He also is the guy the Jaguars signed to be their franchise quarterback.
2. Cam Newton is done with the Panthers
Newton has played at a Most Valuable Player level — but not since 2015. While he has been out with a nagging foot injury, replacement Kyle Allen has come in and performed well. He led Carolina to victory against Tennessee on Sunday, and the Panthers are 5-1 with Allen as the starter. He’s savvy and efficient, and Newton hasn’t been those things in several years. Plus, there have been reports that Newton’s foot isn’t healing properly and he will continue to miss time. The foot isn’t the only concern with Newton. He also had major shoulder surgery in the offseason. Newton appears to be breaking down physically. Economics will also play a major role with what happens with Newton in the Panthers in the offseason — 2020 is the last year of Newton’s contract, and he’s scheduled to make $21 million. But the Panthers can free up $19 million under the salary cap by cutting Newton. It’s pretty obvious what’s going to happen.
1. Lamar Jackson is the most versatile quarterback since Michael Vick
In fact, the Baltimore quarterbacks is better overall than Vick ever was. Vick was a great runner. So is Jackson. Let’s call that one a draw. But the difference between Vick and Jackson is their passing. Vick had an extremely strong arm but was never accurate. Jackson, who threw for 163 yards and a touchdown and ran for 61 yards and two touchdowns against the previously unbeaten Patriots, is showing signs he can be accurate. He’s going to be better than Vick — by far.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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