In an eventful week, we see ourselves with a plethora of backups and even 3rd-string QBs in Week 4. For player safety, we hate to see guys go down with serious injuries, but for the blog's sake this might be the best week we'll have all season.
Next Man Up! Week Four
Back to the Bench
All good things must come to an end and so our guests must make their way back to the locker room and wait to be called upon once more.
Case Keenum, BUF 1-0 (5)
Most Recent Performance: 0%, 0yds
Malik Willis, TEN 0-1 (6)
Most Recent Performance: 25%, 6yds
Joe Flacco ⭐️, NYJ 1-2 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 53.8%, 285yds, 0 TD, 2 INT
I predicted a Jets' win last week, but sadly it did not come at the hands of Joe Flacco, his time has come to an end and Zach Wilson has returned to his role as QB. We remember Flacco with his Gold Star Performance in Week 2. I fear we won't see Flacco anymore this year, but I for one appreciate the good times he's given us.
The Rankings
10. Tyrod Taylor, NYG 1-0 (NR)
Most Recent Performance: 67%, 11yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
Tyrod Taylor comes in after an ankle injury to Daniel Jones and almost immediately he is ruled out with a concussion. I feel bad for Taylor, he has been injured just about every year since he left Buffalo in 2016.
9. Brian Hoyer, NE 0-1 (NR)
Most Recent Performance: 83.3%, 37yds, 0 TD
Hoyer exited early Sunday afternoon after starting in place of the injured Mac Jones. Jones was on track to play before convincing New England to let him get to 100%. Hoyer joins Tyrod Taylor in concussion protocol that has been enhanced since Tua Tagovailoa's injury Thursday.
8. Saquon Barkley ⭐️, NYG 1-0 (NR)
Most Recent Performance: 0%, 0yds, 0 TD
Yes, this is THE Saquon Barkley. The Giant's RB had to step in as the emergency QB following Taylor's injury, and although he did not throw a single pass, he has earned a Gold Star Performance. I award him one due to the fact that he was able to hold their lead over the Bears and finish with a win. Typically, when you are down to your emergency QB your team is already out of the game and Barkley broke that stereotype and bring the Giants to 3-1 behind his impressive rushing ability.
7. Kenny Pickett, PIT 0-1 (NR)
Most Recent Performance: 76.9%, 120yds, 0 TD, 3 INT
Pickett joins Jimmy Garoppolo as a full-time list member as they assume their roles as the starter for the rest of the season. The rookie comes in after a Mitch Trubisky benching in an attempt to light a spark for the Pittsburgh offense. Pickett did not play terribly despite his three interceptions, two of which came off of bobbled catches and the third being a Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the game. As a part of the weakest QB Draft we've had in recent years, I am not sure what to expect out of Pickett in his rookie season, but Trubisky did not set a high bar. Only time will tell if he is to be the future for the Steelers.
6. Teddy Bridgewater, MIA 1-1 (1)
Most Recent Performance: 60.9%, 193yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Teddy Bridgewater surprisingly returns after another tragic head injury for Tua, Bridgewater put on a solid performance for a backup but did not have enough to push past the Bengals and end the Dolphins' undefeated streak. He will start at least another week, where he is tasked to keep the season's momentum going against his former team, the Jets.
5. Andy Dalton, NO 0-1 (NR)
Most Recent Performance: 71.4%, 236yds, 1 TD
Dalton comes in for an injured Jameis Winston in a London thriller. Being an NFL veteran with a once respectable career, Dalton played cool and collected and put his team in positions to win. Had RB Alvin Kamara not been out, we may have seen a Gold Star Performance and win for good ol' Andy. This new bearded Andy Dalton is something I can get used to if Winston is out long-term, gives me flashbacks to my youth when Andy Dalton and the Bengals were perennial playoff teams that always fizzled out come Wildcard Weekend.
4. Bailey Zappe ⭐️, NE 0-1 (NR)
Most Recent Performance: 67%, 99yds, 1 TD
Zappe earns a Gold Star Performance this week for embodying the "Next Man Up" mentality. Zappe is the Patriots' rookie quarterback that had absolutely no reason to believe he'd be playing a game this year. Zappe held on under center and took the Packers to overtime. Unfortunately, he did not bring home the W, but not even his own mother believed he'd play as well as he did.
3. Jacoby Brissett , CLE 2-2 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 60%, 234yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
Overall middling performance from the Brissett Browns in a loss to a bad Falcons team. Brissett couldn't save the day on the final drive, but the fine print in his contract says that he's not there to win games, just to survive them.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 2-1 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 59.3%, 239yds, 1 TD
Jimmy G was not amazing on MNF, but somehow he managed to lead a thrashing of the Rams to improve his record to 7-1 against LA. I seem to have forgotten what a roller coaster the 49ers are with Jimmy G under center and perhaps they will reach the playoffs like I originally thought.
1. Cooper Rush ⭐️⭐️, DAL 3-1 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 55.6%, 223yds, 2 TD
Cooper Rush is fun to watch as he managed to save the Cowboys' season before it went underwater. I must admit that I am sad that Dak Prescott will return very soon. On the bright side, Rush has more than earned his right to an NFL roster spot and I'll welcome him with open arms the next time he sees the field.
By Brandon McCann
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