Next Man Up! Backup QB Rankings Week Six

Even more third-stringers played this week, some of our favorites perform in their last rodeo, and we get exciting news on upcoming starts for our clipboard-holding friends.

Next Man Up! Week Six

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

Tyrod Taylor, NYG 1-0 (10)
Most Recent Performance: 67%, 11yds, 0 TD, 1 INT

Brian Hoyer, NE 0-1 (9)
Most Recent Performance: 83.3%, 37yds, 0 TD

Saquon Barkley ⭐️, NYG 1-0 (8)
Most Recent Performance: 0%, 0yds, 0 TD

The Rankings

10. Skylar Thompson, MIA 0-2 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 53.8%, 89yds, 0 TD

    Thompson joins the rest of his QBs on the injury report by leaving the Vikings game in the 2nd quarter with a hand injury. Luckily, Teddy Bridgewater was declared good to go before the game after being in concussion protocol and he was able to finish out the game in Thompson's absence.

9. Jacob Eason, CAR 0-1 (NR)

Most Recent Performance: 60%, 59yds, 0 TD

    I now dub the Carolina Panthers the Miami Panthers of Carolina. As they join the Dolphins by depleting the QB room. I for one was not even aware that Eason was on this team. I feel bad that the Miami Panthers of Carolina don't even have exciting backup QBs, they are all just eh. In other bad news, Sam Darnold is set to come off of IR this week and will compete to take over as tank commander for the Panthers.

8. P.J. Walker, CAR 0-2 (1)
Most Recent Performance: 62.5%, 60yds, 0 TD

    Walker left Sunday's matchup with the Rams with a neck injury and was put into concussion protocol. Since then, Walker has been cleared and will start next week against the Buccaneers. Not too much to go off this game, but he will continue to be a bottom-tier backup until he can show some sort of flash on the field.

7. Kenny Pickett, PIT 1-2 (1)
Most Recent Performance: 61.1%, yds, 67yds, 1 TD

    Pickett had his Gold Star Performance stolen by the Concussion Carousel as he goes down and is relieved by Mitch Trubisky. The Steelers go on to upset Tom Brady and the Bucs and I can only imagine that Pickett was upset that he was not the one to do it. Pickett is now back at practice and could return as soon as this weekend.

6. Andy Dalton, NO 1-2 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 53.1%, 162yds, 1 TD

    I am writing this as TNF is happening and I must clarify that these are my feelings before this game ends, I promise next week's rankings will more accurately reflect how I feel.

    Besides that, I am enjoying this Andy Dalt-aissance as he does not look too bad while filling in for Jameis Winston. Sadly, Dalton was not able to achieve glory in his return to Cincinnati. The game score is misleading due to the Saints riding K Will Lutz to be competitive in this matchup, Dalton just could not keep up with the New-School Bengals. I am also still refusing on putting Taysom Hill on this list until he plays meaningful snaps under center. 

5. Jacoby Brissett , CLE 2-4 (0)
Most Recent Performance: 46.7%, 266yds, 1 TD, 2 INT

     I have cursed Brissett and he continues to decline in play. another Backup Matchup against the Patriots and Bailey Zappe and failed again. The Browns sit firmly out of the playoff race and may be completely out by the time [REDACTED] comes back on the field. I still believe that Brissett can be good in short stretches, but you can really tell that the season is weighing on him.

4. Teddy Bridgewater, MIA 1-3 (5)
Most Recent Performance: 67.6%, 329yds, 2 TD, 2 INT

    After another, yes another, QB injury we finally get to see a full-ish Teddy Two-Gloves game. Bridgewater played solid in a losing effort off the bench after being pulled from last week's match with a suspected concussion. Bridgewater finally steps into his old self and plays like a pro. I would have given him a Gold Star Performance, but he is vested enough to be expected to win games in this league, unlike rookie sensation Bailey Zappe.

3. Cooper Rush ⭐️⭐️⭐️, DAL 4-2 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 58.1%, 181yds, 1 TD, 3 INT

   All good things must come to an end. Cooper Rush loses his first game as a Starter to the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. This will also be Rush's last start as Dak Prescott will return next week. In disappointing fashion, Rush threw three ugly interceptions in this loss and quieted all whispers of a QB controversy in Dallas.

2. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 3-2 (0)
Most Recent Performance: 70.7%, 296yds, 2 TD, 2 INT

    All aboard the Garollercoaster! I say that, but I wouldn't put Jimmy G solely at fault for this loss. The 49ers as a whole looked bad out there. A myriad of defensive injuries did not help the Niners as the let a Patterson-less Falcons offense do as they please. Scrub out the turnovers from Garoppolo and this performance may have been Gold Star worthy. 

1. Bailey Zappe ⭐️⭐️⭐️, NE 2-1 (2)
Most Recent Performance: 70.6%, 309yds, 2 TD

    Gold Stars all around for the Zap Master. Zappe leads a thrashing of the Browns and propels Bill Belichick further into history by matching George Halas' all-time wins record. I love this kid and he deserves his chance to shine. I hate that Mac Jones is set to return next week and we have to put such a wonderful QB back on the shelf. I beg you Bill, ride it out.

New Challenger Approaching!

    Commanders QB Carson Wentz injured his hand during another TNF snooze fest. This gives way for playoff hero Taylor Heinicke to start next week for Washington. If I'm being honest, I would have made this move whether or not Wentz was injured. This Washington team was spicy a year ago with Heinicke under center and they need to revive that spark to salvage a poor season. He will face an angry Packers team coming off a two-game skid against both New York teams. This will be a challenge, but I will always believe in our backup QBs (until they give me a reason not to).

By Brandon McCann