A couple of new names make this week’s list for the first time in 2011, as Quarterback play for several NFL teams was the key to solidifying positions atop their respective divisions . A look at some of this week’s notable Quarterback performances:
Joe Flacco – Baltimore
Sunday’s final drive vs. the Steelers was likely the best of Flacco’s career, as he took the Ravens 92 yards in 12 plays, and demonstrated the calm and poise of a championship Quarterback. Flacco threw a lot of incompletions (21) and had a nearly-costly fumble late, but those factors were more than overshadowed by his play on critical downs, including 3rd downs throughout the game and on the play of the game – a 4th down completion to Anquan Boldin in Pittsburgh territory on the final drive. That final drive was a career moment for Joe Flacco.
Andy Dalton – Cincinnati
Not all factors favored Dalton heading into his rookie season. Following multi-Pro Bowl Quarterback Carson Palmer, inheriting a team that won four games in 2010, and responding to perceptions among many that evaluate NFL talent that Dalton’s college performance would not translate favorably to the NFL were all day one challenges for the TCU product. With all of that as a backdrop, Dalton has led Cincinnati to the AFC’s best record at the halfway point, and he played the best game of his young career Sunday vs. Tennessee. The Bengals’ QB was at his best dealing with the blitz, as he threw no interceptions, despite a number of five-man pressure packages from the Titans. Now, more challenges are ahead. Two matchups with the Steelers and one with the Ravens during the second half of the season will require Dalton to throw more deep routes in response to limited pass opportunities in underneath zones.
Eli Manning – New York (N)
Manning does not typically impress statistically in analysis of his one-game performances, and that certainly was the case this week. However, what Manning did accomplish in completing barely more than 50% of his passes and throwing two TD passes, was putting a stop to New England’s lengthy home winning streak and demonstrating a continued ability to play effectively from behind vs. quality competition. Despite lack of impressive overall statistics, the Giants have a leader whose knack for late-game composure against good teams can potentially serve a team well in the playoffs.
Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay
If you had to identify one personal attribute of Rodgers’ game in 2011 that is most responsible for his stunning mid-season success, you might choose accuracy. Defenses are significantly limited in their opportunities to make big pass game plays versus Rodgers and the Packers because the Green Bay Quarterback rarely misfires. This was the storyline Sunday, as Rodgers completed 21-26 passes for 247 yards and four TDs. That level of efficiency makes an NFL team tough to beat.
Matt Moore – Miami
One of the notable absences in Miami’s difficulties during the first half of the season has been big gains in the pass game. While Matt Moore has completed more than 60% of his throws in 2011, many those completions have been so short (a passing average of less than 7 yards per attempt) that key first down conversions have been missed too often. On Sunday vs. the Chiefs, Moore had help from the Miami running game and was mistake-free, throwing 3 TD passes and averaging nearly 11 yards per pass attempt for a Dolphins team that desperately needed a win.
