NFL Studs and Duds Through Weeks 1-4

STUD: Gardner Minshew

The Jaguars season flashed before the NFL world’s eyes once their newly acquired quarterback, Nick Foles, broke his clavicle. However, Foles’s unfortunate injury gave life to a phenomenon that would take the league by storm, known as Minshew Mania.

Yes, that is right. Sixth-round rookie quarterback, Gardner Minshew, is one of the brightest spots of the 2019 season, and it’s still hard to believe. His leadership, gutsy play style, and unique persona have been impossible not to love.

Now, Minshew hasn’t been perfect in this three-game stretch, yet he has answered the bell whenever the Jags have needed him to. It seems like the glass slipper has to eventually fall off a Cinderella story like this one. But as long as Minshew continues to play like he has, Minshew Mania lives on.

DUD: Mitchell Trubisky

Many were expecting Mitchell Trubisky to take the next step in his third season. Sadly, the Bears signal-caller looks like he has done the exact opposite thus far.

Decision making, field vision, and composure under pressure are still the parts of playing quarterback that Trubisky is struggling with. Ultimately limiting what the Bears can do on offense.

Obviously, it’s only been four weeks and a lot can change. It’s just hard to be encouraged about Trubisky’s progress with such a slow start. Hopefully, he can find his footing while recovering from injury. Time away from the game could be exactly what he needs.

STUD: The Bills Defense

The Bills defense has had a stellar start to the season, but their performance against the Patriots put them in the elite tier. To hold Tom Brady to 150 yards, a 46 percent completion percentage, and an interception is quite an accomplishment. Even though they couldn’t come out with a W.

If this unit continues to play at this level. The Bills can compete with anyone. Their offense just has to do a better job of protecting the football (@JoshAllen).

DUD: Kliff Kingsbury

All off-season, we were told how Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense is going to change the NFL. Well, we are still waiting for that to happen, because the Cardinals are 23rd in total offense, 21st in passing yards per game, and 25th in points per game (according to NFL.Com).

I understand that Arizona’s uninspiring level of talent factors into their lack of production. However, Kingsbury’s scheme was supposed to elevate the players and make life easier for rookie quarterback, Kyler Murray.

The scheme has actually done the complete opposite because of its vanilla passing concepts. Meaning, Kingsbury isn’t doing much to fool defenses. The offense is reliant on Murray making tight-window throws and the receivers coming down with contested catches.

Maybe this just a trial and error period for Kingsbury and the Cardinals offense, but we aren’t seeing the innovative offense that we were being sold in the off-season. Kinsbury must show that he can do more, or this Air Raid project will crash and burn.

STUD: Shaquil Barrett

The league leader in sacks is who? Shaquil Barrett? Who is that? In all seriousness, Barrett’s emergence is arguably the craziest reality in the 2019 season. A career back up who signed a one year, 4 million dollar deal, leading the NFL in sacks just doesn’t happen.

Leading the league in sacks isn’t even the best part. Barrett is on a historic pace with nine sacks through FOUR GAMES! He has been an absolute game wrecker and is going to get PAID if continues to dominate.

DUD: John Elway

Out of all the teams that made head coach and quarterback changes this off-season. The Broncos took by far the most conservative approach by acquiring a middling QB in Joe Flacco and hiring an old school defensive minded coach in Vic Fangio.

John Elway made these moves to keep the Broncos heads above water, but they are the exact ones that are drowning them. They need to make a drastic direction change and that starts by finding out what they have in Drew Lock.

Regardless of what happens this season. You have to wonder how many more swings at the plate the Broncos are going to give Elway because he continues to strikeout.

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