Week 9 Write-Up

HEAD OF THE CLASS

ANDREW LUCK
QB Supp: 1.46
RESULT: 27-24 Win Over The Texans
TAVA: 3.95
Luck and the Colts offense looked lost in the first half without Reggie Wayne. Luck was 3/12, and the Colts put up a measly 3 points to the Texans 21. But Luck’s second half and the eventual 4^th Quarter comeback were enough to overshadow the poor start and earn him the highest TAVA score of week 9.

For anyone who remains unconvinced by the final 18/40 271 yard stat-line, consider this: In the second half, the Colts ran the ball 4 times for 4 yards and yet they scored 24 points on five drives. Then consider that their final drive was a three and out with three runs to just run out the clock. Before that, the Colts needed points, they didn't even attempt to have a running game, and Luck still put together four consecutive scoring drives with the game on the line, converting 5/6 third downs in the process. No other QB was so singularly critical to his team’s win last week than Luck.

Honor Roll: Nick Foles (TAVA: 3.88) has started and finished only two complete games, but he’s played superb in each of them. Then again, maybe “superb” is an understatement for 20/28 and seven TD passes. Three weeks ago, I wrote that Foles played so well that the Eagles definitely had a QB controversy. I don't think it's a controversy anymore. Tom Brady (TAVA: 2.93) was razor sharp in a blow-out win while Tony Romo (TAVA: 2.96) and Jason Cambell (TAVA: 2.38) played critical roles in very close games.

WRONGFULLY ACCUSED
CASE KEENUM
QB Supp: 1.65
RESULT: 27-24 Loss To the Colts
TAVA: 0.31
Keenum looked spectacular in the first half against the Colts this past Sunday night. The offense sputtered out in the second half and put up only three points on five drives, but the blame for that isn’t necessarily with Keenum. Obviously, he didn’t finish as effectively as he started, but the young QB made gutsy throws and moved the ball down the field all night long (without any turnovers I might add). The running game struggled to convert first downs all game (6 total) and the kicking game…. Well, when you lose by 3 points and your kicker misses three field goals, let’s just say that the QB can’t take all of the blame.

Also Acquitted: Philip Rivers (TAVA: 0.32) ]also shouldn't be blamed for the overtime loss against the Redskins and although Drew Brees (TAVA: -0.09), Joe Flacco (-0.09), and Ben Roethlisberger (TAVA: -0.15) all could have played better, they also could have used a whole lot more help from their team. Roethlisberger in particular was charged with overcoming 55 points with an average-ish 109 yards from his run game.

THE TRENT DILFER DIVISION
ALEX SMITH
QB Supp: 5.01
RESULT: 23-13 Win Over the Bills
TAVA: 0.12
Smith wasn’t tasked with doing much as the Chiefs cruised to another victory, and it’s unfair to judge him too harshly for not doing more when more wasn’t needed. Still, this passing offense isn’t exactly battle tested. This is the third time that Smith has posted a negative points added score  in victory, and one has to wonder if the Smith and the passing game will be there for the Chiefs in the event it’s ever needed. Smith has received more QB support than any other QB in the league this year, and that’s the reason that the Chiefs are 9-0. It was more of the same against the Bills, with the Chiefs defense adding the teams only TDs. The three FGs the offense helped add were simply insurance points as, in addition to the two TDs, the defense held the Bills to only 13 points. They didn’t need Smith to throw TD passes… and if they did? Would the offense have come through? I think we’ll find out the answer to that at some point in November.

Also unimpressive in victory: Jake Locker (TAVA: -0.02) did just enough to complement a rejuvenated rushing attack while Ryan Tannehill (TAVA: -0.04) rode a strong defensive effort to victory. Meanwhile, Geno Smith (TAVA: -0.16) benefited both from big plays on defense as well as strong ground game to topple the Saints despite going only 8/19 in passing. Smith was more effective than his stats suggested… but not that much more.

THE BLAINE GABBERT DIVISION
ANDY DALTON
QB SUPPORT: 5.86
RESULT: 22-20 (OT) Loss to the Dolphins
TAVA: -5.04
What a difference a week makes. Throw 5 TD passes and suddenly you really ARE a SuperBowl Caliber QB who can lead your team to the promised land. And then… this. The Bengals defense held the Dolphins offense to 13 points and that was DESPITE Dalton giving the ball to the Dolphins inside his own 40 one time and inside his own 30 another. The Bengals ground game helped out by chewing up 151 yards. Basically, all Dalton had to do was avoid turnovers and let his defense and rushing attack carry him to victory. Instead, he turned the ball over four times, including a pick six, and then he got sacked in the endzone in overtime. More than 30 percent of the Dolphins points were a direct result of Dalton… in a game that went to overtime. It’s tough for a QB to do more to sabotage what so clearly should have been a win for his team.

ALSO SHAMEFUL: Jeff Tuel (TAVA: -4.32) and his redzone pick six (alongside his generally ineffective passing throughout the game) was the difference maker against the Chiefs on a day when Buffalo RBs managed to churn out almost 225 rushing yards. Christian Ponder (TAVA: -1.99) had costly mistakes undo an otherwise decent outing for the Vikings and Seneca Wallace (TAVA: -1.52) was simply not effective at moving the ball down the field. It also seems that a lack of Roddy White and Julio Jones really is catching up to Matt Ryan (TAVA: -1.30).