Fansided

Surprises and demises at the NFL quarter pole

By Russell S. Baxter

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 04: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts awaits the snap against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 04, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 04: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts awaits the snap against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 04, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 04: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass against Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a game at Raymond James Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 04: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass against Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a game at Raymond James Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

Surprise: Los Angeles Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert

Regardless of your occupation, being sent to work on short notice is never an ideal position. And that’s what happened to Los Angeles Chargers’ rookie quarterback Justin Herbert last month. He found out shortly before his team’s game with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 that he would be the starting signal caller. He responded with quite the effort and in three starts this season – albeit all losses – he’s connected on 72 percent of his passes for 931 yards and five scores and also ran for one touchdown. Despite turning over the football four times in three games, the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft from the University of Oregon has impressed in a big way.

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Demise: Atlanta Falcons

The season got off to a rough start when Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson invaded Atlanta and led his club to a 38-25 that wasn’t as close as the final score might indicate. And as if anyone connected with the team needed to be reminded about Super Bowl LI, the Falcons allowed big fourth-quarter leads against the Cowboys and Bears get away from them. Matt Ryan is averaging well over 300 passing yards per game but he’s been sacked nine times and the running game is tied for 23rd in the NFL. Dan Quinn’s team continues its search for a pass rush as Atlanta defenders have managed only seven sacks while the team has already surrendered a whopping 13 TD passes.

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