It was a tough week to be a beginning quarterback whose final identify begins with “R.”
Spencer Rattler, Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph and Cooper Rush disenchanted with poor video games in losses.
Let’s look at every to see the place issues went fallacious. Listed below are Sunday’s worst NFL performances.
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler
The Saints rookie fifth-rounder had a wonderful begin to Week 17 in opposition to the Raiders. Through the first half, he was 11-of-13 for 146 yards and a landing as New Orleans trailed 13-10.
It took an unpleasant second half for Rattler to finish up as one of many week’s worst quarterback performances.
The Saints have been shutout after halftime of their 25-10 loss, and Rattler was 9-of-23 for 72 yards and two interceptions.
Rattler did not set his toes on his first interception, and his move for wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. sailed excessive. Raiders cornerback Jack Jones made a diving choose, and Las Vegas scored a landing to take a 25-10 lead six performs later.
Rattler completed Sunday’s loss 20-of-36 for 218 yards, one landing, and two interceptions whereas being sacked thrice and shedding 27 yards.
The Saints are averaging 11 factors per sport in Rattler’s 5 begins. He hasn’t proven practically sufficient for New Orleans to be comfy permitting him to begin in 2025.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Has Rodgers thrown his final move as a Jet? We will solely hope.
Earlier than being benched for backup Tyrod Taylor in a 40-14 loss to the Payments, Rodgers was 12-of-18 for 112 yards and two interceptions. He additionally misplaced 26 yards on 4 sacks as he grew to become the most-sacked quarterback in NFL historical past.
It could be one factor if Rodgers’ supporting solid let him down, however he was New York’s largest drawback on offense.
Rodgers confirmed his lack of arm energy on a rollout move that ought to have been a walk-in landing for tight finish Kenny Yeboah. As a substitute, Rodgers received no energy behind the move, and it fell incomplete.
Rodgers additionally lacked consciousness on his second-quarter security, holding onto the ball when he wanted to eliminate it instantly.
Including to his ugly sport, Rodgers was flagged for pointless roughness on a late hit following an interception, drawing a wry smile from lead official Clete Blakeman.
Per ESPN Analytics’ Seth Walder, Rodgers posted the bottom single-game QBR (1.2) since former Texans quarterback Davis Mills’ 0.8 QBR in 2021 (Week 4).
NFL insider Jason La Canfora mentioned it finest throughout New York’s hapless loss.
“Aaron Rodgers is one thing else man,” La Canfora wrote. “Simply go away already.”
Titans QB Mason Rudolph
Rudolph was the very best of Week 17’s unhealthy quarterbacks, however getting outplayed by and shedding to Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones makes him a worthy member of this week’s record.
Rudolph was 19-of-31 for 193 yards, one landing and one interception within the 20-13 loss to the Jaguars.
Rudolph lamented placing the protection in unhealthy conditions with turnovers earlier within the week.
“That is not successful soccer,” Rudolph mentioned on Christmas Eve. “I am able to show I can take of the ball higher and preserve scoring factors,” he added.
So, whereas Rudolph wasn’t fully responsible for his tipped-pass interception that gave Jacksonville the ball on the Tennessee 43-yard line, it nonetheless lower via his targets for himself main into Week 17.
And after solely main the Titans to 13 factors—together with one landing—he proved incapable of manufacturing sufficient offense to win.
If there’s one Rudolph that should not be invited to play video games, it is this one.
Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush
Sunday’s Cowboys-Eagles sport was a battle of backup quarterbacks, and Rush was outplayed by Eagles backup Kenny Pickett in Dallas’ 41-7 loss.
Rush set the tone for his poor day with a pick-six on the Cowboys’ first possession. He added a second interception on an unpleasant deep ball meant for huge receiver Brandin Cooks.
Rush completed 15-of-28 for 147 yards, with one landing and two interceptions earlier than being pulled for Trey Lance throughout Dallas’ final collection.
With just one week left within the common season, we have seen sufficient of Rush. It is time for Dallas to see what it has in Lance, who it acquired from the 49ers for a 2024 fourth-round choose in August 2023.
