Backup QBs Andy Dalton, Malik Willis shine; starters Jalen Hurts, Will Levis struggle-ZoomTech News

Typically a quarterback swap can go a good distance towards altering the mindset of a group.

That definitely was the case for the Carolina Panthers, who began the season 0-2 however appeared like a a lot completely different group with Andy Dalton taking up for Bryce Younger.

The Panthers had managed 13 factors via two video games with Younger because the signal-caller, however scored 21 factors within the first half of the group’s stunning highway win over the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Younger had three passing touchdowns in his previous 11 video games, whereas Dalton had three within the first half towards the Raiders. 

Dalton, who turns 37 subsequent month, wasn’t the one backup QB to go off on Sunday. Let’s check out this week’s Warmth Index. 

WHO’S HOT 

Andy Dalton, QB, Panthers

The TCU product had been the starter for the Cincinnati Bengals for his first 9 seasons within the NFL, posting a 70-61-2 document and 4 postseason appearances throughout that point. So Dalton isn’t any stranger to having success on the sector.

His presence within the beginning lineup for Carolina allowed Dave Canales to run the offense he envisioned when he took over as the pinnacle coach. That meant getting the ball out shortly. Based on Subsequent Gen Stats, Las Vegas blitzed on 59% of Carolina’s move makes an attempt, greater than double what the Raiders executed within the first two weeks of the season (25.4%). Dalton, nevertheless, removed the ball in 2.02 seconds on common towards the blitz to defeat the stress. 

The Panthers additionally achieved stability on offense with Chuba Hubbard dashing for 114 yards. Subsequent up for Dalton? His former group, as Carolina hosts the Bengals. 

Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles

In Philly’s win over the New Orleans Saints, Goedert completed with a career-high 10 catches for 170 yards, essentially the most in a single recreation by a decent finish in Eagles historical past.

Based on Subsequent Gen Stats, Goedert churned out 117 yards after the catch. He hauled in 4 of his 10 catches on in-breaking routes for 156 yards, together with 98 yards after the catch.  The Eagles used Goedert’s massive day to enhance to 2-1 on the season. 

Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens  

We lastly received a glimpse of what Baltimore seems to be like with Henry serving because the engine of the offense. The large again completed with a Week 3 excessive of 151 dashing yards on 25 carries and two scores towards a woeful Dallas protection. It is the primary time the Cowboys have allowed three dashing touchdowns in back-to-back video games in franchise historical past. 

The Cowboys gave up 274 yards on the bottom to the Ravens. Based on Subsequent Gen Stats, Henry compelled 12 missed tackles, the second-most in a recreation by any participant this season. 

For his efforts, Henry acquired the Tom Brady LFG Participant of the Recreation award.

Jauan Jennings, WR, 49ers 

San Francisco performed with out Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle — the group’s high three playmakers on offense — however Jennings stepped in and produced at a excessive degree. The group’s third receiver completed with 11 catches for 175 yards and three scores, turning into the primary receiver with at the very least 10 catches and 175 receiving yards in a regulation recreation since Drew Bennett in 2004.

Sadly for the 49ers, Jennings’ monster recreation got here in a loss, as San Francisco allowed the Los Angeles Rams to attain 13 factors within the ultimate 6:15 of the sport.

Malik Willis, QB, Packers 

Enjoying towards his former group, Willis completed with profession highs in passing yards (202) and dashing yards (73) in main Inexperienced Bay to a win over the Titans, who traded him to the Packers through the offseason.

Based on FOX Sports activities Analysis, Willis’ 73 dashing yards had been essentially the most by a Packers QB since Don Majkowski ran for 88 yards in a 1990 recreation. Willis is now 2-0 as a starter since taking up for an injured Jordan Love. 

WHO’S COLD

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers

When San Francisco made Aiyuk one of many highest-paid receivers within the league proper earlier than the season, the 49ers definitely anticipated extra manufacturing from him.

By way of three video games, Aiyuk has simply 11 receptions for 119 receiving yards on 20 targets and has but to get into the top zone. He additionally has 4 drops. With McCaffrey, Samuel and Kittle all nursing accidents, the 49ers want extra from one of the crucial proficient receivers within the league.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles

Whereas Philadelphia eked out a 15-12 victory over New Orleans, Hurts can do a greater job of taking good care of the soccer. Towards the Saints, Hurts threw an interception together with his group driving to attain, misplaced a fumble and was sacked 4 instances on the day.

Philadelphia’s offense was stagnant for many of the recreation, because the Saints held the Eagles scoreless for 3 quarters. Hurts has turned the ball over six instances and has 4 interceptions via the primary three video games, essentially the most of his profession in that point. 

Will Levis, QB, Titans

One other Tennessee recreation, one other Levis turnover returned for a rating — this one a pick-six by Inexperienced Bay cornerback Jaire Alexander. 

Levis completed with three turnovers in a loss to the Packers, growing his season complete to eight on the yr, essentially the most by any quarterback via the primary three video games over the previous three seasons. The Titans have a league-worst minus-8 turnover differential. 

Chargers harm curse

Cease me for those who’ve heard this earlier than: The Bolts are experiencing a glut of accidents this season. Quarterback Justin Herbert (excessive ankle sprain), defensive finish Joey Bosa (hip), left sort out Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and proper sort out Joe Alt (ankle) all left L.A.’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with accidents.

Probably the most vital ailment is Herbert’s, and he was in a strolling boot after the sport. The Oregon product already missed two weeks throughout coaching camp due to a plantar fascia harm to his proper foot, the identical leg because the injured ankle. He went into Sunday’s recreation with the ankle sprain, tried to play and reaggravated the harm. 

With the Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs subsequent for L.A., head coach Jim Harbaugh should assume long-term in relation to the well being of his quarterback. 

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Observe him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

---

---