Feeling The Heat

Posted byMichael RifkinPosted inBlitzers, NFL, Rifkin’s Rift TideTags:, , , , , , , , ,

By Mike Rifkin

We are less than a month away from the NFL season kicking off. All fans are confident that their respective teams are going to compete for a Super Bowl Championship. We often talk about coaches who need to show something as the pressure mounts, here’s a list of the ten Quarterbacks I believe under the most pressure to show something this season. 

  1. Aaron Rodgers – Jets : The Jets dream in 2023 turned into a nightmare four plays into the season when Rodgers tore his Achilles. Aaron is now 40 years old and who knows how much great football he has left, but the Jets got the four time MVP with the hopes of winning their first Super Bowl since 1969, if they don’t win this year we know Robert Salah will be gone, but what happens with Rodgers? If Rodgers can’t lead the Jets to the promise land, it’ll be Brett Favre 2.0.
  1. Deshaun Watson – Browns : Watson has really struggled with the Browns. In 12 games he has a combined 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions, over a season and a half. Now part of the reason he’s played so little has been suspension and the other is injury, but after signing a 230 million dollar fully guaranteed deal the Browns need Watson to be the superstar he was with the Texans.
  1. Dak Prescott – Cowboys : Part of this comes with the territory, there’s not a tougher position to be in in sports than quarterback of the Cowboys. The other reason that there’s a lot of pressure on Dak is that this season is an audition, Dak is a free agent after the season and I don’t think he’ll be re-signed by the Cowboys unless he reaches the NFC title game, but Dak is auditioning for every other team in the NFL and he’s looking to show his owner that he has what it takes. 
  1. Russell Wilson – Steelers : The Denver experiment failed miserably for Russ, but now he gets another crack with the Steelers. While a calf injury has sidelined him during the beginning portion of training camp, coach Mike Tomlin has consistently said Russ is in the lead to start for the Steelers. If Russ doesn’t play well, he’ll have to look over his shoulder at Justin Fields and wonder what’s next for himself. 
  1. Daniel Jones – Giants : Giants fans saw their star Running Back go down the Jersey turnpike to play for their arch-rival. One of the reasons that happened is the contract of Daniel Jones. Jones had a nice season two years ago, but regressed last season before tearing his ACL. If Jones struggles once again, he’ll be looking for work elsewhere. 
  1. Trevor Lawrence – Jags : Lawrence became one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL. The 24 year old saw his touchdowns decrease last season, while his interceptions increased. The Jags were 8-3 last season, and lost five of six and collapsed and lost the division to the Texans. 
  1. Tua Tagovailoa – Dolphins : Like Lawrence, Tagovailoa signed a massive contract extension to remain in Florida. Tua is a lightning rod for people across the league, whether they like him or hate him. Tua was an MVP candidate last season, until the final two games of the regular season. The pressure is on Tua to break the longest drought to win a playoff game. 
  1. Justin Herbert : Chargers – Herbert’s been ranked amongst the elites of NFL quarterbacks. Last season the Chargers were the biggest disappointment in the league. Herbert was limited to 13 games due to injury, but now the pressure is on because his top three targets Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler are all gone, now Herbert is going to have to show his elite talent. 
  1. Lamar Jackson – Ravens/Josh Allen Bills : Ok I cheated and said 10 but there’s really 11. These two quarterbacks face the same pressure, it’s time to win. For both it’s to get over the Mahomes’ hump. Both guys lost to Mahomes and the Chiefs at home in the playoffs. While both are going to be MVP candidates they need to get over the KC hump.
  2.  Kirk Cousins – Falcons : Cousins like Aaron Rodgers is coming off an Achilles tear. The Falcons didn’t care and decided to give Cousins a big contract, with the thought that now the Falcons can be a playoff team. If Cousins struggles though, people in Atlanta will clamor for Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons selected eighth overall in the draft.

Leave a comment