NFL Power Ranking: Sophomore Quarterbacks

T-5: Paxton Lynch

Paxton Lynch has a similar sample size of data having also started two of the three games. Lynch played the majority of his first NFL game after Trevor Siemian went down early against the Bucs and won the game as he threw for 170 yards posting a solid 94.1 passer rating. His passes averaged seven yards per completion with one touchdown and no interceptions. Watching the game, you see when he made a completion the ball game out very quick with little help from up front and into tight windows.

The following game he started, but it didn’t go nearly as well. Lynch collapsed under pressure throwing one pick, fumbling twice and getting sacked six times. He passed for 223 yards and a TD in the loss.

As the volume of the passing and pressure increased Paxton was unable to hold his ground, seeing his passer rating drop to 81. In his second start, the mistakes were cut out entirely without a single pick or fumble and only absorbing two sacks. Because of his efforts in not turning the ball over, the Broncos won the game even though Lynch only passed for 100 yards and rushed for 11. Although he posted an ugly passer rating of 61.8, you can see the potential against these feisty defenses.

I give Lynch the upper hand because he played his style of game more conservative and more consistent than Jacoby Brissett. Lynch performed better as a passer than Brissett did as a dual threat quarterback.