From backups making their first 2024 starts to former Offensive Rookies of the Year, no one was safe from bad quarterback play on Sunday.
Here are the five worst from Week 12.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud
It’s time to address Stroud’s sophomore slump. ESPN “First Take” co-host Shannon Sharpe was one of several online to question the Texans quarterback, asking social media followers, “What’s happened [to] C.J. Stroud?”
The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year finished Houston’s upset 32-27 loss to the Titans 20-of-33 for 247 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while also losing 27 yards on four sacks.
He threw a poor pass in a tied game late in the second quarter for his first interception, gifting the Titans (3-8) three points before halftime.
Stroud capped his poor performance with a Dan Orlovsky homage, running out of the back of the end zone for a safety in a three-point game to seal the Titans’ win.
The Texans (7-5) have been one of the league’s biggest disappointments.
Unless their young quarterback snaps out of his funk, they’ll remain that way for the rest of the season.
Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito
The Buccaneers (5-6) bullied DeVito in their 30-7 romp over the Giants.
Defensive lineman Calijah Kancey sacked DeVito on a third down in the first quarter with a big hit.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield mocked DeVito’s touchdown celebration following his own score that gave Tampa Bay a 24-0 lead.
DeVito finished the loss 21-of-31 for 189 yards. When accounting for sacks and rush attempts, the Giants (2-9) averaged 4.7 yards per DeVito drop back.
Nothing good came from his start. Worst of all, it revealed recently released former starter Daniel Jones wasn’t the problem.
49ers quarterback Brandon Allen
Brock Purdy’s stock just went up. The 49ers (5-6) were helpless against the Packers (8-3) with Allen at quarterback in a 38-10 loss.
The fifth-year NFL quarterback, on his third team, was 17-of-29 for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception as San Francisco (5-6) was held to its fewest points in the regular season since Week 3 of the 2022 season.
Purdy saved the Niners that year after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo threatened to derail their season. At 5-6 and the Bills looming in Week 13, San Francisco can’t afford for Purdy to miss any more time if it wants to make the playoffs.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson
If we had to assign blame for Richardson’s appearance on this week’s list, 1% would go to the second-year quarterback, and 99% would go to his teammates.
Richardson was 11-of-28 for 172 yards in Indianapolis’ 24-6 loss to the Lions (10-1). But as Fantasy Life’s Ian Hartitz noted, Richardson had several completions wiped out due to drops or penalties.
Tight end Andrew Ogletree dropped a sure touchdown on a second-and-10 at Detroit’s 11-yard line, helping depress Richardson’s stats.
Richardson has been heavily criticized for his abysmal 47.1% completion percentage, but Sunday’s loss showed his teammates’ hands are just as dirty.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray
Murray has played like a top-10 quarterback for most of the season, but he didn’t produce when the Cardinals (6-5) had a chance to extend their lead atop the NFC West.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft was 24-of-37 for 285 yards and an interception while losing 36 yards on five sacks in Arizona’s 16-6 road loss to the Seahawks (6-5).
With every team in the division separated by one game, Murray will have opportunities to redeem himself. He must do better than the six points he led Arizona to on Sunday.
