The Panthers have shut Cam Newton down for the season, and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke will be making his first NFL start this week: home against the Atlanta Falcons. Should everyone thus be looking to get the Falcons defense into their lineups?
We put a conservative ranking on Atlanta in the Weekly, noting that Atlanta doesn't have much of a pass rush. It's 19th in both sacks (34) and interceptions (11), plus it's recovered only 3 fumbles all season.
Heinicke in the preseason threw 1 interception and took 1 sack on 37 pass plays. But this is regular season action. How have other quarterbacks making their first NFL start fared this year?
Seven other quarterbacks have made their first NFL starts this season; each of the five first-rounders, undrafted Nick Mullens and former sixth-rounder Jeff Driskel. Here's how they've fared.
| QBS MAKING FIRST NFL START, 2018 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Opp | Pass | TD | INT | Sack | Fum |
| Baker Mayfield, Clev. | at Oak. | 295 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sam Darnold, NYJ | at Det. | 198 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Josh Rosen, Ariz. | Sea. | 180 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Nick Mullens, S.F. | Oak. | 262 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Josh Allen, Buff. | LAC | 245 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Lamar Jackson, Balt. | Cin. | 150 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Jeff Driskel, Cin. | Den. | 236 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Average | 224 | 1.4 | 1 | 2.4 | 0.7 | |
Three of those quarterbacks took at least 3 sacks. Five of them threw at least 1 interception, and four of them fumbled.
Different quarterbacks and different opponents, so it doesn't necessarily mean much. But I don't think it's a given that Heinicke dissolves into a mess of sacks and turnovers against an Atlanta defense that hasn't shown much ability in those areas.
--Andy Richardson