Sam Darnold’s Fumble Costs Seahawks as NFL QB Rankings Shift
Sam Darnold’s late-game fumble against the San Francisco 49ers proved costly, not only for the Seattle Seahawks but also for his standing in the latest NFL quarterback rankings. In a dramatic turn of events, Darnold’s misstep led to a drop in The Athletic’s weekly QB rankings, illustrating the fine line between success and failure in the league.
Darnold’s Debut and Key Mistakes
In his much-anticipated debut for the Seahawks, Sam Darnold had an opportunity to make a significant impact. With the game hanging in the balance, he connected on impressive completions of 11 and 40 yards to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, positioning Seattle deep within the 49ers’ territory, trailing only 17-13 in the dying moments of the game. However, rather than sealing a victory, Darnold’s performance took a turn for the worse.
As Darnold attempted to make a play, he was bumped into by right tackle Abe Lucas, who had been pushed into his path by 49ers defensive end Joey Bosa. This collision resulted in a fumble, effectively ending the Seahawks’ hopes for a comeback. Despite throwing for just 150 yards, Darnold had guided his team to the brink of victory—until his fateful mistake.
Ranking Shake-Up: Darnold, Smith, and Wilson
Following the critical turnover, Darnold’s ranking slipped from No. 14 to No. 17. In contrast, Geno Smith, who led the Las Vegas Raiders to a road victory against the New England Patriots, saw his stock rise significantly, moving up from No. 17 to No. 15. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson, a former Seahawks star who once led the team to a Super Bowl championship, experienced the steepest decline. He fell from No. 25 to No. 30 after a dismal outing with the New York Giants, where he failed to guide his team to a touchdown in a loss against Washington.
Top QB Rankings Overview
Despite the shake-ups, the top five quarterbacks in the league remained unchanged, albeit with some minor adjustments in their rankings. The list is as follows:
1. Josh Allen
2. Lamar Jackson
3. Patrick Mahomes
4. Joe Burrow
5. Jayden Daniels
The most notable rise came from Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers, who surged into the top ten at No. 9 following a surprising victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.
As the NFL season unfolds, the quarterback landscape continues to evolve, with each game providing opportunities for players to rise or fall in the rankings. Darnold’s journey with the Seahawks has just begun, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining his trajectory in a league where every play counts.
