The quarterback is the most crucial position in the pass-happy NFL era.
Having a good player under center gives you a chance to win games.
However, a legendary icon that commands the offense can bring Super Bowls to a franchise.
The team often goes where the quarterback does, and a defeat is more certain if the play caller had a bad game.
Saints have named a new Quarterback. https://t.co/Pjwdmm59QX
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 21, 2021
The quarterbacks in this list would rather forget their performances in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season.
They were a big reason for their squad’s demise regardless of how experts dissect the game.
But it’s hard to keep great quarterbacks down for two straight games because they will find a way to improve their craft.
The team leaders struggled during the opening weekend but bounced back grandly in Week 2.
3. Taylor Heinicke
The Old Dominion standout took over in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers when Ryan Fitzpatrick went down to a hip injury.
However, he finished the game with 11 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in a 20-13 loss to the Chargers.
With Fitzpatrick sidelined for about eight weeks, Heinicke can solidify his claim for the starting role during their upcoming games.
His performance against the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football is additional proof that he can be the team’s permanent starter.
Taylor Heinicke BALLED OUT on TNF 🔥
– 34/46 passing
– 336 yards
– 2 TDs
– INT
– Clutch pic.twitter.com/9LYwjL6xkL— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 17, 2021
Heinicke finished the game with 34 completions for 336 yards and two touchdowns.
He was impressive during clutch moments, especially in that touchdown pass to Ricky Seals-Jones to trim New York’s lead to one, 27-26.
That touchdown enabled Dustin Hopkins’ 43-yard field goal to be the game-winner, 30-29.
2. Ryan Tannehill
The Arizona Cardinals dominated Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans during their Week 1 encounter.
Chandler Jones was a menace with five sacks while Kyler Murray threw four touchdown passes.
In contrast, Tannehill had 21 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown, and an interception.
While Derrick Henry’s monster performance in Week 2 dominated the headlines, Tannehill elevated his game against the Seattle Seahawks.
#Titans Ryan Tannehill & Julio Jones improved timing on full display here with this beautiful deep ball.
Tannehill places it exactly where Julio wanted it
Julio set his man up perfectly & clearly still has the speed to separate. pic.twitter.com/BmalrEPjkv
— Wes on Broadway (@TitansDraftTape) September 21, 2021
He finished the game with 27 completions for 347 yards and zero interceptions.
His heads-up performance enabled Julio Jones to have a monster game with six receptions for 128 yards.
More importantly, the Titans avoided an 0-2 hole by defeating the Seahawks in overtime, 33-30.
1. Aaron Rodgers
Bad is the perfect way to describe the Week 1 performance of the reigning Most Valuable Players.
Last season, Rodgers had five interceptions in 16 games.
Sadly, he threw two picks in their 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Rodgers completed 15 passes for 133 yards while Jameis Winston threw five touchdowns.
Some experts point out that his poor performance indicates that he is keen on retiring.
However, he had the most impressive bounce-back game of the season, so far, when the Packers dominated the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
AARON RODGERS DIMES ARE BACK
pic.twitter.com/VmN3zbPq2b— PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2021
The nine-time Pro Bowler threw four touchdowns with zero interceptions.
He also connected on 22 of 27 passes for an 81.4 percent completion rate.
Since 2019, Rodgers is 7-0 following a loss under Matt LaFleur.
Rodgers followed up his last five losses with games of at least four touchdowns and no picks.
More importantly, Rodgers moved to the Top 10 All-Time Passing Yards Leaders, surpassing John Elway.
NEXT: How The Ravens Ruined Patrick Mahomes' 20-0 Goal