Yardbarker
x
Week 10 worst QB performances: The Bears are ruining another one
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts after a pass against the New England Patriots during the second half at Soldier Field. Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Week 10 worst QB performances: The Bears are ruining another one

Several quarterbacks, young and old, struggled mightily on Sunday.

From 22-year-old Caleb Williams to 39-year-old Joe Flacco, here are the five worst quarterback performances from Week 10.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams

The Bears are doing it again. Chicago has a long history of failing to develop quarterbacks, and it's botching 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, too.

On Sunday, the Bears hosted the Patriots, led by this year's No. 3 pick, quarterback Drake Maye, and had arguably their worst game of the season in a 19-3 loss.

Factoring in sacks and rush attempts, Williams produced 84 yards on 41 dropbacks, a measly two yards per dropback.

Williams was sacked nine times. He showed poor pocket awareness and hesitancy to pull the trigger as he continued to look uncomfortable in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's scheme.

During the Fox broadcast, sideline reporter Laura Okmin said, "It's interesting, because he's been a shooting guard his whole life. But now he's being asked to play point guard, and it isn't easy."

Chicago's playmakers haven't helped its rookie quarterback, who's playing the worst of the four rookie first-round quarterbacks (Maye, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix) starting this year.

Whether due to scheme, a lack of help, or his inconsistencies, Williams has been a shell of the quarterback who won the Heisman at USC in 2022.

For an organization that whiffed in recent years on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields, Chicago is repeating the same mistakes with Williams.

Colts quarterback Joe Flacco

The only positive aspect of Flacco's move into the starting lineup is that it has given former starter Anthony Richardson several examples of what not to do.

In a 30-20 loss to the Bills, the veteran Flacco was 26-of-35 for 272 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions and a lost fumble.

He threw a pick-six on the Colts' first offensive play from scrimmage, overlooking Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, who jumped in front of Flacco's pass intended for wide receiver Josh Downs.

Later, in a seven-point game, he failed to account for Bills edge-rusher Greg Rousseau on a 2nd-and-10 in Buffalo territory and lost the ball when Rousseau jarred it loose from behind.

The way Flacco has played the past two weeks, head coach Shane Steichen would be better off returning to Richardson. He couldn't do much worse.

Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones

With starter Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) inactive, Jones, a former first-round pick, had an audition for a potential starting role next season against the Vikings.

He failed to look the part in a 12-7 loss, going 14-of-22 for 111 yards and two interceptions.

Arguably, Jones worst play came on Jacksonville's last effort to pull off the upset. Facing a 1st-and-10 with 1:57 remaining from the Minnesota 43-yard line, Jones, for some inexplicable reason, launched an inaccurate deep ball into double coverage and was picked by Vikings safety Camryn Bynum.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones

We suppose you could say bad quarterbacks this week were only keeping up with the Joneses.

Mac wasn't the only Jones to flop on Sunday. Daniel Jones (no relation) started the day with a gross performance in Munich against the Panthers in a 20-17 overtime loss.

Jones was 22-of-37 for 190 yards and two interceptions.

He badly missed rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers on a 3rd-and-8 in the first quarter, sailing the ball over his head on an out route.

Jones also missed a wide-open receiver on a flea flicker, holding on to the ball too long and taking a sack.

In the red zone with a chance to take the lead, Jones threw a pass behind running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell made the interception.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold

Darnold may have escaped Jacksonville with a win, but he can't avoid his deserved fate in our list of five worst quarterback performances of the week.

Despite the win, Darnold was 24-of-38 for 241 yards and three interceptions.

Minnesota dominated the game, winning the time of possession battle 42:19-17:41 and outgaining Jacksonville 402-143.

The final score was much closer than it should have been because of Darnold's costly miscues.

His three interceptions came in Jacksonville territory, including two in the red zone.

In the second quarter, the Vikings offensive line gave Darnold time to throw in the red zone, but he threw a poor pass that Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown intercepted.

In the third quarter, he forced the ball to wide receiver Justin Jefferson, but Jaguars safety Darnell Savage jumped the route and intercepted the pass at the goal line.

The Vikings won, but Darnold's performance is concerning. He's thrown five interceptions over the past two games, raising doubt that he can keep Minnesota in the playoff race down the stretch. 

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!