10 Worst QB Performances From Week 9, Including Caleb Williams and Gardner Minshew II

After an incredible Week 8 of quarterback play, we were back to the usual speed in Week 9. There were several quarterbacks more than deserving of being on this list in Week 9. There was even a case to be made for several honorable mentions.

Despite some poor quarterback play, we got to witness a few great games with a lot of fireworks. That should continue to occur as long as the elite players stay elite.

With things continuing to bounce back and forth between great quarterback play and poor play, let’s dive in and see who the worst of the worst in Week 9 was.

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10. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

The good? Smith threw three touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9. The bad? Smith also threw three interceptions. The conclusion? Smith’s up-and-down season continues.

The three interceptions likely cost the Seahawks the game on Sunday. Smith needed his top wideout in DK Metcalf who was out with a knee injury. Hopefully, better days are ahead for the veteran quarterback.

9. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

If you go back to Stroud’s rookie season, he has become frustratingly easy to predict when he will not succeed. Put him on the road against a good defense and he has a tough time. He went 11-for-30 for 191 yards and no touchdowns in Week 9.

Granted, Stroud did not have wide receivers Nico Collins or Stefon Diggs in this game. Either way, he seems to be experiencing a tiny sophomore slump with some up-and-down play this season.

Bryce Young seeing CJ Stroud struggle with no OL and no wrs pic.twitter.com/H4BzkBqd38

— Mike Lee (@NotMikeLeeAgain) November 1, 2024

8. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Love makes his second straight appearance in this column after continuing to throw interceptions constantly. Love threw for 273 yards and an interception in Week 9 in a pivotal matchup against the Detroit Lions.

In Love’s defense, he has been fighting through injuries all season and played through a groin injury this week. However, he still needs to be better as the Packers enter the back half of the season.

7. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers pulled out a victory in Week 9 despite Young. He threw for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Realistically, the Panthers rode Chuba Hubbard to victory.

Young was essentially challenged to go out and win the starting quarterback job back this week. While he did not play well, winning always sits well in coaches' minds. As such, he could feasibly be the starter moving forward.

6. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

After having a solid Week 8 and entering the Week with the eighth-highest QBR, Lawrence and the Jaguars looked like they did early in the season. The offense had nothing for the Philadelphia defense in the first half.

While Lawrence and the offense came alive in the second half, Lawrence still never really put together a great game. However, it is worth noting that Lawrence threw only his fifth and sixth interceptions of the season. Then again, the offense must be on the field to be able to turn the ball over.

5. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Speaking of rookie quarterback moments, Nix reverted to his early season form on Sunday. He threw for 223 yards and an interception. The Broncos were completely overmatched in this 31-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Nix had been setting the league on fire recently but enjoyed no such success in Week 9 against a Ravens defense that had his number.

Bo Nix realizing he was the teams WR1 all along pic.twitter.com/LByfU407Eu

— Andrew | (5-4) (@BoNixGlazer) November 3, 2024

4. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Williams once again continues to be arguably the worst rookie quarterback in his class. In what should have been an easy matchup in Arizona in Week 9, Williams fell flat on his face.

Before Week 8 against the Washington Commanders, the Bears were keeping pace with the other three teams in their division. They are starting to separate themselves as the clear odd-man-out. The road does not get any easier as most of the Bears’ remaining opponents have winning records in 2024.

3. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Maye had his first true blunder as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He threw for 206 yards and a touchdown. However, his three turnovers likely cost the Patriots their Week 9 game against the Titans.

Maye was bound to have a rookie moment at some point. He has not been flawless to date, but every rookie quarterback struggles in some capacity. He will look to bounce back in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears.

2. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns

Winston was back to his old ways in Week 9. He threw for 235 yards and a garbage-time touchdown. However, he also threw three interceptions.

The Browns offense was back to scoring less than 20 points in a game. It is unfortunate to witness given their excellent play in Week 8. Perhaps Week 11 will bring brighter days when the Browns return from their bye.

1. Gardner Minshew II, Las Vegas Raiders

“Minshew benched” feels like something we will be seeing a lot of if Minshew didn't squander his chances at the starting job in Week 9. The newly signed Desmond Ridder replaced Minshew and fared quite a bit better.

Minshew threw for 124 yards and no touchdowns in Week 9. While he was not terrible, the offense remains anemic with him behind center. It feels like change is in the air for the Raiders.

One thing about this Raiders game though, Desmond Ridder gave the offense a spark. We looked collectively depressed out there with Minshew at QB. Good thing we're entering the bye week pic.twitter.com/UXNr1PEdDH

— JAYFORCE (@Jayforce) November 3, 2024

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