Running quarterbacks could very well become the standard in the league, and Super Bowl LIV could be the launch pad. If so, we’ll see a quarterback showdown on February 20, 2020. Call it “The Battle of the Birds.”
The 2019 NFL season has been a wild year with ups and downs, record-breaking quarterback injuries, and wild shifts in weekly power rankings. We’ve watched teams like the Ravens and Seahawks getting stronger game-over-game, while some of the early predictions (of ‘contenders’) seem to have fallen by the wayside.
The once undefeated Patriots lack offensive weapons, and that will be a huge problem in the postseason. The 49ers have twice fallen victim to running quarterbacks–to Russell Wilson of the surging Seahawks and Lamar Jackson of the red hot Ravens.
And that says something about Seattle and Baltimore. Both of those teams sit currently at 10-2, and each team has beaten the Patriots and the Niners. Russell and Jackson are dangerous inside and outside of the pocket. Speed and strength, coupled with resilient defenses, are making the difference. And both players are the front runners for this year’s MVP.
We are witnessing a running quarterback revolution in the NFL. Running quarterbacks are not to be confused with mobile quarterbacks, though. A mobile quarterback can run for a few yards and escape a tackle or two by prolonging plays. Running quarterbacks, on the other hand, have the speed of a running back, the arm of a pocket passer, and can make accurate passes in motion. Vick, McNabb, RG3 were a few of the pioneers of that approach. But they came early. The NFL wasn’t ready for that kind of player then. It is now, mainly because quarterbacks like Russell and Jackson are faster, stronger, and more accurate passers.
Running quarterbacks could very well become the standard in the league, and Super Bowl LIV could be the launch pad. If so, we’ll see a quarterback showdown on February 20, 2020. Call it “The Battle of the Birds.”
If that happens, bet on one thing for sure: the over/under for a Ravens v. Seahawks match-up won’t be 16 points.
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Katie Hepburn is the co-host of Third and Long on World Wide Sports Radio Network.
Great Insight. Thank you.
Thank you Joe!
Great article. You can tell Katie is passionate and knowledgeable about sports. I agree it can come down to battle of the Birds! I am friends with Katie on social media. My nickname for her is Coach! She can breakdown and analyze a game like no other. I even said she should be coaching the Jets. She can do a better job then the bum we have now. So keep on writing Coach I’m a huge fan