Updates on opposing quarterbacks carry big weight for how the Packers’ next few games could unfold
There will be major implications.
The Green Bay Packers opened the regular season with two wins against strong NFC opponents, beating the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field. Now, the upcoming sequence includes two away games, at Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, then a bye in Week 5, and back to Lambeau in Week 6 to play the Cincinnati Bengals.
Of these next three games, two suffered major implications due to quarterback circumstances. The Browns remain with Joe Flacco as the starter, while Joe Burrow suffered a serious foot injury.
Flacco still the starter
The Cleveland Browns lost their first two games and didn’t score more than 17 points. On Sunday, they lost 41-17 to the Cleveland Browns, and rookie Dillon Gabriel entered the game late—certainly with better efficiency than veteran Joe Flacco.
However, head coach Kevin Stefanski affirmed that Flacco will still be the starter against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday. Asked if he would make a quarterback change to allow Gabriel to prove himself, Stefanski was clear.
“No,” Stefanski said, putting the blame on the entire offensive operation, not just Flacco. “I don’t think we did good enough.”
Curiously, Dillon Gabriel is second in EPA+CPOE composite among 43 quarterbacks who played this year, but it’s an incredibly small sample size with just three plays. Joe Flacco is 35th, and 27th amongst 34 qualified quarterbacks with at least 32 plays.
Browning for Cincy
For the Bengals, it’s just an unfortunate situation. Joe Burrow suffered a grade 3 turf toe, which demands a foot surgery. He will miss three months of action, obviously including the Week 6 game against the Packers.
The new starter is Jake Browning, who’s one of the best backups in the NFL and started seven games for the Bengals in 2023. But for a team so reliant on the quarterback’s performance and offensive production, it’s obviously a big blow.
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