Bucs' Daniels Win Highlights Surprising 8-4 Record for Backup QBs

Key points

• Jalon Daniels led the Buccaneers to an upset win over the Cowboys on Thursday night.
• NFL teams are 8-4 in 12 games started by backup quarterbacks this season.
• The Giants, Bears, Vikings, Seahawks, and Commanders have also won with backups.
• The Falcons are the only team to go 0-2 with a backup quarterback.
• Backup quarterbacks have won twice as many games as they have lost this season.

Background

Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie, was competing for the No. 2 quarterback role behind Baker Mayfield in the preseason. He had previously started for the Buccaneers in a 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers, where he tied the game late but failed to convert a final drive. Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb in a 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, leading to Daniels' increased playing time. The Buccaneers were 0-4 before the Cowboys game, with Mayfield struggling under a recent $165 million extension.

Why it matters

The strong performance of backup quarterbacks this season challenges the conventional wisdom that losing a starting quarterback is a significant disadvantage. The 8-4 record suggests that NFL teams can remain competitive even without their primary playmakers, potentially altering how teams approach injuries and roster management. This trend may also influence how teams evaluate and develop backup quarterbacks in the future, as the data indicates that these players can perform effectively in high-pressure situations.

What to watch

The Buccaneers will continue to rely on Jalon Daniels as their backup quarterback, with his performance likely to be a key factor in the team's success. The NFL will continue to monitor the performance of backup quarterbacks, as the 8-4 record may influence how teams approach injuries and roster management. The Falcons will need to improve their performance with backup quarterbacks, as they are the only team to go 0-2 with a backup this season.