Analyst believes this AFC QB has been the best in the NFL so far
The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the best stories in the NFL through three weeks.
Led by quarterback Daniel Jones, who has yet to commit a turnover, the Colts have only punted one time this season and are tied with the Detroit Lions for the second-most points per game (34.3 PPG), per TeamRankings.
When asked who the best QB in the NFL has been so far, ESPN analyst and former QB Dan Orlovsky gave Jones his due after leading the Colts to a 3-0 start.
Orlovsky offers high praise for Jones
"If I had to pick one right now ... I think I'm going to say Daniel Jones," Orlovsky said during Thursday's edition of "First Take." "The Colts in three games, they've punted once, he hasn't given the ball away, he's playing great under pressure, which is something that has been his kryptonite. I think if they win this weekend against the Rams and it's a heavyweight fight, I think he's gonna sit at the top of the MVP list."
Jones has been simply sensational since signing with Indianapolis in free agency over the offseason. His completion percentage (71.6%) is on pace to be a career-high and his dual-threat abilities have been on full display with 816 passing yards and three TDs, in addition to three TDs on the ground.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 816 passing yards are third among 47 qualified QBs and his overall grade (85) is seventh, which speaks to how effective Jones has been, on top of not turning the ball over.
The only downside for the Colts up to this point has been the pass rush, which is 29th in the league. While that could ultimately prove costly in the long run, comfortable wins over the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans, plus a thrilling win over the Denver Broncos, have the Colts sitting at 3-0 and in pursuit of their first AFC South title since the 2014 season.
Jones' performance has caught the eye of Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who referred to him as "a stud," pointing to his accuracy and anticipation in the pocket. After all, his QBR (85.8) is the best in the league.
After dealing with several injuries and struggling with turnovers when he was with the New York Giants, Jones seems to be as healthy as he has been and playing as well as he has in his entire career. If the Colts continue to get this kind of production for the duration of the season, they could be a team to keep an eye on.
Aaron Rodgers Drops Jaw-Dropping Truth About Brian Flores’ Shocking NFL Future After Steelers Stint: What’s Next for the Legendary Coach?
Veteran defensive assistant Brian Flores has regained his great reputation around the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers helped Flores do that in his lone season as the organization’s linebackers and senior defensive assistant.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasn’t on that team. However, it’s clear the 41-year-old has a lot of respect for the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator.
So much respect, in fact, that Rodgers suggested it won’t be long before Flores is overqualified for his current gig.
“He’s a phenomenal coach,” Rodgers told reporters Wednesday.”He was here a few years ago.
“It’s good to see him in a position of leadership. I feel like he probably should, at some point, get another [head] coaching job based on the way that he’s coached defense last couple years.
“The schemes they run and the way they’re coached, there’s a lot of really good chemistry and continuity on that side that doesn’t just come from from players. There’s a schematic part of that. It’s really impressive.”
Rodgers and the Steelers offense will have to overcome the Vikings defensive chemistry and continuity Sunday. The two teams will meet in Dublin, Ireland at 9:30 am ET.
Brian Flores’ Previous Record as NFL Head Coach
What Rodgers said wasn’t controversial. Although it was complimentary, it’s rather standard for players to rave about upcoming opponents.
Three years ago, though, that would have been a different story. The Miami Dolphins fired Flores following the 2021 campaign, and the former head coach was unable to land another head coaching role.
Flores went 24-25 as the Dolphins head coach. While that mark isn’t overly impressive, he arguably led the team to an overachieving record in each of his first two seasons.
The Dolphins fired Flores despite two straight winning season to end his tenure. Miami moved on from Flores even though the coach led the franchise to at least nine games in back-to-back campaigns for the first time in nearly two decades.
“By all accounts, Flores and the 2019 Dolphins were set up for failure. That was the infamous “Tank for Tua” year that saw Miami trade several notable starters that included Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kenyan Drake. Not surprisingly, the Dolphins started 0-7 and were being compared to some of the worst teams in NFL history,” wrote CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo.
“Miami, however, showed considerable resolve by winning five of its final nine times that included consecutive wins over Cincinnati in New England to close out the season.”
After the Dolphins fired Flores, the former head coach filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, Miami, and other teams in the league, alleging racial discrimination. Due to the lawsuit, it was unclear if Flores would get any job in the league again.
But he did immediately on Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh. That led to Flores earning the defensive coordinator role with the Vikings a year later.
Over the past three seasons, he has experienced a career revival in Minnesota.
Rodgers Looking for Better Performance vs. Flores Defense
In the early part of free agency, a lot of pundits projected Rodgers to join Flores and the Vikings. Instead, the veteran quarterback will be looking for a much better performance vs. the team than he had last year.
Ironically, Rodgers faced Flores and the Vikings in Europe during the 2024 campaign just as he will this Sunday. With the New York Jets, Rodgers struggled against Flores’s unit, completing only 29 of 54 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Rodgers posted a 53.7% completion percentage and only 4.5 yards per pass in the matchup.
That was arguably the turning point for Rodgers with the Jets last year. The loss to the Vikings in Week 5 dropped New York to 2-3. The team fired head coach Robert Salah after the defeat. New York then finished the season going 3-9 in their final 12 games.
Rodgers and the Steelers are 2-1 despite two below average offensive performances the past two weeks. But if the quarterback can be better this time against Flores, then Rodgers could have the opportunity to use the Vikings matchup as a turning point for the better in 2025.
