Daniel Jones Breaks Top-10 Greatness with Colts
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has had a great start to his first year in the Circle City. Despite falling in a dramatic tilt against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, his four-game sample with Shane Steichen has been unlike anything anyone expected before the season started.
Jones now sets his eyes on a golden opportunity to help the Colts return to the win column against the Las Vegas Raiders, who rank 21st in the NFL in passing yards allowed with 913. Given how well Jones has played, this is a game where he can shine.
Pro Football Focus' Nick Akridge put together his QB ranking ahead of Week 5, showing immense respect to Jones by placing him eighth overall. Jones is among names like Justin Herbert (9) and Josh Allen (7).
Below are some prominent quarterback metrics from Jones, along with his rank in the NFL for each. These numbers display how effective the former sixth-overall pick has been through four games with the Colts.
-Passing Yards | 1,078 (3rd)
-Completion Percentage | 71.9 (4th)
-Completions | 87 (tied - 9th)
-QBR | 79.1 (1st)
-Passer Rating | 103.3 (8th)
After six seasons of consistently underwhelming performances with the New York Giants, Steichen has Jones playing better than he's ever shown in his veteran career under center.
Jones' career resurgence is reminiscent of what Sam Darnold (now with the Seattle Seahawks) accomplished last year with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold's career was nothing short of a pure dumpster fire with the hapless New York Jets franchise.
However, once Darnold was under the tutelage of a true QB whisperer like Kevin O'Connell, he found incredible rhythm. Darnold finished 2024 with 35 touchdown passes, 4,319 passing yards, a 66.2 completion percentage, and a Pro Bowl nomination.
Now, Jones is doing the same with a QB-savvy coach like Steichen and Indianapolis.
For Jones to have gone from what he was perceived as in New York, to one of the NFL's most efficient quarterback is a testament to the talent he had the entire time, and Steichen's ability to mold those attributes into a great signal-caller.
If Jones can be as consistent as he's been through the young 2025 season for the rest of it, he'll conclude as a potential Comeback Player of the Year candidate. Jones has season totals of seven all-purpose scores (four passing, three rushing) and a great ability to spread the wealth in the offense.
Jones has become a great leader for Steichen's offense and has gelled with players like Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and Tyler Warren. Along with an impressive offensive line, Jones is playing comfortably, confidently, and like a winner.
Anything can happen in the NFL week-to-week, but Jones has a great matchup on paper ahead against the struggling Raiders at home. If he can get a victory while playing turnover-free and clean football, he'll regain the momentum the team lost against the Rams.
Kevin O'Connell Stands Firm Behind Carson Wentz as Vikings Gear Up for Browns Clash
The Minnesota Vikings are one of many teams dealing with an injured starting quarterback, with J.J. McCarthy set to miss Sunday’s game overseas against the Cleveland Browns due to a high-ankle sprain.
With McCarthy still on the mend and the Vikings playing their second straight game across the pond, head coach Kevin O’Connell will look to veteran backup Carson Wentz to once again shoulder the load under center, as he will make his third consecutive start for Minnesota.
Fortunately for Wentz and company, the Vikings will be facing a Browns team that has made a quarterback change to rookie Dillon Gabriel, replacing Joe Flacco, and has struggled all season, with just one win in four games.
Kevin O’Connell’s Strong Message for Vikings QB Carson Wentz
The real question moving forward is whether the Vikings can continue to stay competitive with Wentz under center, as he’s shown flashes of his old form while also showing some of his weaknesses.
Against T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense last week in Dublin, Ireland, Wentz threw two interceptions, and the team ultimately lost by three. However, Wentz also threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns, which is obviously something that will put a smile on O’Connell’s face.
Heading into Week 5, O’Connell was asked about Wentz’s preparation for a third straight start during a team press conference.
“I think he’s gotten enough time now,” O’Connell said on Wentz’s preparation. “I think it all goes back to that Thursday’s practice after J.J.’s high-ankle sprain. … So he’s really going on his second full week of preparation going into a start, and all those logged reps are starting to be where you can have some things to circle back on that’s not just what you did in Philly or L.A. or Kansas City or Indy or any of the other spots he’s been. It’s now, ‘I remember this rep from a couple of Thursdays ago. I didn’t do this right and here’s why.’ And then the dialogue with us to him, ‘How can we make this fit your eye and fit your comfort level the absolute best way we can?’ And that’s how we’re going to do it, and we have the type of players that can adjust and incorporate those things at the skill positions and along the offensive line that helps Carson.”
It seems as though O’Connell is comfortable with Wentz under center, and he should be considering the results thus far, even though the veteran signal-caller will be going up against Myles Garrett and a talented Browns defense.
Vikings Aim for Bounce-Back Performance With Carson Wentz
Heading into Week 5’s matchup with the Browns, the Vikings are the favorites (-3.5), with O’Connell brimming with confidence after what he’s seen over the course of the first four games of the 2025 NFL season.
“My confidence level in the group is as high as it has ever been,” O’Connell said heading into Week 5.
Although O’Connell is as confident as ever with his group, he knows the team has a challenge ahead against a Browns team that can contain potent offenses.
“Hopefully, just continue to be comfortable, first and foremost,” O’Connell said. “It’s not going to be comfortable for one snap playing against this defense on Sunday. We know that—one of the best in football. But at the same time, if the guys in the huddle do their jobs and we just get simple execution done at a high level, I think we’re going to compete and have a chance against these guys.
“That’s the way they’ve prepared and that’s very much what I’m looking forward to seeing on Sunday.”
It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out and if Wentz can continue to play at a high level while facing another tough defense led by an elite pass rusher.
