Which current NFL quarterback is throwing 10+yards passes at the highest rate this season?
Hint: he is throwing passes of 10+ air yards at a 42.7% rate of his passes. It is actually Washington’s Marcus Mariota. With all the trouble and difficulty the wide receivers have experienced this season in getting open or staying healthy enough to play, there is Mariota, still throwing the ball down the field more than anyone else.
It also speaks to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury simply not settling for dump-off passes/check-downs. Kingsbury is still working hard, trying to get the ball down the field, attempting to move the chains, loosen up the defense a bit, inquiring how he can loosen things up to spring the running game, which, after five games, led the entire NFL in yards per carry.
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Last week vs. the Lions, Mariota completed three passes on three targets to Treylon Burks for 58 receiving yards, including a long of 37. Jaylin Lane, the rookie from Virginia Tech, only managed one target, but he did make the catch, and it was for 41 yards. Tight end Zach Ertz also enjoyed a long reception of 30 yards. However, Mariota will not have Burks’ services this week, as Burks is recovering from a broken finger sustained against the Lions.
The Commanders might have lost five consecutive games, yes, but keep in mind that the defense has been near the bottom or at the bottom in the last four games. Also, recall how the running game has fallen off significantly in these five weeks. Thus, we must maintain a clear distinction between Mariota himself and what he is playing against with the wide receiver group so thin currently, as well as the Commanders’ lack of effectiveness from this year’s defense.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Marcus Mariota getting the job done
