CLEVELAND, Ohio — We’re a month into the NFL season, and it’s enough for a sample of what’s to come for some teams.
The mantra is the same for the quarterbacks.
Some are currently safe where they are, producing and leading their squads to wins. While others watch over their shoulder, for if something doesn’t change, their spot could be lost.
Below are the three hottest and coldest quarterbacks through Week 5 of the NFL season.
Lions Bengals Football
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.AP
Hot: Jared Goff
After Detroit took a beating from Green Bay in Week 1, their quarterback didn’t succumb to the outside criticism.
“Don’t care,“ Goff said. ”We’ve heard negative from the outside before. Is it anyone in this building? I don’t think so."
He’s been on a tear since that game, dominating in his own way and further showing why Detroit tied for the NFL’s best record (15-2) last season.
Goff makes use of his 2.91 seconds in the pocket, which ranks eighth, per Next Gen Stats.
It’s led to his 1,187 passing yards, while currently leading the league in completion rate (75.2%) and touchdowns (12).
Goff has helped revitalize what it means to be a Detroit Lion, and is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league.
Raiders Colts Football
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith.AP
Cold: Geno Smith
When Pete Carroll took the job with the Raiders and brought Geno Smith along with him, it made sense.
They had recent success together in Seattle, and were bringing it to Las Vegas.
Instead, it’s been the opposite as they sit at 1-4.
Smith is 10th in passing yards (1,176), but has more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (six) so far.
His nine interceptions lead the NFL, and account for nine of Las Vegas’ 10 turnovers, which is also second most in the NFL.
He’s taking the fifth-most seconds (2.97) in the pocket among quarterbacks, per Next Gen Stats. So one would assume that’s enough time for him to find the right target.
Instead, it’s been a consistent rate of telegraphed passes at the wrong time.
You go back to the Week 4 loss to Chicago where Smith threw three picks, and remember they lost by one point.
Either of those series’ that ended in a turnover could’ve ended in points that would’ve altered the game in Las Vegas’ favor.
Smith has usually been on point when coached by Pete Carroll. Things have taken a turn so far.
Buccaneers Seahawks Football
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.AP
Hot: Baker Mayfield
If there’s one component of the game that Mayfield has progressed in, it’s keeping calm in the clutch.
It’s what has made him one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league, for no matter how much time is left, Mayfield doesn’t show any sweat.
Tampa Bay is 4-1 so far, and each win has come down to the wire, and sometimes the final play. Mayfield’s shown consistency in keeping a series alive and setting up for points, whether from him or his kicker.
While tying for third in touchdowns (10), Mayfield only has one interception to his name. Just one.
Their Week 5 win made Mayfield the first quarterback ever to log 375 or more passing yards and five or fewer incompletions in a game, per NFLonCBS.
He holds 16 career game-winning drives, a fourth of which has come from this season so far.
Tampa Bay’s sole loss was a blowout to Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champions. That might’ve been inevitable.
But Mayfield delivering in crunch-time almost every week? That’s Madden-esqe.
Titans Cardinals Football
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.AP
Cold: Kyler Murray
Arizona’s got a problem after blowing a lead in Week 5 to a then-winless Tennessee squad.
The problem with Murray is he hasn’t grown a reputation for elevating the play of his teammates.
The best thing about Murray is his mobility, as his 173 rushing yards is the third most among quarterbacks.
Of his 16 sacks, which are tied for third-most, six of them are on his fault, which also ties for third, per Pro Football Reference.
His 2.68 seconds in the pocket is the seventh-fastest among quarterbacks. But even with six completions of 20 or more yards downfield, Murray has recorded the fourth-fewest completed air yards (3.8), per Next Gen Stats.
Murray is in year seven, and while he’s endured injuries, his improvement isn’t exactly rising.
With the Cardinals having a young Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr., you would think Murray would elevate his play to match theirs.
Instead, it’s the opposite. For that is what lands Murray in the cold column.
Broncos Eagles Football
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.AP
Hot: Bo Nix
The Week 5 comeback win over Philadelphia reminded the league that Nix is on fire.
Not only is he one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks, but making his way to being one of the league’s best. Period.
Nix’s numbers may not be the most outstanding.
He accounts for 3.7 completed air yards, along with 1,103 passing yards, eight touchdowns and four picks to his name.
What Nix does is command a solid offense that produces 23.4 points per game, and keep a low rate of turnover-worthy plays (one), per PFF.
His flair brings a Denver offense that shouldn’t be in close games, and helps bring them out on top.
There’s no better example than his fourth-quarter play in the win over Philadelphia.
A quarter where Nix completed nine of his 10 passes for 127 yards and one score, leading Denver to scoring 18 of their 21 points in that quarter to improve to a 3-2 record.
Nix is hot right now, the next step is consistency.
Dolphins Panthers Football
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.AP
Cold: Tua Tagovailoa
Things seem to be imploding for what was arguably the NFL’s best offense just two seasons back.
It’s already been a long season for Miami. Dealing with rumors of Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill not getting along, to looking far from a playoff-caliber squad.
As for Tagovailoa, he’s had a part in this.
While tying for third in touchdowns (11), Tagovailoa also ties for third in interceptions (four), and logs the 11th fewest completed air yards (4.9), per Next Gen Stats.
Don’t get it twisted. Tagovailoa arguably delivered his best performance so far this season in Week 5, passing for 256 yards and three scores.
But Tagovailoa also contributed to what was a stagnant offense for most of the second half, which hurt the Dolphins as Carolina took advantage and closed in on their lead.
If Miami’s window of being a playoff-caliber squad is coming to a close, it’s only inevitable for Tagovailoa’s time as their QB1.
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