QB Committee: On the Road to Victory Against Dallas: by Michael Roscoe After the Week 16 loss to Washington, and with QB1 Jalen Hurts being ruled out with a concussion, many fans were left questioning the abilities of Kenny Pickett to lead this team to a victory (including myself). However, after Sunday’s BTA against Dallas, getting a monstrous, 41-7 victory, those questions were answered. Interestingly enough, fans got to see just how good the entire QB room could be.

The Philadelphia Eagles made a huge turn around from the loss against Washington, solidifying their position as the #2 seed in the NFC and becoming the 2024 NFC East champions. Prior to being knocked out of the game due to a rib injury, Kenny Pickett went 10/15 for 143 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 INTs, as well as 3 carries for 3 yards and a rushing touchdown. On paper, Pickett put up an almost identical performance to his Week 16 game (14/24 for 143 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). However, this time, the performance is viewed with more positive comments, especially considering the circumstances. What makes Kenny’s performance more amazing is that he was practicing (all week) and playing Sunday with broken ribs, according to Eagles CB Darius Slay!

I don’t know if y’all ever had a broken rib, but even with protection, pain medication, etc. a broken rib is excruciatingly painful. The injury would unfortunately knock Pickett out of the game, forcing the all too familiar “next man up” scenario. For the first time since getting drafted in 2022, fans got to see regular season action from probably the league’s now most popular QB3, Tanner McKee.

McKee entered the game with just under 9 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, and it only took until his second NFL drive to throw for his first NFL touchdown, a 20-yd dime to AJ Brown. What I liked about Tanner McKee in this game were his quick movements in getting the ball out. From quick shovels to Saquon Barkley for big yard gains, to 20+ yard touchdowns, I was impressed by McKee’s quick instinct and action in getting the ball to his playmakers, something fans were critical of Kenny Pickett for not being able to do against Washington. McKee would not only put up a 156.2 rating (along with a 96.8 QBR), he would also make history with his half-game performance. Tanner McKee became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 2 touchdowns in fewer than 5 attempts. Yes, you read that right, fewer than FIVE ATTEMPTS for TWO TOUCHDOWNS. McKee would finish the game going 3/4 for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns, 0 INTs, along with 2 carries for -2 yards (2 plays with kneeling for victory formation).

Between both games, all three Philly quarterbacks helped in beating Dallas with a combined score of 75-13, putting up 358 total passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns, and 3 rushing touchdowns to only 1 interception. People have spoken tremendously about running back committees across the league or QB/RB committees (with Philly, Green Bay and Baltimore) but now there might be a new conversation to have. Does Philadelphia have the best QB committee in the league? If we’re basing the answer, solely off this one game, then it is a resounding “hell yeah”. Go Birds!

Michael Roscoe - Olde City Sports Network/2nd and 15: A Philadelphia Eagles Fan Podcast

Photo Credit - Bill Streicher/Imagn Images