Davis Mills’ 3-0 run for the Houston Texans last season, stepping in after C.J. Stroud’s Week 9 concussion, helped Houston snag a playoff berth. That insane stretch is a stark reminder of what a quality backup quarterback means for an NFL season. While no one wants to think about their franchise QB missing time, a solid insurance policy under center can absolutely keep a season from going in the toilet. Mac Jones led the San Francisco 49ers to a 5-3 record as a starter when Brock Purdy was sidelined, keeping them in the hunt for the No. 1 seed right up to Week 18. And remember Nick Foles stepping in for Carson Wentz, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl LII title in 2017? The value is undeniable.
Super Bowl Dreams and Backup QBs: The Stakes Are Real
We’re talking about teams with Super Bowl LXI dreams, clubs with +2500 or shorter odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. That’s our definition of a “contender,” giving us 16 teams to size up. These are the teams expecting to play deep into the winter, so the stakes for their backup situations are sky-high. You’ve got your superstar starters, but what happens when the unthinkable happens? We’re diving into the guys behind the guy, because their performance could literally make or break a title shot.
Buffalo’s Scary Situation Behind Josh Allen
So, let’s talk about the Buffalo Bills, sitting at +1000 odds for Super Bowl LXI. Josh Allen drives that team. But what if he goes down? Primary backup Kyle Allen inked a two-year, $4.1 million deal, with 2021 undrafted free agent Shane Buechele as the third-stringer. Sounds okay, right? Not so fast. He hasn’t started since Week 13 of the 2022 season with the Houston Texans. In that game, he completed just 51.3% of his passes, tossed two interceptions, and recorded two fumbles, losing one. For his career, the 30-year-old is 7-12 as a starter, completing 62.5% of his passes with an 82.1 passer rating. The source says it perfectly: the difference if they need to hand the keys over to Kyle Allen would be absolutely “Grand Canyon-sized.” That’s a massive drop-off for a team with championship aspirations.
Detroit’s Veteran Insurance Policy
Next up, the Detroit Lions, sitting at +1900 odds. Jared Goff is their main man. Behind him? Teddy Bridgewater and undrafted free agent Luke Altmyer. Not long ago, he coached high school football. After resigning from Miami Northwestern Senior High School last August, he signed with the Buccaneers and saw action in Week 12 last season against the Rams. A veteran presence like Bridgewater could be exactly what the Lions need if Goff were to miss any time, offering a different kind of stability than what Buffalo has.
These backup QB rankings aren’t just for fun. They reveal a brutal truth about NFL contenders. For teams like the Bills, where the drop-off is massive, every snap Josh Allen takes is a high-wire act. We’re only scratching the surface, and it’s clear some teams have far better safety nets than others. As the season gets closer, keep an eye on these backup situations. They might just be the quiet factor that decides who’s hoisting the Lombardi.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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