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15	August 2019

From Baker Mayfield at the top of the first round

to Lamar Jackson at the bottom Marshal Yanda Jersey 2019 , rookie quarterbacks had an impact, one way or another, in their NFL debuts.And don't forget some of the players, at some of the other positions, in between.The betting favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, taken No. 2 behind Cleveland's Mayfield in the draft this past spring. The first-year player with the biggest impact on the standings has been Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James , the No. 17 pick and a strong contender for top defensive rookie honors for a team assured of making the playoffs for the first time since 2013 � and still in the running for the best record in the AFC going into the final weekend.Even though Mayfield and the Browns were eliminated from playoff contention with two games left, the impact of the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma was profound. Think of what it says that the Browns stayed in the postseason chase coming off an 0-16 season, and despite a midseason coaching change.Not to mention, Mayfield was backing up Tyrod Taylor when the season began, before his knack for winning games gave the Browns little choice but to promote him."The amount of work that he puts in does not shock us that he also takes it to the ballgame because he works extremely hard to have an overall understanding of every aspect of the game," said interim coach Gregg Williams, who took over when Hue Jackson was fired halfway through the season. "That does not come easy."The Ravens selected Lamar Jackson with the 32nd pick of the first round, figuring he was a backup at best behind 10-year starter Joe Flacco. Since a hip injury that sidelined Flacco in early November, Baltimore is 4-1 with Jackson leading a run-first attack that has kept the Ravens alive as they try to end a three-year playoff drought. A victory against the Browns on Sunday gives Baltimore the AFC North title.Flacco was ready to return last week, but coach John Harbaugh stuck with Jackson over the 2013 Super Bowl MVP."He's the reincarnation of Michael Vick," Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. "He's a lot faster than you think on the field. When you see him in person, he can really run. He's going to be good for a long time."Sam Darnold (third overall to the New York Jets), Josh Allen (seventh to Buffalo) and Josh Rosen (10th to Arizona) have had pretty much typical rookie quarterback years � more struggles than successes. But all three have offered glimpses that they can lead their respective franchises for years.Darnold strained his foot at Miami on Nov. 4, a game in which he threw four interceptions. In the three outings before he was sidelined, the 21-year-old quarterback completed just 47 percent of his passes � 52 of 110 � for 558 yards and two touchdowns with a whopping seven INTs.After missing three games White Terrell Suggs Jersey , he has six TDs and one pick, attributing the turnaround to getting a chance to watch and learn from Josh McCown. But the Jets lost the past two."Sometimes you're going to go out there and play well and win. Sometimes you're going to play well and lose," Darnold said. "The NFL is a tough league. I found that out really quick."Allen also was much better after returning from a right elbow injury that kept him out four games. On the open-ended question of who had emerged as the leader of the Buffalo offense, coach Sean McDermott chose Allen, citing how he responded coming off the injury."You become the leader by earning the respect of your teammates," McDermott said. "He was willing to do that early on. He didn't try to jump out in front when he hadn't earned it."Allen has proven to be a productive runner for Buffalo.Rosen's completion percentage is near the bottom among starting quarterbacks, but coach Steve Wilks says the Cardinals still covet Rosen as the quarterback of the future. He showed enough early for Arizona to waive Sam Bradford, who started the first three games.Barkley has several rookie records for the Giants: first with 1,000 yards rushing (third in the NFL with 1,198 with a game to go)' most touchdowns (10); and most 100-yard rushing games (6). The downside for the Giants was a 1-7 start that turned Barkley's season mostly into a stat chase. The former Penn State standout made an impression."I just know that you give him a couple of touches, he's going to make something big happen out of those couple of touches," receiver Sterling Shepard said. "You got to give him the ball and he can make magic happen."James and Dallas linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, two of the stronger betting choices for Defensive Rookie of the Year, were chosen two spots apart in the draft. James leads the Chargers with 99 tackles, according to SportRadar, and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions.Vander Esch, taken 19th, has the Cowboys� rookie record for tackles, according to the coaches' count. The former eight-man high school player and Boise State walk-on also played a big role in helping the Dallas defense remain the team's strength despite two stretches without longtime standout linebacker Sean Lee."Just embracing and enjoying my time here," Vander Esch said. "It's an awesome atmosphere, kind of like back in Boise but just intensified that much more. You have to soak it all in Terrell Suggs Jersey 2019 , but then again you have to go out and compete and show them you deserve to be here."Ravens vs. Steelers: Stat Predictions After earning a victory against the Broncos in Week 3, the Ravens focus now shifts to an important divisional matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens-Steelers rivalry is well-documented, and Sunday night could yet again be a classic. The Steelers finally got in the win column last week, surviving a Buccaneers comeback effort in the fourth quarter to earn a 30-27 victory. They will surely be motivated to make a statement on national television and gain ground in the AFC North. As seen in the past, winning at Heinz Field is no easy task. The Ravens will need contributions across the board to escape with a win. Offensive stat predictions Joe Flacco, QB - 27/42, 64.2% comp, 291 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT Flacco is off to one of the better starts of his career. He has thrown for six touchdowns and nearly 900 yards through three games, with a completion percentage of 63.9%. It has been encouraging to see him click with receivers early on. Now, Flacco faces a Steelers group that ranks 28th in the NFL in pass defense this season. Pittsburgh was gashed by Patrick Mahomes and Ryan Fitzpatrick in consecutive weeks, with the latter throwing for 411 passing yards against the Steelers in Week 3. Flacco has had mixed performances against the Steelers in recent years, especially on the road. However, this is a struggling secondary, and Flacco should be able to find success through the air. Alex Collins, RB - 16 rushes, 60 yards, 3.8 YPC / 2 receptions, 16 yards It has been tough sledding for Alex Collins this season, and fans are still waiting on a breakthrough performance form the running game. Last week was a step in the right direction White Patrick Onwuasor Jersey , as Collins rushed for a season-high 68 yards and a touchdown. Collins is averaging 3.4 yards per carry through three games, which leaves much to be desired and is a far cry from last season. This reflects on the offensive line, which has not done a great job of opening up holes in the backfield. While the Steelers rush defense is not great statistically, they have talented players on the defensive line in T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree and Cameron Heyward. Unless the line gets more push, it is hard to envision Collins having a big game. Javorius Allen, RB - 5 rushes, 13 yards, 1 TD / 5 receptions, 32 yards After scoring two touchdowns in Week 3, Allen now leads Baltimore with four touchdowns on the season. Three have come on the ground and the other via receiving. Can he replicate this performance on Sunday night? Probably not. However, Allen is getting plenty of scoring opportunities, and he has made the most of them. When the Ravens have been in goal-line situations this season, it is Allen, not Collins, who usually gets the call. In a potentially high scoring affair, Allen could see the field a lot in passing situations. Look for him to record several catches and find the end zone for the fourth consecutive game. Michael Crabtree, WR - 5 catches, 54 yards, 10.8 YPC, 1 TD Crabtree has been steady so far this season. Last week Patrick Onwuasor Jersey 2019 , he recorded a season-high in both receptions (seven) and yards (61). He did not record a reception in the second half, but it was a solid performance nonetheless. Crabtree has been a bit overshadowed by John Brown thus far, but his contributions as a possession receiver have been valuable. As long as Flacco continues to look his way and sling the ball with accuracy, another productive outing should be in store for Crabtree. Look for him to catch a touchdown as well, which he has not done since Week 1. John Brown, WR - 5 catches, 78 yards, 15.6 YPC, 1 TDBrown is tied for 20th in the league with 222 receiving yards this year, and his yards per catch average of 18.5 ranks 11th. Simply put, he has been the main catalyst in the passing game this season for Joe Flacco. He also leads the Ravens in receiving touchdowns (two). He could have three if not for a dropped pass in the end zone against the Bengals in Week 2. Can Brown keep it rolling this week? With a favorable matchup at hand, there is certainly a good chance. Look for Brown to put up another solid stat line. Willie Snead IV, WR - 4 catches, 42 yards, 10.5 YPCAs the number three option in the passing game, the potential for a big stat line is not there for Willie Snead. However, he has quietly thrived in his role as a complimentary playmaker and slot receiver. He has twelve receptions on the year, the same number as John Brown. When Flacco targets the middle of the field, particularly on slant routes, Snead has been the guy he looks for. Mark Andrews, TE - 3 catches Daylon Mack Baltimore Ravens Jersey , 51 yards, 17.0 YPCAndrews is a player on the rise, and he has serious potential as a pass-catcher. Against the Broncos last week, he made two highlight plays, including hurdling over two defenders on a catch-and-run. Can Andrews remain involved with Hayden Hurst returning? It is hard to imagine him going anywhere, as the Steelers have had difficulty stopping tight ends this season. Pittsburgh was shredded by Travis Kelce and O.J. Howard in consecutive weeks. While Andrews is not on their level, he should be able to make an impact in the passing game. Hayden Hurst, TE - 2 catches, 18 yards, 9.0 YPCWhile his status is up in the air, Hurst proclaimed he�s �good to go� and feels ready to make his debut. If he does indeed play, it is hard to envision him making a big splash early. With three other tight ends on the roster, the Ravens will likely ease Hurst into the action. Still, it will be encouraging to see how he looks in his first taste of regular season play. Defensive stat predictions Tackles - C.J. Mosley (9), Kenny Young (7), Tony Jefferson (7) The return of Mosley will be a big boost for the Ravens defense. Kenny Young has done enough to earn the starting linebacker spot opposite him, and those two should form a dynamic tandem. Tony Jefferson will be important in slowing down James Conner and the Steelers tight ends Vance McDonald and Jesse James. Sacks - Terrell Suggs (2), Za�Darius Smith (1) Suggs has a history of playing well against Pittsburgh, and he is always motivated to make life difficult for Ben Roethlisberger. Za�Darius Smith will look to duplicate his solid performance from last week against Denver when he sacked Case Keenum.