Romo and Roethlisberger: Quarterback injuries have early impact on NFL division favourites

As many as five starting quarterbacks could miss Week 4 games due to injury, and nothing changes the complexion of an NFL game faster than the absence of the No 1 QB, especially if he is an upper-tier performer, writes Gregg Patton.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is carted off the field after he injured his knee against St Louis last week. Dilip Vishwanat / AFP

If you are an NFL quarterback, here is a bit of advice: Look out!

It seems as if the fates – not to mention pass-rushers with malevolence on their minds – are gunning for you.

As many as five starting quarterbacks could miss Week 4 games due to injury, and nothing changes the complexion of an NFL game faster than the absence of the No 1 QB, especially if he is an upper-tier performer.

So far, elite quarterbacks Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys and Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers have missed games, and both teams suffered losses to lesser sides without them.

The bad news in Pittsburgh and Dallas is that their quarterbacks will be out for extended periods.

Each team were considered the favourites to win their division.

READ MORE:

But Dallas, with back-up Brandon Weeden handling the job, no longer look like a lock even in the mediocre NFC East.

Pittsburgh will try to make do in the treacherous AFC North with ageing second-stringer Michael Vick, who could not deliver a win in a key division match-up against previously winless Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.

Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts has a sore shoulder and barely trained. Also injured are Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, who already missed one game with a bruised shoulder, and the Chicago Bears’ Jay Cutler, who sat last week because of a hamstring injury.

The Colts said they expect Luck to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they have been preparing their 40-year-old back-up, Matt Hasselbeck, as if Luck will not. Hasselbeck, who has played for four teams in his career, has not started a game in three years.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson understands the importance of having a No 2 guy who can do a passable imitation of a No 1, especially if you lose your starter for a significant length of time.

“If you don’t have a back-up quarterback that can do it, you basically just gave up your season,” Grigson told the NFL’s official website.

The exceptions to the rule this year were the Cleveland Browns.

With back-up Johnny Manziel playing in place of Josh McCown in Week 2, the Browns defeated the Tennessee Titans. McCown regained his job the next week, and they lost to the Oakland Raiders.

Many believe Manziel should be the No 1, and that is what quarterback controversies are all about – no clear difference between 1 and 2.

As for the Bears, Cutler’s replacement, Jimmy Clausen, directed 10 fruitless drives against the Seattle Seahawks last week, all ending in punts.

New Orleans journeyman Luke McCown was efficient enough (31 of 38 passing for 310 yards, with one interception) in a loss to the Carolina Panthers last week.

Still, the struggling Saints are hoping Brees can return this week against Weeden and Dallas.

Developing a smart quarterback is a chore, and elite quarterbacks in the NFL are scarce and, thus, so valuable.

Some teams are looking for one good quarterback. Having two who can lead a team to victory is unlikely, and the current crop of back-ups are proving it.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE