by Teddy Bridgewater 2019 stats: 1384 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INT, 99.1 rating in limited action subbing for Drew Brees
Philip Rivers 2019 stats: 4,615 yards, 23 TDs, 20 INT, 88.5 rating, dropped after a good 2018
Tom Brady 2019 stats: 4,057 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INT, 88.0 rating, but has tossed for over 4000 yards every year after 2009 with the exceprions of 2010 and 2016.
First let’s start with the Colts. Indianapolis is in need of some stability at the QB position. Last year’s starter, Jacoby Brissett did pretty decent throwing for 2942 yards, 18 TDs and only 6 INT, and can run if need be.
Receiving leaders for Colts:
Zack Pascal: 41 rec, 607 yds, 5 TDs
T.Y. Hilton: 45 rec, 501 yds, 5 TDs
Jack Doyle: 43 rec, 448 yds, 4 TDs
The Colts aren’t a superstar-laden team, outside of T.Y. Hilton. In my opinion, and Jacoby Brissett, who didn’t do terrible
at the position when Luck decided to retire before the 2019 season. If T.Y. Hilton stays healthy this season, look for some Rivers-Hilton connections during the season. How much
the Colts offense improves is yet to be determined.
Receiving leaders for the Carolina Panthers:
Christian McCaffrey 116 receptions, 1005 yards, 4 TDs
DJ Moore 87 receptions, 1175 yards, 4 TDs
Curtis Samuel 54 receptions, 627 yards, 6 TDs
Teddy Bridgewater goes to a team that includes dual-threat Christian McCaffrey, who is one of the top offensive threats in the league, and second-year player DJ Moore, who led
the team in receiving yards. And Teddy, like Cam, can get it done with his feet if need be. With Cam Newton soon to be gone from the Panthers, he gives them a much-needed upgrade
at the quarterback position. Kyle Allen did what he could, but definitely struggled as time went on, and Will Grier isn’t quite ready yet. If Bridgewater can stay healthy, he will
give the Panthers some stability at the quarterback position too. I think that Bridgewater will fit in better with the Panthers offense than with the Saints, and he did really good in
his time subbing for Drew Brees when the former was out with a hand injury.
Receiving leaders for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Mike Evans: 67 receptions, 1157 yards, 8 TDs
Chris Godwin: 86 receptions, 1333 yards, 9 TDs
Tom Brady, he of the 30 playoff wins and six Super Bowl championships, inherits two wide receivers under the age of 27 that are either in or entering their prime. This is a key acquisition for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have not made the playoffs since the 2007 season.
Prediction: On paper, it looks like Tom Brady will have the better season. But we have to wait and see how things play out as the season progresses.
