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The Jets won on Sunday, which means it is time to give out the second game ball of the 2021 season. (You might prefer to call it the anti-anti-game ball.)
If at all possible I try to avoid awarding the game ball to the quarterback. Most of the time when the team wins, the quarterback has turned in a game ball worthy performance. However, this week we have a case that is exceptional on many levels.
Mike White, a backup quarterback making his first career start, registered the Jets’ first 400 yard passing game in over two decades. In that time the Jets have selected no less than six quarterbacks in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. The player who set the mark wasn’t even on a practice squad two years ago at the beginning of the NFL season. Since signing with the Jets in 2019, he spent time bouncing between the practice squad and the active roster.
This was the quarterback who turned in the following performance.
Jets QB Mike White has become the 2nd QB since at least 1950 with 400+ pass yards in his first career start (405 yards vs CIN)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 31, 2021
He joined Cam Newton, who threw for 422 yards in his first start in Week 1, 2011 at the Cardinals#CINvsNYJ
List of QBs to have 400 Pass Yards and 3 Pass TD in their first career start, since 1950:
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 31, 2021
- Mike White
List finished. pic.twitter.com/7Ih3etchUA
White twice led the Jets back from double digit deficits, including two touchdown passes in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter to overcome an 11 point Bengals lead.
It is difficult to say what the Jets can expect from White going forward. It’s possible this was just a one time deal. Maybe he can put together a run of good play here and keep the team afloat.
Either way, he surprised almost everybody yesterday. You never expect something like this from your backup quarterback. He gets my game ball.
Who gets yours?
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