The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Week 5 desperately searching for answers offensively, and rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels delivered exactly what they needed. Making another start in place of the injured Baker Mayfield, Daniels helped Tampa Bay secure its first victory of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, and his performance was among the week's better quarterback outings.
Daniels finished Week 5 ranked 13th among qualifying quarterbacks with a Total QBR of 58.9. He also recorded a 110.2 passer rating, 0.26 expected points added per play, and a 50% success rate. Those numbers put him ahead of several established quarterbacks in Total QBR, including Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Aaron Rodgers, and Trevor Lawrence. His 0.26 EPA per play ranked among the better marks of the week, showing that Tampa Bay was generating positive offensive value when he dropped back to pass. For a rookie quarterback still adjusting to the NFL, that is an encouraging development.
However, one statistic also highlights how Tampa Bay's offensive approach helped Daniels succeed. According to the chart, 70% of his passing yards came after the catch, the highest percentage among the 29 qualifying quarterbacks. That speaks to the importance of getting the football into the hands of Tampa Bay's playmakers and allowing them to create opportunities rather than asking Daniels to consistently attack defenses downfield. Daniels also finished with an average target depth of just 4.08 yards, one of the lowest marks of the week. While that indicates Tampa Bay leaned heavily on shorter throws, it also shows how offensive coordinator Zac Robinson adjusted the passing attack to create manageable opportunities for his young quarterback.
With Bucky Irving providing a dominant rushing attack and the offensive line continuing to protect at a high level, Daniels has an opportunity to grow without being forced to do everything himself. His Week 5 numbers suggest the Buccaneers may finally be finding an offensive formula that works, even with Mayfield sidelined.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs rookie quarterback cracks top half of NFL in Week 5