Comparing Sam, Baker, and Jimmy vs. shared opponents last season

[Icege]

Got curious about a statistical comparison between Jimmy, Baker, and Sam so I went and checked out games where they had common opponents.

All 3 QBs played against MIN last season. Sam shared two games with Baker (vs. HOU & NE) and two games with Jimmy (vs. PHI & ATL). Baker and Jimmy shared five opponents (vs. DET, GB, CHI, ARI, and CIN).

vs. MIN

• Sam: 17/41 (41.5%) for 207yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 4 sacks, 55.6 rating, 4 rushes for 48yds, 1 fumble [L]
• Baker: 15/33 (45.5%) for 155yds, 3 sacks, 59.5 rating, 2 rushes for 11yds [W]
• Jimmy: 17/26 (65.4%) for 230yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 sacks, 90.2 rating, 3 rushes for 0yds [W

Pretty straight forward here. Sam and Baker had similar outings, though Sam was better on the ground but couldn't come away with the W. Jimmy was clearly the better passer of the three. Not much info gleamed from this other than Jimmy is likely the better QB (hint: he is).

 

Since Sam and Baker had similar performances, let's see if that holds true against the other two opponents that they shared. We might even be able to see slight differences between the two.

vs. HOU

• Sam: 23/34 (67.7%) for 304yds, 3 sacks, 95.7 rating, 8 rushes for 11yds, 2 TDs, 2 fumbles [W]
• Baker: 19/21 (90.5%) for 213yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 sacks, 105.0 rating, 8 rushes for 10 yds, 1 TD, 1 fumble [W]

Looks like both had themselves good days against a gutted Texans squad. Baker was the more accurate while Sam had the higher yardage. Kind of a push here imo for who had the better game statistically. If Houston wasn't such a dumpster fire last season this could've been worth watching to see the difference in play.

vs. NE

• Sam: 16/33 (48.5%) for 172yds, 3 INTs, 1 sack, 26.3 rating, 3 rushes for 9yds, 1 fumble [L]
• Baker: 11/21 (52.4%) for 73yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 sacks, 56.2 rating, 1 fumble [L]

Looks like both have themselves bad days against a Mac Jones-led Patriots squad. Baker again seems to be the more accurate while Sam has better yardage, leading me to wonder if Baker is looking short while Sam is holding on too long (we already know that he is, so that's already leading me to believe that it's likely the case for Baker looking short). Both are pretty consistent with fumbling the ball as well it looks... Is that due to protection for Baker though?
 

What about Sam and Jimmy? Is there a big difference between their performances against the same teams?

vs. PHI

• Sam: 21/37 (56.8%) for 177yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs, 3 sacks, 44.5 rating, 2 rushes for 10 yds [L]
• Jimmy: 22/30 (73.3%) for 189yds, 1 TD, 100.6 rating, 11 rushes for 20yds, 1 TD, 1 fumble [W]

Big difference in completion percentage, QB rating, and turnovers. Jimmy surprisingly also had more rushing yards, and less surprisingly the win while Sam struggled tremendously. Where Baker was more accurate with less yardage, Jimmy has better accuracy with similar yardage.

vs. ATL

• Sam: 13/24 (54.2%) for 129yds, 69.6 rating, 8 rushes for 66yds [W]
• Jimmy: 18/23 (78.3%) for 235yds, 1 TD, 123.7 rating, 3 rushes for 4 yards, 1 fumble [W]   

Yet another massive difference in completion percentage and QB rating. Sam's feet made plays for him, but Jimmy's yardage was also better as well.

Jimmy and Baker shared the most opponents between the QBs though, having the same six teams on their schedules for 2021-2022. One of those was the aforementioned Vikings game that we've already seen the breakdown for. The other games were against the Lions, Packers, Bears, Cardinals, and Bengals. Since Baker and Sam performed similarly in the three games that they shared (vs. the Vikings, Texans, and Patriots), will the comparison between Baker and Jimmy look similar to Sam and Jimmy? Only one way to find out.

vs. DET

• Baker: 15/29 (51.7%) for 176yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 1 sack, 53.2 rating, 4 rushes for 9yds [W]
• Jimmy: 17/25 (68.0%) for 314yds, 1 TD, 1 sack, 124.2 rating, 3 rushes for 2 yds, 1 fumble [W]

Jimmy once again showing a better completion percentage and QB rating. His yardage was also nearly double Baker's with only two more completions. With how poorly the Browns' offensive line protected Baker this past season, I'm starting to wonder if him looking short is because his line has him under constant duress similar to how Sam's rushing numbers come from his OL not protecting him long enough to set and throw it.

vs. GB

• Baker: 21/36 (58.3%) for 222yds, 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 5 sacks, 55.3 rating, 2 rushes for 11 yds [L]
• Jimmy: 25/40 (62.5%) for 257yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 4 sacks, 87.2 rating, 1 rush for 4 yards, 1 fumble [L]

Much closer performances here with similar outcomes. The difference here seems to be Baker's turnovers, though both QBs were getting hounded it looks. 

vs. CHI

• Baker: 19/31 (61.3%) for 246yds, 1 TD, 5 sacks, 97.0 rating, 4 rushes for 31yds [W]
• Jimmy: 17/28 (60.7%) for 322yds, 100.6 rating, 5 rushes for 4yds, 2 TD [W]

This was one of only two games where Jimmy's accuracy wasn't better than the other QB's, but he did throw for more yards. Baker still put up nearly 250yds, 1 TD, and a 97.0 QB rating despite getting sacked five times.

vs. ARI

• Baker: 19/28 (67.9%) for 234yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 5 sacks, 102.4, 3 rushes for 8 yds, 2 fumbles [L]
• Jimmy: 28/40 (70.0%) for 326yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 5 sacks, 100.6 rating, 1 rush for 3yds [L]

Similar performances yet again with the same story: Jimmy getting more yardage. Baker once again suffering from another five sack game, though Jimmy got his ass beat pretty good too against that Cardinals pass rush.

vs. CIN

• Baker: 14/21 (66.7%) for 218yds, 2 TDs, 2 sacks, 132.6 rating [W]
• Jimmy: 27/41 (65.9%) for 296yds, 2 TDs, 5 sacks, 103.3 rating, 1 rush for 3yds, 1 fumble [W]

Baker once again beats out Jimmy in terms of completion percentage, but Jimmy has more production out of his throws. Baker surprisingly didn't take as many sacks as Jimmy did, which was a rare change of pace for him.

With the data shown, it might be fair to say that Sam is the best runner of the three but he's also the worst passer by far. Jimmy is the better QB overall. Baker is accurate, but doesn't push the ball downfield. His "boom" factor, however, is much higher than Darnold's. I can see Baker being the more attractive option for the Panthers if they're able to offload Sam Darnold as well, but Jimmy looks like he's the better option from last season's performances. The Panthers are going to have to protect Baker better than the Browns did though while still giving him a punishing run game to lean on. When he's had those opportunities, he's looked as good if not slightly better than Jimmy.

It'll be interesting to see how things unfold.

[CRA]

all things being equal, Baker probably has the highest ceiling to offer in a game.   But has the Sam type liability that could lose it for you at any point. 

Jimmy G basically won't lose you the game.  He won't win it for you.   It's up to the rest to actually go win it. Teddy Bridgewater would have a nice record if he played in SF. 

[TylerDurden]

Jimmy is solid, but is very much in the mold of a game manager (I kind of hedge towards Baker being that as well), and considering Baker had a severe injury he was playing through all of last season, it's kind of hard to glean much, if anything, from his performances as a result.  Also, for that same reason, I don't know how much we can translate from last season to the upcoming season for Jimmy with him coming off of a pretty scary surgery himself.

Regardless, if the price is right, I'm taking either over Sam.

[Jon Snow]

There is virtually no difference between Sam and Baker as far as qbs are concerned.  You can cherry pick whatever stat you want to it won't matter. They both suck and  I can't believe the team wants to throw money and picks at another Sam Darnold clone that is a colossal asshole. 

[Icege]

7 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

There is virtually no difference between Sam and Baker as far as qbs are concerned.  You can cherry pick whatever stat you want to it won't matter. They both suck and  I can't believe the team wants to throw money and picks at another Sam Darnold clone that is a colossal asshole. 

That's the part that worries me most about Baker tbh. Jimmy is well liked in the locker room, while Sam "is an okay dude." Baker, on the other hand, has documented issues with teammates.

Hopefully the coaching staff doesn't look at that and chalk it up to "passion" that they feel was missing from the team. -_-

[CRA]

7 hours ago, Jon Snow said:

There is virtually no difference between Sam and Baker as far as qbs are concerned.  You can cherry pick whatever stat you want to it won't matter. They both suck and  I can't believe the team wants to throw money and picks at another Sam Darnold clone that is a colossal asshole. 

the Jay-Z biography must of left out this stage in his 7 year plan.  The one where he went around and slammed his hand in doors just because. 

[frankw]

We could have just kept Teddy and our picks and drafted a QB and another OL but our head coach made an emotional decision and compounded it trading for the Jets leftovers. No use even complaining about Baker being this or that. We are here because of mgmt.

[KillerKat]

If Jimmy didn`t have a hurt throwing shoulder, i would want him. The huddle is way too hard on Baker and saying he is no different than Sam is stupid AF. He was hurt last season and at least has won a playoff game in his career. Baker would be an immediate upgrade. 

Edited June 15, 2022 by KillerKat

[KillerKat]

53 minutes ago, CRA said:

Teddy Bridgewater would have a nice record if he played in SF. 

No he wouldnt. He would be too concerned over his completion percentage to take any chances. Pussiest QB I have ever seen.

Edited June 15, 2022 by KillerKat

[kungfoodude]

That is how I would have ranked them even without this nice breakdown. Kudos on that, BTW.

1. Jimmy G - Quality game managing NFL starter

2. Baker M - Middling, inconsistent gunslinger. Borderline NFL starter.

3. Sam Darnold - NFL backup, at best. Likely out of the league in the next 2-3 seasons.

[Ricky Spanish]

Jimmy G is the best of the 3 but also the most fragile. 

All three have injury concerns, and let's be honest, so does Corral. 

There's a solid chance we aren't seeing the game 1 starter at some point next season due to injury.

[ForJimmy]

The problem with Jimmy G is when the running game gets shut down and they need his arm he shits the bed.  Look at almost every playoff game this past year.  He played awful (yeah they still won until the NFC championship, but it was in spite of him).  Baker may be the same way because the Browns usually have a strong running game.  Baker is just younger with a bit higher of a ceiling and has shown he can play decent with bad coaches.  Jimmy G has had some great teams and coaches.  

[kungfoodude]

8 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

The problem with Jimmy G is when the running game gets shut down and they need his arm he shits the bed.  Look at almost every playoff game this past year.  He played awful (yeah they still won until the NFC championship, but it was in spite of him).  Baker may be the same way because the Browns usually have a strong running game.  Baker is just younger with a bit higher of a ceiling and has shown he can play decent with bad coaches.  Jimmy G has had some great teams and coaches.  

He has a ceiling. If we went Jimmy G as a long term guy, it's basically acknowledging that we aren't going to see a Super Bowl or definitely not win one.

He can bring some stability but he has a ceiling that doesn't include NFL champion. 

[Ricky Spanish]

2 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

He has a ceiling. If we went Jimmy G as a long term guy, it's basically acknowledging that we aren't going to see a Super Bowl or definitely not win one.

He can bring some stability but he has a ceiling that doesn't include NFL champion. 

Jimmy is a 2x Super bowl winner, don't know what you're talking about.

I think the big thing scaring everyone away from Jimmy G is the throwing shoulder injury/surgery. Big Question Mark surrounding him and his capabilities as a passer moving forward.