The Detroit Lions were already without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, but now backup quarterback Jeff Driskel is dealing with a hamstring injury. And the Lions announced on Wednesday night that third-string quarterback David Blough will get the start for Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears.
David Blough will start at quarterback for Thursday’s game vs. Chicago. Jeff Driskel will serve as the backup quarterback. pic.twitter.com/4CoML7YMuK
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 28, 2019
The #Lions are expected to start QB David Blough tomorrow against the #Bears, sources tell @StaceyDales and me. Jeff Driskel’s hamstring has hindered him greatly, though he’ll end up backing up. A major challenge for Detroit.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2019
Blough, 24, is a rookie out of Purdue. He signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent, and was traded to the Lions at the end of training camp. He’s never thrown an NFL pass.
So, having to face Khalil Mack and the Bears’ defense in a nationally televised game on Thanksgiving is one hell of a task in an NFL debut. That’s especially the case if Blough is anywhere remotely close to as bad as EA Sports thinks. Blough is only rated a 48 (!) in Madden NFL 20.
David Blough is starting at QB for the Lions against the Bears on Thanksgiving.
Let's familiarize ourselves with him by checking out his Madden rati—oh no. 😬 pic.twitter.com/EstZiOV90I
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 28, 2019
Only the Washington Redskins’ Josh Woodrum (a 43) and the New York Giants’ Alex Tanney (a 47) are rated worse for quarterbacks in the video game (Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ long snapper Zach Triner is the game’s worst-rated player at 35). But Blough is well aware of the 48 rating, and had a great sense of humor about it in July.
Seeing as 48 overall may be the lowest QB rating ever 🤦🏻♂️… I’ve got $250 for the first person who can win League MVP and the Super Bowl on @EAMaddenNFL All-Madden mode. With me, David Blough at QB… Good luck 😂 pic.twitter.com/xkk0C0G1xj
— David Blough (@david_blough10) July 2, 2019
If Blough shows much of anything at all at quarterback against the Bears, he probably deserves to be rated higher than a *48*. But if the quarterbacking thing doesn’t work out, Blough offers some impressive skills as a magician.
