The NFL Duel: A Comparative Analysis of Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields

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In the National Football League (NFL) world, few debates exist as contentious as the ongoing comparison between Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. There needs to be an in-depth comparison of these two athletes, evaluating their performance on the football field and their impact on the game. 2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Lawrence vs. Fields.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, both Lawrence and Fields were top prospects. Their journey from college football to professional leagues was closely watched, with analysts continually comparing their skills, potential, and performance.

Recently the Black and Teal posted an article stating that Justin Fields is nowhere near Trevor Lawrence. While this felt like an undeniable fact, I felt it needed a little deeper look and evaluation to substantiate these claims. What my analysis found might surprise you.

Lawrence, the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Fields, the 11th pick, joined the Chicago Bears. From the onset, these two quarterbacks' careers have been intertwined, with their performance and growth constantly analyzed side by side.

A Surprise in the NFL's Top 100 List

The intrigue around the Lawrence-Fields comparison gained momentum with unveiling of the NFL's Top 100 list for the 2022-23 season. The list revealed a surprising twist: Fields was ranked at No. 86, ten spots ahead of Lawrence, fueling further debates.

Despite the fact that Lawrence leading the Jaguars to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, Fields' highlight reel impressed players around the league more. Fields, known for his game-breaking runs and dual-threat capability, became a fan favorite in 2022, even though the Bears ended the season with the league's worst record.

On the other hand, Lawrence showcased his competence with a stronger roster and coaching staff, nearly defeating the eventual Super Bowl champion, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the Divisional Round.

Despite the satisfaction with their young stars' performance, fans expressed mixed feelings about the quarterbacks' ranking, with Lawrence being outright disrespected at 96 to Fields at 86. Here's how all the numbers look in the essential categories: 2022 performances, fantasy projections, Madden 24 ratings, preseason performance, and MVP projections.

Analyzing 2022 Performances Winner: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

In only his second year, Lawrence showed significant growth. His command over the offense, under the guidance of head coach Doug Pederson, led him to finish seventh in NFL MVP voting. The Clemson graduate, who was initially deemed a "can't miss" prospect, delivered on the promise in 2022, playing in all 34 games since the start of the 2021 season.

Record 9-8, AFC South Champion

Playoff record 1-1

Statistical performance: 4,113 yards, 25 TDs, 66.3 completion rate, 95.2 QBR.

• rushing stats 291 yards, 5 TDs, 4.7 YAC
• playoff stats 505 yards, 5 TDs, 60.8 completion rate, 72.1 QBR

Evaluating Justin Fields' Journey

Fields' trajectory in the NFL was slightly different. Unlike Lawrence, Fields wasn't the starting quarterback immediately on his arrival. The Bears chose to have Fields learn behind Andy Dalton in his rookie season.

However, Fields was soon promoted to the starting position, making ten starts in 2021. He maintained this position in 2022 despite missing two games due to injuries. His style of play, although prone to hits, also resulted in long touchdowns, making him a valuable asset to the team.

Justin Fields' 3-12 starting record was the worst in the NFL 

Playoff record 0-0

Statistical performance: 4,112 yards, 24 TDs, 59.7 completion rate, 98.2 QBR.

• rushing stats: 1143, 8 TD's 7.1

The results, however, sparked controversy. While Lawrence had a challenging playoff run, Fields emerged as a consistent threat to rush for 100 yards every week down the stretch. 

Fields' strength lies in his exceptional ability to run with the ball, which gives him a statistical edge. In the 2022 season, he rushed for over 1,000 yards, a feat achieved by only two NFL quarterbacks in the past.

Lawrence displayed impressive growth in his second season, with his completion rate increasing by 6.7 percent, and the addition of new players like Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram to the team promising a further boost to his performance.

The 2022 performance winner is Trevor Lawrence. The additional rushing yards and three touchdowns for Fields are negated by Lawrence's winning record and playoff performance. 

Fantasy Projections Winner: Trevor Lawrence

Fantasy football has become an integral part of the NFL experience for many fans. Here's what you need to know about our two quarterbacks in this virtual realm. 

Regarding fantasy football, the Lawrence versus Fields debate takes a different turn. Both quarterbacks have shown significant improvement from their rookie year to their second season, with Lawrence's traditional pocket passing style providing a stark contrast to Fields' dual-threat ability.

Trevor Lawrence ADP #54

Lawrence will be a valuable asset in fantasy football this season. His potential playing time, array of offensive weapons, and skill as a passer make him an attractive option for fantasy team owners. 

Some analysts have Lawrence throwing for 5,000+ yards and 32 touchdowns. His Fantasy football projections are 4,090 yards with 27 touchdowns and 301 total fantasy points. This is another example of disrespect for the Jaguars quarterback: Despite his second-half performance of 2022 and fortified offense upgrade with Calvin Ridley and rookie Tank Bigsby, Lawrence is "projected to be less productive" in 2023. Don't buy it.

Justin Fields ADP #45

On the other hand, Fields is a bit more of a gamble. The Bear's offense makes his fantasy projection somewhat uncertain. However, his undeniable talent and potential for growth make him a viable option for those willing to take a risk.

Fields struggled as a passer but was electric as a scrambling passer. Scrambling quarterbacks always come with an added injury risk. However, Fields projected 2,970 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 1,000 rushing yards with six rushing touchdowns for a combined 326 FPTs. 

Despite Fields' slight projected point advantage, Lawrence's ceiling, draft value, injury risk, and offensive weapons make him our fantasy projection winner.

Madden Ratings, The Virtual Gridiron Winner: Trevor Lawrence

Madden ratings are always a hot topic among gamers and football fans alike. This year's release of Madden 24 has sparked discussion regarding the ratings of Lawrence and Fields. Adding it to our debate between the two only makes sense if we want a fully disclosed and complete analytical comparison. 

Madden ratings reflect each NFL player's capabilities — from agility to strength to awareness. These ratings, which range from 0 to 99, are determined by the Madden Ratings Performance Adjustors. They assess the players' real-life performance and incorporate these insights into the game, creating a realistic virtual football experience.

The Trevor Lawrence Rating Controversy

Jacksonville Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence, the former Clemson standout and 2021 No. 1 draft pick, received an 82 overall rating in Madden 24. This rating has caused an uproar among fans, who believe Lawrence has been significantly underestimated.

Lawrence made notable strides in his sophomore season, improving every aspect of his quarterback play. He threw for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions, with a completion percentage of 66.3 percent. His rushing touchdowns also increased from two to five.

These impressive stats earned him his first Pro Bowl selection. Moreover, despite a lack of high-end weapons on offense, Lawrence led the Jaguars to an AFC South division title and a Wild Card Round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Madden Rating: An Injustice?

The Madden rating of 82 placed Lawrence outside the top 10 quarterbacks, causing discontent among fans. Lawrence's rating puts him just one point below Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa, who received an 83 overall rating.

Critics argue that Lawrence is a superior quarterback in almost every aspect - from arm strength to mobility - and that his rating should reflect this. Lawrence has played every game for the past two seasons, demonstrating his durability, another point in his favor.

The Justin Fields Rating Debate

Chicago Bears' Justin Fields, another up-and-coming passer, has also sparked a discussion with his Madden 24 rating, having received a 76 overall rating.

Fields' Performance: An Overview

Fields had a solid statistical season despite the challenges of acclimating to the NFL. His performance is characterized by a strong arm, mobility, and the ability to extend plays - qualities captured in his Madden rating.

The Madden Rating: A Fair Assessment?

While Fields' overall rating of 76 may seem low compared to other quarterbacks, it's important to remember that he's still early in his career. His rating is more accurate but will likely increase as he gains more experience and continues to hone his skills on the field.

One area Madden dud Lawrence justice was his awareness at 83 compared to Fields 65. Bottom line with disrespect to both third-year quarterbacks, Lawrence edges out Fields 82 to 76, primarily due to his superior throwing power, accuracy, and awareness. 

Preseason Performance Winner: Justin Fields

Lawrence saw limited playing time, as expected for all top quarterbacks. He played in two of the three exhibition games. He went 13 of 16 for 128 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Fields saw less action than Lawrence but made a bigger impact. He went 5-of-9 in two games, throwing for 180 yards and two scores.

Lawrence's performances were slightly more complex; they showed "he is him," but Feild's big plays and highlight-reel edge out in the preseason performance. 

MVP Odds Winner: Trevor Lawrence

The MVP award is the ultimate individual accolade in the NFL. Here, we delve into the odds for Lawrence and Fields.

Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence's odds of winning the MVP award in his rookie season are intriguing. His potential impact on the Jaguars and skill set makes him a viable contender with odds of +1,500, the sixth-ranked player for the award. If Lawrence can improve on his 2022 season with new weapons, his possible 5,000-yard, 32-touchdown season will have this as a smart bet. 

Justin Fields

Fields faces a more arduous road to the MVP; however, a standout performance in the Bears' preseason closer could significantly boost his odds. He is ranked as having the ninth-best odds at +2,000, which is high considering the Bear's chances of making the playoffs.

From our findings, Trevor Lawrence is our hands down victor (4-1), he is him, the prince that was promised. This leads us to believe the NFL's top 100 list is irresponsibly inaccurate and borderline suspect. Fields 86 can be justified, but Lawrence should be closer to Justin Herbert's 2022 ranking of No. 40. 

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