Quarterbacks Shine in High-Stakes Two-Minute Drill

Caleb Williams, the incredible young quarterback from USC, is another that’s found himself in the news lately for being a “clutch” performer in late-game situations. He is the only quarterback this season to reach four or more touchdowns. Remarkably, he’s accomplished this while committing zero turnovers in the last two minutes of either half. We all know how much he shines in high-pressure moments. This season, he led the nation (tied with Bo Nix) for the most game-winning drives! Just last week, Williams proved his jawdropping speed when he ran 14 yards to make a tackle. That stunning run paved the way for the game-winning 58-yard touchdown with only 25 seconds remaining on the game clock.

Bo Nix’s Impressive Performance

Meanwhile, QB Bo Nix has shown himself to be one of the best in the country in the two-minute drill this year. Nix is tied with Williams for the most TD passes in crucial situations and game-winning drives with six this year. Yet despite these seemingly innocuous examples, he’s still leading the NFL in this category. His two-minute drill completion percentage of 71% is the second-best in all of football among qualifying quarterbacks.

Nix attributes his success to a resilient mentality, stating, “It’s a belief, or a mentality, or a grit or a toughness. We just have this belief if we get to the end of the game — it starts with a defense where you know they’re going to stop them, at some critical moment they’re going to stop them and we’re going to have opportunity after opportunity (on offense).”

It’s his confidence and clutch ability to make plays when it matters that truly make him the most explosive weapon in the game today. As Nix matures and grows, he will be the player that is central to the big moments in the game.

The Experience Factor

Perhaps the biggest factor in how well a quarterback performs in those moments is experience. Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback with almost two decades under his belt, has mastered the art of extending a play even if his mobility has eroded with age. It’s his ability to keep his cool and clarity in high-leverage situations that distinguishes him from other QBs his age.

Rodgers’ understanding of situational football runs deep. This expertise enables him to be on top of the game and make smart plays when time is not on his side. Great coaches, such as Mike Tomlin, exponentially increase this skill. They highlight the need for situational awareness even during practice drills. “In practice, we put a lot of emphasis on knowing the situations, knowing what type of mode we’re in — if we want to drain some clock or try to get some points,” Prescott noted. “I think the guys have responded well from practice to the games.”

Prescott’s methodical decision-making is more comparable to the likes of veterans such as Rodgers. It’s not just Sally’s knowledge and experience that enable him to lead his team effectively.

A Look at Other Notable Quarterbacks

It’s not just Burrow—plenty of other quarterbacks are battling the odds and leaving their imprints on late-game situations. North Carolina’s Drake Maye has done this at the highest level, throwing three touches in the two-minute drill this season. This extraordinary showing now places him even with Williams. Maye is fifth in the nation in quarterback rating (QBR), underscoring his production when the chips are down.

As the season goes on, these quarterbacks will be presented with more difficult predicaments that will further challenge their developmental capacities. If either of them is going to start, their performances in the two-minute drill will be critical for their teams’ success this year. Those moments too will make them better leaders on the field.