With a new NFL season, comes a brand-new form of disappointment and excitement. Some teams experience disappointment more than others (looking at you, Giants). However, with exciting and new things happening every week, there are bound to be some surprises, and some overreactions from fans. So, it’s time for the first overreactions article of the new NFL season.
The Panthers are the Worst Team in the League and Bryce Young is a Bust
After the Panthers finished last in the standings last year, and didn’t have a first-round pick to improve, they made plenty of moves that made their team look somewhat decent. However, after a 47-10 loss to the Saints, all hopes and dreams from Carolina fans have fizzled away as they face the hard truth, the Panthers have not improved and have only gotten worse. Also, when the Panthers struggled along with Bryce Young, people wrote it off as a team issue. However, after Bryce Young threw 13/30 for 0 TDs and 2 INTs, the problem might just be Bryce himself. And it’s unfair to blame him, as he had the privilege of being coached by Nick Saban throughout his college career, only to be stuck with Frank Reich his first year and Dave Canales his second. Dave Canales is one of the “Quarterback Whisperers” of the NFL, and even he couldn’t fix Young. And to top it all off, the Panthers’ star DT Derrick Brown could be out for the year. Panther’s fans, I’m sorry.
DeMarvion Overshown is the Next Ray Lewis and the Cowboys Run Defense Problem is Solved
The Cowboys dominated the Browns Sunday, and while I’m not completely buying their performance, I am buying the performance of DeMarvion Overshown. Being the third round pick out of Texas in 2023, he gained hype in the 2023 Preseason, but tore his ACL and missed the entire year. This year, in week one, he dominated. Leading the team in total tackles (11), he also had a sack, 2 QB hits and a TFL. The Cowboys also held the Browns to 93 rushing yards (most yards came in garbage time), and seemingly improved on their run defense issues, mainly by bolstering their linebacker room. Apart from DeMarvion returning, their marquis free agency signing, Eric Kendricks, had 2 sacks, an interception, 9 tackles, and a TFL. The Cowboys may not have done a lot in free agency, but what they did do definitely showed in Week One.
Brandon Aubrey is a Cheat Code and Deserves an MVP and a 99 Overall in Madden
Imagine sending a kicker out to attempt a 66-yard field goal. The team takes a while, leading to a delay of game, but before the whistles are called, the ball is snapped, the kick is up, and through the crossbars with room. It doesn’t count, a delay of game is called, and the ball is moved 5 yards back. It would be a 71-yard field goal, 5 yards more than the record kick set by Justin Tucker in 2021. Now imagine the kicker staying out there, seemingly ready to attempt it. That is what happened in Week One. Brandon Aubrey, since last year, has impressed in so many different ways; hitting a 60-yard field goal against the Eagles, making a record 35 FG attempts to start his career (his 36th was blocked) and hitting a 66-yard field goal in preseason with room to spare. Brandon Aubrey should definitely get more chances to hit record field goals, and I won’t be surprised when he breaks each one with ease.
The Falcons Drafting Michael Penix Jr. was a Good Move, and Signing Kirk Cousins was a Huge Mistake
The Falcons made headlines in the draft for completely wrong reasons when they drafted Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington with the 8th overall pick. The main issue with this was that they had already signed their franchise QB for 180 million dollars. However, after week one, it looks like the real mistake was signing Kirk, not drafting Penix. Kirk had an abysmal performance in week one, throwing under 200 yards and 2 interceptions, along with leading his offense to a lowly 10 total points. The Falcons’ defense continuously gave them a chance to win, holding Pittsburgh to 18 points with 0 touchdowns. But with Kirk having a 29.2 QBR, meaning he was better off throwing the ball to the ground every play, it’s hard to win a game. The Falcon’s will now forever be locked in QB purgatory, and by forever, I mean until Kirk Cousin’s contract expires.
The NFL PrimeTime Schedule is Packed with Hard-Hitting Games and No One will Ever Be Bored Watching Sunday Night Football Again
The biggest knock on the NFL’s primetime schedule in 2023 was the lack of exciting games. With the opening Sunday Night Football game being a 40-0 blowout and America’s least favorite team beating the pulp out of the New York Giants, the games ending with both teams in single digits, the Primetime hype had died down to a quieter sound than the fans at a Panthers game. However, this year, the first three primetime games have all been within one score and have come down to the last play. The Ravens missing the touchdown by an inch, the Packers throwing up a Hail Mary down 5, and the Lions going 1-0 on a game-winning OT Touchdown, all were action packed moments for fans. So far, the Primetime schedule is looking good; and while there’s bound to be a sleeper every now and then, starting the season off like this is a good look for the NFL and an exciting sight for its fans.
So there it is, five overreactions for Week One. Look for Week Two to give even more stifling reactions and results, as that is just how the NFL goes. Don’t forget to tune into the primetime games next week, because that’s apparently a thing now. And last but not least, watch out for a football falling from the sky, Anthony Richardson missed by so much and no one can find where the ball went. Be on the lookout.
Tune into The Roundup for Week Two of “NFL Overreactions!”
