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NFL Overreactions: Week One

Date: September 13, 2022

By: Justin Lotito

This article was written on 9/12/22.

Justin Jefferson smirking.

Stephen Maturan/Getty Images

Finally, the best week of the year is here: Week One of the NFL season. With it, comes a false sense of hope for some fans, and unneeded panic for others. While the year is too young to totally know where teams and players stand, it is never too early for overreactions. Here are my blistering hot week one overreactions:

 

The Rams Will Not Repeat

To put it simple, the Rams did not look like defending champs Thursday. The Bills traveled across the country to embarrass them on live television. Rams quarterback Matt Stafford threw three interceptions. However, can you blame him?

He barely had any time in the pocket, getting sacked a total of seven times, the most he’s been sacked as a Ram. If LA even wants to make the playoffs, they need to figure out their offensive woes fast. While Cooper Kupp is easily one of the best offensive threats in the league, the Rams can’t only rely on him to win.

The Rams did not have a great offseason, losing stars Odell Beckham Jr, Andrew Whitworth, and Von Miller. It became apparent that they were missing them badly Thursday, especially since Miller was wreaking havoc on the field, now as a member of the Bills.

In hopes to fill the holes that were made due to the departure of their stars, they signed Allen Robinson and Bobby Wagner. Wagner had a solid outing; however, Robinson was absent in his LA debut.

The Super Bowl hangover is real, and it seems the Rams may fall victim to it this year.

 

The Colts NEED a New Kicker

The Colts did not have the greatest start to the year.

Going into their matchup against the rebuilding Texans, a majority of the nation expected them to run away with the victory. However, after an abysmal sixty minutes, the Colts found themselves tied going into overtime.

With only two minutes remaining, kicker Rodrigo Blankenship trotted out onto the field in order to attempt a field goal that would give the Colts a win. The 42-yarder shouldn’t have been much of a struggle for Blankenship.

He botched it. The kick was wide right, not even close.

The Colts should have expected this. Blankenship, in his three years as a pro kicker, has cost them games and will cost them more. He needs to be replaced.

Blankenship missed a chip shot against the Bills in the 2020 playoffs. And three kicks against the Ravens last year, which cost them the game, and in the end cost them a playoff spot. He is only three of eight from field goals longer than 46 yards and has only made one of two from 50-plus yards.

If the Colts want to make the playoffs and go on a deep run, they need to figure out their kicker problem sooner rather than later.

 

Michael Thomas Will Win CPOTY

The Comeback Player of the Year award will be tightly contested this season as a number of stars are coming back from injury. Players who had great week ones who can win it are Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson, and Michael Thomas.

Based on week one performances, and the history of these players, I predict that Thomas will win the CPOTY award.

After a two-year hiatus from football due to injuries, the Saints star receiver is back! In a close win against the Falcons, Thomas accounted for five catches for a total of 57 yards and two touchdowns.

He was matched up against elite cornerback AJ Terrell for majority of the game, who he burnt on multiple occasions, showcasing his elite route-running ability.

Following a historic 2019 campaign in which Thomas netted a record-breaking 149 catches for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns, he suffered an injury that benched him longer than most expected.

It is promising to see this level of production after being out for so long. Many feared that Thomas would not be the same, however, after catching two touchdowns, it is clear he is the same player he was before injuries plagued him. If he can continue his production, he will win the CPOTY award.

 

The Steelers May be Doomed

TJ Watt grimacing.

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Sunday was bittersweet for the Steelers. They managed to narrowly pull off a win against the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. Free agent signing Mitch Trubisky had a solid outing, throwing for 194 yards and one touchdown.

However, that was not the storyline of the game. Defensive star TJ Watt exited the game in the fourth quarter following an injury. It became clear right away that the injury was serious.

Watt suffered a torn pectoral, an injury that could sideline him for the entire season. He will get a second and third opinion on the injury in hopes to return this year.

Watt was not the only Steeler star to suffer an injury, as running back Najee Harris rolled his ankle late in the game.

While the team remains optimistic that it is not severe, it is concerning to see another star suffer an injury, especially since Harris has had foot problems in the past.

While the Steelers started the year off strong with a win, their season could be in jeopardy due to these injuries. They will need their other stars to step up in their place to stay competitive in a loaded division and conference.

 

The Vikings Will Win the NFC North

In an offensive explosion, the Vikings defeated their division rivals, the Packers.

In hopes to galvanize their offense, the organization fired long-time head coach Mike Zimmer and brought in Kevin O’Connell. He helped the Rams win the Super Bowl last season and was a large part in Cooper Kupp’s historic season.

O’Connell made it clear Week One that he wants to replicate his successes and make Justin Jefferson the focal point of the Vikings air raid. In Jefferson’s first game in the new scheme, he exploded for nine catches, 184 yards, and two touchdowns.

The only threat to the Vikings in their division is the Packers. However, the Vikings did not have any troubles handling them this week.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had difficulties getting anything done against the Vikings stellar defense, throwing for 195 yards and a pick.

If the Vikings play like they did this week for the remainder of the season, they will run right through their division.

 

Onto Week Two

Many questions remain unanswered. Can the Rams bounce back? Will the Colts do the right thing and cut Blankenship? Can Thomas replicate his Week One production? Will the Steelers be able to overcome their detrimental injuries? Are the Vikings legit? We will have to wait and see as this exciting new season continues to unfold.

Justin Lotito can be reached at justin.lotito@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, NFL, Football

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