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After three weeks of the 2023 NFL Season, here are the things, I think, I think, I think. Based on nothing more that watching the games, writing about them, trying to predict them and then clearly, over analyzing them. Let’s have some fun with these random thoughts heading into Week 4.
The San Francisco 49ers may be the best team in the NFL.
The 49ers are now 3-0 to start the year, and 8-0 with Brock Purdy as their regular season quarterback. In fact, when you factor in the playoffs, they are 10-1 with Purdy under center, and that one loss came after he was knocked out of the NFC Championship game versus Philadelphia early on.
You can call him Mr. Irrelevant if you want, but the one thing you can’t call him is a “fluke”. In their 3 wins thus far this season, they have won games by 23, 7 and 18 points for a 3-game average of 16 points per game. Their defense has shut down what the opposing teams do best, and Kyle Shannan continues to play chess while opposing coaches play checkers.
Mix in the dynamic Christian McCaffrey, the versatile Deebo Samuel and the defense that fears no one, it already appears that it will be SF and Philadelphia battling for the number one overall seed in the NFC all season.
The Dallas Cowboys cannot be trusted.
Well, here we go again with Dallas. From world beaters, to a team that cannot defeat the lowly Arizona Cardinals. After blowing out the New York Giants 40-0 on opening night, and then squashing the New York Jets 30-10, the Cowboys were looking like the best version of themselves since Troy Aikman was handing off to Emmett Smith and they were collecting Super Bowl rings. Then they arrived in Arizona this week and the Red Birds slapped them with a dose of reality. As much as we want to make the Cowboys a Super Bowl favorite, we just cannot trust them.
Kenny Picket does his best work with the lights on.
Kenny Pickett is not a good quarterback, subpar at best, but to Pittsburgh Steeler fans, he looks like the second coming of Terry Bradshaw when it comes to primetime football, and also defeating the rival Cleveland Browns. Pickett just banked 2 more Primetime wins in the last 6 days, to move his career record on Primetime football to 5-0.
He is only 9-6 as a starter, with one of the worst QBR rankings in the NFL, but he has his team at 2-1 when by all purposes, a lot of people would have had them at 0-3 at this point. Is it Head Coach Mike Tomlin, is it luck, or do they just play better when the lights are on? Regardless, dating back to last season, the Steelers have now won 8 of their last 10 games, and have gone 2-0 against Cleveland. Perhaps this isn’t the season the Steelers finally take a step back.
The Jets need to trade for Kirk Cousins
Is it time for the Jet’s to break the bank and sell off all draft capital for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins? Zach Wilson is not the answer, and despite the Vikings being 0-3, Cousins is having a huge season and could do wonders with Garrett Wilson.
Through 3 games, Cousins has 9 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards already. The Jets have the talent on both sides of the ball for Cousins to do big things. It would take a haul to get him, but do the Jets really have a choice right now? Minnesota is getting set for a rebuild, now is the time to strike this deal for all parties involved.
Is Jordan Love for real?
With the Bears getting worse instead of taking the jump we thought they would, and Minnesota already at 3-0, this division may still go through Green Bay after all. A lot will be decided in their Week Four matchup with the Lions, but through 3 weeks, Love is 51 of 96 for 655 yards with 7 touchdowns and only 1 pick. Love also led them on a 17-point comeback victory Sunday at home versus New Orleans.
Aaron Rodgers learned from Farve and then Love learned from Rodgers, perhaps the Packers are in store for another epic run? Again, next week versus Detroit will be a clear sign of what is to come this season for them.
The Browns may have the best defense in the NFL
Through 3 weeks, the Browns defense has only allowed 1 touchdown, and 15 total points. At home, they have not allowed a single touchdown and only two fields goals that came after Browns turnovers. Cleveland may still have major issues at running back, but with a defense this good, they will be in every game.
They may not have a lot of turnovers forced just yet, but they are pressuring the quarterback and getting off the field on third down. That right there is a recipe for success. They held Joe Burrow to 82 yards passing and then Derrick Henry to just 20 yards rushing. It sounds crazy, but the Cleveland Browns though 3 games, may have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
How bad are the Denver Broncos?
They have given up 121 points through 3 games, which is an average of 40 points allowed a game. After two losses to Las Vegas and Washington by a combined total of 3 points, the bottom fell out Week 3 against Miami in a wild 70-20 loss. Sean Payton appears to be getting “something” out of Russell Wilson, but this is off to a bad start.
What the heck happened to Justin Fields?
I thought for sure that this was the season the Bears playbook would allow Justin Fields to be Justin Fields. Apparently, I was wrong, and they are happy handcuffing a truly dynamic player. Local Chicago media wants to throw Fields under the bus, but quite frankly, can you really blame the guy for being unhappy?
Is Tyreek Hill the best scoring threat in the NFL?
Seems crazy to think, but a Miami Dolphin Wide Receiver is the number one fantasy football player this season and it’s not even close. Tyreek Hill already has 412 yards and 4 touchdowns in 3 games. The Dolphins are averaging a ridiculous 43 points a game through 3 weeks and are showing no signs of slowing down. Everyone wanted to crown the Bills and Jets for the AFC East leaders before the season began, but Hill and the Dolphins appear to have other plans.
The AFC South may go down to the wire again this year.
Let’s face it folks, the Jaguars are a long way away from living up to the preseason hype. The Colts appear to be much better than we thought. CJ Stroud is easily the best rookie quarterback with the potentional to do big things this season. And well, Tennessee still has Derrick Henry for what it’s worth. I wouldn’t dare predict a division winner in the AFC South until maybe Week 15.
Quick Hits
The Chiefs are 2-0 with Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball to a healthy Mr. Swift, I mean, Travis Kelce.
Los Angeles Charger Head Coach Brandon Staley is one step away from being out of the NFL and managing a Target in Reseda.
Geno Smith may be one of the best stories in the NFL, all it took was Pete Carroll to get him there.
Through three weeks, I’m sticking with my pre-season prediction of a Buffalo vs Philly Superbowl
Through 3 weeks, OBJ has 5 catches for 66 yards as a Baltimore Raven. Perhaps Baker Mayfield wasn’t the problem after all?
Joe Burrow looks hurt, and the Bengals offense is seriously off track. Time to find out what kind of head coach Zac Taylor really is.
ON TO WEEK FOUR WE GO!
All I can say is this year NFL teams have had a lot of surprises with injuries and the unexpected wins. I hope the Browns can keep the momentum going with no more injuries.