Overreaction Monday – NFL Week 4

I missed last week’s Overreaction Monday due to some health issues, but so far these overreactions have turned into some prophetic musings – with every take looking more accurate by the week. Brandon Staley should thank Jimmy Garoppolo for missing Week 4 in what could have likely been another devastating loss for the Los Angeles Chargers. After all, they let rookie Aidan O’Connell nearly lead a comeback despite three horrific turnovers. If you’ve never read this reactionary series, Week 4 isn’t a bad place to start. Now, you may mistake these for drunken rants. Others may liken these to Nostradamus’ prophetic takes. These are my uncensored thoughts from Week 4. This is what I’m passionate about today. This is Overreaction Monday – Week 4.

Overreaction Monday – NFL Week 4

The NFL product is overrated while employing bad referees

NFL fanatics will vehemently disagree, but the truth is that the product has become increasingly stale with the added absurdity of poor refereeing. Yesterday we saw two horrible calls – one against the Washington Commanders and another against the New York Jets – ultimately decide the outcome of a football game. It’s become more common with each passing year. Fantasy football fans won’t care as long as they have their ‘points’, but the product has been bad. It wouldn’t shock me if major changes (like a potential 7-on-7 league) ends up as the final product of the NFL going forward.

Atlanta Falcons are a playoff team with Taylor Heinicke

In the offseason, I had hope that Desmond Ridder would improve in his second season. After all, the team invested heavily into the offense; and Arthur Smith is a great head coach – whether fantasy football fans want to admit that or not. Instead, Ridder has shown that he needs to be get rid of. Sunk-cost fallacy is very real in the NFL, but teams are a lot less lenient on non-Round 1 quarterbacks. If the Atlanta Falcons start Taylor Heinicke for the rest of the season, you’ll find this team in the playoffs – and the offense a lot less frustrating to watch. Mack Hollins would probably agree, too.

The New England Patriots need to trade Mac Jones

Ever since losing Tom Brady, the New England Patriots have been in limbo. The team spent a first-round pick on Mac Jones (in what looks like a historically bad QB class), and so far that hasn’t worked out. Jones was benched last season after a rough stretch, and was benched again in the team’s 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Jones went 12-21 for 150 yards and three turnovers before being replaced by Bailey Zappe – who was released at one point during the offseason. I don’t even think Jones is a bad QB. The Patriots are a mess. They need to rip off the band-aid and trade Jones now. At this point they’re just delaying the inevitable and wasting everyone’s time.

The average person could rush for 10 yards in the Philadelphia Eagles offense

Most fans are familiar with this phrase. When fans ‘armchair analyze’, the marks are quick to say how impossible it would be for critics to play the game themselves. Normally, this is absolutely true. There is one exception, however. That exception is the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line. The OL has created holes that you or I could gain five yards on – and it isn’t a rare occurrence, either. This one doesn’t really need further explanation. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.