Overreaction Monday – Week 1

Week 1 is (almost) officially in the books. With it, we’ve seen plenty of eye-popping events occur. How should people react to it? Well, that’s what this article is for. Some may mistake these for drunken rants at the bar on a Sunday night. Others may liken these to Nostradamus’ prophetic takes. These are my uncensored thoughts from Week 1. This is what I’m passionate about today. This is Overreaction Monday – Week 1.

Overreaction Monday – Week 1

Justin Fields won’t be the Chicago Bears starting quarterback in 2024

Justin Fields is an exciting player. He was my QB1 of the 2021 class. But it’s 2023 now, and while some things change, others don’t. The Ohio State quarterback curse could be in full effect, but Fields was unimpressive despite having much-improved offensive weapons. Through 37 attempts, Fields mustered 217 passing yards, 1 TD and a Pick-Six in what was overall an abysmal performance by the Chicago Bears. While Fields looked more ‘comfortable’, we’re in Year 3. It’s time to put up or shut up. Unless Fields can improve as a passer, he’ll be out the door at the end of the season.

Nick Chubb will be the overall RB1 in 2023

Nick Chubb is the only running back that scored more than 15 PPR points without scoring a touchdown. That’s how good he is. The best pure runner in the NFL should finally start getting some respect around fantasy football circles, instead of being scoffed at because he doesn’t catch passes. Well guess what, dorks, he’s getting the passing work now, too. Chubb’s ceiling is going to reach a new level this year with this type of involvement and a RB1 overall finish is on the horizon.

Running Backs Matter

Running backs may not matter for fantasy football, but they sure do matter for NFL success. The Indianapolis Colts will learn this message the hard way after the now-infamous tiff between owner Jim Irsay and RB Jonathan Taylor. Week 1 saw Taylor’s replacement, Deon Jackson average 1.1 yards on 13 carries, and 2.8 yards on five catches. The Colts were actually leading in this game going into the fourth quarter until their inability to run the ball did them in. Running backs: 1. Drunken Trust Fund Babies: 0.

Brock Purdy is this Generation’s Tom Brady

Tom Purdy, anyone? 2022’s Mr. Irrelevant might be the most relevant person at that pick ever – in history. After undergoing surgery on his UCL, Brock Purdy was back starting for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. He was precise, reading the field like Prime Brady against a disciplined Steelers defense. Purdy is the first quarterback ever to win his first six starts – and he’s just getting started. If the second-year QB can stay healthy, the 49ers could be a shoo-in for the Super Bowl.

Kirk Cousins is Cursed

In the NFL, there’s quarterbacks that are cursed. That’s it. There’s nothing else to it. That’s why Dan Marino never walked away with a Lombardi Trophy. The same goes for Jim Kelly, who lost four consecutive times in the Super Bowl. For this generation, the QB Curse is under Kirk Cousins. On face value, Cousins is an impressive player, but he’s notorious for coming up short in Primetime games, and close games overall. The monster came out of the closet yesterday again, when Kirk threw a pass that was in the hands of WR K.J. Osborn at the goal line – driving to win the game for the Minnesota Vikings. Instead, the pass was yanked away from a defender in what was deemed an interception, as the Vikings lost in heart-wrenching fashion. Even if the Vikings make the playoffs, don’t expect Minnesota to win the Super Bowl with Kirk under center.

Mitch Trubisky will start for the Pittsburgh Steelers by Week 5

I truly tried to give Kenny Pickett a chance, but he didn’t even look like he belonged in the NFL after his Week 1 performance. The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the 49ers 30-7, giving head coach Mike Tomlin his most lopsided defeat as a head coach. Pickett and the offense looked awful. The second-year quarterback threw two interceptions as the offense sputtered for 3.9 yards per play (with only 239 yards of total offense). After a rough rookie season that spurred rumors of Tomlin being on the hot seat, don’t expect coach to sit idle and watch Pickett throw games away. We could even see WR George Pickens lead the charge for change.