What would Overreaction Monday Week 2 look like without some victory lapping? Unfortunately, the NFL scheduled two Monday Night Football games for Week 2, so two of last week’s calls are still pending a lap around victory lane. But so far, we’re sittin’ pretty. Cursed Cousins struck again – losing a heartbreaker against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. We saw Justin Fields struggle mightily in a Week 2 loss. Who’s Chicago’s backup again? Finally, Tom–er, Brock Purdy looked good again, as the San Francisco 49ers took down their divisional rivals in the Los Angeles Rams. Speaking of the Rams, I won’t mention Puka Nacua because everyone and their mother already is. The kid looks like a stud. We’ll ride that roller coaster until the rails fall off.
Now, you may mistake these for drunken rants. Others may liken these to Nostradamus’ prophetic takes. These are my uncensored thoughts from Week 2. This is what I’m passionate about today. This is Overreaction Monday – Week 2.
Dalvin Cook is Cooked
This isn’t even an overreaction, as opposed to more of an accurate observation. I don’t know what the New York Jets were thinking when they signed the corpse of Dalvin Cook to a 1 year, $7M contract. Cook has 17 carries and is averaging 2.4 yards this season. We’re seeing a Le’Veon Bell-esque production drop-off, but at least Bell had the excuse of sitting out a year before playing for Adam Gase. The Jets coaching staff is in over their heads, and it’s obvious.
Anthony Richardson will be better than Cam Newton
I’m fine admitting when I am wrong. And I’ll admit, I thought Anthony Richardson had a ways to go before looking like a competent NFL quarterback. Instead, he’s looking like Prime Cam Newton on the gridiron. After playing admirably in Week 1, Richardson was on a tear against the Houston Texans before being forced into the concussion protocol (after scoring a rushing touchdown). Who know how long he’ll be out for, but one thing is for certain – there’s a new Superman in the NFL. And maybe this one will hoist the Lombardi.
CJ Stroud will be the best Ohio State quarterback in the NFL
Yeah, roll your eyes – I don’t care. What CJ Stroud is doing on a horrific Texans’ team is admirable, even if some of his stats are coming in garbage time. Stroud is the first quarterback from Ohio State to throw for more than 380 yards in an NFL game. He’s only played two games. Whether the Texans can successfully build around him or not, Stroud will be the best Buckeye to play quarterback in the NFL – even if that’s not saying much.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley will be fired before Week 18
How Brandon Staley retained his job after the embarrassing loss in last year’s playoffs is beyond me. Staley’s coaching has triggered me for the past two years. There’s genuinely no reason for a team as talented as the Los Angeles Chargers to win less than 11 games every season.
It really can't be that hard to be an NFL coach. I'm pretty sure most fans could produce the same results with the Chargers as Brandon Staley has.
— Thomas Christopher (@ThomasCP_NFL) December 27, 2022
With the Los Angeles sitting at 0-2 to start the season, Staley should be thankful he’s not gone already. Staley can keep pretending to be smarter than everyone else. I’m going to keep calling him stupid and I’ll keep being right. Maybe he can rebound after a stint in the collegiate ranks.
The NFL has caught up to Sean Payton
There was a time when going up against a Sean Payton team meant you were likely going to lose. Boy, do things change. Payton’s Denver Broncos are now 0-2 after blowing a 21-3 lead against the Sam Howell-led Washington Commanders. Payton was smug as usual, and it cost Denver the game. Who knows why Marvin Mims only ran five routes despite finishing with the most all-purpose yards on the team? I’m sure Payton has the answer. It doesn’t get any easier for Denver next week as they take on a surging Miami Dolphins team. Payton may realize that he’s a dinosaur in today’s NFL sooner than later.
