Early Season Roundup

I’m still amazed how NFL fans, media and observers react after a mere three weeks into a season.

What it is, is overreacting to just about everything.

Other than key injuries which may prove to be a factor, it’s just a matter of teams settling in. They see what they have, what they don’t have, and go from there.

No Super Bowl has ever been decided early. And that includes perhaps as much as the first half of the year.

I understand why there is a rush to judgment. It makes for fun speculating by fans and the media. It fills air time on the various shows, and it makes for interesting talk.

But the reality of it all, is that it’s irrelevant.

Let me explain.

The Steelers are 3-0 and are doing it with backup quarterback Justin Fields. Fields has never looked as good. Could he sustain it? Possibly. But it’s more probable he’ll revert at some point and veteran Russell Wilson will be called upon. But Wilson is injury prone and that may not be the answer. It’s looking good for Pittsburgh right now, but don’t bet the farm on them.

See me in December, when the Steelers play the Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals in consecutive weeks.  In fact, see me earlier.

Same story with the Vikings, also undefeated. Sam Darnold who hasn’t found his footing yet as a QB in the league is playing astounding ball.

But I question how long that will last.

It’ll be the Lions who will control the NFC North.

‘How about them Cowboys?’ A disappointment so far, but when you’re off your game early, you find it, and deliver.  Don’t count Dallas out by any means.

Somehow I think the Falcons will prevail. Kirk Cousins looked like a bum in week one, a hero the second game, and came up short against the Chiefs last Sunday. It’s never a crime to lose to the Chiefs. I just have a feeling Atlanta will outlast the Bucs, which an inconsistent Baker Mayfield at the helm, and the Saints, who despite losing to Philly, are better than expected.

Now a word about the New York teams. Over-hyped when they win, destroyed by everyone when they lose.

They’re popping champagne corks in Jetsland. Aaron Rodgers has looked the part so far, and the Jets are the toast of the town after dominating the Patriots, of all people. One of the weakest teams in the league.

A little premature I would think.

The Giants looked horrible and then beat the Browns. Fans, media and observers say they are on their way. I say…….no way.

I not a believer in Daniel Jones, their quarterback.

But their rookie receiver Malik Nabers is the real thing.

So is Marvin Harrison, Jr. the rookie receiver of the Cardinals, and son of the great Colts pass-catcher.

One of those two is headed for Rookie of the Year honors.

Yes, I can say that after three games.

Checking out the NFC West, we find the Seahawks atop the division at 3-0.

The 49ers have dropped two of three. Does anyone not think the Niners are the best out west, with the Rams not far behind?

Andy Dalton has taken over at QB for the lowly Panthers and delivered an upset win on the road against the Raiders. As much as Dalton has been one of the best backups in the league for awhile now, I can’t see where Carolina will win its next game.

If a team’s success starts at the top, from the owner on down, I feel for Panthers followers, who have the worst owner in the NFL, in David Tepper.

He doesn’t allow his football specialists run the show. He gets in the way too much, and he has helped ruin QB Bryce Young’s early progress in his career. If Young has any chance he has to move on.

The once hopeful Dolphins are already in big trouble.

They put all their money on Tua Tagovailoa after he stayed healthy in 2023 following serious concussion issues the year before.

But now, the concussion story is real once more, and Tua’s future is in question. His backup got hurt last Sunday and a team with an older roster to begin with may fade early.
Somehow the story never changes in Miami.

If you think I’m playing the favorites in the AFC you are right.

Kansas City and Buffalo still set the pace. Don’t worry, KC will have their stumbling  moments, but they’ll be the ones to beat all year.

The Bills should take care of the AFC East without a major challenge.

The other two AFC powers will be the Ravens and the Bengals.

They’re both 1-2, but that’s why you can’t overreact to what’s gone on so far.

If someone other than the 49ers, Lions, and maybe the Rams emerge as kings of the NFC I’ll be surprised. Yes, that includes the Eagles.

So after week three, there are the things I see lasting, things I see that will change, even dramatically, and things I have no clue about.

It’s the same every year.

And I say it every year.

Don’t overreact.  It’s only three games.