If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far about this season is that rookie quarterbacks are just not having a great time. While the NFL seems to have fully taken over my life at the moment, it has also served up some disappointments. Like the Patriots big stinker this past Sunday against the Saints at home. However, it’s a long season and we as fans just have to move forward from games like that. A lot of things to talk to about this week, but I have to pick only five to focus in on. Let’s get into it.
1. My predictions about the Steelers are looking like they are coming true
Yes, I know. I know that my team (the Patriots) are also 1-2 with shaky, inconsistent play. I also know that it is only week three and that this could be a massive overreaction. However, I don’t think it is and let me tell you why. Ben Roethlisberger is going to be 40 years old next March, and it is showing on the football field. In his last nine starts as the quarterback for the Steelers, he has turned the ball over in seven of those games. This year Roethlisberger is currently sitting at three touchdowns and three interceptions while averaging 43 passes a game. Even with the firing of Randy Fichtner as offensive coordinator this offseason, the Steelers haven’t looked any better on the offensive side of the ball. Eric Ebron has one catch for 19 yards in three games this year. Their poor offensive line play and Roethlisberger’s inability to extend plays anymore have once again made the offense one-dimensional. And the thing is, I don’t think any Steelers fan would disagree with me. You’re giving your rookie running back, who’s arguably the future of this offense, all the workload and pressure to help carry this offense. A lot of this team’s past success was based on Ben making the extra step to extend the plays and target his versatile weapons like Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. However, those days are long gone. And ANOTHER reason why the Steelers will just keep plummeting, is their schedule. They play the Packers, Broncos, Seahawks, and Browns for their next four games. And looking past that they still have to play the Ravens twice, the Chiefs, Chargers, and Titans. You’re hearing it here first. I think there is a genuine chance that the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t win over six or seven games this year. I predicted them to go 8-9 but from what I’ve seen this year from them and their future opponents, it’s not looking good.
2. Justin Tucker is the best kicker of all-time
Personified pain. That’s how I would describe being a Detroit Lions fan. Thank God I am not one, but I do send prayers to all my Lions fans out there. Crazy thing is that this isn’t the first time Justin Tucker has sent the Lions home off of a 60+ yard game-winning field goal. I mean this man is the greatest of all time no doubt about it. Adam Vinatieri has hit the biggest kicks of all time in Super Bowl victories but I don’t know if there has been anyone as accurate as Justin Tucker in the clutch. He is 16/16 on his career for field goals within the last minute of regulation. It’s honestly incredible how accurate and clutch this man is. Now here is a video of him singing to make the Lions fans suffer. Enjoy.
3. The Dallas Cowboys are looking like the favorites to win the NFC East
I mean, a healthy Dak Prescott + a healthy offensive line should equal success for this team. And at 2-1, this team is looking surprisingly strong. After losing a nail-biter in the regular season opener to the defending champion Buccaneers, the Cowboys have won two straight against the Chargers and Eagles. After a horrific ankle injury ended his season last year, Dak is currently leading the league in completion percentage while throwing for an efficient six touchdowns and two interceptions. The defense, especially Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons, played great Monday night forcing two Jalen Hurts interceptions. Their real test is definitely coming up this weekend against the undefeated Carolina Panthers who will most likely be without their star running back Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers currently have the best passing and rushing defense in the league so this high-octane Cowboys offense will definitely be tested.
4. The Rams are looking quite good
Starting at 3-0 for any team is great. However, a Las Vegas Raiders 3-0 is a lot different from a Los Angeles Rams 3-0. WIth the Rams you can look and see actual playoff success within the past 20 years. Sorry Raiders fans. I digress. Matthew Stafford is playing great and is slowly creeping in to early MVP conversations with nine touchdowns and only one interception. Stafford & Co. picked the injury-riddled Buccaneers secondary apart, hitting DeSean Jackson for a 75-yard touchdown to open up the second half. However, like the Steelers, they are in for a couple of big-time tests in the coming weeks. In the next few weeks they will be playing the Seahawks, Cardinals, 49ers, Titans, and Packers. Unfortunately for them, this is what comes with playing in the NFL’s toughest division. Sean McVay and his team will be looking to avenge their lost last year in the divisional round to the Rams, and I think they have the capability to do it this year. We shall see.
5. I’m concerned about the Kansas City Chiefs defense
Over three games this unit has allowed an average of about 31 points per game. They’ve given up at least 235 passing yards each game to Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert. Now I know that these are very difficult games that they are starting off their season with. However, if they want to keep pace in this newly competitive AFC West they are going to have to wake up soon. Mahomes was a shell of his usual self on Sunday, but he still has nine touchdowns and only three interceptions on the year so far. I think the Chiefs should still win this division but it’s going to be a lot harder to make a run in the playoffs without playing better on the defensive side of the ball.
We have a great week of football coming up starting with Joe Burrow and the Bengals taking on Trevor Lawerence and the Jaguars for a little college football championship rematch this Thursday night. Then on Sunday you have the Cowboys vs Panthers, Buccaneers vs Patriots, Cardinals vs Rams, and Steelers vs Packers. It’s a great time to be a football fan ladies and gentlemen. Unless you live in Detroit, Michigan. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
