CommRadio NFL Overreactions/Underreactions Week 13

Injuries, upsets, and underperformance defined Week 13 in the NFL.

Here are some recent storylines that have popped up and how some of our members feel about them.

Underreaction: Jonnu Smith is a top-5 tight end in the NFL.

Take a second to think about some of the best tight ends in the NFL. The position is not necessarily stacked, but there are several truly solid players who should come to mind.

Breakout rookie Brock Bowers might be number one. Behind Bowers, Trey McBride, George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Sam LaPorta likely come to mind.

Few people would mention the veteran Jonnu Smith. Smith is in his eighth season in the NFL, having played for the Titans, Patriots, Falcons and now the Dolphins. He’s had productive seasons before, namely an eight-touchdown year in 2020, but he’s never experienced success like he has this year.

Smith has been on a different level this season, though, especially as of late. He is fourth in the league in receiving yards among tight ends. He is averaging a career-high in receiving yards per game by over 20 yards compared to his second-place season.

On a team with ridiculous offensive talent like the Dolphins, you would expect Smith to be secluded to a blocking role, but he has been targeted 30 times over the last three games.

For reference, Tyreek Hill had 23 and Jaylen Waddle had 16. The team has been getting him the ball, and for the first time in his long career, the results have been there. It’s great to see the near-30-year-old having a breakout of this degree.

Hill had a theory as to why Smith has been playing the way he has. “Jonnu is fast, believe it or not,” said Hill. “He's that fast and the way Coach [McDaniel] does a great job of using him, putting him in situations to make plays that I've never seen before.” -Dominick

Overreaction: The 49ers Super Bowl Window is Closed

When the 49ers lost the Super Bowl last season, many people expected them to make it back again this season.

The team re-signed Brandon Aiyuk, signed Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins and De’Vondre Campbell in the offseason to bolster the squad.

This season has been nothing short of a nightmare and a disaster in the Bay Area.

Before the season even started, running back Christian McCaffrey suffered achilles tendonitis in both of his legs. Putting him on the shelf for most of the early part of the season.

Then rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery, placing him on injured reserve.

Fans surely thought that the unlucky streak of injuries wouldn’t continue into the season.

It did.

Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brock Purdy have all missed time this season with injury. Aiyuk will not play the rest of the year after suffering a torn ACL.

The Niners currently sit last in the NFC West, which is something that very few analysts and fans could have predicted prior to this year.

What’s been worse is that defensive coordinators around the league have seemed to find the key to stopping Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

The last three games they have been outscored 83-37. They are 5-7 and their playoff hopes are beginning to dwindle.

McCaffrey may never be his old self again, linebacker Fred Warner has been playing on a fractured bone in his ankle for most of the season.

The core of the team both defensively is beginning to age, which could force the team into making a decision about their Super Bowl chances.

With luck and performances like the Niners have had this season. I feel the Super Bowl window is slamming shut. - Luke

Underreaction: Brock Bowers Should Win Offensive Rookie of the Year

Despite putting up electrifying performances week in and week out, it somehow feels as if rookie tight end Brock Bowers is flying under the radar.

The 13th pick in the draft from the Las Vegas Raiders has been exceptional in his first year.

This past week against the Chiefs, Bowers hauled in 10 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown- a monstrous performance.

Bowers is currently leading the NFL in receptions as a rookie and only needs three more receptions to break Sam LaPorta’s record for most receptions by a rookie tight end (84).

His 884 yards rank 4th most in the NFL this season, and would currently land him in the top five for most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie tight end.

He only needs 192 yards to surpass NFL legend Mike Ditka’s 1076 yards.

There is a valid case for Jayden Daniels or Bo Nix to win the award, but neither of them are having as statistically significant of a season at their position as Brock Bowers.

With the numbers he’s putting up, it’s baffling that Bowers's case for Rookie of the Year isn’t getting as much love as it should.

His performance against the Chiefs this past week fully encapsulated his case to win the award. -Darian

Dominick Pizzelanti is a second-year dual majoring in broadcast journalism and Spanish. To contact him, email dqp5565@psu.edu.

Luke Stefanisko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ljs6415@psu.edu.

Darian Capobianco is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dpc5734@psu.edu.