NFL Overreactions/Underreactions: Week 7

The NFL season is underway and fans are starting to get a better picture of how the season will pan out. While Week 6 had some surprises in it, it’s not a cause for celebration, or in some cases alarm… for some fans at least.

Overreaction: The New York Jets are serious contenders

The New York Jets earned their signature win this past Sunday taking down the undefeated

Philadelphia Eagles 20-14. Now sitting at a record of 3-3 and with the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning, many believe that the Jets are primed to make a run.

Now, their defense has proven week after week that they are one of the best units in the league that could carry them the rest of the way, but the offense has been mediocre at best and that's why I don’t see them even making the playoffs.

The lackluster Jets offense has only averaged 18.8 points per game and quarterback Zach Wilson has a QBR of 37.4 which is good for 29th in the league. With a very difficult schedule the rest of the way, I don’t see the Jets being able to keep up with the others in the AFC.

Underreaction: Jared Goff should be talked about more in the MVP discussions

The Detroit Lions seem to be the new kings of the NFC North and they’re being led by one of the most unlikely players.

Jared Goff has had, what I would call, a roller coaster-like career. After leading the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2018, his performance declined in 2019 and 2020. He was then traded to the Lions after the 2020 season and after a disappointing 2021 season, it seemed like that would be the end of his career.

But Goff had other plans. He had a career year in 2022 throwing for 4,438 yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He helped the Lions to a 9-8 record which was their first winning record since 2017.

This year he has been even better. He has completed 69.5% of his passes and has thrown 11 touchdowns to only three interceptions while leading his team to a 5-1 start. When most people think of the MVP, they think Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen or Christian McCaffrey. But watch out for Jarred Goff, he just might win it.

Overreaction: Brock Purdy isn’t the answer at QB for the 49ers

Let’s be honest, this game was one of Brock Purdy’s worst in his limited NFL career. The young QB only threw for 125 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

He did mount what was almost a game-winning drive, but was spoiled by a missed field goal. While he does have more to prove, he also faced one of the top defenses in the NFL in that game.

The Browns allow the fifth least number of points per game and the least number of pass yards per game with 121.4. I’ll give Purdy the benefit of the doubt on this one, but there’s more to prove there.

Underreaction: The Eagles could be at or under .500 after week 14

This may be one of the hottest takes of the year, but look at their upcoming schedule. They play the Dolphins, 49ers, Cowboys twice, Chiefs and Bills during this stretch.

After a dismal showing from them this past week vs the Jets, this starts to come into the picture. Jalen Hurts threw three interceptions in the loss.

The Eagles have a lot to clean up from this loss if they want to take the NFC East again and make the playoffs. This stretch coming up will determine if they’re playoff contenders or should look ahead to the draft.

Overreaction: The Cleveland Browns are contenders to win the AFC North.

The AFC North is one of the tightest divisions in the entire National Football League right now, and especially after their win against the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, many are believing that the Cleveland Browns will come out on top of their division.

However, even though only four of their remaining twelve games are against teams with winning records, I don’t see the Browns having a better record than the Steelers, Bengals or Ravens. Myles Garrett has been on fire once again this season with thirteen tackles and five and a half sacks through six games, and the offensive line is a top-three line.

The struggles overall and a currently injured Deshaun Watson, who has four touchdowns and two interceptions on the season, will be enough to hold them back from coming on top of the other tough teams in the AFC North.

Underreaction: Christian McCaffrey will be a top 3 contender for MVP.

There have definitely been a few conversations that there is a high possibility that the current league leader in rushing yards could be the Most Valuable Player this year, but it needs to be brought up every time now.

After being traded to the San Francisco 49ers a year ago, Christian McCaffrey has done nothing but dominate. He currently leads the league with 553 yards and nine total touchdowns in six games, including missing the last quarter and a half of last week’s game against Cleveland.

Even in the 49ers remaining games against some of the top teams in the league, including the Eagles, Seahawks, and Ravens, I don’t expect McCaffrey to slow down any time soon or defenses to be able to stop him.

Ashley Mascaro is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email aem6398@psu.edu.

Ethan Ellis is a third year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email ece5133@psu.edu.

Christian Frabasile is a third year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email caf5934@psu.edu.