Lazy Giant #32: Three, two, one...
Three overreactions to NFL week one, two notes on Anthony Richardson, and one best bet for tomorrow.
What a great time of year we’re in right now. I’ll be the first to admit that I am already in full-on fall mode. Or autumn, if you prefer.
Summer just really wore me down this year. Humidity along with 90 degree-plus temperatures gets old real fast I’ve realized. Now I’m ready for cozy vibes with fun treats, lots of football watching, and nice 62 degree, partly cloudy weather. Also, many cups of coffee.
I don’t know what’s happened to me the past few years, but I somehow find myself as a football watching enthusiast these days. I’ve got 2-3 podcasts covering NFL football, I remain half-interested in college football (watching the big games), and am even in a NFL fantasy league now.
I did play back in high school, but now I have wider interest in it outside of the Colts. Here goes nothing.
Three NFL overreactions
Nothing better than having one week of data to point to in an NFL season and therefore making spicy takes as a result.
1. Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers are going to be just fine.
After trouncing their division rival Chicago Bears 38-14, it’s a perfect time to say that with Love at the helm and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looking like a top-tier play caller once again, the Packers will be a 9 or 10 win team this year with solid play from Love.
He’s taking over for Aaron Rodgers after the Packers traded him to the New York Jets. Now, as Love is in his fourth year in the league but starting for the first time, the Packers need to know if he can be a plus-player for the team.
It’s been one week, but all signs point to yes. I’d even go as far to say Love will be a future pro-bowler. Maybe not this year, but at some point.
2. The Cleveland Browns are going to be a playoff team.
This is a very un-fun team to talk about because their QB as recently as last year was settling accusations of sexual-assault on 20-plus massage therapists. Woof.
All he got for that is an 11 game suspension and a fully guaranteed contract from the Browns worth $250 million. Great.
Anyways, their defense looked for real and took care of business against the high-flying Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow. The Browns offense was meh but they have an all-pro running back in Nick Chubb and a killer offensive and defensive line.
I feel like no one has wanted to talk about them for obvious reasons but it looks like they’ll make a playoff run.
3. The Dallas Cowboys go to the Super Bowl.
Oh, boy. Gotta love them Cowboys winning 40-0 in week one. With that defense, which everyone knows wins championships, they’re going to be in every game this year.
The offense should be above-average but with a star-studded defense with playmakers at every level, it doesn’t matter. I expect them to make an easy run to the Super Bowl with a less than stellar NFC.
The one problem – they always underperform. Especially for the last 25-plus years. But I don’t care. Shooting my shot!
Two notes on Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, looked better than I think everyone expected. He wasn’t overwhelmed, he moved in the pocket well, and made some difficult throws, even in the face of pressure.
1. He’s not as a ‘raw’ as we thought he’d be.
When the NFL draft was approaching, most people thought that Anthony Richardson was a ‘project’ and would take time to develop. Now, I’m not saying he’s a finished product by any means or doesn’t have to make improvements. It’s one game.
But, if you watch that clip I linked to above, you’ll see that he can recognize and process quickly and make the necessary throws an NFL quarterback needs to make. Actually, he can make throws that some NFL quarterbacks can’t make.
One sub-note: take less hits Anthony Richardson. The Colts need you for the long-haul, so stop being superman when you run the ball.
2. Him and Shane Steichen will be a force.
Head coach Shane Steichen knows what he has in his quarterback, which is a top-tier athlete that can run and pass. The offense we saw last week reflected that and Steichen set his quarterback up nicely.
Anthony Richardson will fully benefit from his head coach already working and being successful with several elite quarterbacks in the league. It’s not hard to imagine this pair working well for years. It’s no guarantee, but I like their chances.
One NFL Week 2 Best Bet
Surveying the landscape of another Sunday full of football, I like the chances of the Detroit Lions covering at -4.5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks defense isn’t inspiring, and Detroits offense was in the top 10 last year. On the other side of the ball, Detroit’s defense looks to be feisty, and the Seahawks could be without both of their starting tackles. Not a good recipe for success for Seattle.
Tweets Time!
Happy Saturday! See you next time.