Week NFL Postgame Overreactions: Who’s Really in Trouble?
The NFL is a week-to-week league, where fortunes can change in an instant. One Sunday you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re facing a full-blown crisis. After another week of dramatic finishes and unexpected upsets, it’s time to separate the legitimate concerns from the knee-jerk reactions. Which teams are truly facing deep-seated problems, and which are just experiencing a temporary setback?
The Sky is Falling in Dallas?
The Dallas Cowboys, led by Dak Prescott, are facing immense pressure after a series of disappointing home losses. In fact, the defeats in their own stadium are getting embarrassing, with Mike McCarthy’s team trailing by at least 22 points in each of their last four home games. Prescott himself admitted he’s “not a guy to hit the panic button,” but the Cowboys faithful are growing restless.
Overreaction or Reality? Reality. While Prescott’s calm demeanor is admirable, the issues in Dallas are multifaceted. The defense has been getting “steamrolled” and struggling with injuries, and the offense can’t sustain drives. CeeDee Lamb’s frustration is palpable, and Prescott’s own errors have been costly. The Cowboys desperately need to get healthy and find solutions on both sides of the ball after their Week 7 bye. If they don’t, McCarthy’s seat could get very hot.
Trouble Brewing in the Big Apple?
The New York Jets entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations after acquiring Aaron Rodgers. However, after Rodgers’ season-ending injury in Week 1, the team has struggled to find consistency. The Jets’ offense has sputtered, and even their usually stout defense has shown cracks.
Overreaction or Reality? Reality. The loss of Rodgers is obviously a massive blow, but the Jets’ problems extend beyond the quarterback position. The offensive line has struggled to protect whoever is under center, and the running game has been inconsistent. While the defense is still talented, they can’t carry the team every week. The Jets need to find a way to generate more offense if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.
Saints Marching to Nowhere?
The New Orleans Saints started the season strong, winning their first two games. However, they’ve since fallen into a deep slump, losing six straight. The offense has struggled to score points, and the defense hasn’t been able to consistently stop opponents.
Overreaction or Reality? Reality. The Saints’ early-season success feels like a distant memory. The offense, led by Derek Carr, has been plagued by inconsistency and a lack of explosiveness. The defense, once a strength, has struggled to generate pressure and force turnovers. The Saints need to find a way to reignite their offense and rediscover their defensive identity if they want to turn their season around.
Jaguars in Jeopardy?
The Jacksonville Jaguars, after a promising start, have also stumbled, raising concerns about their ability to compete in the AFC South.
Overreaction or Reality? Reality. The Jaguars have struggled with inconsistency on both sides of the ball. Trevor Lawrence has shown flashes of brilliance, but he’s also made costly mistakes. The defense, while talented, has been prone to giving up big plays. The Jaguars need to find a way to put together complete performances if they want to contend for a playoff spot.
Titans in Turmoil?
The Tennessee Titans are another team facing serious questions after a disappointing start to the season. Their offense has struggled mightily, and their quarterback situation is far from settled.
Overreaction or Reality? Reality. The Titans have a quarterback problem. The offense has lacked explosiveness, and the running game hasn’t been as dominant as in years past. The Titans need to find a way to generate more offense and establish a consistent quarterback if they want to compete.
Seahawks Sinking?
The Seattle Seahawks, after a promising 3-0 start, have come back down to earth, raising concerns about their ability to compete in the NFC West.
Overreaction or Reality? Reality. The Seahawks’ defense has been a major issue, struggling to stop the run and generate pressure. The offense has also been inconsistent, failing to sustain drives. Unless the coach shores up the interior, the steamrolling could continue with games against the Falcons (Bijan Robinson/Tyler Allgeier), Bills (James Cook/Josh Allen/Ray Davis) and Rams (Kyren Williams) on tap. After starting the year at 3-0, the Seahawks are 3-3 — and if they don't fix the defense, they could hit the Week 10 bye at 3-6.
The Importance of Perspective
While it’s easy to overreact to a few bad games, it’s important to remember that the NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. Teams will inevitably go through ups and downs, and the key is to stay focused and make adjustments along the way. However, for the teams listed above, the concerns appear to be more than just temporary setbacks. They need to address their issues quickly if they want to salvage their seasons and avoid being left behind in the playoff race.