Week Three saw a lot of sloppy plays, but the five takes selected were still hot. Welcome back to Five Hot Takes, a weekly feature where I provide five hot takes from said week and counter them with opinions of my own.
Five Hot Takes From Week Three
1. The Detroit Lions Run Game Struggled.
Not really the case. Theo Riddick is a very good back, and the Lions run blocking failed to open holes for him in the first half against the Packers, resulting in negative yardage. He was able to provide a few big runs in the second half for the opposite reason.
Speaking of this game…
2. Aaron Rodgers Is Fixed
Again, a swing and a miss. Aaron Rodgers has always been a fantastic quarterback. The reason he’s been “struggling since 2015” (the Green Bay Packers’ passing stats have struggled) is because his receivers barely gain separation instantly, and play inadequate at the catch point.
On Sunday, Rodgers was the same quarterback he’s always been. This time the receivers were finally able to separate, and Jordy Nelson has appeared to shaken off the rust from the earlier two games. It was a huge day for the offense for this reason.
3. Drew Brees is a Stat Padder
I could just say “his defense stinks, so he has to,” but that wouldn’t be any fun. However…
His defense stinks, so he has to. While Drew Brees is a volume-heavy passer, he creates the best situations for the Saints with his quickness behind the snap and after the snap. He plays in a hyper-fast offense and is the perfect quarterback for it.
His stats would decline if the New Orleans Saints had a real defense, because he wouldn’t have to lead them to close victories or comebacks all the time. That is why his reputation as a stat padder is not an accurate one.
4. The Baltimore Ravens Are a Different Team this Year
If by different you mean “3-0 and not 0-3”, then yes. Really, the big difference is they’re a lot luckier than last year, winning close games instead of losing them.
Joe Flacco‘s footwork has started off somewhat better (big for the team’s playoff chances), but he’s still forcing some bad passes, and threw some stinkers against the Jaguars last week. He and the Ravens were fortunate to escape with a victory.
5. Tony Romo Should Not Start When He Returns Because Of Dak Prescott‘s Play
This is a stretch. Tony Romo is a great quarterback when healthy, and Dak Prescott, while playing well, has the benefit of getting the ball out quicker than Romo usually does, while facing easier teams and having shorter routes to throw the ball to.
For the most part, Prescott has managed the Dallas Cowboys quite well, but it should not be understated how much Romo means to the Cowboys. His mobility and pocket patience are almost second to none, and he is one of the best quarterbacks before the snap.
For now, at least the Cowboys finally have an actual backup.
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