NFL Week 8 overreactions, reality checks: A.J. Brown NFL’s best WR? Brock Purdy not clutch?

This week within the NFL had some attention-grabbing effects, together with a “barn burner” within the Meadowlands between the New York Giants and New York Jets. The Philadelphia eagles survived a mystery in opposition to the Washington Commanders to get to 7-1 whilst the Kansas City Chiefs had a shocking loss.

The San Francisco 49ers can not beat anyone abruptly, whilst the Dallas Cowboys blew out any other opponent. Once once more, the NFL is a week-to-week league. 

This week was once a just right one for overreactions. Which are in reality overreactions and which can be reality? 

A.J. Brown is the best WR within the NFL

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

This needs to be introduced up after Brown completed with 8 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns within the Eagles’ comeback victory over the Commanders. Brown is the primary participant in NFL historical past to have six consecutive video games with 125-plus receiving yards, giving him 49 catches for 831 yards and 5 touchdowns right through the stretch. 

Tyreek Hill has over 1,000 yards in 8 video games, however Brown is correct in the back of him with 939 in his first 8 video games. Brown is on tempo for 1,995 receiving yards at the yr, having a look to set a single-season NFL document (assuming Hill falls off from his ancient tempo). 

Brown is a top-three wideout within the league this yr and merits to be in attention for the best within the league. Right now, that honor is going to Hill — however Brown is correct there within the dialogue. 

Vikings will have to tank the remainder of the season

Overreaction or reality: Reality

This is truly painful to write down relating to any workforce, realizing how exhausting avid gamers paintings to win video games. Regarding the Vikings, the entrance place of business will have to do what is best after shedding Kirk Cousins to an Achilles damage.

The Vikings did set up to win and get to 4-4, nonetheless within the thick of the NFC playoff race (and within the NFC North race if the Lions lose Monday). Minnesota should accomplish this with out Cousins and on the other hand lengthy Justin Jefferson stays on injured reserve. That’s their two best offensive avid gamers sidelined for some time. 

Minnesota has Jaren Hall at quarterback and the franchise was once already dealing with an unsure long run with Cousins anyway. Is Hall the long run or does the entrance place of business produce other plans? 

Again, truly difficult to invite a 4-4 workforce that is recently the No. 7 seed within the NFC to simply punt at the yr. For the long-term long run of the Vikings — they will have to try this. 

Jets-Giants was once the worst soccer recreation of the season

Overreaction or reality: Reality

For those that made up our minds to observe that struggle of the MetLife Stadium groups for three-plus hours, that was once not aesthetically gratifying to the sport of soccer. The Jets gained 13-10 in extra time, as each groups could not work out learn how to get out of one another’s approach. 

Both groups blended for twenty-four punts, probably the most in an NFL recreation in 25 years. The 16 blended three-and-outs are probably the most in a recreation since no less than 2000 and so they have been 4-for-34 on 3rd down — the worst by way of two groups in any recreation since 2009. The Giants and Jets have been 0-for-18 on 3rd down within the first 1/2. 

The Giants had -9 passing yards, the bottom in a recreation for the reason that Browns in 2000. Some man named Tommy DeVito, not the “Goodfellas” Joe Pesci model, performed quarterback for the Giants. 

This was once the worst recreation of the yr. Bar none. 

Overreaction or reality: Reality

After the efficiency Levis had in his first occupation get started, the Titans can not return to Ryan Tannehill. Levis completed 19 of 29 for 238 yards and 4 touchdowns in Tennessee’s win over Atlanta. Levis hooked up with DeAndre Hopkins on 3 touchdowns, bringing again the fountain of stripling in some of the league’s nice receivers. 

Levis freed up Derrick henry to hurry for 101 yards as Tennessee submit 375 yards of offense. He’s the 3rd participant in NFL historical past with 4 passing touchdowns in his NFL debut (Marcus Mariota and Fran Tarkenton are the others).

The Titans submit a season prime in overall yards, passing yards, and issues — and so they gained. Levis is a prime second-round select and obviously is just right sufficient to play at this degree for the remainder of the yr. 

Tannehill is a unfastened agent on the finish of the yr anyway. Easy determination to visit Levis. 

Brock Purdy is not a grab quarterback 

Overreaction or reality: Reality

As the 49ers proceed mired in a three-game shedding streak, the league is beginning to to find some exhausting truths about Purdy. When San Francisco is tied or trailing in the second one 1/2, Purdy has 3 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He has 8 touchdowns to 0 interceptions when main.

Five of the ones interceptions have come within the remaining 3 video games. This after a efficiency when Purdy was once 8 of eleven for 83 yards with a landing, interception, and fumble within the fourth quarter prior to getting 69 passing yards in rubbish time on the finish. 

Purdy completed 22 of 31 for 365 yards with a landing and two interceptions for a 94.2 ranking. His second-half numbers when trailing are one thing to observe going ahead, particularly with the 49ers at 5-3. 

The Chiefs don’t have any offensive id

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Perhaps Taylor Swift wishes to return to Chiefs video games out of doors of Arrowhead Stadium, for the reason that Chiefs offense submit simply 9 issues and 275 yards of offense in a surprising loss to the Broncos. Patrick Mahomes had his first occupation recreation and not using a passing touchdowns and 3 turnovers as Travis Kelce was once held to simply six catches for 59 yards. 

The Chiefs did not have any person else get up with Kelce bogged down. Nine avid gamers stuck a move, however no move catchers had over 50 yards out of doors of Rashee Rice. Isiah Pacheco had 40 yards speeding and the remainder of the workforce had 22. This is in opposition to a Broncos protection that was once ranked thirty first in issues allowed and thirty second in yards allowed heading into the sport. 

Kansas City has been held to below 30 issues six instances in 8 video games, missing the No. 1 vast receiver who can take the force off Kelce and get the offense going. The id of the Chiefs is Mahomes to Kelce, however not anything if that connection is off. 

The Chiefs are superb, however a height playmaker would lead them to nice — once more. No reason why to fret after a nasty efficiency, however so much rides on Mahomes and Kelce to get the workforce shifting.