Let’s put the most relevant “overreactions” of Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Season to trial, among them, whether the Chiefs defense is ready to carry its team on its shoulders again.

Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season began on Thursday with the Dallas Cowboys’ victory over the New York Giants and on Sunday, it offered some surprises.

With the help of veteran Joe Flacco, who came in for the injured Anthony Richardson, the Indianapolis Colts took the Pittsburgh Steelers’ undefeated record, while the Kansas City Chiefs earned a costly victory after losing wide receiver Rashee Rice to injury in the victory. over the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos surprised Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets under difficult weather in East Rutherford.

Let’s put to trial several of the absurd or reasoned conclusions that Sunday’s day in the NFL left us with.

THE GREEN BAY PACKERS SHOULD BASED THEIR OFFENSE ON THE GROUND GAME TO SUPPORT JORDAN LOVE

Verdict: NOT OVERREACTION

Between the little activity in the three preseason games and the knee injury that caused him to miss two games, in addition to the natural insecurity after recovering from that ailment and the poor protection of his offensive line in the passing game, the quarterback of the Packers returned to action out of rhythm and synchronicity.

In the two games in which they were without Love, the Packers supported Malik Willis with an efficient and productive running game. In Week 2, against Indianapolis, they rushed for 261 yards, 151 of them from Josh Jacobs, and 13 first and 10 that way; against Tennessee in Week 3, they had 188 rushing yards, 73 on six runs by Willis, with nine first and 10.

The Packers, who had just 86 yards on the ground against the Minnesota Vikings after being forced to attack through the air after trailing 28-0 in the second quarter, have the tools to attack on the ground with Jacobs, at least until the formula works. to, like Willis did, support Love until No. 10 regains confidence and rhythm with his receivers, who threw five passes in the home loss to Minnesota.

Next game: at Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Veredicto: OVERREACTION

The passes of 32 yards and 24 to Michael Pittman Jr. in the first plays of the Colts’ first two offensive series against the solid defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers make them believe in Anthony Richardson as the quarterback who should lead the attack of Indianapolis in the immediate future.

The problem is the fragility of Richardson, who had to leave the duel against the Steelers due to a hip injury. In 2023, his rookie season, the Colts quarterback suffered a concussion in Week 2 that caused him to miss a game and in Week 5, a shoulder injury caused him to miss the rest of the season. Add in the hip injury against Pittsburgh and you will realize how fragile Richardson is.

Nor does it help the quarterback’s cause that, after returning to the field against the Steelers, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter sent him running, an action after which Richardson had to leave the game permanently.

It is not the best way to get the job as a starter, but an injury will be what leads Flacco to play behind center and it is not a possibility that seems distant in Indianapolis.

Next game: at Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Verdict: NOT OVERREACTION

What’s the point of taking away a division rival’s best player if you’re not going to use him? Once again, the staff that coach Nick Siriani is responsible for failed.

In the Eagles’ first three offensive series, Barkley added only two runs and, meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers built a 24-0 lead after scoring on four of their first five possessions and added 277 total yards to none from Philadelphia at the half. of the second quarter.

Using Barkley frequently would have been useful for the Eagles to get their offense into rhythm, give their defense breathing room, and when they wanted to use him, it was too late. Barkley finished with 10 rushes for 84 yards and 32 more yards on two receptions in the loss at Tampa Bay.

In addition, the running game could also help Jalen Hurts play with less pressure and leave behind an erratic performance. Since 2023, the Eagles quarterback has 27 turnovers and in 2024, he has four interceptions and three fumbles, including one against the Buccaneers.

Next game: vs. Browns (Sunday, October 10, 1 pm ET)

Veredicto: OVERREACTION

After a month of the regular season and with the performance of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the obvious problems or irregularity that their division rivals have, it does not sound unreasonable that the Commanders have put themselves on the path to fighting for the NFC East title.

The reality is that there is still a long way to go and Washington is a limited team in several positions that, perhaps, plays at its best. Any team, no matter how bad, is the most dangerous when it plays at its maximum capacity.

Although he suffered his first interception in the NFL in Washington’s victory at the home of the Arizona Cardinals, Daniels scored his third game with a high level of efficiency and with more than 220 yards through the air, but the Commanders are a young team with a lot of momentum , but with little experience and for whom a good start to the season would only be enough to fight for a ticket to the Playoffs as a wild card.

Next game: vs. Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

THE POSSIBILITY OF THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS’ TWICE CHAMPIONSHIP DEPENDS ON THE DEFENSE

Verdict: NOT OVERREACTION

What seemed like a season in which Patrick Mahomes would once again have an explosive and spectacular passing game has become a reissue of what the Kansas City offense was in 2023, after losing its most important acquisition in the preseason. in free agency, receiver Marquise Brown, and perhaps also losing Rashee Ricewho had become the main weapon of that aerial attack, after suffering a serious injury in the costly victory over the Los Angeles Chargers that the Chiefs fear was a torn knee ligament.

The challenge is not new for a team that has just won the Super Bowl, thanks to a dominant defense that, against the Chargers, seems to have accepted the challenge by drying up the Chargers offense and allowing Mahomes and company to score 17 points without response after being down 10-0 in the first quarter.

Chris Jones added two catches to Justin Herbert and along with the Chiefs’ defensive line, he frequently pressured and bothered the Chargers’ passer, who only allowed four of 13 third-down conversion attempts and was stopped once on fourth down.

Next game: vs. Saints (Monday, October 7, 8:15 p.m. ET / ESPN Deportes)