Paget's Pick-Six: Stroud, Siemian and some Philadelphia play-callers
A look around the NFL with Brian Paget
Week 4 is already here. Here are six observations from the first three weeks of the 2023 NFL season.
1 — Savior CJ
It’s been three weeks. It’s no fluke. It’s time to acknowledge what CJ Stroud is doing in Houston.
906 yards. Four touchdowns. Zero interceptions. Completing 64.5% of his passes. 98.0 passer rating.
I was a bit down on the No. 2 pick heading into the season. And it’s still early. But unlike the previous Ohio State quarterbacks, Stroud looks to be on the road to stardom.
Things in Houston should only improve as the offensive line gets healthier and the young wide receivers develop.
2 — Savior Siemian?
On the other side of the spectrum when it comes to No. 2 picks is Zach Wilson.
At this point, it’s blatantly clear that the former No. 2 pick isn’t even a No. 2. His days in New York are numbered. As are his days on an NFL roster.
Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian are band-aid upgrades. But the reality for the Jets is that they are utterly hopeless unless one of them pulls a Geno Smith.
It’s hard to fault Joe Douglas for merely bringing in Siemian following Rodgers’ injury. The realistic options are limited and have been overstated. The real question, though, is why New York thought it could get away with keeping Wilson as its backup in the first place.
Regardless, you can safely write off the Jets’ 2023 season. Unlike their former quarterback, they’ll write back.
3 — Stock in Steichen
Last week I noted that the Rams have quietly exceeded expectations. Well, how ‘bout Los Angeles’ opponent this week?
The Colts have flown under the radar, too, but first-year head coach Shane Steichen has his team sitting at 2-1 ahead of this week’s home game.
Anthony Richardson already looks like the next Jalen Hurts. Michael Pittman has emerged as a reliable top target. The defense has fared better than expected.
There’s a lot to be excited about in Indianapolis.
No Jonathan Taylor, no problem.
4 — Full of Fire
Steichen isn’t the only former Eagles coordinator looking like a pretty darn good hire. Jonathan Gannon deserves his flowers, too.
Before the season, I pegged the Cardinals as the clear-cut favorites in the Caleb Williams Sweepstakes. So props to Gannon, who, well, has his team playing with a fire in its gut.
Arizona still has a ways to go. Joshua Dobbs and James Conner aren’t foundational pieces on offense. But right now, they are the type of matchup you dread.
They play hard. They look well-prepared. And all of the sudden, Gannon and his staff look to be on the Nick Sirianni arc. A far cry from the Adam Gase arc.
5 — Jags in Jeopardy?
On to the Eagles’ former Super Bowl-winning head coach.
What’s going on in Jacksonville?
Doug Pederson’s squad is 1-2 after falling to the Texans. The Jaguars have scored 26 total points across the last two weeks. And this week they head to London to take on the Falcons.
That is not to suggest it’s panic time. Perhaps Pederson just needs to reclaim play-calling duties from Press Taylor. Perhaps this is just an early-season hiccup. But it does appear the Jaguars hype train left the station a bit early and that expectations should be tempered.
Remember, the perception of the Jaguars would be very different had they not squeaked out a four-point victory over the Joshua Dobbs-led Titans in Week 18 last year to sneak into the playoffs.
6 — Paget’s Pick-Six
It’s an ugly one, but Sean Payton gets his first win with the Broncos.
Miami stakes its claim as the team to beat in the AFC East.
The Saints prove that the Buccaneers’ 2-0 start was a fluke.
Even with a banged-up Burrow, the Bengals exploit the Titans’ porous pass defense.
Houston can’t overcome its offensive line injuries against T.J. Watt and Co.
Patrick Mahomes versus Zach Wilson. Need I say more?
