Welcome to another edition of Overreaction Tuesday with Rich Eisen, where hot takes and bold predictions rule the day. After a weekend filled with upsets, standout performances, and surprising results, Rich took a deep dive into some of the most talked-about topics in the NFL. From the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs to rookie quarterbacks, and the surprising Arizona Cardinals, here are the highlights from this week’s show.
1. Chiefs Going Undefeated in the Regular Season?
The Kansas City Chiefs are 8-0 after their Monday night victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but could they really go undefeated through the regular season? Rich Eisen took a bold stance on this one. “I think the Chiefs are going to three-peat. I’ve been saying it all season—they’re situationally brilliant. This is a team that just knows how to win,” Eisen said.
But, Eisen also acknowledged the difficulty of running the table. “I’m not saying they’ll go 17-0, but they’re certainly capable. With Mahomes, Kelce, and a defense that’s quietly been excellent, they’ve got everything they need to make a serious run. But, I do think there are some tricky matchups ahead, including that trip to Buffalo.”
While the Chiefs are clearly the favorites, Rich wasn’t ready to crown them undefeated just yet. Still, if there’s any team capable of pulling it off, it’s this one.
2. The Bears’ Bright Future: Are They Close to Turning It Around?
Moving on to a less optimistic topic: the Chicago Bears. Despite a rough start to the season, Rich remains cautiously optimistic about their future. “I think they’re closer than people think,” Eisen said. “The Bears have the weapons and draft capital to turn things around quickly, especially with Justin Fields showing flashes of brilliance.”
But, Rich was quick to point out that the Bears’ issues aren’t going to disappear overnight. “They need to fix their defense and continue developing Fields. The pieces are there, but it’s going to take time. So, I wouldn’t say they’re contenders just yet, but there’s potential.”
Is it an overreaction to say the Bears are on the brink of something big? Perhaps. But with the right moves in the offseason, Chicago could be a team to watch in the future.
3. Detroit Lions: Super Bowl Contenders?
One of the biggest storylines of the season has been the Detroit Lions and their impressive play. The Lions have been one of the most complete teams in the NFC, and Rich Eisen was asked if they should be considered Super Bowl contenders.
“Right now, they’re playing better than the Chiefs on a week-to-week basis,” Rich noted. “They’ve been solid in all three phases of the game, and adding a player like Za’Darius Smith only strengthens their defense. This is a team that could make a deep playoff run and maybe even land in the Super Bowl.”
Rich acknowledges that while the Lions’ success is impressive, he’s still hesitant to fully crown them as the NFC’s best team. “It’s not an overreaction to say they’re playing well enough to contend, but there’s still some work to be done. We’ll see how they perform down the stretch, but they are certainly on the right path.”
4. Arizona Cardinals: A Playoff Victory This Season?
Rich Eisen was also asked about the Arizona Cardinals and whether they could realistically win a playoff game this season. “Overreaction? Yes. But they are playing some very solid football,” Rich replied. “The Cardinals have shown a lot of fight, and they’re building something with a strong young core. But are they playoff contenders? I’m not ready to say they’re winning a playoff game just yet.”
Eisen pointed out that while the Cardinals have exceeded expectations this season, the road to the playoffs is still tough. “They’re not a lock for the postseason, and even if they do get in, it would be a huge stretch to say they’re capable of knocking off the top teams in the NFC.”
Still, there’s no denying that Arizona is playing above expectations, and they’re definitely a team to keep an eye on for the future.
5. Rookie QBs: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and the 2024 QB Class
With Caleb Williams and Drake Maye dominating the conversation as the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class, Rich was asked where he stands on the debate between the two. “I’m not buying the hype around Drake Maye being better than Caleb Williams,” Eisen said. “Sure, Maye’s been impressive, but Williams still has all the tools to be a future star in the NFL. He’s just going through some growing pains at USC.”
Rich added that he still believes in Williams’ potential, despite the struggles at USC. “He’s a generational talent, and it’s going to take a little time for him to get everything clicking. But I’m still going with Williams as the top quarterback in this class.”
As for the rest of the rookie class, Eisen is high on Jaden Daniels from LSU. “Daniels has been outstanding this season. If he continues to play like this, he could be a dark horse for QB1 in the draft,” Eisen noted. “He’s been more consistent than most of the top QBs and has the physical tools to succeed at the next level.”
6. Overreaction or Insight?
As always, Overreaction Tuesday is filled with hot takes, bold predictions, and just the right amount of skepticism. Rich Eisen weighed in on the biggest NFL storylines with a healthy mix of insight and humor. Whether it’s the Chiefs’ potential to go undefeated, the Lions’ Super Bowl aspirations, or rookie quarterbacks fighting for top billing in the 2024 draft, Eisen kept it real while also giving us a taste of what the future might hold.
With Week 9 in the books, the NFL season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Teams like the Chiefs, Lions, and Cardinals are playing at a high level, while others like the Bears and Cardinals are slowly building for the future. And with the 2024 draft on the horizon, rookie quarterbacks will continue to capture the spotlight.
Catch Rich Eisen’s Show every weekday from 12-3 PM ET on the Roku Channel for more NFL analysis, interviews, and, of course, bold takes. Don’t miss out on the next edition of Overreaction Tuesday!
