NFL Overreactions: Big Ben Finished, Jets Getting Started
By ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football Writer
Big Ben is cooked.
Maybe Ben Roethlisberger should've retired when he contemplated hanging up his cleats in the offseason. He suddenly turned into Ryan Fitzpatrick, tossing a career-high five interceptions in Pittsburgh's 30-9 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.
Roethlisberger threw more touchdowns to the Jaguars than his own team, a week after Antonio Brown's threw a sideline "temper tantrum" because the veteran quarterback didn't see him wide open.
Roethlisberger connected with Brown 10 times for 157 yards against the Jaguars, but he tossed Pick 6s on consecutive series. The poor performance left him wondering if he lost it.
He hasn't.
Quarterbacks have terrible games sometimes. It happens to all the great ones. Roethlisberger is still one of the most clutch players in the league and the Steelers (3-2) remain the team to beat in the AFC North.
Here are more overreactions following Week 5:
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OVERREACTION: J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! Three straight wins has New York (3-2) thinking playoffs.
REALISTIC REACTION: Relax, Jets fans. You just beat the Browns. Everyone beats the Browns. See below. Tom Brady and the Patriots (3-2) are up next.
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OVERREACTION: Cleveland (0-5) will go 0-16.
REALISTIC REACTION: They're 1-20 since passing on Carson Wentz. Maybe some of those draft picks they acquired will eventually help them win a game.
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OVERREACTION: The Giants should sign Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson to replace Odell Beckham Jr.
REALISTIC REACTION: They're 0-5 and going nowhere. More playing time for guys on the practice squad.
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OVERREACTION: Matt Moore will replace Jay Cutler as Miami's starting quarterback.
REALISTIC REACTION: Adam Gase isn't benching Cutler anytime soon.
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OVERREACTION: Aaron Rodgers only needs a minute to lead the Packers (4-1) into the end zone.
REALISTIC REACTION: For sake of accuracy, that game-winning 75-yard drive against the Cowboys (2-3) took 1:02.
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OVERREACTION: The Seahawks (3-2) showed the Rams (3-1) who's the boss in the NFC West.
REALISTIC REACTION: If Cooper Kupp caught Jared Goff's third-down pass in the final minute, the Rams would've won.
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OVERREACTION: Cam Newton is back to his MVP form.
REALISTIC REACTION: It was only two weeks ago he tossed three picks against the Saints.
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OVERREACTION: Derek Carr will rescue the Raiders (2-3) if he returns next week.
REALISTIC REACTION: They have more problems than just an injured quarterback.
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OVERREACTION: Dak Prescott's rookie season was a fluke. He already has as many interceptions (4) in five games.
REALISTIC REACTION: Prescott may never match the numbers he posted last year and he can still be an excellent quarterback for a decade.
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OVERREACTION: Adam Vinatieri will kick until he's 50.
REALISTIC REACTION: He may outlast Brady.
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OVERREACTION: The Bears should let punter Pat O'Donnell play quarterback.
REALISTIC REACTION: A 38-yard TD pass on a fake punt isn't the same as doing it against a blitz.
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OVERREACTION: Jerick McKinnon will make Vikings fans forget Dalvin Cook.
REALISTIC REACTION: Take out his 58-yard TD run and he averaged 2.5 yards per carry.
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