With two weeks of the 2023 NFL season now in the books, I asked some fans here at Saint Francis how they felt their teams were doing so far.
“Fire Matt Canada,” said Nate Anderson, a sophomore Environmental Engineer major. “I just feel like we’re not getting our big-play threats like Pickens and Freiermuth involved nearly enough.”
Canada has served as the Steelers offensive coordinator since 2021 and many Steelers fans have criticized him for the team’s lack of aggressiveness on offense.
The Steelers currently sit at 1-1 and have been what many pundits predicted: dominating on defense and bad on offense. The Steelers defense has scored as many touchdowns as the offense this year (two each) and the team’s fans are still waiting for quarterback Kenny Pickett to break out.
Pickett has more interceptions (three) than touchdown passes (two) through two games.
The Steelers play the Raiders on Sunday Sept. 24, in Las Vegas.
Unlike the uncertainty among Steeler fans regarding Pickett, Packers fans are full of confidence for their team’s new quarterback, Jordan Love, and with good reason.
Love currently leads the NFL in passer rating (118.8) and is tied for the league’s top spot in touchdown passes (six). He has not thrown an interception. Green Bay is currently 1-1.
“I feel good about being 1-1 through two weeks, especially with a new QB,” said sophomore Timmy Golden. “We just need to defend the run better.”
The Packers have given up 333 rushing yards in two games.
The Packers take on New Orleans in Love’s first start at Lambeau Field this Sunday.
Perhaps the most frustrated fans in the NFL through two games are those who root for the Cleveland Browns.
“Tonight reminded me why I’m not an ‘NFL guy,’” said sophomore Nathan Dumm. “I’m tired of this terrible organization and I’m tired of this awful league.”
It should be noted that Dumm was interviewed immediately after the Browns’ soul-crushing 26-22 loss to the Steelers last Monday night.
The Browns face multiple problems and their prospects for 2023 grew significantly bleaker when star running back Nick Chubb went down with a serious knee injury against the Steelers.
Some other serious problems for Cleveland include its passing game: QB Deshaun Watson currently ranks 30th in the league in passer rating (69.1). The Browns’ offensive line is also a concern for the franchise.
Cleveland’s Week 3 game is at home against Tennessee this Sunday.
