Recently, I had a debate with my best friend about the difference between predictions and hot takes, and I concluded that they are two different things–but he swears they are the same.
While I did mention “predictions” in last week’s hot takes, I’m doubling down and sticking with they are different. But, hey, what do I know?
Besides that, I’m back with another three hot takes for this week’s Monday Night Football showdown versus the New York Giants. If you have kept up with the mini-series, you realized I have failed to get hot takes consistently right, but my rebuttal is–I’m 3/6 on the season, so what’s up.
While that isn’t the best record, I will take those three wins for now because I’m confident more are coming. So without further ado, check out this week’s hot takes below.
QB Cooper Rush throws his first interception of the season.
Last week, I wrote Rush would pass for 200-plus yards and one touchdown. While I don’t want to toot my own horn that I was right, I’m testing the waters and providing another take on Rush as I see him throwing his first interception on the season.
Fans may not like this take, but I think he’s bound for one. With Gallup coming back, I think Rush will have even more confidence to air it out, and it’s up to OC Kellen Moore to gameplan him in better positions.
We saw Rush play conservatively against the Bengals with short and intermediate throws to move the chains, but with Gallup, who can stretch the field, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of deep shots taken.
Also, if you add that the Giants defense is a middle-of-the-pack squad defending the run, fans should expect a heavy dose of running from Elliott and Pollard to open up the play-action downfield.
KaVontae Turpin returns to form and takes a return to the “house.”
In the preseason, wideout KaVontae Turpin was getting praised by some as the franchise’s next great kickoff/punt return man– and some even went as far to throw out Devin Hester-comparisons –after they saw him return a punt and kickoff for touchdowns.
While the same magic hasn’t been shown yet from Turpin in the first two weeks, I’m riding with him running his way to a special-teams touchdown in Week Three. According to Lineups, the Giants rank 30th and 25th in opponent kickoff and punt yards.
With Turpin’s speed, I’m taking the odds and betting he has an explosive night. So, don’t be surprised when you see him house a touchdown and think, “Man, that Rocky Garza Jr. guy from Inside the Star called it.”
WR Michael Gallup scores in his debut.
Although the coaches are implying that Gallup will be on a limited snap count, I envision the staff force-feeding him on some drives to get him back to game speed. He can look “good” in practice all he wants, but until he gets those live reps again, it will be all “brand new” for Gallup.
While WRs Noah Brown, CeeDee Lamb, and TE Dalton Schultz have stepped up to the plate during Gallup’s absence–if Schultz doesn’t play, there are only three players you can rely on to catch passes.
Plus, the team waived WR Dennis Houston, who got his first two starts this season, and we haven’t seen them turn to Turpin as a possible option to catches. Last week, we saw Pollard get work in the receiving game as well–so he could be an option.
But, relying upon just Brown and Lamb doesn’t set up the offense for success, so don’t be surprised when you see Gallup out there for a good chunk. Shoot, maybe we will see former South Alabama WR Jalen Tolbert get a chance to get his wet.
Who knows, it’s the Cowboys, so always expect the unexpected with them.
