I have been watching more lately as well, and that champion you are referring to, QS, lucked into a couple of those wins with good wagering and a correct Final Jeopardy question. But that's how you win, so I guess you can't just chalk it up to luck, but he was second a couple of times going into FJ, which made it surprising that he pulled 3 in a row out.
The thing I've noticed since I've been watching more lately is how there are fewer categories that I can chalk up to "extremely specialized knowledge", and more categories where even the tough answers I feel I should've known. I've missed the last couple of FJ questions, but they were phrased in a way that I don't feel they were "impossible" as some of the questions have been in the past.
I don't know if that "dumbing down" is good or bad, but I am enjoying it more now. So, I guess I am dumb.
