NFL Takeaways: Week 2
Photo courtesy of Tommy Gilligan of USA Today
Ya know, for the league that’s supposed to be a far better product than college football there were a ton of bad games this weekend.
But let’s talk about them anyway.
Washington defeats the Giants 30-29
Saquon Barkley is an incredible player.
But each week shows more and more why the Giants drafting him 2nd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft was a mistake.
I know he is coming off a serious injury and is a little banged up still, but it is incredibly rare for a running back to be a gamechanger.
There are some, though. And we’ll get to them later.
Bears defeat Bengals 20-17
Joe Burrow threw three straight interceptions on three straight passes.
Justin Fields didn’t too much better in the gametime he got.
Like I said, there were some BAD games this weekend.
Browns defeat Texans 31-21
It’s very early and obviously a small sample size, but Baker Mayfield haters are in shambles right now.
Rams defeat Colts 27-24
Last week, I talked about how Carson Wentz might be more at fault for bad offensive line play than people are mentioning.
This week, I get to talk about how Carson Wentz is once again injured.
There’s nothing wrong with being injury prone. It happens.
The fault lies at those who thought Wentz was the sole reason the Colts would be contenders this season.
Bills defeat Dolphins 35-0
You know how even during the Patriots dynasty they just had difficulties playing in Miami?
That’s what it feels like with the Dolphins playing the Bills right now.
And speaking of injury prone, the Dolphins also better bolster their offensive line, and quickly.
Tua looks to be ok, but injuries bothered him in college as well. Nip this in the bud before it becomes a problem.
Patriots defeat Jets 25-6
Some of those Zach Wilson throws were just.
Not good.
No other way around it.
49ers defeat Eagles 17-11
This felt like another good step for the Eagles.
They lost, but the Niners are a really good football team.
Losing Brandon Graham is awful, though, so maybe it’s still two steps back.
Raiders 26-17
I have spent my entire life around Steelers fans.
After they beat the Bills with a great defensive performance last weekend, there was no other outcome than them losing to the Raiders.
This was coming from a mile away.
Panthers defeat Saints 26-7
Again, it’s a very small sample size, but the Panthers are currently the best team in football.
Who would’ve thought?
Broncos defeat Jaguars 23-13
I love Teddy Bridgewater and always have.
But I don’t think anyone expected him to full on outplay Trevor Lawrence.
The Broncos defense is obviously miles better than the Jags, but the Urban Meyer era is still off to a terrible start.
And we really weren’t expecting a ton…
Cardinals defeat Vikings 34-33
The Vikings are now 0-2 with two devastating losses.
They are so committed to Minnesota sports and I respect them for it so much.
Buccaneers defeat Falcons 48-25
This may be shocking, but the Bucs are a better football team than the Falcons.
Crazy, I know.
Cowboys defeat Chargers 20-17
Two exciting quarterbacks against two not great defenses? This was the shootout I was looking forward to all week.
But the refs just had to go and make it their show!
Every big play was called back for a flag, and even though some of them were correct just let one exciting thing happen.
You’re boring all of us.
Jerks.
Titans defeat Seahawks 33-30
This was a tough loss for the Seahawks, but remember earlier when I mentioned how some running backs are game changers?
Derrick Henry is one of those running backs.
The Seahawks did a great job to shut him down to start the game and get a 15 point lead.
But it doesn’t matter.
You can try all you want. Eventually Henry is going to crush your spirit.
The Titans offense is ridiculously talented. Watch them this year. They are going to play exciting football games.
Ravens defeat Chiefs 36-35
Living in Baltimore, I saw how doom and gloom it was all week for Ravens fans considering the amount of injuries they accumulated, and while it was an absurd amount of injuries, I was never buying it.
The NFL has been pandering to quarterbacks for years and making sure they are well protected, because they know they are the stars of the sport.
If you have your quarterback, you have everything. You have your heartbeat.
The injuries might hinder the Ravens in the long run, as they would with any team.
But they have an elite quarterback, and they can finally say that legitimately instead of making memes about it.
They’ll be fine.
Packers defeat Lions 35-17
That game was more of what I expected from Rodgers this season.
And on the bright side for Lions fans, Rodgers only gets to torment you one more time!
