NFL Takeaways: Week 2
Photo from USA Today
Week 1 was a pretty big dud in terms of exciting games.
Week 2 was better!
However, some offenses seem to still be getting into gear.
Let’s dive into week 2.
Eagles defeat Vikings 34-28
The Vikings last year were 11-0 in one score games.
This year, two weeks into the season, they’re 0-2.
Nobody will ever begin to understand this team.
As for the Eagles, there’s a lot of Philly fans who are unhappy their defending NFC champion Eagles are 2-0.
Never change, Philly fans.
Falcons defeat Packers 25-24
The Falcons not only won a close game, but they won it by being smart and well coached.
Are we sure that these are the same Falcons?
Bills defeat Raiders 38-10
Josh Allen slumped a lot near the end of last year, and a four turnover performance in week 1 did nothing to ease the minds of Bills fans.
His dominant performance on Sunday probably did, though.
Allen was crucial to this Bills trouncing of Vegas.
Ravens defeat Bengals 27-24
The Bengals rushed Joe Burrow back from his calf injury, all so that the Bengals offense could score zero touchdowns in the first six quarters of the season, start the year 0-2, and have Burrow reaggravate that calf injury.
They aren’t in great shape.
The Ravens overcame their injury issues from week 1, but possibly added more with Odell Beckham Jr. getting hurt.
Regardless, Zay Flowers looks like the real deal.
Titans defeat Chargers 27-24
Kirk Cousins had two chances to win the game late this year so far, failed at both, and is being ostracized for his failures.
Justin Herbert doesn’t seem to be getting the same level of criticism, oddly enough.
Now, that is a little unfair of me.
Herbert doesn’t have the same track record that Cousins has over the course of a whole career.
But it is notable how certain media darling QB’s get treated differently than others when they don’t get the job done.
Buccaneers defeat Bears 27-17
On the plus side, I am very impressed by how well Baker Mayfield has done in Tampa Bay despite what I assumed would be a turbulent season. The Bucs are 2-0, and Baker has played really well!
On the negative side, it’s getting harder and harder to defend Justin Fields as his career progresses.
I still don’t love the Bears defense. Their offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has been terrible.
But Fields has to wear some of this.
Chiefs defeat Jaguars 17-9
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley.
This game was going to be a fun offensive shootout.
And it ended up being a boring defense battle.
Good for the Chiefs going forward.
Not so good for my entertainment.
Seahawks defeat Lions 37-31
And here, we have a super fun game that did not disappoint at all.
Considering last years Seahawks-Lions game ended 48-45 and this one ended 37-31, the NFL should have these two play every single year.
It’s not good for the fans who get heart attacks from it (me) but it’s excellent for football fans who want to see a lot of points (also me).
Before the year, I said that I expected Geno Smith to continue his strong play from a year ago, but had my doubts about the Seahawks pass rush being improved.
So far, that seems to be bang on the money.
Colts defeat Texans 31-20
The Texans just aren’t very good this year.
That’s not breaking news, but it’s not good considering they don’t have a first round pick this year.
I like CJ Stroud and Will Anderson, but that was a bit of a weird move.
Especially because of what we’ll discuss a bit later.
Anthony Richardson is super fun, but he’s got to start taking care of himself to last in this league.
49ers defeat Rams 30-23
Puka Nacua is the new Cooper Kupp.
But the Niners still got the win.
It probably doesn’t hurt that it’s a pseudo home game for them…
Giants defeat Cardinals 31-28
I’ll start with the Giants, because while it was easy to make loads of jokes about their start and Daniel Jones and his contract and all that, but you have to give credit for how well he played in the 2nd half to lead the comeback.
But the main takeaway is the Cardinals, who are 0-2 as we all expected, but have done an excellent job in how hard they compete despite clear talent deficiencies.
These dudes play hard, and they won’t win a lot of games.
But neither will the Texans, and remember how I mentioned earlier that they don’t have their first round pick?
Arizona does, and having two high value first round picks with this level of effort is a good start to the Jonathan Gannon era.
Cowboys defeat Jets 30-10
Look, I don’t think Zach Wilson is necessarily a good quarterback.
I didn’t pick the Jets to be a playoff team either.
But could we stop pounding on him like he’s a tire fire?
This Cowboys defense is the best in football. They’re going to make a lot of QBs look like that.
Let’s see how Wilson does when he’s not up against a defense that good.
Commanders defeat Broncos 35-33
The national conversation is around Russell Wilson for the Broncos 0-2 start, and that’s fair.
But let’s discuss Sean Payton real quick.
The Broncos gave up a first and second round pick to the Saints so that they could bring Sean Payton to Denver.
Since then, Payton has
Fired the defensive coordinator that made the Broncos one of the best defenses in football last year so that he could bring in his own guy.
Trash talked the last regime by saying they were penalized far too often and did a horrible job.
Started 0-2 due to poor defensive play and tons of penalties.
Thrown Russell Wilson under the bus by saying his lack of a wristband is making it hard to get the plays in
Not great!
Dolphins defeat Patriots 24-17
I can see the progress in Mac Jones and the Patriots offense with a real offensive coordinator now that Bill O’Brien is back in fold, but the Pats just need a little bit more offensive firepower before they can be taken fully seriously.
But, I do see the progress.
Will Belichick get that offensive firepower?
It’s one of the things he’s struggled at mightily in the past, so I’m not so sure.
Saints defeat Panthers 20-17
The Panthers gave up DJ Moore to move up to number 1 and take Bryce Young, meaning their receiving core was greatly hindered.
That has shown heavily in their first two weeks of the season, as none of the Panthers pass catchers can seem to get open.
That’s probably not great going forward!
Steelers defeat Browns 26-22
The Steelers went into the 4th quarter losing 22-19, gained -7 yards of offense in that 4th quarter, and ended up winning 26-22 due to a defensive touchdown.
That 4th quarter was a testament to A). The Steelers horrendous offensive play calling from Matt Canada. B). The Browns continuous struggles with Deshaun Watson which has to be a giant issue considering how much they paid him. And C). The fantasy football gods hating me passionately because I only needed two points in the 4th quarter from George Pickens or Najee Harris and I did not get them.
It’s a cruel, cruel game…
