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Wow, what a second week in the NFL!
I already covered the game between Washington and the Giants this past Thursday night, and it was a fantastic game. But there were still more incredible games and results this past weekend, as well.
So let’s take a look:
New England 25, NY Jets 6 – Let’s get one of the ugliest and least thrilling games done with first. Yes, New England might not be the same team that we got used to them being for so many years, but they still own the Jets. Indeed, Belichick’s Patriots earned their eleventh straight win over Gang Green, and there was very little suspense in this one. Belichick’s defensive schemes made rookie Jets quarterback Zach Wilson look very much like the inexperienced and, frankly, overwhelmed quarterback that some expected him to be. Wilson threw four picks, and no touchdowns. Anytime your quarterback throws four INT’s, you surely are going to have a tough day, and most likely, you are not going to be able to overcome those kinds of mistakes. And the Jets were nowhere near able to overcome them. The Patriots roll with a frankly all too easy road win for their first victory of the season, while Gang Green sinks to 0-2 on the season. Not sure why I picked the Jets here in this one. Thought that maybe they might be turning a corner, but clearly, I was very wrong. Ugly, ugly, ugly. My pick: Very Inaccurate
Carolina 26, New Orleans 7 – Well, I thought that the Saints might follow up that incredibly impressive win over the Packers with another win this weekend over the Panthers. Boy, was I wrong! Much like with the Jets, t made me scratch my head as to what I was thinking – probably wishful thinking. Carolina controlled the ball for over 38 minutes, which is impressive. But their defense really just shut down the anemic Saints offense, holding them to just 128 total yards, and six first downs earned in the entire game. Those are rather stunning numbers, and you just re not going to be able to win, or even compete, when you produce those kinds of numbers on offense. Not much of any positives to take away for New Orleans here. But as for the Panthers, a really great start, as they improve to 2-0 on the year. My pick: Very Inaccurate
Chicago 20, Cincinnati 17 – This was the kind of game, and the kind of result, that felt expected between these two teams. No real fireworks or anything, at least not until an explosive final quarter when the two teams scored 27 points combined, after scoring a total of 10 points combined during the first three quarters. In the end, Da Bears did just enough to earn a win, holding off an impressive Cincy comeback in the final minutes, which made this game briefly quite competitive. But the Bengals had committed four turnovers earlier in the game, and that proved just a little too costly. My pick: Accurate
LA Rams 27, Indianapolis 24 – Well, the Rams already seem to be silencing their doubters. They notched another impressive road win, hanging in against a touch Colts team still looking to earn their first win. The two teams were actually quite evenly matched, and many of the statistics bear this out. There was little to choose between the two teams in terms of time of possession and total yards, although the Rams had a slight advantage in both. The Colts earned one more first down, and both teams committed two turnovers. But the Rams just managed to edge the Colts, keeping Indy winless at 0-2, with two home losses. Meanwhile, the Rams improved to 2-0 on the year, and will have a big homecoming showdown next week against the also undefeated Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs. What a game that should be! My pick: Accurate
Denver 23, Jacksonville 13 – The Broncos earned their second road win of the new season, handing the Jaguars their franchise record 17th straight loss. They dominated the time of possession, more than doubled the total number of yards and very nearly doubled Jax with first downs gained, as well. Plus, the Jaguars committed two turnovers. All of which points to the all too predictable outcome, with a convincing Broncos win. The Jaguars score da late touchdown in the final quarter, to make the outcome look more respectable, but they were never really in this one, getting dominated in the second half. My pick: Accurate
Buffalo 35, Miami 0 – Wow! The Bills lost their home opener to the Steelers and wanted to bounce back with a statement win. And man, did they ever get it! Buffalo took control early, and just kept the pressure on the Fins, who never were able to get back into it. Just completed dominance by the Bills, who left no doubt. Now, both teams are 1-1, tied with the New England Patriots atop the AFC East. Should be interesting to see if the Dolphins can recover when the two teams meet again in Buffalo. My pick: Accurate
San Francisco 17, Philadelphia 11 – The 49ers earned another solid win on the road in a tough game. They scored a decisive advantage in both time of possession and first downs earned, although Philly actually outgained San Fran in terms of total yards. Neither team committed a turnover. Yet, the 49er defense was solid, holding Philly to only a field goal through the first 55 minutes of the game, before the Eagles scored their one and only touchdown to get within striking distance. But SF held on to improve to 2-0. My pick: Accurate
Tennessee 33, Seattle 30 – Now this did feel like a surprising result. The Seahawks have one of the most solid home field advantages in the league, and they seemed to have the game more or less put away when they scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to take a 30-16 lead. But the Titans came storming back, scoring a quick touchdown in answer, and then getting the tying touchdown with seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Once there, they managed to clinch the comeback win with a field goal to earn their first win of the season, handing the Seahawks their first loss. The Titans improve to 1-1, and are tied with Houston atop the AFC South, while the Seahawks fall to 1-1, and fall to last place in the tough NFC West. My pick: Inaccurate
Arizona 34, Minnesota 33 – What a game this one was. A back and forth affair, with several changes of momentum and lead changes. There was a ton of offense, with the two teams combining for just under 900 total yards. They were mostly even in both time of possession and first downs earned, and the Cardinals actually committed two turnovers, to none for Minnesota. Yet, it all came down to the final play, and a field goal attempt that just sailed wide right in the final seconds by Minnesota placekicker Greg Joseph to preserve the win for Arizona. The Cardinals improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Vikings fall to 0-2. My pick: Accurate
Las Vegas 26, Pittsburgh 17 – Another surprising result. The Raiders are looking damn good, having pulled off the impressive comeback win over the Ravens, then following that sup with a convincing win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The Raiders controlled the ball for over 34 minutes, and produced 425 yards of offense, almost 100 yards more than Pittsburgh. So far, Derek Carr looks like an elite quarterback this season, and the Raiders are looking like a playoff type team after two games. A might impressive win for them. My pick: Inaccurate
Tampa Bay 48, Atlanta 25 – The Bucs earned a second straight win to open their title defense season. This time, they did not need to sweat it out right to the end like they did with Dallas, because they simply blew Atlanta out in this one. The Falcons were playing tough through the first three quarters, as the Bucs held a narrow 28-25 lead entering the final quarter. But Tampa put the game away with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, ending all suspense and raising their record to 2-0 while keeping the Falcons winless. My pick: Accurate
Cleveland 31, Houston 21 - Pretty much what most people would have expected. The Texans had won their first game, but it came against the Jaguars, who might be the weakest, and surely one of the weakest, teams in the league right now. The Browns had barely lost their first game, but that came against the mighty Kansas City Chiefs, on the road against arguably the best, and surely one of the best, teams in the league. The Browns are loaded with talent. The Texans? Not so much. Plus, this game was in Cleveland, and the Browns obviously wanted to notch that first "W" under their belt. They got it, rather predictably, and put up 31 points to boot. Not a bad effort, and a solid win. Both teams now stand at 1-1 on the year. My pick: Accurate
Dallas 20, LA Chargers 17 – After that disappointing loss to open the season, the Cowboys earned a solid win on the road. It was a back and forth game that could have gone either way, frankly. These two teams were quite evenly matched, and were mostly even in most statistics. The Chargers, however, did commit two turnovers, to just one for the ‘Boys. And in a back and forth game, Dallas clinched the win with a successful field goal attempt on the game’s final play to escape Los Angeles with the win. They now improve to 1-1, and are tied with both Philadelphia and Washington for first place in the NFC East. Meanwhile, the Chargers fall to 1-1, tied with the Chiefs at the bottom of the AFC West, with Las Vegas and Denver both tied for first place at 2-0, at least for now. My pick: Accurate
SNF: Baltimore 36, Kansas City 35 - On a weekend with some very intense games and exciting endings, this one just may have been the best of the bunch. It pits two teams who, arguably, likely rank among the AFC's best, and both with incredibly talented quarterbacks who have earned MVP honors. The Chiefs are more accomplished, at least at the moment, having not only reached the Super Bowl twice, but having won it a couple of seasons ago, as well. KC entered this game having largely owned the Ravens, but in a back and forth affair, where it was not clear until the final KC mistake with that lost fumble with less than two minutes left in the game, which iced it for the Ravens. This one felt as close to a playoff game as you can get in Week 2. What a game! My pick: Inaccurate
MNF: Green Bay 35, Detroit 17 – Well, the Packers proved that the blowout loss to New Orleans to open the season was a fluke, and not really an indicator of where they are or how this season will go. And already, they are tied with Chicago for first place in the division, and with an important division win in their pockets, to boot. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers was back in his usual form, completing 22 of 27 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones added 67 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Davante Adams caught eight of those passes for 121 yards. The Packers owned advantages in time of possession, first downs, and committed no turnovers, while Detroit coughed it up twice, both times on interceptions by Jared Goff. It appeared that the Lions had a real chance, as they were very much in it in the first half, continually taking the touchdown lead, and still even holding a 17-14 advantage by halftime. But the second half belonged to the home town Packers, who simply took over and blew the Lions away. Detroit remains winless as they fall to 0-2, as they next take on the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Packers improve to 1-1, as they head off to San Francisco to take on the 49ers for a big game next Sunday night. My pick: Accurate
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