For those of you still recovering from the excitement of the Kickoff Weekend, are you ready for more?! It’s already time for Week Two of the NFL season. We had a few close calls, blowouts, and everything in between. We also had the first successful onside kick of the season! Let’s take a look at some of the games. (We also pause for a fun fact: over 40 players in the NFL right now came up as kids through Snoop Dogg’s football league for inter-city kids…cool!)
COMMANDERS 18 – PACKERS 27
Micah Parsons had a pretty good debut for the Green Bay Packers last week. So naturally, the Packers faithful have rewarded him with their undying loyalty and praise. Thanks to Parsons, the Packers batted aside the challenge from the Washington Commanders with brute force. It wasn’t just the defense that shined, as Jordan Love completed 19 of 31 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers look amazing: their offense is firing on all cylinders, and the defense has really rallied since Parsons arrived. Getting 12 hits on Jayden Daniels is definitely a statement, and one the Packers will continue to press on the road next week against the Browns. As for the Commanders, the issues we saw last week definitely came up again. The pressure on Daniels is getting too high for the second year quarterback (who managed to embrace the pressure last year). Daniels will need to resync with Terry McLaurin before their matchup next week against the Raiders (sorry, I mean DA RAIDERS!).
RAMS 33 – TITANS 19
The Rams looked a lot better this week, as one of Los Angeles’ hometown teams took down the Tennessee Titans. Davante Adams had his first big game with the Rams, catching six passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. The second half looked good for the Rams, but the first half left a lot to be desired on the offense. They need more consistency on their defense, because the date the Rams had circled on their calendars is already here: their rematch with the defending champion Eagles. As for the Titans, rookie Cam Ward got his first touchdown; that’s good. I really think the Titans should expand his passing role, because this rushing attack is going nowhere. Their next matchup is against a very lucky Colts team.
BILLS 30 – JETS 10
A much better performance from the defense of the Buffalo Bills, as they easily swatted the New York Jets aside. Reigning MVP Josh Allen didn’t have to do very much, but running back James Cook had a big game rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns. As I said, this was a better defensive game for the Bills…but temper your expectations when you consider who they played. But look for the Bills to continue their campaign to take over the AFC as they take on the Dolphins next week. As for the Jets, I knew they had a chance to win last week, but I also knew they probably had no chance this week. Yes, they were playing a better team, but playing this flat at any time is not acceptable. This won’t be an overnight fix to change the Jets’ fortunes, and facing the Buccaneers next week won’t make things any easier.
BROWNS 17 – RAVENS 41
Well, I called it last week: the Baltimore Ravens were going to take out their frustrations on the Cleveland Browns. Boy did they. The Ravens sure did a number on the Browns, led by Lamar Jackson with his 225 passing yards and four touchdowns. It certainly seemed like the Ravens were looking to conquer their missed opportunity last week. Now they have to prove they can beat some of the other Super Bowl contenders. They failed to do so against the Bills, but their next opportunity is next week against the heavy-hitting Lions. As for the Browns, let’s be honest: they’re a mess. They’re not very good, they keep missing opportunities, and it doesn’t look the Browns are going anywhere anytime soon. I wish I could give you Browns fans some hope, I really do, but things don’t get easier from here…especially next week when the Browns face the red hot Packers.
PATRIOTS 33 – DOLPHINS 27
This was quite a game. How many games can you name where you have a punt return for a touchdown by one team…and then the other team answers by returning the kickoff right AFTER that?! So I can say that I certainly enjoyed the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots won the game, but their special teams were the stars of the show. Tua Tagovailoa threw for more yards than Drake Maye (by a total of 315 yards to 230 yards respectively), but Tua did throw for an interception while Maye had a clean game for a change. Am I convinced that things are changing for the Patriots? Well, I’m cautiously optimistic, but I will have to see how they do next week against the Steelers to see what happens. As for the Dolphins: close but no cigar. I disagree with the notion that they couldn’t play any worse than they did last week, but this week was an improvement. Unfortunately, they’ll need more than just improvement next week against the leading contender for top of the AFC: the Bills.
49ERS 26 – SAINTS 21
This looks like the San Franscisco 49ers of last year: a team with a bunch of injuries and held together only with scotch tape and best wishes. With no Brock Purdy, the 49ers were forced to turn to Mac Jones. Fortunately, they were playing a rebuilding New Orleans Saints squad, and ended up squeaking out a victory. Well done to Jones, who completed 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. So far, the 49ers are taking advantage of their easy schedule, but if Prudy is still out…Jones will need a decent encore next week against the division rival Cardinals. As for the Saints, too many mistakes for this rebuilding squad. The key will be to try and get Alvin Kamara more involved to try and spark this team. Their next name won’t be any easier: a road showdown with the Seahawks.
SEAHAWKS 31 – STEELERS 17
The Seahawks came alive after a rough Week 1 with 395 yards of total offense. Thanks to their rejuvenated offense, the Seattle Seahawks got a great victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sam Darnold looked like the version we saw last season with 22 of 33 completed passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. It was a much better effort for the Seahawks, as their different approach seems to have paid off. Now we’ll see if the Seahawks can maintain this momentum against the Saints next week. We are left to wonder if Week 1 was a fluke, not just for the Seahawks…but for the Steelers as well. They looked so good last week…so what happened? They certainly didn’t capitalize on the Seahawks’ mistakes, their defense looked bad, and they’ll need answers as they hit the road against the Patriots.
JAGUARS 27 – BENGALS 31
This was another exciting matchup! It looked like the Jacksonville Jaguars caught a break when Joe Burrow went down for the Cincinnati Bengals. But somehow, the Bengals managed to pull out a victory from the jaws of defeat. The Jaguars have only their defense to blame since Trevor Lawrence was brilliant throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns (although he barely completed more than half of his passes). Unfortunately, Joe Burrow will be out for 3 months, the Bengals announced Monday, due to toe surgery. Now they’ll have to ride their backup QB for a good chunk of the year, starting with a road battle against Justin Jefferson and the Vikings next week. Like I said for the Jaguars, they have only the defense to blame. They also need more out of second year receiver Brian Thomas Jr. They also need to be clear as to how they use Travis Hunter, and they need answers before their next game against the Texans.
BEARS 21 – LIONS 52
I know the Detroit Lions were frustrated by their performance last week, but I didn’t expect them to dismantle the Chicago Bears to this degree. Jared Goff was on fire; completing 23 of 28 passes for 334 yards and five touchdowns. It was a much better performance from the Lions. Everything was clicking, but we have to keep the Packers game in mind. We’ll see if they are worthy to challenge the Eagles for the title during their big matchup next week against the juggernaut Ravens. As for the Bears, good grief. I was truly expecting the Bears to be a force in the NFC…not soft and plushy like Winnie the Pooh. Penalties and the offensive line continue to make Caleb Williams lose the momentum early. Something has to be done about that and the defense before the Bears host the Cowboys next week.
GIANTS 37 – COWBOYS 40 (OT)
Wow…I did not have this on my bingo card for this week at all. The New York Giants managed to push the Dallas Cowboys to the brink. Unfortunately, they couldn’t finish the job as the Cowboys survived a huge upset on their home turf. It’s a shame, since Russell Wilson had a career game for the Giants; completing 30 of 41 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns. The Cowboys should be thanking their lucky stars that they have the most reliable kicker in the NFL. It saved them from an 0-2 start (which is nearly insurmountable in this day and age), but they are in no means out of trouble. The defense should have been able to hold this weak Giants team, and this is why trading Micah Parsons was inadvisable. Fortunately, reinforcements are on the way when the Cowboys announced the signing of former No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney. We’ll see if he makes an impact when Dallas hits the road next week against the Bears. As for the Giants, I truly think this was a moral victory. They came pretty close to winning, and Russell Wilson did look good. I would say that they face long odds next week against the Chiefs, but these are not the same Chiefs that once ruled the NFL…and that is a good thing for the Giants. It means the Giants might pull off the upset that eluded them against the Cowboys…
PANTHERS 22 – CARDINALS 27
This was a surprisingly close game, and the Arizona Cardinals should thank their lucky stars that they beat the Carolina Panthers. I say that because they sure did do everything in their power to try and LOSE that game! They squandered a 27-3 lead, AND allowed the Panthers to convert an onside kick. There wasn’t much offense from the Cardinals as Kyler Murray only passed for 220 yards for a touchdown and an interception. The Cardinals are starting to get banged up, and that might explain them blowing their lead. They need to figure out their depth chart fast before they face the equally banged up 49ers. As for the Panthers, Bryce Young has barely managed save his job…for the moment. Let’s be clear though, before the comeback, Young looked awful. But time is not on his side as the Panthers host the Falcons next week.
BRONCOS 28 – COLTS 29
HOLY MOLE HOLES! This was one of the craziest endings I’ve seen so far this season. Just when it looked like the Denver Broncos managed to hold on for a victory, a penalty cost them the game and the Indianapolis Colts pulled it out of the bag. I am shocked how great Daniel Jones has been; completing 23 of 34 passes for 316 yards and a touchdown. Does this mean that Daniel Jones has finally turned the page? Well…it proved he needed to get out of New York at the very least. We won’t get a real test of whether Jones has turned the page next week when the Colts play the Titans. As for the Broncos, where was the defense? It was their greatest strength going into this season, and it got shredded. They have no one but themselves to blame, as they try to regroup next week before a tough matchup with the Chargers.
EAGLES 20 – CHIEFS 17
This was allegedly the main event of this week: a Super Bowl rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. I’ll say this: it was a lot closer this time. But the result was the same as the Eagles beat the Chiefs again, this time in the Chiefs’ home stadium. I’ll tell you who finally showed up: Saquon Barkley. The key piece of the Eagles was absent lately (even in the Eagles Super Bowl win over the Chiefs). But this time, Barkley had 88 yards for a touchdown, as well as two catches for 6 yards. The Eagles haven’t looked unstoppable, but they’ve been good enough to win games. Now comes their first real test: a rematch with the one team that came closest to derailing their Super Bowl run…the Los Angeles Rams. As for the Chiefs, it’s been a long fall since being knocked off the “Iron Throne” of the NFL (a little shout out to my fellow Game of Thrones fans out there). Look, the Chiefs offense is banged up and suspended. Xavier Worthy should be back next week, and it can’t come soon enough. Because if they lose next week to the Giants…they’re going to be 0-3 (pause here to let that idea sink in, and then watch as the “experts” lose their minds).
FALCONS 22 – VIKINGS 6
I’m going to be totally honest here: I thought this scored would be flipped. The Minnesota Vikings, fresh off their comeback victory against the Bears, end upset at home against the Atlanta Falcons. This was a rare game where neither quarterback threw a touchdown pass (although JJ McCarthy did throw two interceptions). So what did learn from the battle of the field goals? Well, we learned that the Falcons’ rookie core of defenders have given Falcons fans reason for hope. They may have also found their kicker in Parker Romo, who replaces the struggling Younghoe Koo. The Falcons have a juicy matchup next week against the Panthers. As for the Vikings, there may be a reason the offense failed. JJ McCarthy reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain during the game, and is out for two to four weeks. The task of leading the Vikings out of this shell-shocking game falls to veteran and former Super Bowl champion Carson Wentz. He’ll need star Justin Jefferson and the what’s left of the Vikings to come through as they take on the equally banged up Bengals.
BUCCANEERS 20 – TEXANS 19
Whew, what a way to start Monday Night Football. In a seesaw battle, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers outlasted the Houston Texans. It was a good effort by Baker Mayfield; completing 25 of 38 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. I will say this: the Buccaneers are a scrappy bunch. Was their offense looking a little flat? Yes, but there is time to right the ship. Fortunately, they have a favorable matchup next week against the Jets. As for the Texans, this is beyond frustrating. Two solid games from their defense only to fall flat. Granted, their defense let them down at the end of the game, but still. They are set up next week to face the Jaguars, in a game that’s a must-win for both teams.
CHARGERS 20 – RAIDERS 9
I’m willing to bet no one thought this matchup in Week Two would decide who gets the early lead in the AFC West. (For the record, I thought so, and my family will back me on this.) The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders faced each other in a tense primetime matchup to determine who would break out as the early leader of a division that was suddenly up for grabs. In a battle of cat and mouse, Justin Herbert valiantly lead his team to a big victory over the rival Raiders. Herbert was very efficient completing 19 of 27 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Let’s be clear, this was a poor running game on both sides. That’s not good: the Chargers made great strides this offseason to get better at the run, and the Raiders got No. 6 pick Ashton Jeanty. So both of them need to improve the run game ASAP. The good news for LA Charger fans is that Khalil Mack is NOT done for the year (he will be going to the IL, but at least he’ll be back). The Chargers take on the Broncos next week, the last of their division rivals. If the Chargers win next week, they will be in the rare position to have a stranglehold on the AFC West. For the Raiders, they need a better effort from their offensive line, especially next week when they go toe-to-toe with the Commanders who are desperate for a win.
(Thus, brings us to the end of another NFL recap…and I didn’t mention Stevie Nicks? Oh, there it is…whew…)
