NFL Week 2: Points, Injuries, and Coaching Malpractice
Bengals 31 – Jaguars 27: Burrow’s Body, Browning’s Bravery, and Coen’s Chaos
Joe Burrow is hurt again, and it’s hard not to think about what could have been. Four years ago, he was one drive away from a Super Bowl title. Now, repeated injuries, thanks in large part to the Bengals’ refusal to invest in a competent offensive line, have derailed his career.
In his absence, Jake Browning once again played hero against Jacksonville, notching his second comeback win against the Jaguars. With the league’s best wide receiver duo, he doesn’t have to be great, just competent, and he’s proven he can be exactly that.
But this game was as much about Jaguars head coach Liam Coen as it was about Burrow or Browning. His late-game decision to go for it on 4th and 5 from the seven yard line was reckless, costing both the game and more importantly my Jaguars +3 bet. Two games into his tenure, he’s already arguing with his $250 million quarterback telling him how to throw a football on the sideline, which Lawrence aptly waved off. The AFC South is wide open, but so are the doubts about Coen.
Cowboys 40 – Giants 37: The Brandon Aubrey Show
This game was chaos in the best way possible. The Cowboys offense looks explosive, with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb proving to be a dangerous duo. Dak Prescott is accurate enough to keep them rolling. Russel Wilson thrived, showing people he still has some juice in his arm. He threw for over 400 yards, including a deep touchdown to Malik Nabers with 19 seconds left, what should have been the game winner.
The real story, though, is kicker Brandon Aubrey. After the Giants took a late three-point lead, Aubrey stepped up and nailed a 64-yard field goal like it was nothing, sending the game into overtime. At 30 years old, he’s a legitimate weapon, giving Dallas an edge in close games.
Rams 33 – Titans 19: Cam Ward’s Recklessness Meets Rams’ Resurgence
Cam Ward’s first career touchdown flashed everything that makes him fascinating: arm talent and reckless abandon. I think he’s got a ton of talent, and will be a force at the top of the league once he matures just a bit.
On the other side, Matthew Stafford looked sharp, connecting with Davante Adams like it’s 2017 all over again. Their defense also came to play, putting pressure on the young quarterback and being stout in the run game. The Rams look like a legitimate threat in an NFC that’s top-heavy but definitely beatable.
Lions 52 – Bears 21: Ben Johnson’s Revenge Game Goes Sideways
This was billed as the “Ben Johnson revenge game,” but it was the Lions who exacted revenge on their former OC. Jared Goff was sharp, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams were unguardable (and so so so fast), and Detroit’s offensive line dominated.
The Bears? A mess. Caleb Williams threw one of the worst interceptions imaginable, on 2nd and 32 while it appeared he was trying to throw it away. By halftime, the team looked like it had already quit. It’s only the second week of the Ben Johnson era, way too early to make any major declarations, but the Bears are not exactly inspiring in their current form.
Patriots 33 – Dolphins 27: Return TD Chaos
I don’t think I’ve ever seen back-to-back return touchdowns before. But in the 4th quarter Malik Washington put Miami on top with a punt return TD, only for Antonio Gibson to immediately snatch the lead back for New England with a kick return, giving them the lead for good.
The Dolphins are spiraling. Tua looks bad, Tyreek is frustrated, and the defense is really struggling to get stops. With the Bills, Jets, and Panthers up next, a 1-4 start is very possible. And if that happens, Mike McDaniel could be out of a job.
49ers 26 – Saints 21: Shanahan Finally Gets His QB
Kyle Shanahan finally got the chance to coach Mac Jones, the QB he reportedly wanted in the 2021 draft. Mac played well, very slow but very steady, always accurate while athletically limited. Juwan Jennings and CMC had nice days, and Fred Warner forced and recovered a fumble at a critical moment in the game.
The Saints, meanwhile, continue to fight but simply lack firepower. At home they can hang around, but on the road, this team looks primed to get steamrolled.
Seahawks 31 – Steelers 17: Rookie Mistakes Prove Costly
Pittsburgh rookie RB Kaleb Johnson has a bright future, but his special teams blunder ended this game. He let a kickoff roll untouched into the end zone, where Seattle pounced for a touchdown.
Both teams looked mediocre. Darnold looked fine for Seattle, and Rodgers looked old but fine for Pittsburgh. In a one-score game, giving your opponent a free touchdown on special teams is a death sentence.
Bills 30 – Jets 10, Ravens 41 – Browns 17: Elite Teams Separate
These two games were mirror images. After battling each other in Week 1, the Bills and Ravens dominated lesser opponents in Week 2.
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were flawless, exposing just how wide the gap is between true contenders and average teams. The Browns hung around for a while, the Jets never really showed up.
Colts 29 – Broncos 28: Danny Dimes Survives
Daniel Jones and the Colts are 2-0, but it wasn’t pretty. Denver controlled much of the game and led late before Bo Nix threw a brutal interception.
Colts kicker Spencer Schrader initially missed a 60-yard game winner, but a personal foul gave him a second shot from 45, which he nailed. Shane Steichen’s aggressive Colts haven’t punted yet this season, and they might be the surprise of the AFC South.
Cardinals 27 – Panthers 22: The Shortest QB Duel Ever
Kyler Murray vs. Bryce Young might be the shortest QB matchup in NFL history, and the game played out about as expected. Arizona jumped ahead 27-9 before taking their foot off the gas.
The Panthers made things interesting with an onside kick recovery, but their final drive was dreadful: 10 plays without a single meaningful gain, dragged out by penalties before mercifully ending. Neither team is good, but at least the Cardinals are 2-0.
The Eagles beat the Chiefs. It was boring. The Tush Push sucks. I hate them.
