Week 2 Recap – NFL

Football’s second week return to the gridiron had many ups and downs, with several teams scoring surprise upset victories, and several teams reevaluating their position heading into the week. But first, let’s look at the Top 3 Games:

3. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) 20, Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) 17

This is a game that told more about Cincinnati than Dallas. With Dak Prescott out following an injury to his hand, the Cowboys were forced to start Cooper Rush at quarterback. The Bengals were coming off a OT loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where quarterback Joe Burrow had five turnovers. The game started off by the Cowboys driving down the field and punching the ball in for a touchdown by throwing the ball to Noah Brown from nine yards out. The Bengals responded with a 43-yard field goal from Evan McPherson to make the score 7-3. The Cowboys then got a screen pass for Tony Pollard to go all the way down to the one-yard line and punched it in the next play.

 The Bengals failed to get any points on their final four possessions before halftime, and the Cowboys added a 54-yard field goal to go up 17-3 at the half. The Bengals woke up after halftime, driving downfield to kick a field goal to cut the deficit to nine points. Dallas went 3 & Out the next drive, and Cincinnati capitalized with another field goal. Cincy then got their first takeaway of the season off of a Dalton Shultz fumble. Cincinnati did nothing with the football and punted. After a 4-play drive from Dallas, Cincinnati had a nine-minute drive to score a touchdown and tie the game up, then forced a punt that hit the Jumbotron. Now, usually, when a punt hits the Jumbotron, the play is redone. However, the officials decided to NOT call the play back, making Cincy start from their own 8. The drive ended with a punt, and Cooper Rush drove Dallas downfield into range for a field goal, which kicker Brent Maher nailed from 50 yards out.

While it was about as must-win as a week 2 game can get for Dallas, it is Cincinnati who has dire questions that need answering. The offensive line was atrocious. Sure, Dallas has one of the best one-two punch rusher combos in the league with DeMarcus Lawerence and Micah Parsons, but Super Bowl O-Lines are supposed to give the QB time to throw. We don’t want this to turn into an Andrew Luck situation.

Cowboy’s Next Matchup: @ New York Giants (2-0)

Cowboy’s Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): Noah Brown, WR

Bengal’s Next Matchup: @ New York Jets (1-1)

Bengal’s Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): Tee Higgins, WR

 

Fun Facts:

• Cooper Rush has thrown for 660 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 pick in his career.
• Joe Burrow has been sacked for more yards than Najee Harris has rushed for.
• Eli Apple has 0 picks, 0 passes defended, and only 26 tackles in 7 career games versus the Cowboys.
• Noah Brown is currently the leader for the Cowboys in receiving touchdowns, catches, and receiving yards.

 

2. Miami Dolphins (2-0) 42, Baltimore Ravens (1-1) 38

The first step in Roger Goodell’s dream vision of the NFL: No defenses. Only raw scoring for as far as the eye can see. But in the beginning, it seemed Baltimore would cruise to a blowout. Lamar Jackson shredded the Fins’ front seven. The Ravens scored on all but one possession before halftime. The very first kickoff of the game, Devin Duvernay took it 103 yards to the house!

Devin Duvernay takes a kickoff 103 yards to the house. Photo Credit: Kenneth K. Lamb of www.baltimoresun.com

And on the other sideline, the Dolphins looked shaky. Tua under threw receivers left and right and threw two picks and one touchdown going into the half, down 28-7. Miami started the second half off by having a 12 play, 75-yard drive that took up seven minutes of clock and resulted in a touchdown. After punts from both sides, Lamar Jackson broke off a 79-yard touchdown down showcasing the Raven’s read option ability, all but ending the game with just the 4th quarter to play and the Ravens up 3 scores. The Ravens the completely imitated a different bird team (one of the Atlanta variety) and proceeded to pee themselves with THREE SEPARATE CHANCES to put the game away, but right now, they were feeling good on the sideline. Up 3 scores, and a chance to put the game on ice. Perfect. Until Miami responded with three straight touchdown drives to tie the game up at 35-35, including a beautiful deep ball from Tua Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill to tie the game. Only then did the Ravens offense show back up. Jackson took the team down the field and into field goal range, and Justin Tucker nailed a 51-yard attempt to put the Ravens up 3 with 2:05 left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, that was too much time for Miami, as they drove down the field and Tua threw the game deciding touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle from 7 yards out to seal the game for Miami.

Jaylen Waddle celebrates the game winning touchdown pass. Photo Credit: Joe Lyons of www.sportzone.com

Baltimore could not score a touchdown with 14 seconds left, and the Dolphins proved that they are a legitimate force to be reckoned with. Lamar finished with a career night, posting a total of 437 all-purpose yards, and 4 touchdowns. One bad thing for Baltimore: Nobody except Lamar rushed for over fifty yards. Something to look out for in the future.

 

Dolphin’s Next Matchup: vs Buffalo Bills (2-0)

Dolphin’s Top Fantasy Performer PPR: Tyreek Hill WR (42.0)

Raven’s Next Matchup: @ New England Patriots (1-1)

Raven’s Top Fantasy Performer PPR: Lamar Jackson QB (42.6)

Fun Facts:

• Justin Tucker is below his average against the Dolphins, only going 12/15 in his career against them.
• In 2 games against the Ravens, Tua has an average passer rating of 120.
• Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens in rushing yards so far this season.
• Raven’s safety Marcus Williams has 3 picks through two games.

 

1. Kansas City Chiefs 27, Los Angeles Chargers 24

While the other two teams in the AFC West already look pretty shaky, Kansas City and Los Angeles are living up to the hype, and that was demonstrated perfectly in this Thursday Night Matchup. The game started with the Bolts driving downfield and splitting the uprights on a 31-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal after Kansas City punted on their first possession. Mahomes and the Chiefs went 3-and-out the next drive, with Charger’s new edge threat Khalil Mack notching his 4th sack of the year. Justin Herbert threw an amazing 39-yard strike to Mike Williams to set up a touchdown pass to rookie fullback Zander Horvath.

Zander Horvath catches a touchdown from Justin Herbert. Photo Credit: Denny Medley www.usatoday.com

Mahomes used surgical precision to drive Kansas City down the field the next drive and benefited from the referees making a questionable Illegal Contact call on what would have been a Chargers’ interception. Instead, Mahomes continued to push the ball downfield, and eventually got a touchdown from the drive off a 19-yard touchdown catch-and-run from tight end Travis Kelce. Nobody scored the rest of the first half, and the two teams went into the locker room with Los Angeles leading 10-7. On the first drive of the second half, Austin Ekeler helped LA pound the football downfield, and Mike Williams continued his big night with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert. On the next drive, Mahomes was facing a big 3rd and 10, when he caught the Charger’s big free agency signing J.C. Jackson floating off of the tight end that he was supposed to be covering and found Justin Watson for a 40-yard touchdown dart.

Justin Watson hauls in a 40-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes for a touchdown. Photo Credit: Charlie Riedel, www.associatedpress.com

Two drives later, and backup kicker Matt Ammendola kicked one through the uprights from 3 yards out to make the score all tied at 17. Then, the nail in the coffin came the next drive, when Chief’s corner Jaylen Watson pick-sixed Herbert on the one-yard line, effectively putting the game out of reach. A few drives later, Herbert was injured with a hit to the ribs, but came back out to finish the game. The Chiefs added a field goal on their next drive to make the game 27-17. The Chargers added a touchdown to come to the final score of 27-24, but that was about it. Overall, an amazing win for KC, as they proved that they can move the ball and score at will without Tyreek Hill.

Chief’s Next Matchup: @ Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1)

Chief’s Top Fantasy Performer PPR: Patrick Mahomes, 17.3 Fantasy Points

Charger’s Next Matchup: vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

Charger’s Top Fantasy Performer PPR: Justin Herbert, 36.8 Fantasy Points
Fun Facts:

• The Chargers are now 2-3 against the Chiefs with Herbert under center for them.
• In 10 career games against the Chiefs, Austin Ekeler has only had 386 yards
• Charger’s All-Pro Wideout Keenan Allen missed the game with a hamstring injury.
• The Chiefs are now 6-3 against the Chargers with Mahomes under center for them.

 

Around the League:

• Russell Wilson looked mediocre in a 16-9 win over the Texans in Mile High Stadium. Nathaniel Hackett had terrible clock management, even forgetting to put a punt returner on the field for one punt. Fortunately for Denver, the Texans played horrendously, only garnering 234 total yards on offense. But, rookie CB Derek Stingley Jr. showed flashes in this Denver showing.

• Matthew Stafford and the Rams bounced back after last week’s slacking at the hands of the Bills… kind of. They started out hot in the first half, scoring 21 points and holding the Falcons to just 3, and Stafford was finding free agent acquisition Allen Robinson II more, even finding for the first score of the game. Later in the game, Los Angeles held off a comeback via Jalen Ramsey intercepting Marcus Mariota and prevailed, 31-27.

• Nick Chubb and the Browns seemed to have things under wraps heading into the final two minutes of regulation up two scores on the New York Jets. However, Joe Flacco hit wide receiver Corey Davis on a 66 yard bomb to pull within six, and recovered the onside kick that followed to drive down the field and score with a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson to win it, 31-30.

• • In a boring game at Acisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, the New England Patriots used stifling defense and precision offense to dissect Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt-less defense. Mitch Trubisky played pretty poorly, and now Kenny Pickett is breathing down his neck for the starting job following the 17-14 loss.

• Indianapolis has now lost 8 straight games to Jacksonville when playing in Duval. This rendition included a mediocre quarterback in Trevor Lawerence torching their defense for over 230 yards, and their own quarterback, Matt Ryan, throwing three picks. This Colts’ team just flat-out looks bad, and that was exemplified by this 24-0 shutout loss.

• • In their first 2-0 start in quite a while, the New York Giants looked pretty good against Carolina this Sunday. They were able to get home against Baker Mayfield despite not having their best edge rusher in Kayvon Thibodeaux. Daniel Jones looked not very impressive, still looking like the inconsistent, middling quarterback that he’s alway been, but he did okay in this 19-16 win in East Rutherford.

• Tom Brady got his first win against the Saints since joining the Bucs, and the game was boring. No touchdowns until the fourth quarter. The one exciting event from this game was Bucs wideout Mike Evans unleashing years of pent up frustration against Marshon Lattimore. He was suspended for their next contest, against the Packers in Tampa Bay. Buccaneers won, 20-10.

• • In a two score win over the Washington Commanders, Lions’ receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, with 184 all purpose yards and two touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, rookie Aidan Hutchinson racked up 3 sacks. Commanders’ receiver Curtis Samuel had 78 yards and a score, but it was not enough as Washington lost 36-27.
  • San Francisco’s starting quarterback, Trey Lance, is probably out for the season with an ankle injury. Fortunately, the Niners were abe to win 27-7 against the Seattle Seahawks. Geno Smith’s wonderful game last week proved to be a mirage, as he only threw for 197 yards and no touchdowns with one pick. On the other side, Jimmy Garoppolo dissected the Seattle secondary, with a touchdown and 100.1 rating.
  • Kyler Murray and the Cardinals came back down 20 points in the third quarter to eventually win, 23-20. The Raiders had a chance to win in overtime, getting a stop on defense, but receiver Hunter Renfrow, who fumbled earlier in the game, fumbled again, and it was scooped up by cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who danced into the end zone for the 29-23 win.

• Aaron Rodgers and the Packers bounced back from an ugly Week 1 loss to beat the Bears in Lambeau, 27-10. Sammy Watkins was the Pack’s leading pass-catcher, with 93 yards, but the main star of the show was Aaron Jones, with 170 total yards and two touchdowns, as the Packers dominated.

• Buffalo continued their dominating win streak with a 41-7 thumping of the Titans. Josh Allen was benched by the fourth quarter, and he still racked up 317 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan Tannehill played so poorly that he was benched for rookie quarterback out of Liberty Malik Willis, who promptly fumbled the ball. Derrick Henry also didn’t have the greatest game, with only 25 yards on 13 carries.

• Darius Slay Jr. had Kirk Cousins number all game, picking him off Cousins twice and defending five passes total en route to a 24-7 Eagles victory. They were aided by Jalen Hurts having a career day against the Vikings, with 390 total yards and 3 touchdowns.

 

The Following Players of Importance Will/May Miss Time This Week:

ARI James Conner, RB (Ankle, Questionable)

ARI J.J. Watt, DE (Calf, Questionable)

ATL Deion Jones, LB (Shoulder, IR)

BAL Marlon Humphrey, CB (Groin, Questionable)

BAL J.K. Dobbins, RB (ACL, Questionable)

BAL Ronnie Stanley, OT (Ankle, Questionable)

BUF Dawson Knox, TE (Foot, Questionable

BUF Jordan Poyer, FS (Foot, Questionable)

BUF Ed Oliver, DT (Ankle, Questionable)

BUF Micah Hyde, SS (Neck, Questionable)

BUF Tre’Davious White, CB (ACL, Week 5 Return)

CHI Roquan Smith, LB (Hip, Questionable)

CIN Hayden Hurst, TE (Groin, Questionable)

CIN La’el Collins, OT (Back, Questionable)

DAL Micah Parsons, LB (Illness, Questionable)

DAL Michael Gallup, WR (ACL, Questionable)

DAL Dak Prescott, QB (Thumb, Week 4 Return)

DAL Dalton Shultz, TE (PCL, Questionable)

DEN Randy Gregory, DE (Knee, Questionable)

DEN K.J. Hamler, WR (Knee, Questionable)

DEN Jerry Jeudy, WR (Ribs, Questionable)

DEN Patrick Surtain II, CB (Shoulder, Questionable)

DEN Justin Simmons, FS (Quadriceps, IR)

DEN Tim Patrick, WR (ACL, IR)

DET Aidan Hutchinson, DE (Thigh, Questionable)

DET T.J. Hockenson, TE (Hip, Questionable)

DET D’Andre Swift, RB (Ankle, Questionable)

DET Frank Ragnow, C (Groin, Questionable)

DET Jameson Williams, WR (ACL, Non-IR, No Return Date)

GB Allen Lazard, WR (Ankle, Questionable)

GB Elgton Jenkins, OG (Knee, Questionable)

GB Christian Watson, WR (Hamstring, Questionable)

GB Randall Cobb, WR (Illness, Questionable)

GB Sammy Watkins, WR (Hamstring, Questionable)

GB David Bakhtari, OT (Knee, Questionable)

HOU Kamu-Gruiger Hill, LB (Neck, Questionable)

HOU Christian Harris, LB (Hamstring, IR)

HOU John Metchie III, WR (Illness, Non-IR, No Return Date)

IND Yannick Ngakoue, DE (Back, Questionable)

IND Bernhard Raimann, OT (Ankle, Questionable)

IND DeForest Buckner, DT (Hip, Questionable)

IND Michael Pittman Jr., WR (Quadriceps, Questionable)

IND Alec Pierce, WR (Concussion, Questionable)

IND Shaquille Darius Leonard, LB (Back, Questionable)

KC Mecole Hardman, WR (Heel, Questionable)

KC Harrison Butker, K (Ankle, Questionable)

KC Trent McDuffie, CB (Hamstring, IR)

LV Hunter Renfrow, WR (Concussion, Questionable)

LV Denzel Perryman, LB (Ankle, Questionable)

LV Trevon Moehrig, FS (Hip, Questionable)

LAC J.C. Jackson, CB (Ankle, Questionable)

LAC Keenan Allen, WR (Hamstring, Questionable)

LAC Corey Linsley, C (Knee, Questionable)

LAC Justin Herbert, QB (Ribs, Questionable)

LAR Logan BRuss, OG (ACL+MCL, IR)

LAR Brian Allen, C (Knee, Questionable)

LAR Van Jefferson, WR (Knee, Questionable)

MIA Xavien Howard, CB (Groin, Questionable)

MIA Terron Armstead, OT (Toe, Questionable)

MIA Byron Jones, CB (Ankle, Week 5 Return)

MIA Cedrick Wilson Jr., WR (Ribs, Questionable)

MIN Andrew Booth Jr., CB (Quadriceps, Questionable)

MIN Harrison Smith, FS (Concussion, Questionable)

NE Jakobi Meyers, WR (Knee, Questionable)

NE Kyle Dugger, SS (Knee, Questionable)

NO Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Elbow, Questionable)

NO Taysom Hill, TE (Ribs, Questionable)

NO Marcus Maye, SS (Ribs, Questionable)

NO Jameis Winston, QB (Back, Questionable)

NO Alvin Kamara, RB (Ribs, Questionable)

NO Trevor Penning, OT (Toe, IR)

NYG Kadarius Toney, WR (Hamstring, Questionable)

NYG Kayvon Thibodeaux, LB (MCL, Questionable)

NYG Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (Knee, Questionable)

NYG Leonard Williams, DE (MCL, Questionable)

NYJ C.J. Uzomah, TE (Hamstring, Questionable)

NYJ Zach Wilson, QB (Meniscus, Week 4 Return)

NYJ Quinnen Williams, DE (Foot, Questionable)

NYJ Duane Brown, OT (Shoulder, IR)

NYJ Mekhi Becton, OT (Kneecap, IR)

PHI Haason Reddick, OLB (Knee, Questionable)

PIT T.J. Watt, OLB (Pectoral, IR)

SF Trey Lance, QB (Ankle, IR)

SF Arik Armstead, DT (Foot, Questionable)

SF George Kittle, TE (Groin, Questionable)

SF Elijah Mitchell, RB (MCL, IR)

SEA Shelby Harris, DE (Personal, Questionable)

SEA Quandre Diggs, FS (Knee, Questionable)

SEA L.J. Collier, DE (Elbow, IR)

SEA Jamal Adams, SS (Knee, IR)

TB Carlton Davis, CB (Hip, Questionable)

TB Scotty Miller, WR (Calf, Questionable)

TB Leonard Fournette, RB (Hamstring, Questionable)

TB Russell Gage, WR (Hamstring, Questionable)

TB Ryan Jensen, C (Knee, IR)

TB Akiem Hicks, DE (Foot, Week 4 Return)

TB Julio Jones, WR (Knee, Questionable)

TB Chris Godwin, WR (Hamstring, Questionable)

TEN Treylon Burks, WR (Ankle, Questionable)

TEN Bud Dupree, LB (Hip, Questionable)

TEN Harold Landry III (ACL, IR)

WAS Chase Young, DE (ACL+MCL, Week 5 Return)

WAS Brian Robinson JR., RB (Knee, Not on IR, No Return Set)