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Week two of the NFL campaign did little help in showing some clarity after an unpredictable opening week had begun to spread the soil. Top teams coming out of the preseason fell in WK-2, with some falling hard on the face (Cowboys, Dolphins). We have Derek Carr and Baker Mayfield playing QB better than the rest of the starters. Ravens are winless. Saints are looking like the scariest team in football. What the hell is going on?
Do we have our early season theme? A season of unpredictability? Starting to brew up that way. The few constants we do have, are ones that very few would have predicted in the pre-season. Saints are averaging 40+ against good and bad (it's just two games). Kyler Murray is playing like an X-Factor in consecutive games. Then we have the Steelers undefeated behind Justin Fields' lead, while the rest of the AFC North is only 1-5 thus far. A whole lotta unpredictability. A whole lotta crazy going on. Just the way we like it... kind of.
Quick reflection here to get caught up and then prepped for WK-3 on the griddy. May as well send the blitz again. I have three downs (headlines) to get to real quick before sending an all-out blitz on 4th. The cool peeps here know that as an Engage Eight x&o. Lets roll.
Saints are sure rolling early! New Orleans is off to its second consecutive 2-0 start; this time doing so in grander and more dominant fashion. Panthers fluke? Nope! Saints STEAMROLLED the 'Boys in Arlington. Smoked them out the gates. It was a dominant WK-2 performance for the Saints, and a loud-loud statement made.
Dennis Allen and Klint Kubiak looks to be a money pairing early on; which gives Allen an opportunity to elevate himself as a HC who can stick in the role. Defensive minded Allen had overrated Greg Knapp and horrendous Greg Olson as his OCs during his first failed stint as HC in Oakland. Then to start in New Orleans, he kept long-time OC Pete Carmichael, who ran out of tricks to secure his hit or miss title. Looks like he may finally have his guy in Kubiak; now Allen can blossom.
We are seeing that in quick change to start the new campaign. The defense is flying all over the field ranking 7th in total defense through two weeks. The Saints D is also T-3rd in team sacks, and T-2nd in team interceptions (league ranks). Not many question DA's ability to run a defense; he's solid and has been in the league for decades. The offense in New Orleans was the big question mark coming into the season. That mark is gone after proving the performance against the Panthers was no fluke. Saints offense looked unreal in Dallas to help smash the Cowboys 16-game home win streak in regular season play.
Saints punched in tuddies on six straight drives before a Carr interception in the third quarter. Five of the six were drives orchestrated over 70 yards. Most of the offensive production was Kubiak having the GP revolve around Alvin Kamara. AK41 is back to being a gamebreaker for the gold and black as he unleashed for a total of 4 tuddies with over 180 all-purpose yards. In the air, and on the ground, just like how prime Kamara likes it. AK41 currently leads all kickers and players in points with 30 (4 RUSH-1 REC). AK is happy to have Kubiak behind the play-sheet. Saints have the 3rd highest ranked offense going into WK-3, ranking 11th in passing, 3rd in rushing, and 1st in points.
Statement was made. Beating the Cowboys in that fashion was legit. Saints look solid; no excuses. The best part? It's no rest for the weary. Saints upcoming schedj builds off Dallas: vs PHI; @ ATL; @ KC; & vs TB. Saints have a massive opportunity to make a statement turn into legitimate contendership if they can come out of this 5-game stretch with 3+ wins. The game against the Bucs being the biggest one to win. Kubiak and Allen have things rolling early in Nola. Can they keep thriving? All the right energy is in that Saints locker-room right now. Just like the energy in Vegas.
Everyone loves to hate on the Raiders. That started back when Al Davis started the heat in '72. I'll tell you what... you won't see me hating on the Antonio Pierce coached Raiders cha heard! The energy that he brings to his players is priceless. A true leader of men. That energy hits and ricochets off the men he leads. That energy elevated his players to a win in Baltimore, in a game that a year ago; the Raiders wouldn't have won (under McDaniels).
Raiders used three 4th-quarter scoring drives to eliminate a 10-point deficit with 12 minutes left of the game to secure a dub on the road in Baltimore. It was a frustrating game for the underdog Raiders, but the Silver & Black refused to give in, coming together to achieve victory. The exact type of early-season win that Antonio Pierce and co. were hoping for. The defense stepped up late to give the offense a chance to steal the game. The cultural rebuild of Antonio Pierce was on full display when his defensive pillar Maxx Crosby, took in AP's energy to be a X-Factor defensive end, as well as a X-Factor teammate:
video via @nickwalt//X
Every team in the world wants and needs a Maxx Crosby in that moment. What an incredible teammate, and shoutout to Minshew for doing the same, as well as being a mature and professional adult. Gardner took in everything that Maxx said; just moments after feeling frustration and failure. The eye contact, the respect, the intent, just awesome human behavior. The only way to get better as individuals, and as a team. Lift each other up with accountability, respect, and bluntness. That was the turning point of the game. Seriously. That was the turning point. Minshew NEEDED that. It coming from Crosby meant the most. The O knew the team had their back; they then went and got the job done. Bravo.
It was a good start for Vegas; more work ahead. The energy is right, but they still need some more moving parts to activate to keep up with the Chiefs and Bolts in the AFC West. Bowers becoming known as a major factor in the offense is crucial along with Davante. Bowers, Adams, and Meyers will need to step up to take the slack for Minshew with how bad the rushing attack is (dead last in NFL after WK2). I feel the Raiders need to be active in getting an available free agent like Eno Benjamin or Kareem Hunt (visited KC the other day). Zamir White as the feature back won't move the needle. The team is feeling the departure of Josh Jacobs, it needs to elevate the position the best it can.
Raiders welcome in the Panthers and Browns back-to-back on the upcoming slate; a perfect set of opps to exploit and use for elevation before the comp meter rises in value. Getsy has to find a way to get the rushing attack better. Getsy had the Bears 1 and 2 in the past two years in rushing; which gives off some confidence. Look for the Raiders to only get better from this win in Baltimore. Just look at what being Raiders head coach means to Antonio Pierce (with GM Tom Telesco):
video via @VinnyBonsignore//X
Not the start that John Harbaugh and the Ravens expected to have. Raiders dropped the Flock to 0-2 for the first time since 2015, which was the only season under John that resulted in less than 8 wins... the worst season of Harbaugh's career as HC (5-11). Not saying the Ravens are doomed, I am just layin' out some context!
The 0-2 start surely isn't good, but it's nothing to completely lose wits over. Baltimore just has to flip the switch and quick with the Cowboys, Bills, Bengals, and Bucs lurkin' on the upcoming schedule. The strengths and weaknesses are obvious. Rushing defense? Amazing; number one in the league through two weeks. Passing defense? Atrocious; dead last. Ravens have the number one offense in terms of yardage, but lack execution and coming through in the clutch. Then there is the lack of discipline on offense; Ravens currently have the third most offensive penalties. Baltimore had no business losing to Vegas, and were just plays away from beating the defending champs on the road in Arrowhead. Ravens will not go down the same road as they did the last time they started a campaign 0-2.
We are seeing the loss of Macdonald on the defensive side. Zach Orr needs to keep grinding. All you can do is get better. The rush defense is superb; it's just that secondary. The injuries aren't helping. Baltimore is hurting in depth throughout the CB room. Rookie first-rounder Nate Wiggins getting in a car accident was brutal timing (glad he's ok). Wiggins is week-to-week, plus the nickel is slim to none with Maulet on IR with Matthew & Mullen. It was big for Humphrey to have an elite game against Vegas; he needs to continue his production in a big way. Hamilton and Williams will have to play to value and then some on the back-end. Doug Mallory continues to be a bad crop from Dan Quinn's farm; he needs to step up for his new home or it shouldn't be home for long (thought it was a bad hire).
Falcons spoil Nick Foles night in Philly:
Atlanta got a huge road win in Philadelphia to secure its first dub on the new campaign. After a slow first half, Kirk Cousins and the offense stepped up in the 2nd-half to score on three of it's four drives (not including final kneels) to secure the 22-21 win. Falcons played good, didn't turn the ball over, and executed when it mattered the most. Zac Robinson got better as the game went along. Nothing but a positive for a first time OC progressing in real time. Despite that, it was more the Eagles losing, than the Falcons winning.
Philly had no business losing that game; now days later we see the blame be pointed in the wrong areas. Seeing people blame Vic Fangio is comedy. His defense played great then got completely dog walked on the final drive to give Atlanta the win. That blame is on the players and head coach Sirianni. Dean got out-repped by Pitts on play one. Mitchell BLEW a zone (w/ Maddox) on the second. Mitchell then got SAUCED 1v1 on the 3rd and 4th. Then Maddox had an awful missed PI. Slay then got MURKED on the TD. All player performance.
It was a mess and you can only blame Sirianni. He doesn’t coach. Just sits and expects. Blaming that game on Fangio is NUTS. Barkley dropped a pass, Hurts has no cape, and they shot themselves in the foot. Good for the Falcons to execute and take advantage. They now go into a matchup with the defending champs feeling some confidence. Eagles have to act quick as they take on the fiery Saints in the Superdome next.
Bucs Get Revenge & Huge Win:
Lions and Bucs went as advertised: a slobber-knocker. Lions felt a brutal home loss just like the Ravens and Eagles. A game they should have won, no doubt. Lions are lackin' execution in a big way. Campbell had the stones to roll a fake-punt deep inside Detroit's territory, then succeeded on a 4th-down later in that same drive just for the drive to result in zero points. My man Ben Johnson also gets a little blame for the L; he made some bone-headed calls late. Surprisingly. Lions shot themselves in the foot, but Baker and the Bucs made it known that they will be a player again this season.
Mayfield is off to a great start; I currently have him sitting at the four spot in my QB power rankings going into WK-3. His play wasn't as sharp against the Lions, that being in large part to Aidan Hutchinson havin' his game-breaker activated most of the game (4.5 sacks). The pick Baker threw was really bad. Outside of that, he once again led the Bucs to a dub in the clutch. Checkout the cat SNATCHIN' Malcom Rodriguez's ankles:
video via @NFL//X
Panthers HC Canales benches Bryce Young
After 18 starts right from the get go, former top pick Bryce Young has been benched for veteran Andy Dalton. Glad Canales had the guts to do it. Takes real guts to do so in week-3 after the amount spent in order to draft Young. Canales knows Dalton is the better option with how bad the team is in all facets. They need a guy to get the ball moving down the field. Hard to work on a project QB when fire is set ablaze all around you. This is good for Young, I get his anger, which is also good, but him being on the field only makes the reality of him being a bust more clear. Develop on the sidelines as the team develops on the field. It should be the same thing with Caleb Williams and any other top drafted QB. I say this every year, maybe Tom Brady saying it will create some change... maybe? maybe?
video via @Stephen A Smith Show//X
Young wasn't good in his rookie campaign, this year he looks even worse after two starts, posting 0/3 TD to INT ratio with a nasty 9.1 QBR, and a 44.1 passer rating. Yes, there are plenty of negative variables around him that helps create smoke, but we can no longer sit here and say that Young gives the Panthers the best chance to compete, yet alone win. It's just pure fiction. Nor will we say that he has the best chance to develop while starting for this current Panthers team. The best case scenario is Young sittin' on the sideline right under the wings of Harriger, Idzik, and Canales who look to spread the knowledge they used on Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield to Young without him being fed to wolves. Harriger also has experience in Atlanta coaching Matt Ryan.
The decision to bench Young is the right one, but you can't argue the frustration from Panthers nation. Franchise is a pure dumpster fire right now considering the domino effect of getting rid of young stars McCaffrey, Burns, and Moore (all 26 or under when traded away). That frustration needs to stay with the front office and Tepper, not Canales. Coach knows that Dalton is the better option. Panthers offense will look better this weekend.
Bengals Choke Game Away To KC;
Bengals lost a game they should have won in Arrowhead, losing by just one point to a game-winning 51-yard Harrison Butker boot. Joe Burrow and the offense choked the game away after the defense set them up for numerous chances to secure the win in the 2nd-half... the offense just couldn't come through spoiling one of the best interceptions you will see by Cam Taylor-Britt:
video via @NFL//X
Bengals offense followed that beauty up by giving up a scoop and score then settling for a field-goal on the drive after. Defense then stops the Chiefs to force a punt and set up the O to ice it, up 25-23; but to no ice, just a punt to give Pat the ball and the win. It's now two straight one-score losses for the Bengals. Two straight losses that very well should have been wins. Burrow was better in WK-2, but the rushing attack was weak (ranks 30th), Dan Pitcher is slackin', and Ja'Marr Chase is a certified diva who cost the team with his antics.
Chase killed the team when he got hit with that personal foul after being given multiple chances to return to the huddle. Deep into the game, trying to cash in on a must-have drive, and he goes and pulls this crap:
video via NFL on CBS//X
Just can't expect to beat Mahomes & Reid with bone-head; diva bullshit, like that display by Chase... after being checked by his QB (great teammate) and given a chance to get one off and return to the huddle! Such a selfish football player; a lot needs to change in Cincinnati if the Bengals want to erase this tough early start to the campaign. Luckily, they have the Panthers and Commanders up next to help get back to .500.
Will Levis Costing Tennessee:
Titans start the season with back-to-back 17-24 losses, blowing a 17-nil lead in WK-1 to the Bears, and chocking away a win to the Jets in WK-2. Will Levis has been a big part of the negative for Tennessee, and has been seemingly the main factor for the losing. First, he had the bone-headed pitch that Tyrique Stevenson took to the house, then against the Jets he does this:
video via @NFL//X
Levis has Brian Callahan losing his wits. Callahan's start has been solid; the defense is better with Dennard Wilson doing a good job early, the offense has far more playmaking than last season. Ridley and Pollard show bright signs. There is good despite the 0-2 start, but the new coaching staff need more out of Levis, who has shown some good, just destroys that good with gigantic game-changing miscues. That's on Levis to get better on, not coaching. I learned that respectfully when covering Carson Wentz; at the end of the day you can't baby these QBs, they need to take initiative and become great like so many in the era before them (Brady, Brees, Manning). Callahan touched on that in response to his viral clip (frustrations caught on tape moments after turnover):
video via @MySportsUpdate//X
Another week of noise is ready to ring off as we have a solid slate of games this weekend. Texans and Vikings put their zeroes on the line in Minneapolis; Eagles take on the fiery Saints in the Superdome; Bolts and Steelers look to advance their zero; and we got a sexy Sunday late-afternoon slate with some major NFC battles. Will we see some clarity, or more unpredictability? Soon it's time to find out what week-3 will offer. Lets go!
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