Sep 20, 20236 min read

Gridiron Talk: Heatin' Up

The noise of a NFL season doesn't have any comparisons. Two weeks into the season and it feels like someone poured a whole tank of fuel on these flames. Pure fire from Los Angeles to Massachusetts down to Miami and back up across the States. I have a spot over here, temporarily away from the heat, let's talk some gridiron:

RBs Chubb; Barkley; and Ekeler all go down

TJ Watt breaks Steelers' all-time sack record (81.5)

Cowboys defense look to have a special-special season

Giants erase 21-point deficit to avoid going 0-2

D'Andre Swift makes himself known to the Philly faithful

Broncos Hail-Mary almost extends Commanders game to OT:

OC Eric Bieniemy continues to elevate Commanders offense

Baker Mayfield wows again leading the Bucs to a 2-0 start:

Jordan Love has good outing but makes one miscue that cost Green Bay:

Tua Tagovailoa is now 5-0 against the Patriots in career

Sean Payton is eating his words for breakfast; lunch; and dinner right now after his Broncos start the season 0-2 with two embarrassing second half collapses. First time that Denver lost back to back home games to start the season. The Broncos play in the second half of both games is as embarrassing as Hackett's staff was last year. Maybe an over-exaggeration, but that's the type of smoke you get with the territory of runnin' your mouth, Mr. Payton.

I am glad Denver's Hail-Mary didn't alter the game result on Sunday. Broncos did not deserve to win that game, which is sad to say with how good Russell Wilson and co. was in the first half. Payton was 72-0 when leading by 18+ at half prior to the collapse against Washington. Ironically, second half play was one of the worst takeaways from the Hackett led regime in Denver last season- and now we see the same mess with Sean Payton behind the wheel.

Sean Payton and his staff better figure things out this week as they prep for the Miami Dolphins. That Tua led Dolphins offense will not hit the brakes on trying to run the score up. Broncos need to know that these are four quarter fights- time to adjust and progress forward. Payton needs to get on the winning side of things. Losing is just going to make the smoke larger and denser. All eyes on you.

Puka Puka! Rams' fifth round selection, BYU alum Puka Nacua has been the NFL's biggest surprise through the first two weeks of the campaign as he leads the league in receptions and is second in receiving yards. The kid has come out of nowhere as he is Matthew Stafford's number one target with Cooper Kupp on IR. Staff' has targeted the cat on 35 occasions, with Nacua takin' full advantage of the opportunities.

Puka's 15 receptions against the 49ers are the most receptions in a single game by a rookie in NFL history. Puka also is the first player in NFL history to reel in 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in each of his first two career games and is the 5th player to record that feat in his team's first two games of the season. Cooper Kupp is one of the other 4- doing so in 2022. Nacua's 25 receptions through week 2 are the most ever in a rookie's first two games. Record after record for the young riser. Don't get fooled... Matthew Stafford has ALOT to do with it.

Stafford has Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell in the top 8 of receiving yards through the first two weeks. No need to adjust your eyes... you read that correctly. Staff' is back to slingin' the laces and his non household name receivers are basking in his glory. With Cooper Kupp on IR until at least week 4: it's Puka Nacua's show right now. Can he continue this incredible start to his career? With Stafford throwin' him the rock, I don't doubt it.

Nine teams are undefeated at 2-0 with there being nine teams winless at 0-2 as we roll the action into Week 3. Far too early to rule out any of the 0-2 teams, but they individually are beginning to dig a hole early season. I evaluated the 9 winless 'chises and separated them by status going into Week 3:

Relax it's only 2 loses:

The Vikings and Patriots both have shown some promise in aspects of the game. I don't think they should freak out, just yet. Minnesota have lost both their games by one score to teams that are 2-0 (Bucs - Eagles). The Vikings offense can pass at will, they just have a lackluster RB room now that Dalvin Cook is in New York. The RB room causing a lack of balance is forcing Cousins to do to much in the pocket; causing bad third downs; and forcing poor quality play-callers to fail in adjusting. They have 69 total yards on the ground this season. If the Vikings can find balance on offense and sharpen up on defense- they should be ok to bounce back.

New England has looked good despite the 0-2 start. The D/ST will always find a way to thrive behind Bill. The play from rookie DB Christian Gonzalez is a huge boost for the Patriots. The defense can't have Mac Jones play from behind. Pats getting better at starting games and having more fluent time of possession will see them bounce back. They shouldn't be ruled out yet... I do fear for Mac Jones as I see Micah Parsons and the Cowboys coming up Week 4.

Sh**:

The Bengals; Chargers; and Broncos all have dropped their shovels; lit a cig; and stared at the hole they have dug sayin' "sh**". Bengals look awful considering they are an AFC "favorite" and need to figure things out and quickly. Joe Burrow is out of excuses. He never had any to begin with- a reality that comes when you sign the dotted line to the most luxurious contract in the land. Monday night the world will be watching, can the Bengals get out of this early season hole? I am not confident on it... we will see. The expectations put them in this tier.

Chargers and Broncos are forcin' their fans to rip out their eye lashes after going 0-2. The coaching is to be blamed. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is straight garbage of a coach, sorry not sorry. Chargers are certainly in sh**** waters and need a Week 3 win. If the Bolts can't get to 2-2 before facing the Cowboys then Chiefs- then they can put on the orange suit and dig many holes. The Broncos? We know they belong in this tier... a third straight loss will bring them to the lowest tier.

Just Embarrassing:

The tier that makes you wonder how some of these coaches get their jobs at the pro level. I damn near throw up watching the Chicago Bears play offense and attempt to progress Justin Fields. The poor cat is going to be toast and out the league at this rate. Luke Getsy is a yahoo and Matt Eberflus has no business being a head coach. They won't prove me wrong. They will live in this tier. For me to be idiotic and claim this team would be the surprise of the league in '23. Week 3 is here and I already know that was a bogus take!

Cardinals defense looks great at times- until they blow a 21 point lead to a team that started the season 0-61 on the scoreboard. Just when you think they may freshen up, they let off a nasty stench. Josh Dobbs at QB, Gannon and his staff on the sideline? Next!

Panthers and Texans continue to play in the basement with their QB projects. Bryce Young looks awful and so does head coach Frank Reich. The Panthers have a solid roster of players, could they move up a tier? Maybe, but with what I see with Bryce Young- I have no faith in it.

Texans have the second worse point differential, which takes away from me giving C.J. Stroud credit in his progression. Looking at passing yards and saying he is the truth is silly. Stroud is facing prevent drop defenses in the second half of each game played. Yards better be high. Stroud looks calm and collected at times in the pocket and hasn't thrown an interception, that's a positive note, but he also has three fumbles (2 lost), a double-edged sword. Texans need to keep getting better as the weeks past, but they are still well in the basement.

Power Rankings after wk 2:

Players of week 2:

The NFL season heats up before you even have time to get acquainted. What type of noise will Week 3 bring? I am sure it will have the decibels HIGH. Your boys will have their Week 3 pick 'ems locked in by tomorrow. Make sure to follow along on X... I am hoping to gain some ground on AJ. Here is the current scoreboard:

Gridiron Talk: Heatin' Up

Relax it's only 2 loses:

Sh**:

Just Embarrassing:

Power Rankings after wk 2:

Players of week 2:

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