Highlights from week two of the NFL season

Cartoon Courtesy of Lambert-King

It looks like the Bears defense really is one of the best defensive units in the NFL.  It also looks like Mitch Trubisky may be a drag on an otherwise playoff ready team.  That was one takeaway from Week 2 of this NFL season.  In addition, some preconceptions were reinforced while other trends continue to be surprising.   But first, more on the Bears –Seahawks game.

The Bears 24-17 win over the Seahawks was keyed by their defense.  Khalil Mack has been a huge boost to the Bears defense.  Not only has he been great, he’s made other members of the defense better.  The Bears currently lead the NFL in sacks with 10.  That pass rush has also led to the Bears collecting four turnovers this year, including Prince Amukamara’s pick six from 49 yards out.

What about Mitch?

The Bears have a playoff defense now.  They also have a wealth of offense tools at Mitch Trubisky’s disposal.  Unfortunately, Trubisky has displayed some Jay Cutler-like characteristics.  Trubisky threw two picks and missed other open receivers in the Bears win.  The Bears offense is like a sports car being driven by a student driver.  It’s enough to make me wish the Bears had drafted Patrick Mahomes or DeShaun Watson.

As for the Seahawks, it looks like it could be a long season.  Russell Wilson has limited resources at his disposal and figures to be running for his life most of this season.  The Seahawks ground game and offensive line in general are going to limit the team’s season.

QBs, young and old

I mentioned Patrick Mahomes, man I wish he was in a Bears uniform.  He’s been fantastic in the first two games of the season, throwing for 10 TDs with no interceptions.  Admittedly Mahomes has everything going for him.  He has great offensive weapons to go along with a great offensive mind in head coach, Andy Reid.  Regardless, Mahomes has been great and looks to have the highest ceiling of any of the young QBs in currently in the NFL.  He threw six TDs in the Chiefs 42-37 win over the Steelers.  But it’s not just young guys making noise in the NFL.

Buccaneers QB and bearded old guy, Ryan Fitzpatrick, had another great game, leading the Bucs to a 27-21 win over the Eagles.  I still think that Fitzpatrick is somewhat of a fluke, but I like him better than Jameis Winston at QB. 

Aren't they London's team?

The Jacksonville Jaguars look like the cream of the crop in the AFC after their 31-20 win over the Patriots.  Blake Bortles was outstanding in the win.  Bortles threw for 377 yards and four touchdowns.  That was the best I’ve ever seen Bortles look.  If he could come even close to that level of play for the rest of the season, the Jags could emerge as a dominant force.  In addition, the Jacksonville WRs, Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook, looked athletic and dangerous.  This is a development that bears watching.

People have been looking for slippage from the Patriots for years, and every year the Patriots defy the odds.  The Patriots still get the benefit of the doubt, but as of now, the Jags are better.

Ties, bad kicking and questionable calls

For the second week in a row, there was a tie in the NFL.  The Vikings and Packers played to a 29-29 draw.  It was game marked by poor kicking and a very questionable roughing call on Packers LB, Clay Matthews.  After the iffy call, Kirk Cousins was able to lead the Vikings to game tying touchdown.  Vikings FG kicker, Daniel Carlson missed two potential game winning kicks in overtime, including a 35 yarder as time expired.  Actually, make that former Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson.  The Vikings have cut Carlson and signed former Cowboys kicker, Dan Bailey.

I know the NFL is trying to protect QBs, but I don’t understand the call against Clay Mathews.  It’s like when attempting to tackle a QB defensive players have to tuck them in and make sure they have a mint on their pillow.

Don't look now but...

The Cincinnati Bengals are a sneaky 2-0 after their 34-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens.  It’s like the Bengals and Steelers have switched places.  The Bengals are on top of the division while the Steelers are leading the division in dysfunction.

Well, the Cleveland Browns almost won a game.  Again.  Their defense limited the New Orleans Saints to 21 points, but lost 21-18.  Like the Vikings, the Browns suffered from kicking woes.  Zane Gonzalez missed two field goals and two extra points.  The Browns really are going to win a game soon.

Journey to the center of the earth

The race for the bottom of the NFL has some early leaders.  The Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions and New York Giants are all contenders for that not so coveted title.  The Cardinals have scored a total of six points in two weeks to be the leader in the clubhouse.

Here's some mediocrity 

The Miami Dolphins have snuck out to a 2-0 record after their 20-17 win over the Houston Texans.  I wouldn’t look for that winning trend to continue.

The Dallas Cowboys prevailed over the New York Giants 20-13 Sunday night.  Kudos to Cowboys defensive coordinator, Rod  Marinelli for putting together a great game plan against the Giants.  Eli Manning had little time to work with and the Giants offense consisted primarily of swing passes to Saquon Barkley. It wasn’t enough.

We were bad but at least nobody saw us department

If the Redskins lose and nobody watches them does it count as a loss?  The Redskins lost to the Colts 21-9 in a game a game notable for the number of empty seats.  For the first time since 1967, the Redskins didn’t sell out a home game.  Look for more of the same.  

Out west, mostly

The Jon Gruden led Raiders lost their second game.  This time it was 20-19 loss to the Denver Broncos.  Case Keenum is 2-0 has the Broncos starting QB despite not tearing it up on the stat sheet.  The not tearing it on the stat sheet thing will probably continue, the winning thing, not so much.

The Chargers rolled the Bills 31-20 in an outcome that surprised nobody.  Josh Allen is getting work as the Bills QB.  Does that mean the Nathan Peterman era is over?

Well, that was a little better

The Lions are now 0-2 following a 30-27 loss to the 49ers. At least this loss was more respectable.  Lions QB, Matt Stafford, had a much better game, but after the Lions opening game disaster against the Jets he almost had to. Niners QB, Jimmy Garoppolo, was also better in week two.  Garoppolo was aided by a running game headed up by Matt Breida who ran for 138 tads and a TD.

Falcons QB, Matt Ryan threw for two TDs and ran for two more in the Falcons 31-24 win over the Panthers.  Both teams now have a record of 1-1.

When do the playoffs start?

And finally, the Rams look to be the class of the NFC following their 34-0 stomping of the Cardinals.  They seem to have it all.