As the first week of the NFL comes to an end let’s have a brief look at the results and next week fixtures.
Game 1: Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Packers : 10 (1-0) – Bears : 3 (0-1)
Week 2: Packers vs Vikings | Broncos vs Bears
Takeaways: Mitch Trubisky struggled to find his stride passing for only 228 yards and 1 INT while Aaron Rodgers on the other hand found his after the first quarter against a strong Bears defense throwing for only 203 yards and 1 TD. The Packers defense has improved a lot over the offseason. Dix, Floyd, Mack and Fuller all had a great game with Leonard Floyd getting 2 sacks. Jimmy Graham was also the only recipient of a TD pass the entire night.
Game 2: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Kansas City Chiefs at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.
Jaguars : 26 (0-1) – Chiefs : 40 (1-0)
Week 2: Texans vs Jaguars | Raiders vs Chiefs
Takeaways: Reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes threw for 378 yards and 3 TD. Mahomes nailed wide receiver Watkins for a 68-yard catch and run. Watkins also got another TD as well as 198 yards with 9 receptions. 2017 Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles threw for 75 yards and 1 TD before leaving the field with a broken left clavicle and Jaguars backup Gardner Minshew threw for 275 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. DJ Chark also had himself a game with 146 yards and 1 TD but it wasn’t enough to beat the superior Chiefs. Chiefs were no stranger to injury in this game with Hill out for a couple weeks with a shoulder injury and Mahomes sustaining an injury that is considered day-to-day.
Game 3: Minnesota Vikings vs Atlanta Falcons at the U.S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Vikings : 28 (1-0) – Falcons : 12 (0-1)
Week 2: Packers vs Vikings | Eagles vs Falcons
Takeaways: Despite having signed their star receiver to a multi-million dollar deal the Falcons fell short with QB Matt Ryan throwing for 304 yards, 2 TD and 2 TD with second year rookie Calvin receiving 1 TD and Julio Jones receiving the other. ST Kenjon Barner totaled over 80 yards on punt and kick returns. On the other side Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for a mere 98 yards and 1 TD with Adam Thielen receiving the TD and 43 yards receiving. Dalvin Cook rushed in for 2 TD with 111 yards on 21 carries. Barr and Joseph both picked up a sack over the weekend for the Vikings and Garret picking up one for the Falcons.
Game 4: Cleveland Browns vs Tennessee Titans at the FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.
Browns : 13 (0-1) – Titans : 43 (1-0)
Week 2: Jets vs Browns | Titans vs Colts
Takeaways: The Browns got absolutely blown out by the Titans and their great defense with Baker Mayfield throwing for 285 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT. Browns RB Dontrell Hilliard rushed for 4 yards for 1 carry and the only TD of the game while OBJ had 7 receptions for 71 yards. Star D-lineman Flash Garrett had 2 sacks in the game for the Browns. Titans QB Marcus Mariota had a great game throwing for 248 yards and 3 TD against a good Browns defense with RB Derrick Henry rushing for 84 yards and 1 TD he also had 1 reception for 75 yards and 1 TD. Rookie receiver A.J Brown had 3 receptions for 100 yards while Delanie Walker had 2 TD for 55 Yards receiving. Titans’ Finch, Wake and Ryan with 5 sacks between them. Butler, Ryan and Byard had an interception each. Hopefully the Browns can have a better game next week at the Jets with but only time will tell how rookie HC Freddie Kitchens will plan for the upcoming game.
Game 5: New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills at the MetLife Stadium in New York.
Jets : 16 (0-1) – Bills 17 (1-0)
Week 2: Jets vs Browns | Bills vs Giants
Takeaways: Second year rookie Sam Darnold threw for 175 yards and 1 TD with ex-Steelers RB Le’veon Bell receiving the Jets only TD of the game and rushing for 60 yards and 32 yards receiving. Hewitt and Mosley with an INT each and Jenkins getting the only sack for the Jets against the Bills. Another second year rookie Josh Allen threw for 254 yards, 1 TD, 1 rushing TD and 2 INT with John Brown having a great game with 128 yards, 7 receptions and the only TD on the receiving end. Hughes, Lawson, Alexander and Poyer had 4 sacks between them. A tight game between the two QB’s we’re keen to see how Darnold comes back against the Browns next week and Allen against a weak Giants defense.
Game 6: Miami Dolphins vs Baltimore Ravens at the Hard Rock Stadium in the Miami Gardens, Florida.
Dolphins : 10 (0-1) – Ravens 59 (1-0)
Week 2: Ravens vs Cardinals | Dolphins vs Patriots
Takeaways: Lamar Jackson who has had his fair share of criticism over his first year as a rookie silenced critics by throwing for 324 yards and an impressive 5 TD with a perfect passer rating and QB RGIII coming on later to throw for 55 yards and 1 TD. Wide Receiver rookie Hollywood Brown and cousin to NFL star Antonio Brown had an immense game against the shoddy Dolphins defense with 147 yards receiving and 2 TD with Snead, Rickard, Boykin and Andrews getting a TD each. Ex-Saints RB Mark Ingram Jr. who was named as the Ravens RB1 this season rushed for 107 yards and 2 TD. Onwuasor, Judon and McPhee had 3 sacks between them and ex-Seahawks safety Earl Thomas earning himself an INT as well as Humphrey. Fitzpatrick who is also known as Fitzmagic due to his great form earlier on in last years season was more like Fitztragic unable to show up against the Ravens stellar defense threw for 185 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT and second year rookie Josh Rosen throwing for a disappointing 5 yards and 1 INT. Rookie Preston Williams had the Dolphins only TD of the game. Expect the Ravens to ball out once more against the Arizona Cards and rookie QB Kyler Murray while the Dolphins play Super Bowl champs the New England Patriots.
Game 7: Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Redskins at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Eagles : 32 (1-0) – Redskins : 27 (0-1)
Week 2: Falcons vs Eagles | Redskins vs Cowboys
Takeaways: Carson Wentz who was the recipient of a huge deal over the offseason threw for 313 yards and 3 TD with wideout DeSean Jackson hauling in 154 yards and 2 TD. Alshon Jeffrey had a great game on both sides of the ball rushed for 1 TD and received 1 TD. Case Keenum threw for 380 yards and 3 TD to McLaurin, Davis and Quinn with McLaurin getting the most yards for the Redskins with 125 yards. Jernigan picked up a sack for the Eagles and McKinzy picking up the other for the Redskins. I don’t see the Redskins getting past the superior Cowboys defense and QB Dak Prescott while the Eagles have a tough game on their hands against the Falcons.
Game 8: Carolina Panthers vs Los Angeles Rams at the Bank of America stadium in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina.
Panthers : 27 (0-1) – Rams : 30 (1-0)
Week 2: Panthers vs Buccaneers | Rams vs Saints
Takeaways: Cam Newton after coming back from a shoulder surgery threw for 239 yards and 1 INT while elite RB Christian McCaffrey rushed for 128 yards and 2 TD (also getting 81 yards receiving) and Armah getting the other rushing TD of the game. Bradberry getting the only INT for Carolina and kicker Joey Slye getting 9 points on the board. Jared Goff who just signed a deal with the Rams with the most guaranteed money in the league threw for 186 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT with RB Malcolm Brown getting 2 TD rushing and Tyler Higbee receiving the only TD pass from Goff. Dante Fowler and Clay Matthews shared 3 sacks between them and Cory Littleton getting an INT against Cam. Kicker Greg Zuerlein kicked 3/4 FG and adding 12 points to the Rams score. Rams defense will have their hands full with veteran QB Drew Brees and star wideout Michael Thomas while the Panthers should beat the Bucs at home.
Game 9: Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Chargers : 30 (1-0) – Colts : 24 (0-1)
Week 2: Lions vs Chargers | Titans vs Colts
Takeaways: Chargers QB Phillip Rivers threw for 333 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT with Austin Ekeler getting 1 rushing TD and 2 receiving TD to his name and Keenan Allen getting 1 TD. Ingram and Bosa stood out getting a sack each for the Chargers with kicker Ty Long adding 6 points. After the sudden retirement of QB Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett who some consider to be the best backup in the league threw for 190 yards and 2 TD with standout receiver T.Y Hilton getting both TD and RB Marlon Mack rushing for over 175 yards and 1 TD. Muhammad, Houston, Turay, Autrey and Banogu sacking Rivers for a total of 4 times and Malik Hooker getting the only INT of the game. Colts will have their hands full against the Titans defense and the Chargers should get a comfortable against Patricia’s Lions.
Game 10: Seattle Seahawks vs Cincinnati Bengals at the CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington.
Seahawks : 21 (1-0) – Bengals : 20 (0-1)
Week 2: Steelers vs Seahawks | Bengals vs 49ers
Takeaways: A closer game than I anticipated as I expected the Seahawks to win comfortably against the Bengals. Russell Wilson threw for 196 yards and 2 TD with Lockett and Carson both receiving a TD and Carson rushing in for another. Rookie D.K Metcalf had 4 receptions for 89 yards I suspect he’ll get a TD to his name soon. Jefferson got 2 sacks on Andy Dalton while Green and newly acquired Jadeveon Clowney got 1 each. Andy Dalton on the other hand threw for a huge 418 yards and 2 TD with Bengals wideout John Ross receiving both and tallying up 158 yards to his name. Sam Hubbard got 2 sacks against the elusive Wilson with Kirkpatrick and and Dunlap getting 1 each. Seahawks should give the Steelers some trouble this weekend especially after their defense got outsmarted by the Patriots and I see the Bengals losing to the 49ers at home.
Game 11: Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants at the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas
Cowboys : 35 (1-0) – Giants : 17 (0-1)
Week 2: Redskins vs Cowboys | Giants vs Bills
Takeaways: Dak Prescott who has yet to receive his new deal stood out in week 1 against the Giants throwing for 405 yards and 4 TD with Amari his number one receiver getting 1 TD as well as Cobb, Jarwin and Witten who recently came back to play for the Cowboys after retiring. Gallup had himself a game with over 158 yards receiving and Zeke who is now the highest paid RB in the league getting a TD to his name. Eli Manning who many thought should retire and give the throne to rookie Daniel Jones threw for 306 yards and 1 TD with TE Evan Engram on the receiving end of that TD. Saquon rushed for over 120 yards showing us again the generational talent he is behind a bad Giants offensive line. The Cowboys should make light work of the Redskins and the Giants should beat the Bills at home.
Game 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs San Francisco 49ers at the Raymond James stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Buccaneers : 17 (0-1) – 49ers 31 (1-0)
Week 2: Panthers vs Buccaneers | Bengals vs 49ers
Takeaways: Jameis Winton struggled against the 49ers throwing for only 149 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT with Godwin receiving the only TD of the game for the Bucs. Hargreaves got the only INT for the Bucs against Jimmy G. Jimmy G who has a question mark looming over his head whether or not he can lead this team to multiple victories threw for 166 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT with Richie James receiving the TD pass. Ex-Chiefs player Dee Ford, Arik Armstead and rookie Nick Bosa each got a sack to their name with Sherman, Nzeocha and Witherspoon picking up an INT each. Sherman’s INT was a pick 6 on a poor throw by Winston. 49ers’ kicker Robbie Gould totalled 11 points against the Bucs.
Game 13: Arizona Cardinals vs Detroit Lions at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Cardinals : 27 (0-0-1) – Lions 27 (0-0-1)
Week 2: Ravens vs Cardinals | Lions vs Chargers
Takeaways: Rookie Kyler Murray led his team to a sensational comeback after trailing for most of the game throwing for 208 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT forcing the game into OT with no clear victor emerging. Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson each got a TD with kicker Zane Gonzales adding a huge 13 points. Terrell Suggs had 2 sacks on Stafford while Chandler Jones only had 1. Matt Stafford showed up with 385 yards and 3 TD with 0 INT in the week 1 match up with rookie TE T.J. Hockenson having a great game with 131 yards receiving and 1 TD as well as Danny Amendola and Kenny Golladay getting a TD each. Kennard was big on defense with 3 sacks against the smaller Kyler Murray as well as Jones and Tavai managing a sack each. Kicker Matt Prater slotted in 9 points.
Game 14: New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Patriots : 33 (1-0) – Steelers : 3 (0-1)
Week 2: Dolphins vs Patriots | Steelers vs Seahawks
Takeaways: The Patriots were solid offensively and more importantly defensively as they nearly shut out Ben Roethlisberger and held Mike Tomlin and his men to only 3 points. Tom Brady who has shown no signs of aging thus far threw for 341 yards and 3 TD with recently reinstated Josh Gordon getting a TD and Dorsett getting the other 2. Stephen Gostkowski the veteran kicker added to the punishment by getting 13 points to his name. Devin McCourty getting the only INT of the game. Big Ben threw for 276 yards with 1 INT and 0 TD. Patriots and Belichick outsmarted and outplayed Tomlin and the Steelers. We expect more from the Steelers as the games go by but the Patriots should easily win against a struggling Dolphins side.
Game 15: New Orleans Saints vs Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Bens Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Saints : 30 (1-0) – Texans : 28 (0-1)
Week 2: Rams vs Saints | Texans vs Jaguars
Takeaways: Drew Brees led his team to a victory in a late 4th quarter drive to set up a field goal against the Texans. Brees threw for 370 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. Murray got the only rushing TD while Thomas got 123 yards on 10 receptions, Tre’Quan Smith managed to get a TD as well as Taysom Hill. Hendrickson, Anzalone, Jordan, Williams, Brown and Tutte all managed to get past the bad Texans offensive line and hit Deshaun Watson a total of 6 times. You would think they would of addressed this issue in the offseason. Saints kicker managed to get 12 points on the board and one last field goal to secure their victory. Deshaun Watson threw for 268 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT and rushed in for a TD himself. Deandre Hopkins who has the safest hands in the league with 0 drops last year got himself 111 yards receiving and 2 TD with Kenny Stills getting the other. Whitney Mercilus got a sack and an INT to his name. Hopefully the Texans can protect Deshaun a lot more in the coming games and keep him from getting injured but only time will tell.
Game 16: Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California.
Oakland : 24 (1-0) – Broncos : 16 (0-1)
Week 2: Raiders vs Chiefs | Broncos vs Bears
Takeaways: After suffering the loss of Antonio Brown, Jon Gruden and his team had a lot to prove on Monday Night Football and they did just that defeating the Denver Broncos. Derek Carr threw for 259 yards and 1 TD with Tyrell Williams getting over 105 yards receiving and 1 TD and RB rookie Joshua Jacobs getting 2 TD and rushing for 85 yards. Mayowa and Ferrell 3 sacks between them against Joe Flacco. Flacco who was acquired by the Broncos after being let go by the Ravens threw for 268 yards and 1 TD with Sanders receiving that TD and Sutton having a good game with over 120 yards receiving. McManus kicked for 10 points but it wasn’t enough to beat the Raiders at home. One thing I am surprised about is that Derek Carr was sacked for a total of 0 times considering how many times he was sacked last year. Hopefully his offensive line can continue to protect him this year and keep him from getting hurt.
