Let’s start our review by parsing several storylines and, then, move on to noting performances that merit Mount Rushmore status.
The Taunting Rule sucks. There can’t be a single person watching over the weekend that thinks, “I’m glad they are calling that this year.” Late in the Titans-Seahawks game, Seattle CB D.J. Reed got flagged for a pretty tame celebration after making a huge stop. The rule sucks, and refs are overdoing it. Hopefully, like the PI rule last year, it works itself out of the game.
Relocated QBs have been great. Sam Darnold is off to an excellent start for the 2-0 Panthers. Tyrod Taylor had been playing well until a hamstring injury took him out of the game. Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford have shown that a change of scenery can be just what the doctor ordered.
Rookie QBs. Zach Wilson is a bust. Trevor Lawrence is just average. Mac Jones is the next Tom Brady. Overreacting to rookie QBs is a favorite pastime of mine. I think all three of these guys will be solid players for many years, but watching fans freak out is … well … a lot of fun to watch. Give them time to get into the system and find their way. Franchise QBs don’t hit their full potential in Week 2 of their rookie year. (Ya’ think?!)
Justin Fields has to be the starter. Chicago was slow and uninspiring until Dalton sat down with an injury. Fields took control of the offense, played well, and got a much-needed big win. It will be a B I G mistake if the Bears go back to Dalton in Week 3. Let Fields take the team and go. I think we see Dalton in Week Three, for the record, and it would be very on-brand for Nagy to do just that. (Ugh!)
Week 2 Team Power Rankings. The Ravens were all but counted out before this game even began, and when Jackson threw a pick-6 early, most fans thought it was lights out for Baltimore. Here we come, Detroit, at 0-2. Well, surprise! Ravens fought through a messy first half where the defense kept them in it. Then, a bold fourth-down run sealed the deal hail. Ravens win by a point.
Raiders! Vegas got a massive win over Pittsburgh in a game where not many people thought they would have a chance. Vegas seems to be for real after two hard-fought wins over marquee teams. And that sets up fun encounters with those mighty Chiefs. Circle your calendar, fans, for November 14 and December 12. Let’s say this until proven differently: I wouldn’t be surprised to the Raiders vie for a Wild Card spot.
Bills are back. The Bills took care of business by pummelling the Fins in Miami. Buffalo will have to win games like this if it’s going to stay in front of the Patriots in the AFC East. For the record, these two teams don’t play until December 6 and 26. Lots of intrigue ’til then.
Patriots are back? I was impressed with their win over the Jets. (Yes, the Jets.) It’s not that NE won (there was never much doubt about that), but how they got it done. Their defense was elite, which is vital for this team because it gives Mac Jones time to mature. Watch out, Buffalo!
Mount Rushmore Performances
Derrick Henry: Yowza! King Henry did King Henry things on Sunday: 35 carries for 182 yards and 3 TDs. It felt like he had the ball on every play, and–to boot–he was a king-size receiver, too, with six receptions for 55 yards.
Kyler Murray: Hail, Murray! Kyler had 400 yards, 3 TDs in the air, and another on the ground. While it seemed like he was running for his life most of the day, he was still a walking highlight film. His 77-yard bomb to Moore was an actual “No! No! No! Y E S !” moment.
Cooper Kupp: He’s a stud: 9 catches, 163 yards, and two trips to the endzone. He was everywhere for the Rams, setting a record for being the first Rams’ receiver to have 100 yards and a TD in each of the first two games of a season.
Lamar Jackson: LJ threw, ran, jumped, dove, and flipped his way to a victory Sunday night. And he earned every yard of his 239 passing yards and 107 rushing yards.
