Ran out of time:
The Vikings have proven to be the real deal as one of only two undefeated teams. And they validated it with their win in Green Bay, beating the Packers 31-29. They went out to an early 28-0 lead and were able to withstand a furious comeback. The Packers scored 22 pts in the fourth quarter and gained 465 of total offense for the game. If they had played five more minutes, they may have made the comeback complete. Even though they are sitting at 2-2, the Packers are a really dangerous team.
Perfection doesn’t get the game ball:
Detroit’s QB Jared Goff set a record for perfection, going 18-18 Monday night against the Seahawks, giving Seattle their first loss of the year. After the game HC Dan Campbell apparently didn’t realize Goff’s stats, and gave the team ball to a WR and safety…but not to Goff.
It’s not 1994:
As much as HC Jim Harbaugh wants to be a running team, looking back fondly to days of yore, when the ground-and-pound approach of the 90s Cowboys won Superbowls, there is no time-traveling Delorean to do it. This is a passing league. The pass is used to build the running game…not the reverse. After the first two games with over 150 rushing yards, the last two weeks have stalled. This Sunday, the Chargers only rushed for 55 YDs. Justin Herbert needs to throw the ball.
It’s a Young Man’s Game:
Of the three rookie QBs who have been starting this season, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix, they are all at least .500 so far, and they have a combined 7-5 record. It makes one wonder when the Patriots will take the bubble wrap off of no.3 pick Drake Maye.
It’s starting to get Offensive:
Finally, points are being put up in the league. Of the 16 games this week, eight teams scored over 30pts, with two teams eclipsing 40pts. This is a trend that will continue as the season wears on. Be prepared to see low scores at the start of every season with fewer preseason games. The trend will be more glaring if/when the league goes to an 18-game schedule with only two preseason games.
The Comeback Kid, comes back again:
Joe Flacco was named NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year last season for his performance with the Cleveland Browns. He’s now onto greener pastures in Indianapolis, backing up Anthony Richardson. Richardson left the game with a hip injury…enter Flacco. He wasn’t perfect, but he led the Colts to a 27-24 win over the previously undefeated Steelers. He was 16-26 and 168 YDs with two TDs.
Another second chance for a QB:
In the Titans-Dolphins game on Monday night, Will Levis left with a shoulder injury. Former Steelers QB Mason Rudolph came in and led the team to victory, giving the Titans their first of the year. He was serviceable. He completed nine of 17 passes for 85 YDs. It’s not exactly the start of a Hall of Fame career, and definitely not as prodigious or impressive as what Sam Darnold is doing in Minnesota, but a win is a win. And it may have earned him another start.