Game of the week
Dallas (+ 3 1/2) at LA Chargers
The Chargers may need to prepare the silent snap count for their home opener as Dallas fans will take over the stadium and bring the noise when quarterback Justin Herbert is on the field. The Cowboys are rested after their defeat in Week 1 and seal the victory with a final drive-stop in the red zone.
Cowboys 27, Chargers 23
Castle of the week
Minnesota (+ 4 1/2) in Arizona
The Vikings’ offensive linemen had eight penalties (eight!) In last week’s defeat in Cincinnati, which must be some kind of record if those were kept. Lose to Seattle on Sunday and next week, and Mike Zimmer jumps to the top of the First Coach Fired list if he’s not already there.
Cardinals 30, Vikings 20
Excitement of the week
Cincinnati (+3) in Chicago
Only coach Zac Taylor’s rash decision to take the fourth and 1 of Cincinnati’s 30-yard line and lead 21-7 stopped the Bengals from ousting Minnesota. It was great to see Joe Burrow back on the field and he’s going to split up an aging Bears defense that had no answer for Matthew Stafford of the Rams in Week 1.
Bengal 24, Bears 14
All about the AFC: Raiders Defense (Sacks / Takeaways) is already playing better than last year
Buffalo on alert. Urgency should be the tone in the dressing room of the Bill going to Miami. Buffalo lost to Pittsburgh at home and Miami won in New England, so spotting a league rival this early in two games isn’t ideal. The Bills won 371 yards against the Steelers but had a turnover, a blocked punt and only one touchdown in four possession positions in the red zone. “I have to get better,” said quarterback Josh Allen. “We won’t panic. Sixteen games left. “But it’s getting late early in the NFL.
Raiders defense shows. Last year Las Vegas finished 29th in Sacks (21) and 30th in Takeaways (15, including five in the first Broncos game). Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has been signed on by coach Jon Gruden, the duo reunited for the first time since their Tampa Bay days. The first rating was excellent. The Raiders had three sacks when Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue led the four-man onslaught in molesting Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. Two takeaways resulted in two Raiders touchdowns in their overtime win. One final note: Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, fourth overall pick in 2019, was a healthy scratch. Yikes
Titans, Colts stare at 0-2. It’s good that Tennessee and Indianapolis are playing at AFC South. The Titans that were blown out of Arizona travel to Seattle. The Colts that were beaten by the Seahawks house the Los Angeles Rams. If there is a division to overcome a 0-2 start, it will. Tennessee’s concerns are poor defense against the run (136 yards from the Cardinals) and third place (cards went 7 of 13) and poor pass protection (six sacks allowed). Indianapolis’ problems are allowing large passes (the Seahawks had four of at least 20 yards) and generating few offensive large plays (none longer than 24 yards).
All about NFC: Active, successful return to the field for Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey
Bruise debut. Castle Rock’s Christian McCaffrey did a lot in Carolina’s win over the New York Jets after missing 13 games with multiple injuries in 2020. McCaffrey stormed for 98 yards 21 times and caught nine passes for 89 yards while playing 57 of 64 snaps. Of course, such a workload can’t go on … at least we think so. “I’m ready to roll,” said McCaffrey. The Panthers host New Orleans on Sunday and McCaffrey faces a Saints defense that blocked Green Bay last week. “I thought he looked great out there,” said coach Matt Rhule. “I think he’s ready for a great year.”
Involve Pitts. The only reason to see Atlanta this year is Kyle Pitt’s tight end, fourth overall pick of the draft. But in the Falcons’ 32-6 loss to Philadelphia, he had four catches for 31 yards in 49 snaps, including a single catch for a single yard in the first half when Atlanta was only 15-6 behind. We thought Atlanta would have a hard time stopping anyone, but hoped the trio of Pitts, quarterback Matt Ryan, and receiver Calvin Ridley would make them an interesting fantasy football game. Not yet.
Jones unblockable. How rare was Arizona’s Chandler Jones’ five-sack game in the Cardinals win in Tennessee? Since 1982, there have only been 18 games with at least five sacks, according to the Pro Football Reference. Notably, the Cardinals have played both of these games since 2018 – Haason Reddick had five against the Giants last December. The longest drought between the Five Sack Games was none from 1991-96. The Broncos haven’t had a single five-sack game since 1982 and have only allowed one – the Raiders’ Khalil Mack had five in a 15-12 win in December 2015.
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