Some of the high hopes and pipe dreams around the NFL’s AFC and NFC conference teams following week one have been rigged to implode after the second week’s slate of games. One iota to keep in perspective is the hype machine encouraged by network analysts. There were teams on both ends of the doom and over-the-moon spectrum heading into their second match–up. There were a few that kept the locomotive chugging in the right direction, while others did not stoke the fire well enough to withstand their opposing competition, getting derailed off their intended tracks.
Let’s take a peek at some week two highlights and low blows:
When New York Jets pulled off a miraculous overtime win versus the Buffalo Bills in week one with Aaron Rodgers out for the season, there may have been a glimmer of hope for the Jets to possibly pull off a fair season with an improved defense and the opportunity for Zach Wilson to glean off one of the great quarterbacks in Rodgers. The New York Jets were in high hopes to be the better competitor of the New York franchises versus the Dallas Cowboys. With a prominent defense, and decent running game with the tandem of Dalvin Cook and Breece Hall, many fans were hoping for a better game than what unfolded on the gridiron. The Jets defense appeared to have no answers for the play-calling Dallas offense. The Jets went down hard losing 30-10. The Jets host New England on Sunday, and there’s an aura of insecurity of what will show up on the Meadowlands gridiron.
On the flip side, Buffalo came out week one with a surprisingly lackluster display on both sides of the football. Josh Allen threw three interceptions in one game, and when it came down to stopping the Jets from tying the game, the Bills D came up empty. Following that overtime loss, the Bills Mafia had to be smacking their foreheads in disbelief of what they just witnessed unfolding in New Jersey (yup, both New York Teams play in Jersey…) Needless to say, Josh Allen was the most frustrated and perplexed regarding his and the team's performance. Week two, Buffalo welcomed the 1-0 Oak…. Errr (still difficult for many East Bay residents to accept the move, Ugh!) Las Vegas Raiders to town with the chiseled-jawline handsome Italian quarterback, Jimmy G (Garoppolo) at the helm. Needless to say, the Bills Mafia and Buffalo players were on a mission to get back on track at home in the tundra of Northwest New York. The game plan, offense, and defense performances did not disappoint, beating the Vegas Raiders with ease, 38-10. Buffalo handed Garoppolo his worst loss since being a starting quarterback. The Las Vegas Raiders secondary continued to struggle. The Raiders D-Line needs more than their top defensive end, Maxx Crosby to place a dent into future competitions.
The Cincinnati Bengals offered a $275 million 5-year extension to star quarterback Joe Burrow, making him the highest paid player in NFL history, clearing $55 million in earnings annually. And then, the Bengals proceeded to fall flat on their pads and helmets losing their first two games to the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. Just two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance (losing to the Los Angeles Rams), expectations are definitely high for the ‘Who Dey’ crew repping the other franchise in Ohio. I am fairly sure they weren’t expecting this outcome heading into week three. It’s cliche’ to say when one of these gargantuan contracts are awarded, there tends to be a slip in performance of the athlete, usually exhaling and celebrating the life changing deal. Although ‘Broadway Joe Jr,’ has a knack for panache and flair above the average professional athlete, it may be more about a plaguing injury from preseason (calf), than Gucci shades and Havana cigars in the locker room. I understand Joe is theee quarterback and leader of the Bengals, there’s ten other players along with him on the scoring side, as well as eleven defense positions with the single-minded goal of stopping the opposing team from scoring. Let’s hope a healing calf, and scrutinizing analysis of game tapes helps Cincy turn things around going into week three. The Bengals will be hosting the Los Angeles Rams, a formidable (and surprisingly competitive, plus possible grudge match from the Super Bowl) opponent on Monday night. Pending Burrow’s game time status with his questionable calf injury, I am sure the crowd will be roaring to help pump up their team towards a needed win.
Speaking of losses, two formidable NFL franchises have high expectations for their teams coming into the 2023-2024 season. The 0-2 Chargers travel to the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings in week three. Both squads are looking to notch a win on their record. Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense are coming off a productive 2022 season, where there were high hopes to go deep into the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings are beginning the 2023 season with firm expectations of competing for a conference championship coming off of a substantial showing in last year’s regular season with a 12-4 record, clinching their division (NFC North), only to be eliminated in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Chargers always appear on the brink of pushing forward and having a successful season, and producing in the postseason. San Diego (Oh.... I know, they're actually in Lala land...) scraped enough wins in 2022 to make it into the playoffs, only to be rejected again in the wild card playoff game last year. Looming curiosities and questions circle around each franchise wondering if it’s a shortfall due to the rosters? Or the execution of the game plan by the head coaches and coordinators. Of course, it continues to be early in the season, however I am sure fan bases are pondering what direction their respective teams are going. Oh how the amateur and professional (and well paid, huh-hum) sports analysts love speculating and hyping up potential (and probable minutiae) of the early unfolding NFL season!
Some surprises for our football fanatic eyes have been the effective play of Baker Mayfield down in Tampa Bay. Let’s be honest ladies and gents, didn’t we all have Baker marked up as a wash out after being waived/traded from the Browns?! I know I was shaking my head wondering how he would perform coming into this season. Well, well, well… The flag planter is showing up and possibly making a list of names to send sandbags to for a pounding workout. Between the Tampa Bay defense grabbing turnovers, sacks and a pick six combined with Mayfield’s elusiveness to escape and find touted receivers in Evans, Godwin and rookie Palmer, the Buccaneers have turned up with a surprising win in Minnesota and beating a competitive Chicago Bears squad at their home opener. Tampa Bay hosts the NFC defending champions, Philadelphia Eagles in the early Monday Night kickoff game, and may have an opportunity of handing Philadelphia their first L of the season, going to a pristine 3.
Last but not least is the continued injuries playing out on the gridiron, affecting many fantasy outcomes week-to-week. One of the highest rated running backs, Cleveland Browns Nick Chubb has suffered a season-ending MCL tear. Baltimore Colts top rusher, David Montgomery suffered a deep thigh bruise that will most likely keep him out 1-3 weeks. JK Dobbins, the premier running back for Baltimore out for the season with a torn Achilles. Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is ruled out for a concussion. Chargers leading rusher, Austin Ekeler will be out for a second week with a lingering ankle injury. Niners wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was ruled out of Thursday night’s game with a shoulder injury. Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback, Joe Burrow will be a game-time decision due to a continued ailing calf injury. Starting quarterback for the Colts, Anthony Richardson will be out due to a concussion. Carolina Panthers starting quarterback, Bryce Young is ruled out with an ankle injury. New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams ruled out with an ailing hamstring. Many defensive line, defensive secondary and offensive line players across the league remain questionable and doubtful to suit up for their third game. Depending on the number of teams and layout of your fantasy league, this can cause quite the disruption of maneuvering a starting lineup, and possibly affecting a win or loss for your ‘Burrow the Competition’ squad.
Obviously, I missed the deadline of posting my farce amateur sports fanatic nuggets before the Thursday night game between my home team, San Francisco Forty-Niners and New York Giants. Purdy wobbled a little in the first half, only to recover with prominent play of the core YAC brothers defeating the Giants handily, 30-12. The Niners moved to 3-0, with Brock Purdy winning his first eight starts in the regular season. The San Francisco defense continues to shine and become even stronger with Bosa scoring his first sack of the season, as well as documented rushes on the quarterback and tackles. Niners are showing up fierce and ready to rumble with anyone on the road and at Levi Stadium. The Niner Nation faithful to our Bay team is here for it!!! Bang-bang Niner gang!
Best of luck fellow fantasy peeps!
#FTTB
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