Interesting Week 1 in the NFL. I always like the over-reactions (Just give Kyler Murray the MVP right now) and idiotic hot takes (the Bears lost because Justin Fields wasn’t their QB). It’s a long season folks. Let’s not waste all our stupidity after the first week.
Injuries are, as usual, the big news. WFT lose their starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Raheem Mostert, Jerry Jeudy, Jason Verrett (Niners struck by the injury bug again), Jeff Okudah all starters going down. And more. It’s a rough game made even rougher by losing players.
I do love it that we’re one week into the season and already Urban Meyer is answering questions about returning to college football. Fuck him.
Week 2 will have at least a few games that show everything we thought we learned from week 1 is wrong. NFL is back. Here’s your games:
Thursday Sept. 16th, 7:20
New York Giants at (-3) Washington Football Team, 40.5
Sunday, Sept 12th
Early
New England Patriots (-5.5) at New York Jets, 42.5
Buffalo Bills (-3.5) at Miami Dolphins, 48.5
Houston Texans at (-12) Cleveland Browns, 48.5
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Indianapolis Colts, 47.5
San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at Philadelphia Eagles, 50
Cincinnati Bengals at (-2.5) Chicago Bears, 45
Las Vegas Raiders at (-5) Pittsburgh Steelers, 48
Denver Broncos (-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars, 45.5
Late afternoon
Atlanta Falcons at (-12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 52
Minnesota Vikings at (-4.5) Arizona Cardinals, 51
Dallas Cowboys at (-3) Los Angeles Chargers, 55.5
Tennessee Titans at (-5) Seattle Seahawks, 54
Sunday Night Football
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) at Baltimore Ravens, 54.5
Monday Night Football
Detroit Lions at (-11) Green Bay Packers, 48
One week in, and already I’m “who gives a shit”ing the Thursday night game. Partly because it’s on the NFL Network only (fuck them). Partly because of injuries (Fitzmagic and Saquon). Partly because of the teams (can both lose?). I just don’t care much. I will be interested in how Taylor Heinicke does (I love me some competent journeyman Qbs finally getting a shot), but that’s about it.
I think the Bills/Dolphins game will be the one to watch early Sunday. I was happy to see Josh Allen revert to his old ways last week, but it was just one game. And Miami’s defense is no slouch. Should be interesting to see how Allen does and if the Bills, whose lead RB averaged 6.5 ypc last week, decide not to throw the ball every damn play. The defensive matchup of Rams v. Colts and the “is Jalen Hurts for real?” Niners v. Eagles games are interesting too.
The Cowboys/Chargers game should be fascinating as both teams have legit shots at the title. And are the Titans really as bad as week 1 showed? Can they bounce back and make at least a respectful showing against the seahawks
The Sunday Night game is the Game of the Week. The Chiefs should be a much better team than to have to rely on the late game heroics of Mahomes, but they continue to win. The Ravens coughed the ball up last week in a loss to the Raiders, I expect them to stop that and rely on a solid running game, ball control offense to keep this game close. Should be a good watch.
I fully expect Kaaron Rodgers (I love that name for him) to throw for 500 yards and 6 tds as he tries to rebuild his reputation and stats against a not so great defense like the Lions. I doubt it will be a close game, but it should be fun to watch.
Thoughts? Prayers? What are you excited to see happen in week 2. Let’s hear from you.