Carnage.
In what was perhaps the most unsurprising week of results, the headlines were stolen – unfortunately – due to numerous injuries to some of the game’s brightest stars.
As we wind down from an exciting week two and look forward to what week three may bring – here are the headlines from week two of the NFL;
INJURIES EVERYWHERE
Nick Bosa (knee), Saquon Barkley (knee), DaVante Adams (hamstring), Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), Christian McCaffrey (ankle), Drew Lock (shoulder), Malik Hooker (Achilles), Sterling Shepard (toe), Raheem Mostert (knee), Solomon Thomas (knee) and Johnathan Joseph (leg) were among the major names who went down injured.
Names like Bosa and Barkley are irreplaceable players for their respective teams but that’s precisely what will need to happen as both will miss the entire season.
Moving forward, fans of the game will need to watch with baited breath and pray that another batch of significants issues do not strike – remembering players had less than ideal preparations due to COVID-19.
AARON RODGERS… NO, AARON JONES
Forget the predicted downfall of the Pack, Green Bay will again be a threat. In week one, Aaron Rodgers electrified an empty US Bank Stadium and dispatched the Vikings and Aaron went on a kill spree in week two – but it was Aaron Jones firing the bullets, more so than Rodgers.
The star running back carried the rock 18 times for a hefty 168 yards and two touchdowns whilst he added 4 catches for 68 more yards and a third TD. It was a career day for a player who exploded into the elite category last season.
As an Aaron Jones Fantasy Football owner – let’s hope these big Sunday’s continue for the man out of UTEP.
For the record, the Packers rolled to 2-0 with a cruisy 42-21 victory over NFC North ‘rivals’, Detroit.
SUNDAY NIGHT STAR-POWER
One quarterback is a former league MVP trying to re-earn his stripes and the other is a Super Bowl champion who may very well be on his way to his own MVP trophy.
New England faced Seattle at Century Link Field in very different circumstances than we’ve become used to but the on-field product was the same – epic from start to finish.
Wilson unleashed some of his perfect deep balls, throwing for 288 yards and a handful of touchdowns. He did throw a pick six but that was clearly the fault of veteran tight end Greg Olsen.
Newton went 30/44 for 397 yards with a score and a pick but it was again his ground game which did the damage.
He carried the ball 11 times for 47 yards and two scores. On short yardage snaps, Newton looked all-but unstoppable except for the final play of the game when he misread the defensive line and was stopped short of the end zone resulting in a Seahawks victory, 35-30.
Seahawks spread coverers rejoice!
UP 20, DOWN YOU GO
Oh Atlanta. You went and did it again.
I have a soft spot for the Falcons and two of my main men, Rory Laird and Charles Cameron, are massive fans of the ATL but they’re making themselves hard to follow after another stunning collapse after being up 20 against Dallas.
Dallas charged back into the contest so they do deserve credit but Dan Quinn’s men again went up plenty and froze, attempting to lean on a non-existent run game and an even worse defence.
The on-side kick debacle was the icing on the cake.
Recovering an onside kick is so unlikely they’re actually considering changing the rules to make it more possible for the attacking team to reclaim possession.
Yet, the Falcons managed to allow a Dallas to sneak past them and recover the kick and stroll to the 36-yard-line and kick the go-ahead game-clincher.
HAIL HERBERT
As the story goes, Justin Herbert learned he was going to be the starting quarterback against the champion Kansas City Chiefs only a few minutes before kickoff.
Tyrod Taylor’s ribs/chest meant he had to be a real late withdrawal so the sixth overall pick in the draft was thrown into the fire.
The former Oregon Duck looked made for football on Sundays.
Yes, the Chargers defence played magnificently in keeping KC to just 23 points but Herbert played his part as well. 311 passing yards and a passing TD was made sweeter thanks to 18 crucial yards on the ground and a gritty rushing touchdown. Only once did Herbert make a blunder when he threw across his body resulting in a pick.
Strangely, LA coach Anthony Lynn stated Tyrod Taylor was still the team’s starting QB when healthy but after Herbert’s initiation to the big time it makes sense to allow him to keep playing.
He already gives the Chargers the best chance of winning.
QUIET ACHIEVERS
Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams are all 2-0 but not many are talking about them.
All of the conversation seems to be directed towards Seattle, Green Bay, Kansas City and Baltimore and perhaps rightly so but the Bills, Steelers, Bears, Cardinals and Rams have not put a foot wrong.
Folks were talking down Chicago leading into this season, mainly because of valid queries about the capabilities of Mitch Trubisky. His beginning to this season has been strong and the Bears are riding his coattails. The question is how long his form will last and at what point does Nick Foles enter the conversation?
The Rams had a down season following their Super Bowl appearance but they did win nine games. Some franchises would kill for a nine-win season. The team looks well balanced early into this campaign with nice wins over Dallas in week one and at Philadelphia last week.
LA heads to western New York for a monster clash with the Bills, who are also 2-0 and look ready to take over the AFC East.
Pittsburgh are relevant again and will be for as long as Big Ben remains healthy and motivated.
Arizona are rolling behind sensational sophomore Kyler Murray and All Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins whilst Baltimore and Kansas City are doing what everyone expected, although only one of those two teams will get to 3-0 as a mouthwatering Monday Night Football awaits us… LFG!
Josh Jenkins Sports 