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Week 2 of the NFL Season saw some big upsets, both in victory, and in defeat.
Following my 12-4 week 1, I followed up with a clunker, going 8-7 headed into tonight’s Monday Night game between the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. That, in large part due to their being EIGHT upsets this week. I’ve decided instead of summarizing each game, I’ll point to my biggest winners and losers for week two, as some teams go forward confidently, and others are left scrambling for answers.
Winners: Dallas Cowboys
It’s not often a team can lose it’s star wide receiver, and starting quarterback in back to back weeks, and somehow be winners, but when you start the season 2-0 and both wins are in the division, you have every reason to be confident. A great performance from the Cowboys and their coaching staff in the victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Losers: Dallas Cowboys
Winners and losers in the same week? Well, read above. The Cowboys are without Tony Romo for at least two months as he has broken his left clavicle. Already without Dez Bryant, and now without Romo, the Cowboys hand the ball to Brandon Weeden. This could get ugly quickly.
Losers: Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles
The only team left feeling worse than the Cowboys after this game were the Eagles and their fans, who now look at Chip Kelly and question every radical offseason decision he made. Sam Bradford looks lost, DeMarco Murray watched his old team chug along without him, while he can’t even get 10 yards in a game.
Winners: New England Patriots
Deflategate? Depleted secondary? Doesn’t matter much when you have Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski on the field. Brady was masterful in a hostile environment against a head coach who usually plays him tough. One of Brady’s best performances today.
Losers: AFC East
The Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets all made big splashes via trades and free agency, while the Patriots seemed to sit back and do nothing. Many experts saw this as the chance for someone to overtake the Patriots. The Bills and Dolphins came up empty on Sunday, while the Patriots look like they haven’t missed a beat.
Winners: Atlanta Falcons
There may not be a better wide receiver in the NFL than Julio Jones, who continues his torrid pace in 2015. First year head coach Dan Quinn has brought an attitude and confidence to Atlanta that had been lacking under Mike Smith, and a 2-0 start is a great way to build on the installed confidence.
Losers: New York Giants
The Giants are the first team in NFL history to blow double digit leads in consecutive games to open a season in NFL history. Offense look uncomfortable, and the defense looks soft. Pressure mounting for head coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning.
Winners: Arizona Cardinals
Getting off to a 2-0 start is great. Getting off to a 2-0 start and getting contributions from offense, defense, and special teams shows a complete team with depth. The key for Arizona rests on the health of Carson Palmer. Palmer’s last 16 games – 365/568, 4,479 yards, 32 TDs, 12 INTs, 14-2 record. Both of those losses were by 3 points.
Losers: New Orleans Saints
A revamped offense minus Jimmy Graham, and a defense many thought would be improved, the Saints just don’t look right. This wouldn’t be as alarming had this been a road game, but the previously dominant Superdome Saints have been playing extremely poorly at home as of late. Could this be the worst team in the NFC South?
Winners: Green Bay Packers
Revenge was on the mind for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, and they played a high quality game on both sides of the ball. Rodgers at home is nearly untouchable, as he has gone 451 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. The next closest? Charlies Whitehurst with 169.
Losers: Seattle Seahawks
Back to back Super Bowl appearances, and an 0-2 start to the 2015 season. There is plenty of time for the Seahawks to bounce back, especially with uncertainty around the Rams, 49ers, and the rest of the NFC Wild Card contenders. But there are clear issues here, as the running game has been stagnant, and the defense has not performed like we’re used to seeing.
Winners: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After an embarrassing NFL debut, Jameis Winston showed poised and calm in hostile territory. The Saints defensive schemes did nothing to frustrate the rookie. The Buccaneers defense held up against the usually high powered Saints. Stand out performance goes to defensive end Jacquies Smith, who had 3 sacks on Drew Brees.
Losers: Baltimore Ravens
Losing week 1 to the Broncos is understandable. Losing week 2 to the Oakland Raiders is borderline unacceptable. For a team that was a few plays away from the Super Bowl last year, they have come out looking soft on offense and defense. Teams that start 0-2 historically do not make the playoffs.
Winners: Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos
Think people may have written off Peyton Manning a little early? After a sluggish start, Peyton was masterful in leading his team from behind. Sure, he was aided by coaching miscues by Andy Reid and fumbling from Jamaal Charles, but this victory isn’t possible without Peyton’s patented hurry up offense.
Be sure to keep your eyes out for my predictions for Week 3 which will be released on Wednesday. As always, be sure to get your NFL Tickets right here at SelectATicket, and we’ll be sure to find you the right tickets, at the right price!