Whereas Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion has been the discuss of the league in Week 2, the Inexperienced Bay Packers might try to tread water with out quarterback Jordan Love, the early Dallas Cowboys hype prepare appears to be like to run by way of the New Orleans Saints, Joe Burrow meets Patrick Mahomes as soon as once more and the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans cap Sunday’s motion.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando, Jeff Howe and Zak Keefer break down the weekend forward.
Which storyline from Week 1 didn’t get talked about sufficient?
Sando: How unhealthy the Carolina Panthers seemed. It was sensible to anticipate some progress this season, however after dropping 47-10 at New Orleans and dropping prime defensive lineman Derrick Brown for the season, what’s the path ahead?
Howe: I used to be impressed by the way in which Jalen Hurts rebounded from the Philadelphia Eagles’ horrific begin, which was partly on him, after all. They opened with two turnovers, together with an unsightly interception and a botched snap by the middle, however Hurts led the Eagles to a few touchdowns and a discipline aim on the following 4 drives to grab management towards the Packers. Hurts deservedly received criticized for his two picks, however they wouldn’t have gained that recreation with out his psychological toughness.
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Keefer: Perhaps it’s because they’ve been within the highlight for the higher a part of 5 seasons, however I believed the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ opening-night win over the Baltimore Ravens was extraordinarily spectacular. Not solely do the Chiefs have one of many stiffest defenses within the league, however with Xavier Worthy, additionally they have one other offensive weapon who ought to alleviate a few of the midseason struggles they’d on that aspect of the ball final season. The Ravens are as constant as any group in soccer, and the Chiefs have now overwhelmed them in six of the previous seven video games. That’s spectacular. It’s not a stretch to say Kansas Metropolis can win 14 or 15 video games this season and cruise to a No. 1 seed. A 3-peat, assuming all the important thing items keep wholesome, may be very a lot in play.
It’s solely Week 2, however did you see something from the Cowboys to make you consider this 12 months can finish any in a different way? Had been the Saints simply enjoying a nasty Panthers group, or is there one thing to consider in, in New Orleans?
Sando: It’s arduous to say this Cowboys season will finish any in a different way after watching the San Francisco 49ers dominate the New York Jets on each traces. Dallas wants regression elsewhere within the NFC to keep away from falling quick. On the Saints, the good begin prompt they won’t be a catastrophe. I feel individuals overlook they completed 9-8 final season.
Howe: I used to be totally on board with the Cowboys taking that long-awaited bounce final season, however one other playoff dud ruined all of the goodwill they’d constructed. They’re once more one of the crucial gifted groups within the league, so it’s trying like the same common season is in retailer. There in all probability isn’t something they’ll do earlier than mid-January to extinguish the doubts from the final playoff efficiency. The Saints are 25-26 over the previous three seasons. They’ve confirmed able to trying good at instances and mediocre at others. This will likely be extra concerning the Panthers except the Saints show in any other case over the following 5 video games towards high-quality opponents.
Keefer: The issue with the Cowboys is their postseason collapses of the previous few years have overshadowed how constant and productive they’ve been all through the common season. So long as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are on the sphere, this is likely one of the finest offenses in soccer, and the way in which the protection performed Sunday on the Cleveland Browns speaks to how a lot that unit can disrupt the sport. As for the Saints, I’m not taking something away from them, however this was extra about Carolina — the Panthers are the least gifted group in soccer, and it’s not even shut. I’m trying ahead to how New Orleans does with a way more professional check Sunday versus Dallas.
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Colts-Packers is an intriguing recreation as effectively. How can Inexperienced Bay tread water with out Love (listed as questionable Friday) if he has to overlook vital time? Although Anthony Richardson flashed the particular skill in Week 1 that makes him so distinctive, what else do it’s good to see from him to consider he can take a step ahead this 12 months?
Sando: I don’t see how the Packers can tread water with Malik Willis as their interim beginning quarterback. There isn’t any proof to counsel he can play effectively sufficient persistently sufficient to win. For Richardson, let’s see him string collectively video games with out an harm. Then we will give attention to the finer factors of his play.
Howe: The Packers wanted a powerful September to counterbalance a difficult schedule over the ultimate three months, in order that they’re in bother if Love misses this stretch towards the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings. They’ll want mistake-free play from Willis, an amazing working recreation, some chunk catch-and-runs from their gifted receivers and takeaways on protection. That’s quite a bit that has to go proper whereas Love will get wholesome. Richardson appears to be like able to take the following step. He simply wants to remain wholesome to get there.
Keefer: Mike is correct — nothing we’ve seen so removed from Willis suggests he can step into the beginning position in Inexperienced Bay and beat a fairly strong Indianapolis group. He has additionally solely been with the Packers for about three weeks, so it’s not like he has mastered the playbook but. As for Richardson, this season is about changing into greater than a spotlight reel: His highs are unreal, however he missed too many open throws Sunday — together with a walk-in landing for A.D. Mitchell — and that was the distinction within the recreation. However bear in mind: That was his fifth NFL begin. It will take time. He’s proven sufficient promise to make you suppose he’ll get there.
Which Texans offseason addition was extra spectacular Sunday: Joe Mixon or Stefon Diggs? Caleb Williams’ efficiency left quite a bit to be desired, however what positives did you are taking away from his debut?
Sando: Mixon turned the sixth participant because the begin of the 2020 season to hold no less than 30 instances and common no less than 5.0 yards per rush in a recreation. That’s robust work and extra spectacular than Diggs, whose six receptions weren’t exceptional.
Howe: Wow, this might be an amazing barroom debate. Mixon offers the Texans a component they didn’t have final season once they completed twenty second in speeding, and C.J. Stroud was going to be nice no matter Diggs’ arrival as a result of they’re already so good at receiver. But when Diggs comes as self-advertised and recaptures the difference-making skill, it is perhaps sufficient to get the Texans excessive within the playoffs. For now, I’d say Mixon is the higher reply, although. As for Williams, I’m not apprehensive about him long-term, however I don’t know what number of positives there have been Sunday. Greater than something, the Bears look able to play at a excessive degree on protection and particular groups, and that might imply extra to their success this season than something.
Keefer: I lined Sunday’s Houston Texans-Colts recreation, and I believed Mixon was working like he was 5 years youthful. He completely torched the Colts within the second half. The week earlier than in apply, he instructed his offensive linemen, “Let’s go get 150 to start out it off.” He completed with 159 and salted the sport away late within the fourth. If he can grow to be a constant risk in Bobby Slowik’s scheme, this will likely be one of many prime offenses in soccer. As we noticed, the receiving room is stacked. As for Williams, essentially the most encouraging takeaway was how he dealt with it; this was a dud of a debut, however he dealt with it like a veteran, praising his protection and particular groups and vowing to get again to work. Having the humility to bury a nasty recreation and begin over the next week is significant for a younger quarterback. He’ll get take a look at how top-of-the-line within the league, Stroud, does it Sunday.
C.J. Stroud’s softspoken, laid-back persona belies an edge he’s all the time performed with — and now leads with.
He doesn’t unleash it usually. However when he does, teammates really feel the hearth.
Quarterbacks don’t get far on this league being well mannered, writes @zkeefer.https://t.co/VRHPvZUFq4 pic.twitter.com/niFjqLyJeI
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 12, 2024
We had a pair of post-Achilles harm returns in Week 1 from the Falcons’ Kirk Cousins and the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers. Ideas on each QBs? Are they rusty and in want of time, in good condition or is there some trigger for concern?
Sando: They each seemed good throwing the ball. The questions I’ve deal extra with the offensive design and their play callers. Rodgers confirmed he can throw the ball effectively. However will this be a dynamic assault? Cousins threw the ball nice, however he was underneath stress and received hit arduous, which affected his play. Cousins additionally was within the shotgun or pistol far more continuously than prior to now, with zero under-center play-action appears to be like, which he has thrived on. Is that finest for Cousins?
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Howe: I believed Rodgers seemed good at instances. The 49ers overwhelmed the Jets, who weren’t able to compete with one of many league’s finest groups. It was a pleasant place to begin for the QB, although. Cousins was just a little extra regarding simply because the Atlanta Falcons had so many probabilities to take management of the sport and easily couldn’t. Perhaps it’s as a result of T.J. Watt seemed like the very best defender on the planet final week, so I’m to see extra from Cousins and the Falcons as a complete.
Keefer: It’s too early to panic in both case — particularly with skilled QBs like these two — however that was some unhealthy offensive soccer from each groups. Rodgers nonetheless throws one of many prettiest balls within the league, however he didn’t look to be shifting across the pocket all that nice — definitely not like he did for many of his time in Inexperienced Bay. A few of this was in all probability the 49ers protection, which was wonderful, however apart from one good drive within the first half and the free-play landing, they didn’t do a factor. On the Falcons’ entrance, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection made Cousins’ life fairly depressing for a lot of the day — Watt was flat-out unstoppable at instances. Can they defend him higher? Cousins will possible settle in additional because the season progresses, however Mike’s issues concerning the scheme are legitimate. We’ll be taught extra Monday night time.
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(Picture of Jordan Love: Wagner Meier / Getty Photographs)