Each week within the NFL season brings a bunch of recent questions … and solutions some previous ones, too. Let’s run down what we discovered in Week 2 … and what we’ll be questioning about in Week 3 and past.
ASKED: How far can the Vikings go?
We’re not but prepared to surrender on all our “Sam Darnold is horrible” takes over time; if we have now to do away with cherished beliefs like that, what else do we have now? However you’ve obtained to confess Darnold has regarded — properly, not “rejuvenated,” that might indicate he was juvenated to start with — let’s go along with “impressed.” He threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, snaring a 3rd of his yardage complete on this absolute seed to Justin Jefferson:
Kevin O’Connell has the Vikings buzzing after Sunday’s massive 23-17 win over the 49ers. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is working magic on that aspect of the ball. It will get more durable from right here — the Texans and Packers await — nevertheless it’s clear that this group gained’t be the NFC North walkover everybody anticipated.
Beating the Panthers isn’t precisely the mark of a champion. Beating the brakes off Dallas, in Dallas, and you can begin desirous about the division crown. The Saints have been spinning in place since Drew Brees retired, however Sunday’s utter beatdown of Dallas — 44-19, and it didn’t even appear that shut — is the sort of recreation that makes us reassess every little thing we find out about this group.
Provided that the Saints’ quarterback is Derek Carr and their main rusher was Alvin Kamara — each of whom we all know very properly at this level — the X issue is clearly new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who has managed to harness after which unleash an array of weapons. (Kamara getting 115 yards and three touchdowns on the bottom? Three receivers topping 60 yards? It occurred!) The query of Dallas’ viability is one which hangs over the Cowboys yearly, however the Saints have put the league on discover that they’ll be seeking to return to their very own former glory very quickly.
ASKED: When are we going to see the Trevor Lawrence magic?
the road on Lawrence — finest No. 1 draft choose since Peyton Manning, savior of Jacksonville, blah blah. It’s the beginning of Yr 4 now, and Lawrence is simply … OK? If that? Jacksonville misplaced a really winnable recreation towards Cleveland Sunday, 18-13, and it was largely due to Lawrence’s incapacity to search out receivers, put the Jaguars in the long run zone, and — on the finish of the sport — maintain from getting sacked in the long run zone himself. These aren’t the actions of a marquee, front-line, elite-level quarterback — and Lawrence will get paid like one, and has all of the expectations of 1.
Two video games in, and Jacksonville is 2 video games behind Houston for the division lead. The one shock right here is that it’s not an excellent larger deficit. In spite of everything, you don’t spell DUVALLL with W’s.
ANSWERED: Whether or not Arizona is on the proper path
Look, it’s honest to confess you had questions on Kyler Murray’s viability as an NFL quarterback, whether or not primarily based on his dimension, propensity for harm or decision-making. However in case you had these questions, you now have your reply: When wholesome, and when surrounded by the proper playmakers, Kyler Murray is a harmful QB. Murray and the Cardinals diced the Rams 41-10 Sunday, the sort of beating that leaves some long-term psychic scars.
Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. would possibly simply be the subsequent nice QB/WR combo. They attached for a straightforward 130 yards and two touchdowns, rendering Harrison’s unspectacular rookie debut final week a moot problem. Harrison was the very best participant on the sector in school; why would anybody assume he’d be the worst within the NFL? James Conner (122 yards dashing, 1 landing) has discovered his mojo this season too, and the result’s an offense that’s as deadly as anticipated. However don’t low cost the Cardinals protection, both; it takes weight to close down a Sean McVay/Matthew Stafford offense the best way Arizona did Sunday. We’re not but prepared to jot down in Arizona as an NFC favourite, nevertheless it has all of the items essential to elbow into the playoff dialog.
ASKED: How a lot bother are the Bengals and Ravens in?
You might’ve made some huge cash betting that each the Ravens and Bengals could be 0-2 at this level within the season, in case you’re the sort of individual that likes wagering on others’ distress. Two AFC playoff perennials, already looking at an enormous mountain to climb simply to get into the postseason? Inconceivable! However right here we’re, so let’s dig in.
In the event you’re searching for the “higher” loss, look to the Bengals. After final week’s ugly and sudden loss to New England, Cincinnati discovered its footing and really practically beat the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs, losing on a late field goal. The Bengals might or will not be a postseason risk, however they’ve a nice little stretch arising right here — Washington and Carolina, earlier than a showdown with Baltimore — that may assist them erase these early-season woes in a rush.
Baltimore, alternatively, noticed a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead towards Las Vegas — Las Vegas! — evaporate en path to a 26-23 loss. That’s an indication of an across-the-board breakdown, uncharacteristic for a John Harbaugh-coached group. Baltimore has a uneven street within the rapid future — Dallas, Buffalo and that Bengals divisional matchup — so if this group desires to place itself in place to be a Tremendous Bowl contender, there’s no extra time to waste.
ANSWERED: Whether or not the Bears are able to stage up
If you recognize a Bears fan, give ‘em a hug at the moment. This fanbase hasn’t had a lot to cheer about since, oh, 1985, so after they landed Caleb Williams within the draft this yr, there was (justifiable) trigger for celebration. Now? Not a lot. Williams threw two interceptions — ugly ones, at that — and by no means regarded comfy in a 19-13 loss to Houston Sunday night. Granted, a complete lot of that isn’t Williams’ fault — it’s clear that the Bears’ O-line was overmatched, and the very last thing you need a rookie quarterback to see is a swarming, hungry protection like Houston threw at Williams. Any time you’re taking seven sacks, you’re hurting.
Chicago goes to want to regulate its safety for Williams, pronto, or this season goes to go sideways. With Detroit (see above), Minnesota (additionally see above) and Green Bay (TBD) within the division, Chicago has no room for error. The Bears have a get-right recreation subsequent week towards Indianapolis and a troublesome one towards the banged up Rams earlier than they’ll exhale with a Carolina date. They’ll want to indicate greater than they’ve to date earlier than we’re in on them.
