The Resurrection of Sam Darnold
Like in 2023, the Vikings beat the 49ers. Expected as a team in difficulty, Minnesota starts the season with two victories. After a chaotic start to his career with the Jets, Sam Darnold seems to be finding his colors in the cold of the northern United States.
After Geno Smith, if Darnold has a great season, the Jets' ability to destroy quarterbacks' careers will have to be investigated.
Patient and efficient, he is like his team: not perfect but combative. This team will probably not play the leading roles, but it has the weapons to annoy a team every week. To the point of dreaming of playoffs?
The Bills are the clear favorites in the AFC East
In Florida, the Bills have once again demonstrated that they are one of the best teams in the AFC. Dominant on the ground, efficient in the air, and aggressive in defense, the Bills are disciplined and efficient. More than ever, this division victory gives them the status of division favorite.
Miami, on the other hand, risks experiencing complicated weeks, with the risk of seeing Tua Tagovailoa miss weeks of competition after a new concussion.
Saints, Buccaneers carry NFC South
A year ago, the NFC South was the worst division in the league. But that was then.
The Saints wanted to prove that the victory against the Panthers was not a flash in the pan. Mission accomplished with a demonstration in Texas. Impeccable offensively, under the leadership of an inspired Klint Kubiak, Alvin Kamara and Derek Carr carried an irresistible attack. The line did the job, with a Taliese Fuaga in rookie of the year mode.
The Buccaneers also impressed, with a win over the Lions. Baker Mayfield is as exciting as ever, and the defense has gotten the job done despite a barrage of injuries. The resilience of this group is unparalleled, and the upcoming two games against the Saints look like must-see games.
The Jets are in the running-in phase
The New York Jets won a football game, which is good news for Aaron Rodgers and his teammates. But the performance on the field is not reassuring. The offense was inconsistent, while the defense took advantage of Will Levis' mistakes to secure the victory. Jermaine Johnson's injury coupled with Haason Reddick's strike leaves doubts about this team's ability to put pressure on the opposing quarterback, although the emergence of Will McDonald could solve the problem.
If New York is more than ever in the playoff race, it will have to take advantage of a favorable schedule to do better and quickly.
Bryce Young, already the beginning of the end?
First pick in the 2023 draft, Bryce Young is already under threat. Catastrophic last week, he did even worse against the Chargers. Author of 84 yards on 26 passes, he seems lost on the field.
He can't complete easy passes, he's a pain to watch coming out of the pocket to get sacked. The Panthers are more than ever the favorite for the first pick in the draft. If that happens, it's a safe bet that the first pick will be a quarterback.
Bryce Young cost 2 first picks, and was taken ahead of CJ Stroud. That's a lot for the young quarterback who appears to be a historic casting mistake.
Baltimore running out of fuel
A loss to the Chiefs in the opening game is not shameful, a loss to the Raiders is harder to explain. In the wake of a transparent Lamar Jackson, the Ravens seemed to be at the end of their rope.
Mike MacDonald's departure hurts the defense, but it's in games like this that the offense has to win the game. Baltimore had chances to kill the game, but this squad looked stale in the second half. In a competitive AFC North, they're going to have to get back on track quickly.
Jim hasn't changed
Justin Herbert is one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league, so it makes sense that Jim Harbaugh would focus on… the running game.
20 passes for 44 carries, the former 49ers coach is not ready to change his mentality. Like it or not, the Chargers' strategy this season will be that of a team from the early 2000s.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is a phenomenon
Marvin Harrison, who threw for 4 yards in Week 1, had the critics at the center in a typical NFL media overreaction. He silenced the critics with 130 yards and 2 touchdowns in one half yesterday, proving what we already know: he is a phenomenon and can become one of the best receivers in the league.
Quarterback is irrelevant…in Pittsburgh
The Steelers have scored one offensive touchdown… in two games. And yet they are at 2 wins in 2 weeks. The defense is obviously the main explanation, as it seems as dominant as last seasons. Facing the Broncos helps, but the impact of TJ Watt and his squad cannot be ignored.
Despite the perfect record, there is cause for concern about the offense. Whether it's Kenny Pickett or Justin Fields, the performance is poor. The line, like Broderick Jones, is also not up to par. It's hard to see how Russell Wilson could change an offense that seems to need a new lease on life. Matt Canada is gone, but the problems are still there. Change is needed if the goal is to do better than “just” make the playoffs.
Caleb Williams already in the rough
174 yards on 37 passes, 2 interceptions and a catastrophic performance, Caleb Williams' debut did not go as planned. The responsibility is shared, as his line seemed on strike for most of the game.
Williams can't play the hero like in college football, in the NFL defenses won't give him 7 seconds to throw. He has to play better and simpler. Easy to say but not to do. He has the chance to have targets, he has to take advantage of it.
Add in Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix and the rookie quarterbacks still haven't thrown a touchdown.
The NFL is unpredictable
With a “low” salary cap, and no luxury tax, the NFL is a homogenous league. Of the 15 games that have already taken place, seven underdogs have won (Raiders, Buccaneers, Saints, Vikings, Browns, Packers, Bills). The ultimate proof that the NFL is a fight every week (unless you play the Panthers).
Will Levis doesn't know what he's doing
And his coach doesn't know it either.
