Eight games were decided by seven points or less this past weekend. Football is so back. Now if you’re like me and you go sit down at 11:00 a.m. (depending on if Liverpool also play on a Sunday) and don’t get up until after the 4 o’clock games end, you’ll feel the same way I do. Just pure bliss every Sunday. I could have 70 missing assignments, late bills, and 300 missed calls/emails and I wouldn’t do a single thing about them if it was on a Sunday. It’s just an incredible feeling. We waited seven months for this and it’s back and better than ever. Let’s get into it.
1. Have the Raiders finally figured it out? Or is this just another part of their eventual .500 and under doom?
The Raiders are just a weird organization. All the way from their owners haircut to their draft picks, no one really knows what in the world goes on over there at Allegiant Stadium. Meanwhile on the field, the Raiders have been making it pretty clear this season. They are not here to mess around. First, they beat Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Monday Night Football at home with a statement victory. Derek Carr balled out, throwing for 435 yards and two touchdowns while running back Josh Jacobs ran in two more scores. After that thrilling overtime victory, they traveled to Heinz Field to take on the reigning AFC North champions. And they outplayed the black and gold with ease, cruising to a 26-17 victory. Carr was impressive once again, throwing for two touchdowns including a 61 yard bomb to the speedster Henry Ruggs III on 3rd & 10. Even with all these positives, I’m skeptical to put my chips in the Raiders playoffs sweepstakes. The offensive line is shaky and Derek Carr is now dealing with an ankle injury again. I mean if we just look at the Raiders last year, they started off 6-3 and finished 8-8. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to trust a team who’s only made the playoffs once since 2002. The Raiders are facing the Tua-less Dolphins this week and they should be able to get the victory. However, we’ll have to wait and see.
2. Urban Meyer is not having a great time
When a coach makes the jump from playing on Saturday’s to Sunday’s, the transition sometimes can hit hard. Nick Saban is arguably the greatest college coach of all time, and he left for Alabama after two playoff-less seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Before this year, Urban Meyer hadn’t coached a game of football since January 2019. Now as the head coach of the Jaguars, Meyer is currently sitting at 0-2, with a very difficult road ahead. The Jags are set to face the red-hot Cardinals this upcoming week followed by the Bengals and Titans. With rookie quarterback Trevor Lawerence struggling with protecting the ball and Meyer’s questionable decision to limit 1,000 yard-rusher James Robinson on the offense, fans are starting to get worried. I mean they should be, this team hasn’t won a game since last September. You would’ve figured with all their draft picks and free agency additions they’d at least be competitive in one of their last two games. All I got to say is I’m praying for this man Urban Meyer. The NFL a whole different ballgame and I just hope he ready for it.
3. Are the Panthers legit?
The Carolina Panthers currently have the best defense in the National Football League. The Panthers are ranked #1 in both passing and rushing defense. They are also currently sitting at 2-0 after beating the Jets and Saints, arguably with ease. After a five touchdown performance against the Packers in week 1, Jameis Winston was held to 111 yards and two interceptions. Sam Darnold had another efficient game, throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. There’s really no deep hole at any position on this team. Even first-round pick Jaycee Horn got his first career interception this past weekend. Matt Rhule seems to have the locker room behind him and I love the team they got developing down there at Bank of America Stadium. Let’s see if Sam Darnold & Co. can carry their momentum this Thursday against the Tyrod Taylor-less Houston Texans.
4. The Bucs are looking and playing like reigning champions
Tom Brady has 655 passing yards and nine touchdowns in two games. He’s 44 years old. If I said the Panthers didn’t have many holes in their team, the Bucs are like Thanos compared to them. Rob Gronkowski is back on his prime level catching four touchdown passes in the first two games, even without watching any film. They will be truly tested this upcoming Sunday as they travel to Los Angeles to take on Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
5. Lamar Jackson is a top five quarterback
How is this not a good argument. At 24 years old Lamar Jackson has unanimously won an MVP, broken several records, and has become my favorite player in the league (besides Tom Brady). This past Sunday, without several starters, Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a 36-35 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson threw one touchdown, ran for two scores (including the eventual game-winner), and ran for over 100 yards. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 200 yards, run for over 100, and rush for two touchdowns in a regular season game. The man is special. I want nothing but for this man to succeed. The slander needs to stop. Just appreciate greatness while it’s here.
Well there you have it folks. Week two of the NFL season has come to a wrap. Sixteen more weeks to go and I couldn’t be happier. A lot of huge matchups this week that will definitely be discussed in next week’s article (Bucs vs. Rams, Packers vs 49ers, and Eagles vs. Cowboys). This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
