NFL Week 2 Overreactions vs. Actuality: Saints have the perfect offense in NFC
What a wild week the NFL offered for Week 2. There have been 10 video games that have been determined by one rating (eight factors or much less) – together with 4 that featured the game-winning rating within the last minute of regulation or in time beyond regulation. 4 groups have begun the season 2-0 after lacking the playoffs the season prior, showcasing the parity of the league.
Because of an unpredictable Week 2, there are many overreactions to go round. Which overreactions after the Sunday afternoon video games deserve an overreaction. Which overreactions are literally actuality?
Zac Taylor will not final the season as Bengals head coach
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
One other 0-2 begin for the Bengals, which has turn into the norm beneath Taylor. The Bengals have misplaced seven straight video games in Weeks 1 and a couple of, but have by some means overcome the sluggish begins and completed with profitable data in every of the final two seasons. Taylor and the Bengals have been taking part in with fireplace, and finally they’re going to get burned.
If Cincinnati misses the playoffs this season, will Taylor survive? After going to the AFC Championship recreation in 2021 and 2022, lacking the playoffs in consecutive years could be a large setback for the franchise. Burrow had a comparatively wholesome camp and is wholesome sufficient to have an effect on video games. The errors the Bengals make are too expensive to outlive in a loaded AFC North and a troublesome AFC.
Taylor might not be round for much longer if the Bengals cannot flip issues round this yr.
Rams will end final in NFC West
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Did not have this on the bingo card for the NFL season. After two weeks, the Rams are the worst group within the division — and utterly banged as much as boot. Puka Nacua is out a number of weeks and Cooper Kupp was seen in a strolling boot after the blowout loss to the Cardinals.
Along with Matthew Stafford’s high two playmakers being out, the Rams have Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom injured on the offensive line (each on injured reserve). This comes every week after Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson have been the one offensive linemen that completed the sport. Tight finish Tyler Higbee continues to be on the PUP record as nicely rehabbing from a torn ACL.
These early season accidents are an excessive amount of for the Rams to beat, and the Cardinals and Seahawks have considerably improved from final yr. Somebody has to complete final on this division.
Ravens will miss the playoffs
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
The Ravens have suffered their first 0-2 begin since 2015, uncharted territory beneath John Harbaugh. Underneath earlier 0-2 begins in franchise historical past, the Ravens have failed to complete with a profitable report or make playoffs. Is there cause to panic with this sluggish begin, particularly after a nasty loss to the Raiders?
Baltimore has the fourth-best complete yards differential (+222) by an 0-2 group within the Tremendous Bowl period, a very good signal the Ravens are transferring the ball. In addition they blew one other 7+ level fourth-quarter lead, their tenth within the final 4 seasons. Baltimore has overcome these losses earlier than to inferior opponents. The 2 losses are by a mixed 10 factors.
The Ravens do have a gauntlet with the Cowboys, Payments, and Bengals arising — however the schedule will get a lot simpler after that. Harbaugh and Jackson deserve the good thing about the doubt.
Geno Smith is essentially the most clutch quarterback in NFL
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
Patrick Mahomes exists, however this is not a knock on Smith. That is really an endorsement of Smith and his skill to deliver the Seahawks again in video games. He threw seven landing passes to present the Seahawks the lead within the fourth quarter/time beyond regulation final season, and picked up the place he left off in Sunday’s win over the Patriots.
Smith led the Seahawks to a game-tying discipline aim drive within the last minute of regulation and the game-winning drive in time beyond regulation. Smith was 11 of 14 for 103 yards within the fourth quarter/time beyond regulation (97.0 ranking) and has thrown 10 landing passes to only one interception within the fourth quarter/time beyond regulation because the begin of final season (105.1 ranking is second in NFL).
Smith deserves his flowers for a way nicely he performs late in video games, however Mahomes nonetheless owns that title.
Saints have the perfect offense in NFC
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Straightforward to dismiss placing up 47 factors on the worst group within the NFL. The Saints went on an offensive barrage in consecutive weeks, scoring touchdowns on their first six possession en path to placing up 44 factors in opposition to the Cowboys. The offense did decelerate when the sport was out of hand, however the first-team offense began the season by scoring on every of its first 15 possessions.
The Saints have scored on 16 of their 20 possessions (not counting finish of recreation). They’ve averaged 32.5 factors per recreation within the first half and 45.5 factors per recreation on the yr. New Orleans has 91 factors this season, tied for the fourth most by two video games in NFL historical past and are the fifth group in NFL historical past to have 44 or extra factors in three straight video games (courting again to final yr).
Not solely is Derek Carr taking part in nicely, however the Saints have playmakers like Alvin Kamara, Rashid Shaheed, and Chris Olave on the ability positions. They’ve probably the most explosive offenses within the league with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak calling performs.
This offense is the perfect within the NFC till confirmed in any other case.
Trevor Lawrence is not a franchise quarterback
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
This can be a truthful assertion after Lawrence struggled once more in one other loss for the Jaguars. Lawrence has misplaced seven straight begins, which is the second-longest energetic streak within the NFL (Sam Howell has eight) because the Jaguars have misplaced 7 of their final 8 video games courting again to final season. That lone win got here in opposition to the Panthers in Week 17 final season (who’ve gained 2 of their final 19 video games) and Lawrence missed the sport.
In Lawrence’s final seven begins, the Jaguars are 0-7 whereas their beginning quarterback has accomplished simply 60% of his passes with 16 touchdowns to only 15 interceptions and averaging 6.7 yards per try. These aren’t encouraging numbers for a quarterback a group simply gave $55 million a yr this offseason.
Lawrence was simply 14 of 30 for 220 yards within the Week 2 loss to the Browns, because the Jaguars have scored simply 13 factors. Jacksonville has scored greater than 20 factors as soon as of their final six video games, numbers that franchise quarterbacks ought to have the ability to repair.
If Lawrence would not enhance this season or the Jaguars proceed to lose video games, this dialogue will solely escalate. Too quickly to make a declaration on Lawrence as a franchise quarterback, so let’s have a look at if he can play his method out of it.
Marvin Harrison Jr. will get 1,000 yards in his rookie yr
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
After having one catch in Week 1, Harrison confirmed why he was the perfect participant within the 2024 draft. Harrison completed with 4 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns within the Cardinals’ blowout win over the Rams. He had a 23-yard landing and a 60-yard landing in a 2:16 stretch early within the first quarter, showcasing how he may change a recreation immediately. He had all 130 of his yards within the opening quarter.
Harrison is on tempo for 1,139 yards this season after his breakout efficiency — difficult Anquan Boldin’s rookie franchise report of 1,377 yards. 1,000 yards is a robust risk, however it stays to be seen if Harrison will problem Boldin.
Regardless, Harrison showcased how good he’s already in his NFL profession.