Five talking points from NFL Week Two

When I was 15 years old I went on holiday with my best friend’s family to the south of France for 10 days. His parents drove and this was during a time before smartphones when the only forms of entertainment were making conversation, reading or listening to music. We flicked between a few CD’s for the duration of the journey, one of which was Lenny Kravitz and, if I learnt anything on that trip, it’s that it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Some of this weekend’s games were a great reminder of that.

Each week we witness games that go down to the wire, but not every week do we see a team erase a 21 point deficit in the fourth quarter, an ageing quarterback roll back the clock and lead his team to a come-from-behind victory, plus have drama in overtime borne from a mesmerising 20 second, 80 plus yard scramble for a two point conversion.

We were also reminded that the preseason hype counts for nothing when it finally comes down to playing meaningful games. Nobody cares if you are supposed to be the new leader for a team on the cusp of success, or if your previous injury woes have seen you penned in for a comeback campaign for the ages. This is a game of risk and reward, of big bodies colliding ferociously and as a head coach, you’d better have a decent contingency plan, you know… just in case.

Here’s our Week Two talking points:

1. Dynamic Dolphins rally behind talisman Tua

Miami’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, joins legends Dan Marino and Bob Griese in the Dolphins single-game record books, throwing for six touchdowns, during the team’s fourth quarter, 21 point, comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Not only that, but the Dolphins also enter the record books as being the only team in NFL history to have the quarterback pass for at least 400 yards and five touchdowns, but to also have two teammates (Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle) who each receive 170 yards or more (190 and 171 respectively) and each score two touchdowns. Madness!

Tua was not the only quarterback on display that was breaking records on Sunday. Lemar Jackson’s athletic ability was on full display as he became the first player since 1950 to combine for at least 300 throwing yards and three touchdowns, as well as rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown.

In doing so he also now holds the outright record for the most games in which a quarterback rushes for over 100 yards with 11, finally surpassing Michael Vick. Certainly a game for those with a penchant for statistics.

This was an unlikely victory for Miami and one that many would not have seen coming. Especially after the Ravens opened the game with a 101 yard kick-off return which was followed up by Tua throwing two early interceptions.

At this point, many of the Dolphins faithful – who are still wondering whether or not Tagovailoa is the right man to lead this offence – might have written their own team off in this game. Those who held even the faintest glimmer of hope, were rewarded with a win that will live long in the memory of those that were there to see it.

2. Flacco rolls back the years

With 1:55 left on the clock the New York Jets were losing 30–17 to the Cleveland Browns and Next Gen Stats estimated that the possibility of a Gang Green victory was a mere 0.01%. Who doesn’t enjoy a good underdog story? Veteran quarterback and former Super Bowl MVP, Joe Flacco, rolled back the years to lead his band of upstart rookies to the most unlikely of comeback wins. 

Whilst unlikely to ever be considered as a Hall of Fame talent, Flacco’s career is often overlooked and the 37 year-old probably deserves a little more respect than he gets. Even if this proves to be his one last great hurrah, what a one it was.

To be fair, whilst throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns is an impressive haul, the bigger emphasis should be placed upon the Jets rookie class, their collective performances and the signs of hope for the future on the field.

First and second round picks respectively, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall combined to score three of the teams four touchdowns, whilst defensively, first round cornerback Sauce Gardner had a good outing with a pass break up and six tackles and fellow rookie pass-rushers, Michael Clemons and Jermaine Johnson II, jointly recorded three tackles and a QB hit.

This was a game that the Browns could have had in the bag if not, arguably, for some botched game management. When running back, Nick Chubb, took the ball over the line for a touchdown, sure, a Jets comeback was highly unlikely.

However, a more strategic mind on the sideline or under centre should have given him the call to simply plough into the line of scrimmage and run the clock down. But hey, we all learn from our mistakes.

3. Keeping hold of Jimmy G has just saved the 49ers season

Unfortunately for the San Francisco 49ers and second-year quarterback Trey Lance, his ankle appears to have been broken on a run play where he could have handed the ball off to his running back, rather than keep it himself.

Thankfully, the team managed to convince the experienced Jimmy Garoppolo to remain with them on a restructured deal and he will now lead the team for the remainder of the season.

There is little doubt that the 49ers did the right thing by starting the year off with Lance under centre. The team needed to assess the former number three overall draft pick and there is no better way to do so than by giving him game time.

Last week’s monsoon laden affair in Chicago was a nightmarish start to the season for the Bay Area’s new signal caller and so this week, at home against division rivals Seattle, was to be where we witnessed a new life under Lance.

All we managed to glimpse were two completed passes for 30 yards and three rushing plays before it was all over rather unceremoniously. The young QB was carted off the field and will have to wait until next year to make his return in the famous red and gold.

And so, Jimmy G returns to lead the 49ers like he never left (technically he never did actually leave but, you know what I mean) and his understanding of Kyle Shanahan’s offence should give them a better chance of remaining in the hunt for the playoffs again.

4. Lacklustre Colts early season woes continue

The Indianapolis Colts had 10 offensive plays on the day and they were exactly that, an offence on the eyes, as they managed to turn those possessions into five turnovers and five punts. Come ON.

At the end of last season, when the then Carson Wentz led Colts capitulated in the final game against the Jags to miss the playoffs, owner Jim Irsay was furious and we knew a change was going to be made at the quarterback position.

And so, during the offseason, the team went about acquiring the ageing, yet still reliable, Matt Ryan – with the hope that he would be the missing piece of the puzzle and lead them deep into a January run. So far, that has been anything but the case.

Jacksonville were once again the instigators of the Colts downfall, although rarely did Indy get out of their own way and make life easy for the Jags to pick up the win. Ryan completed 16 of his 30 pass attempts and was picked off three times and in the first half, star man Jonathan Taylor was held to just four rushing yards from five attempts.

This is a stuttering offence to say the least. Defending against this team seems simple at the moment – use deep man coverage to limit the passing game and stack the box to nullify Taylor. With the Kansas City Chiefs up next, you worry for this one dimensional Colts team and their inability to move the football.

5. Will the Chargers’ season be limited by injury?

The LA Chargers added to their already talented roster this offseason by acquiring rising star cornerback J.C. Jackson, revenge driven pass rusher Khalil Mack and veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Factor in the return to full force of elite safety Derwin James and the defence looks in strong contention to balance nicely with Justin Herbert’s dynamic offensive play.

Many have tipped the Chargers to a first place finish in a loaded AFC West, as well as a deep run into the playoffs this year and Thursday night’s game against the Chiefs gave us a great indication of just how good this team could be.

Despite losing 27-24 in the “Thursday Night Football” season opener on Amazon Prime, the Chargers would have been encouraged by their play as the team had more offensive yards than Kansas City, more first downs and committed fewer penalties. However, not all is sunshine and roses as the Bolts season could easily derail with some very real injury concerns looming over them.

In the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Chargers number one receiver, Keenan Allen, was forced to leave the field with a hamstring injury and was also sidelined for Thursday’s game. During the game against the Chiefs, the Chargers also lost centre Corey Linsley to a knee injury, right tackle Trey Pipkins to a foot sprain and, most worryingly, quarterback Justin Herbert suffered an injury to his ribs and looked in real pain, despite toughing it out until the end.

We have since learned that Herbert’s situation is being assessed day-to-day whilst the team monitors his comfort levels, but you fear that a few more big hits and the quarterback could be sidelined for several games.

How could we miss this out…

I didn’t forget about the Arizona Cardinals comeback win against the Raiders either that I alluded to in the intro’. It’s just that, we’ve seen Murray do these types of things before.

He’s a scrambler, that’s what he has always been. Sure, this week was as impressive a performance in that regard as he’s had in the NFL until now. But Vegas’ defence is not so good beyond Maxx Crosby and so, barring their offensive capitulation, was anyone really surprised by this outcome? We’ve all seen the Murray highlight clip by now, I’ll just leave it at that. 

It just goes to show the frailty of football and how one minute, your team could be riding high. Then a few plays later though, you are brought back down to earth with a serious bang.