Around the AFC
Uh oh, the Bengals learned how to … Play defense?! Yeah, Cincinnati gave up 27 points to Tampa in Week 1, but the Bengals also forced four turnovers. A defense that can simply make its fair share of plays makes that team a dangerous one, considering the offense features a healthy Joe Burrow, the receiver pair of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and more. If Burrow plays the whole season, the list of AFC playoff contenders only grows longer. Big challenge, though, in Week 2 at Houston.
A ridiculous start. Josh Allen is off to a blistering start to the season. You can’t win the MVP in two games, but you can certainly make an early statement. The Bills have piled up high-scoring wins against Houston and Detroit already and Allen has played out of his mind. Through two games, he’s thrown for 582 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 90 yards and four touchdowns. If Allen gets the Bills through an upcoming stretch against the L.A. Chargers, New England and the L.A. Rams, look out.
Empty Harbs. Was there a more disappointing Week 1 performance than the Chargers losing by multiple scores to Arizona? Jim Harbaugh’s team didn’t just lose, they lost convincingly. Los Angeles should be a playoff contender with Justin Herbert, running back Omarion Hampton and new offensive play-caller in Mike McDaniel. An opening loss isn’t the end of the world — New England went to the Super Bowl after losing to Las Vegas in Week 1 — but L.A. better not start with losses to the Cardinals and the Raiders.
Around the NFC
MLF, wyd? The Packers were rolling along, leading Minnesota 22-10 in the second half of their Week 1 game. After the Vikings got within 22-17, the Packers responded with a field goal to extend the lead to 25-17. But Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur took the points off the board when a penalty set up fourth-and-1 instead. The Packers got stuffed. The Vikes reeled off 29 straight points and ran away with the game. LaFleur’s team hasn’t won since before coming to Denver in December last year.
A long wait. Seattle opened the season with a win against New England and then had 11 days between games. Now they’re finally back on the field at Arizona for a divisional matchup. The Seahawks are going to have to survive for a couple of weeks without quarterback Sam Darnold, but they’re well positioned to be a force again. One key: Not tripping up with Drew Lock at the helm in the interim.
Bullseye. Jaxson Dart had a, well, interesting offseason. Who had a more pleasant surprise of a Week 1, though? Dart played smooth, under control and efficiently for John Harbaugh in Week 1 of his second pro season while leading the Giants over division-rival Dallas. It featured a massive Giants debut from TE Isaiah Likely (8 catches, 79 yards, two TDs). If they go on the road and beat the L.A. Rams — no easy task — they’ll gain major buzz and quickly.
Game of the Week
Minnesota at Chicago
There aren’t many better play-caller showdowns in football than Chicago head coach Ben Johnson against Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings are going to try to heat up Caleb Williams and Williams is going to try to stay scorching hot after leading the Bears (-4.5) to 59 points in Week 1 against Carolina. The Vikings were staring down disaster against Green Bay before blasting to 29 unanswered points and rolling to a 17-point victory. The Bears’ best attribute: They can run the heck out of the ball, including 291 yards in their opener.
Bears 29, Vikings 22
Lock of the Week
Baltimore vs. New Orleans
Rookie head coaches went 4-2 in their debuts and while Mike LaFleur’s Arizona team notched the biggest surprise, none were more impressive than Jesse Minter’s opening salvo with the Ravens. He has impressed at every stop along the way and is now off to a fast start as a team manager. Plus, he’s got an exciting young offensive coordinator in former Broncos TE coach Declan Doyle, too. They dismantled Indianapolis on the road, 41-23, behind three Derrick Henry touchdown runs and an ultra-efficient outing from Lamar Jackson (324 passing yards on 25 attempts). The Saints are building, but Baltimore (-8.5) should stay in high gear into Week 2.
Ravens 31, Saints 24
Upset of the Week
Atlanta vs. Carolina
Yeah, the Falcons (+2.5) are probably playing their No. 3 quarterback again in Cooper Rush. Thatap never a great recipe for success. However, Carolina’s defense was a disaster in Week 1 against Chicago and the Falcons have the benefit of playing at home. Plus, Kevin Stefanski’s team has playmakers galore. Get the ball to Bijan Robinson and let him do the carving. It won’t be pretty, but there’s no reason Atlanta can’t find a way to the finish line in a division home game.
Falcons 17, Panthers 16
