NFL Week 2: Biggest Takeaways & Storylines

Chargers HC Brandon Staley’s Seat Has to be Hot

The Chargers, who once again had high hopes for this season, start 0-2 after a 27-24 overtime loss in Tennessee. The Chargers’ offense has put up 29 ppg through the first two weeks, but have not been fully blameless as they got the ball first in OT, but did absolutely nothing with it. In big spots it just seems like the offense can’t quite pull through most times. But they should not be put in this position nonstop by their awful defense. The Chargers have given up 31.5 ppg through the first two games this season. The stat line for Titans QB Ryan Tannehill was 20/24, 246yds 1 TD & 0 INT. That stat line isn’t amazing at first glance, but that completion rate is 83.33%. If it were not for the Chargers’ D-line getting to Tannehill for 5 sacks, there would have been no opposition at all for the TEN passing game. Keep in mind, just last week, this Chargers defense gave up 466 yards and 3 TDs to Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins. Brandon Staley was the defensive coordinator on the 2020 Rams Super Bowl team and worked under Vic Fangio in Denver prior to that, but his defenses have been getting worked in his tenure as Chargers HC. The Chargers have ranked 29th and 22nd in his first two full seasons in points allowed per game, and now this year giving up 31.5 ppg just two games into his third season. Most of us were surprised he wasn’t canned after blowing a 27-0 lead to Jacksonville in playoffs last year. But something has to give, and it’s likely going to be Staley’s job. Because this window of Herbert, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Eckeler, Bosa and Mack etc. looks to be closing without much anything to show for it. Only what could of and should have been.

Justin Fields “May Not Be The Guy” After All

It has been a really rough first two weeks for Bears QB Justin Fields. His electricity he showed and brought to the Bears last year usually had to do with his legs and ability to extend plays. Expectations for him throwing the ball were not super high, but improvement was expected over time. Despite the Bears acquiring some help at WR in stud DJ Moore and the controversial addition Chase Claypool, Justin Fields does not appear to be any better as a passer thus far into the season. He seems to really struggle reading defenses and has some head-scratching mistakes. It is true he is sacked constantly, however it is also true that some of this is his own doing. He has the 6th most pocket time on average this season (min 30 attempts) at 2.7 seconds, despite having the fourth lowest air yards per pass average in the NFL. In essence, his processing time or decision making time is taking too long. Is it a defense reading problem, or his innate ability to run instead that always crosses his mind? Whatever it is, it needs to be addressed above all else if he and the Bears are going to make this marriage work. And based on the way the Bears’ defense has played thus far, Fields will have plenty of opportunity to be throwing the ball as they will be trailing often.

Sean Payton Has Not Fixed Denver Yet, Broncos Fall to 0-2

Most everyone, including the betting market, had high expectations for the Denver Broncos this year. After ditching disastrous HC Nathaniel Hackett for Sean Payton, it was expected that the Broncos improve to the point of playoff contention at least. Their defense last year was incredible for the first 14 games, allowing just 14.9 ppg. Despite the defense dominance, they went just 4-10 in those games due to an even worse offense led by Russell Wilson. A Super Bowl QB who seemingly lost his mojo would now link up with a Super Bowl HC who was seen as an offensive genius of sorts. “Will he fix Russell Wilson?”, seemed to be question everyone was asking. Well, despite Wilson looking undeniably better, the results have not mattered to the scoreboard. Wilson was very precise and mistake free while throwing for 2 TDs in week 1, but only throwing for 177 yards despite 27 completions in a 16-17 loss to a mediocre LV Raiders team in Denver. This week Russell threw for 245 yards and 2 TDs before getting an insanely lucky, twice tipped 60 yard TD heave as time expired added onto his stat line. It looked as if the Broncos could have came back from beyond the grave, but the 2pt conversion was incomplete despite some questionable contact from the Washington defense. The Broncos fall to a middle of the road Washington Commanders team 33-35 in Denver, making the question on everyone’s mind, “Is this season already over for the Broncos?”. After losing two games at home as 3.5 point favorites, to less than stellar teams, it’s a fair question. The future is uncertain still in Denver.

NY Giants Avoid Disastrous 0-2 Start With Big Comeback

It was easy to see regression coming for the New York Giants this year. Much like the Vikings, winning so many one possession games last year is just not repeatable. However, nobody saw the Giants getting embarrassed in such a fashion as being outscored 60-0 through their first 6 quarters of play this year. After a 40-0 trouncing at home vs a very good Dallas Cowboy team, this week vs the AZ Cardinals seemed like an easy “bounce back” or “get right” spot. The Cardinals are likely the worst team in the NFL while Kyler Murray is out and recovering from last year’s injury, yet they led the Giants 20-0 at the half. It was a preposterous thing to see. However, to the Giants’ credit, they finally picked themselves off the floor and came back to win this game 31-28. An explosion of offense at the half that came all on it’s own, coming from zero AZ turnovers. Daniel Jones put the team on his back and with the help of Saquon Barkley and new addition Darren Waller, had 4 straight Touchdown drives and the winning FG drive in 5 second half possessions. While they seemingly saved their season with the comeback win, it is worth note that the celebration won’t last long as the Giants take on the juggernaut San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night without Star RB Saquon Barkley (ankle).

Bengals Offense Improves, Defense Run Over Again

Joe Burrow and the Bengals made an improvement on offense and put up 24 points, but lose 24-27 to division rival Baltimore Ravens. Burrow looked much better than his abysmal 80 yard passing performance in week 1, but it was not enough to overcome his team’s defense. This Bengals defense was steam rolled yet again on the ground, allowing 178 rushing yards to the Ravens after allowing 206 to the Browns last week. The Browns and Ravens are tough matchups to start the year, but the Bengals may have bigger problems than their 0-2 start. Joe Burrow tweaked his calf in the week 2 loss and said it’s tough to tell if it will linger around this season or not. If it’s not one thing it’s another right now for the Bengals. The defensive run stop, their own lack of a run game, potential Burrow lingering injuries etc. Will this collection of issues be too much for the Bengals to overcome, or will they once again turn it on and power through an 0-2 start? We may have seen this movie before, but then again, you never know.

FanDuel Lineup Success

You were very likely in the money again with our FanDuel Lineup of the week (below) as there were plenty of TDs to go around. We hope to keep it rolling and keep you in the money!

Jared Goff – $7,300
Saquon Barkley – $8,800
Rachaad White – $6,200
Amon Ra St. Brown – $8,100
DK Metcalf – $7,700
Nico Collins – $6,200
Donald Parham Jr – $4,600
James Cook – $6,600
New York Giants – $4,400