Every week of the NFL season brings a ton of new questions … and answers some old ones, too. Let’s take a look at what we learned in Week 2 … and what we’ll be surprised by in Week 3 and beyond.
WANTED: How far can the Vikings go?
We’re not ready to give up all of our “Sam Darnold is terrible” takeaways over the years; if we have to get rid of such cherished beliefs, what do we have left? But you have to admit that Darnold looks — well, not “rejuvenated,” which would imply he was rejuvenated to begin with — let’s call it “inspired.” He threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, giving him a third of his total yardage on this all-seeded Justin Jefferson:
Kevin O’Connell has the Vikings buzzing after Sunday’s big 23-17 win over the 49ers. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores works magic on that side of the ball. Things get tougher from here — the Texans and Packers await — but it’s clear this team won’t be the NFC North walkover anyone expected.
ANSWERED: Are the Saints Legitimate?
Beating the Panthers isn’t exactly the mark of a champion. When you let Dallas hit the brakes in Dallas, you can start thinking about the division title. The Saints have been in and out of place since Drew Brees retired, but Sunday’s sweep of Dallas — 44-19, and it didn’t even seem that close — is the kind of game that makes us reevaluate everything we know about this team.
Given that the Saints’ quarterback is Derek Carr and their leading rusher is Alvin Kamara — both of whom we know very well at this point — the X-factor is clearly new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who has managed to utilize and then unleash an array of weapons. (Kamara rushing for 115 yards and three touchdowns on the ground? Three receivers rushing for 60-plus yards? It’s happened!) The question of Dallas’ viability hangs over the Cowboys every year, but the Saints have put the league on notice that they’re looking to return to their former glory very soon.
WANTED: When will we see the magic of Trevor Lawrence?
You know the line about Lawrence — best No. 1 draft pick since Peyton Manning, savior of Jacksonville, blah blah. It’s the start of Year 4 now, and Lawrence is just … OK? Like, is he? Jacksonville lost a very winnable game to Cleveland on Sunday, 18-13, and it was largely because of Lawrence’s inability to find receivers, put the Jaguars in the end zone, and — late in the game — avoid getting sacked in the end zone himself. These are not the actions of a marquee, front-line, elite-level quarterback — and Lawrence is paid like one, and has every expectation of one.
Two games in and Jacksonville is two games behind Houston for the division lead. The only surprise here is that the deficit isn’t even bigger. You don’t spell DUVALLL with W’s, after all.
ANSWERED: Whether Arizona is on the right track
Look, it’s fair to admit that you had questions about Kyler Murray’s viability as an NFL quarterback, whether based on his size, injury-proneness or decision-making. But if you had those questions, now you have your answer: When he’s healthy and surrounded by the right playmakers, Kyler Murray is a dangerous QB. Murray and the Cardinals beat the Rams 41-10 on Sunday in the kind of beating that leaves long-lasting psychological scars.
Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. may be the next great QB/WR combination. They easily threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns, making Harrison’s lackluster rookie debut last week seem irrelevant. Harrison was the best player on the field in college; why would anyone expect him to be the worst in the NFL? James Conner (122 yards rushing, 1 touchdown) has also found his mojo this season, and the result is an offense that’s every bit as lethal as expected. But don’t underestimate the Cardinals’ defense either; it takes effort to shut down a Sean McVay/Matthew Stafford offense like Arizona did on Sunday. We’re not ready to write Arizona in as the NFC favorite just yet, but they have all the pieces needed to put themselves in the playoff discussion.
WANTED: What trouble are the Bengals and Ravens in?
You could have made a lot of money betting that both the Ravens and Bengals would be 0-2 at this point in the season, if you’re the type of person who likes to bet on the misery of others. Two AFC playoff stalwarts who now have a mountain to climb to get to the postseason? Unbelievable! But here we are, so let’s dive in.
If you’re looking for the “better” loss, look at the Bengals. After last week’s ugly and unexpected loss to New England, Cincinnati found its stride and nearly defeated the two-time reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs, losing on a late field goal. The Bengals may or may not be a postseason threat, but they have a nice little stretch here — Washington and Carolina, before a showdown with Baltimore — that could help them quickly erase these early-season woes.
Baltimore, on the other hand, saw a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against Las Vegas — Las Vegas! — evaporate en route to a 26-23 loss. It’s a sign of an overall meltdown, unusual for a team led by John Harbaugh. Baltimore has a bumpy road ahead of it — Dallas, Buffalo and that divisional game with the Bengals — so if this team wants to put itself in position to be a Super Bowl contender, there’s no time to waste.
ANSWERED: Are the Bears ready to level up?
If you know a Bears fan, give them a hug today. This fan base hasn’t had much to cheer about since, oh, 1985, so when they drafted Caleb Williams this year, there was (justified) reason to celebrate. Now? Not so much. Williams threw two interceptions — ugly ones, at that — and never looked comfortable in a 19-13 loss to Houston on Sunday night. Granted, a lot of that isn’t Williams’ fault — it’s clear the Bears’ O-line was overmatched, and the last thing you want a rookie quarterback to see is a swarming, hungry defense like Houston threw at Williams. Any time you get seven sacks, you’re hurting.
Chicago will need to quickly adjust its protection for Williams or this season will be a bust. With Detroit (see above), Minnesota (also see above) and Green Bay (TBD) in the division, Chicago has no room for error. The Bears have a game against Indianapolis next week and a tough game against the battered Rams before they can exhale with a date with Carolina. They’ll have to show more than they have to this point before we get them.
