Week 1 treated NFL fans to an incredible weekend of
football. With Week 2 looming, let’s look at five teams who need a victory.
Last week, the five teams that I chose as ‘must-win’
candidates included the Colts, 49ers, Chargers, Packers and Raiders. Only the
Packers emerged victorious from their Week 1 games, let’s see if we can do
better in predicting this week. Several teams have tough matchups, and
desperately need to get off the mark of 0 wins. The Steelers, Cowboys and
Raiders all fall into that category. On the other hand, some teams need to
continue their hot start to the season and prove that they are serious
contenders, not simply one week flukes. Teams like the Packers and Buccaneers
both fall into that category, but are they truly facing must win games in Week
2?
5. DALLAS COWBOYS
In Week 1, the Cowboys looked atrocious. They tried to
establish the run over and over, even though it wasn’t really working against a
stout Panthers defense. On random plays, like second or third and long, rather
than attempting to convert, the Cowboys tried to pound the rock. Obviously,
they have one of the best running backs in the league, but running the ball to
a fault it not a sustainable strategy.
The play calling on Sunday was horrible, there’s no way
around it. However, there is some reason for optimism. So what, the Panthers,
with one of the best linebackers in the league, were able to shut down the run.
That doesn’t mean that it won’t work on other teams. That concept is proven by
this weeks match up, the New York Giants.
Last season, the Giants ranked 26th in the NFL in run
defense, allowing an average of 120.8 rushing yards per game. That trend
continued in Week 1 with the Giants allowing 92 yards to Leonard Fournette and
T.J. Yeldon. The Cowboys need a bounce back win, and it will come through
running back, Ezekiel Elliot.
4. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Obviously the Raiders were on this list last week with their
debut on Monday Night Football against the Rams. So why are they here again?
Well, they just so happen to be going into a divisional match up with a team
that, after Week 1, is trending in a different direction. The Raiders will
travel to Denver to play against the Broncos in what is expected to be a tight
contest.
Case Keenum impressed in Week 1 against the Seahawks with
329 yards and three touchdowns. But he also had three interceptions against a
weakened Seahawks defense. This means that a Raiders defense, despite being
pretty poor, can take advantage of a mistake-prone Keenum.
The Raiders had a rough showing against the Rams. Their
first half was solid, and they actually led a very talented Rams team heading
into the half time break. However, a completely different team emerged from the
locker room in the second half. Quarterback Derek Carr had an incredible first
half, completing 20 of his 24 passes for 199 yards. Unfortunately, he looked
like a shell of himself in the second half, throwing the game away with two
interceptions and numerous bad passes.
The Raiders are searching for any sense of legitimacy after
Jon Gruden traded talented pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Bears. The Rams were
a tough opponent to beat in Week 1, but the Broncos are much more manageable.
If the Raiders are able to pick up a road victory over a divisional rival, they
may be able to stop the bleeding a little bit. The press will be off their back
(briefly) and they will have a reason to celebrate. A win in Week 2 would go a
long way for a reeling Raiders team.
3. GREEN BAY
PACKERS
In an epic first Sunday Night Football game of the season,
the Packers, led by Aaron Rodgers, completed an overwhelming comeback to defeat
the Chicago Bears. In Week 2, the Packers face yet another divisional rival in
the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams are fresh off the heels of a Week 1 victory,
and both are vying for a NFC North title. Unfortunately, only one team will be
able to start the season with an undefeated 2-0 record.
At first, I thought it was more important for the Vikings to
win this match up. However, with the injury concerns to Aaron Rodgers and the
suspension to talented running back Aaron Jones, I realized that this win would
mean much more for the Packers.
Rodgers is dealing with a left knee injury that sidelined
him for a while against the Bears. If the injury is serious and Rodgers misses
time, the Packers season could immediately be in jeopardy. That adds importance
to this game against the Vikings, who are the Packers biggest threat in the NFC
North.
If the Packers emerge with a victory, they have to be
considered as the favorite to win the division, having two divisional victories
under their belt. If they lose, and potentially lose Rodgers for a significant
stretch, the Packers season outlook begins to dramatically shift. Needless to
say, a win in Week 2 would mean a lot for Rodgers and the pack.
2. PITTSBURGH
STEELERS
Ending a game in a tie is disappointing, even more so when
you tie the team that is 1-31 in their last 32 games. Yes, that’s right, the
Steelers tied with the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. A show of hands from anyone
who predicted that. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.
The Steelers blew a 21-7 lead to end up tying 21-21. Now,
not to make excuses, but the rainstorm that drug on throughout out the entire
match significantly aided the Browns. The Steelers offense is largely
predicated on the passing game, but when there is a significant amount of rain
and the ball is slippery, the running game becomes increasingly more important.
No problem, the Steelers have Le’Veon Bell, one of the league’s premier running
backs.
Oh wait, that’s right. He hasn’t reported to the team yet
and is inactive. Backup running back James Conner is good, but he is no Bell.
In Week 2 the Steelers are at home against a talented Chiefs team that plays
little to no defense. Better yet, the Chiefs secondary is the weakest link
which opens up a ton of possibilities for Antonio Brown and JuJu
Smith-Schuster. Expect both of them to have big games.
The tie is clearly going to be a point of conversation
during the game, but if the Steelers come out and dominate a quality opponent,
people will quickly forget the embarrassing Week 1 performance. Look for Big
Ben and the passing game to get going early and never look back because they
need to make a statement in Week 2.
1. NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS
One of the most surprising upsets of the first week came in
New Orleans where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset the Saints. Anytime a score
line reads 48-40, it’s anyone’s guess as to who won the game. It just so
happens that Ryan Fitzpatrick, better known as Fitzmagic, was able to out duel
the legendary Drew Brees. That is not something that happens very often.
However, this was more than simply a loss for the Saints.
Everyone knew that their offense was going to be electric, that was never the
question. The loss was more on the defense, a unit that was pegged to be pretty
good coming into the season. Anytime you concede 48 points, something is wrong.
But conceding 48 points to a team led by a backup quarterback and Peyton Barber
in the running game? That’s laughable.
In Week 2 however, the Saints get a relatively easy match up
against the Cleveland Browns. Now I know this is the same Browns team that tied
a strong Steelers side, but there were multiple factors in that one. It would
be quite surprising to see the Browns travel into the Superdome and hand the
Saints their second consecutive loss.
Slow starts have been the m.o. for the Saints in recent
years, but they need every win possible in such a stacked NFC this season. A
win against the Browns would have them moving in the right direction again just
in time for a big divisional game against the Falcons in Week 3.
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