1. EAGLES
1 Wasn’t a pretty opener, but respect factor — and,
yes, dominant defense — keeps reigning champs in pole position.
2. PATRIOTS
2 They let Houston hang around late during workmanlike
victory. Nice ball distribution by Tom Brady, who targeted nine different
receivers.
3. RAMS
4 Best way to spend opening Sunday? Putting your feet
up and watching all three of your division rivals saddled with a defeat.
4. VIKINGS
7 Defense appeared as rugged as ever. But watch that
suspect O-line, which allowed three, sacks and was part of run game averaging
3.6 ypc.
5. JAGUARS
8 They can get lost in defensive picture, but Myles
Jack and Telvin Smith seem ready to make argument they’re top linebacking duo
in league.
6. FALCONS
3 Still essentially remain one play inferior to
Philadelphia, so matters could be worse. But Atlanta’s uneven offense needs
more diversity.
7. PACKERS
6 Inspiring effort by Aaron Rodgers on a bum knee.
Question now is, how well can he replicate that down road without adrenaline
rush?
8. REDSKINS
12 Newbies Adrian Peterson, Alex Smith getting lots of
pub. But don’t sleep on ascendant defense that took jackhammer to Arizona’s
offense.
9. SAINTS
5 A team that didn’t allow more than 38 points last
year (and surrendered an average of 20.4) gets scorched for 48 by the Bucs?
Inexplicable.
10. CHIEFS
21 Patrick Mahomes’ debut as anointed triggerman
couldn’t have gone much better. Lost in shuffle? D ripped for 541 yards.
11. CHARGERS
9 Whether it was (another) key field goal miss or
giving up 91-yard punt return, Bolts’ special teams remain especially abysmal.
12. STEELERS
10 Plenty to unpack here. But shout-out to this
defense, which produced seven sacks and held up well in light of offense’s six
turnovers.
13. PANTHERS
13 Wouldn’t have guessed Cam Newton would lead team in
carries (13) and rush yards (58) in new OC Norv Turner’s first game under
headset.
14. TEXANS
11 Opening against New England not easy way to knock
off rust for Watt and Watson. Silver lining — Houston churned out 167 yards on
ground.
15. RAVENS
17 They own No. 1 scoring D and No. 3 scoring offense.
But effort came vs. Buffalo — the same team that took Baltimore’s 2017 playoff
spot.
16. BENGALS
16 Joe Mixon already showing what he can do behind
revamped O-line. He only bested Sunday’s 149 total yards and 5.6 ypc once as a
rookie.
17. BRONCOS
15 Nice to see Emmanuel Sanders (10 grabs, 135 yards)
return to pre-2017 form. Worrisome to see Case Keenum (3 INTs) revert to
pre-2017 form.
18. BEARS
19 Offense showed intriguing signs of life, but it
still accounted for same number of TDs in Week 1 (1) as new OLB Khalil Mack
did.
19. GIANTS
20 On one hand, Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham
combined for 238 yards ... on other hand, rest of offense combined for a mere 86
more.
20. BUCCANEERS
29 This team has never scored 48 points or racked up
529 yards with Jameis Winston at the helm. Ever. And maybe never ever.
21. 49ERS
23 Three INTs, sub-50% completion rate ... a LOSS. This
is how the other half lives, Jimmy Garoppolo — not that we
expect you to get used to it.
22. JETS
29 Deep breath, Jets fans. First-round QBs Richard Todd
and Mark Sanchez won their first starts, too ... but Darnold sure did look
sweet.
23. DOLPHINS
26 As implausible as it seems, apparently ageless Frank
Gore is just 15 yards shy of becoming the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history.
24. BROWNS
25 With two strips and two sacks — and four sacks in
his last three games — Myles Garrett is quickly blossoming into an unblockable
force.
25. COWBOYS
22 As Dallas fans pore over this dreadful offensive
showing, here’s perhaps most troubling stat of all — 2-for-11 third-down
conversion rate.
26. SEAHAWKS
27 Unfair as it is, Seattle evidently needs Russell
Wilson to do even more — if that’s actually possible — for this club to remain
relevant.
27. RAIDERS
28 What must’ve been going through Jon Gruden’s mind at
Oakland’s team hotel as he watched Khalil Mack unleashed by Bears?
28. TITANS
14 From putrid offense to putrid uniforms to Delanie
Walker’s gruesome ankle injury, Sept. 9 truly a day to forget for Mike Vrabel
and Co.
29. CARDINALS
18 Preseason feeling like fool’s gold as Arizona lost
turnover battle and surrendered 429 yards (more than double what offense
generated).
30. COLTS
31 Resuscitated Andrew Luck nearly willed Indy to Week
1 victory ... and, as it pretty much always was, that may be case every week.
31. LIONS
29 Detroit was thoroughly embarrassed in every phase of
game by Jets. At least Matt Patricia is quickly establishing consistency.
32. BILLS
32 Be nice to drop scalding mess further down board,
but apparently we’re not allowed to elevate Alabama or Clemson ahead of
Buffalo.
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