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This is the second week of the NFL, that is, it's time for everyone to panic and predict decisively the final predictions based on what they saw in the first season . For the moment, all reviews for the 2019 season are premature (including ours!), But we will always decide which early results are the exception rather than the rule.
Was it a coincidence that the Browns came out and looked like … the Browns? Will Baker Mayfield fight for his second season, or will he take things in hand at the next match? Is Dalvin Cook a superstar now where were the Falcons trading? Was Case Keenum really remotely controlled by a better quarterback, or is it really good now?
These are just a few of the many questions we have after the first week and the change of the new season. Some, we might even have potential answers for. Here are five things that have happened so far and which, in our opinion, are moats.
Surprise: lack of Broncos passes
Why it's a stroke of luck: In our season prognoses, I quoted Bradley Chubb as the type of player who would win the defensive player of the year. I'm still amazed that the rest of the NFL allowed Von Miller and Chubb to be on the same team. I have the impression that Chubb is about to come out and dominate the NFL.
And I'm not too worried about how things went in week 1, which was … mediocre. The Broncos lost while allowing the Raiders offense to work without Derek Carr being fired – or hit – once. The Broncos did not come to Carr once, and neither Chubb nor Miller was credited with a tackle for the loss.
This is absolutely the last NFL team I would expect, and it's because of this expectation (or lack thereof) that I call it a coincidence. The Raiders definitely worked to improve their offensive line and Carr quickly launched his throws. But Chubb, Miller and the rest of the Broncos' defensive front – not to mention Vic Fangio's defensive spirit – are too good for the end of the season. – James Brady
Surprise: the lifeless attack of the Falcons
Why it's a stroke of luck: Matt Ryan is one of the best NFL quarterbacks, but he did not play the same against the Vikings. During his underestimated 2018 season, he racked up 4,924 yards, 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. In his first match in 2018, he was retired twice, including on his first pass.
The Falcons offense struggled to move the ball until they lost 28-0 late in the game, scoring 9 minutes from the end, then again with just over a minute to lose 28-12. . Devonta Freeman finished with just 19 yards in eight races and lost a fumble. Julio Jones had a touchdown pass but scored only six of his 11 goals for 31 yards.
Falcons fans should not worry too much about the performance of the offense. Three turnovers have been recorded, but Ryan's record is too strong and the Atlanta offense is too talented to make it a trend. (The defense is another story – the Vikings had to throw only 10 times!)
Everything will be fine on this side, as will the former MVP. – Charles McDonald
Surprise: Andy Dalton, NFL leader in the passes
Why it's a stroke of luck: Dalton may be the FitzMagic of 2019, but that's it. The Bengals did not look much like the finish in 2019. Although they fired long-time coach Marvin Lewis, their new start relied heavily on the reinstatement of unreliable performers like Bobby Hart and Tyler Eifert. With A.J. Green stuck in a walking boot, prospects were bad for the Cincinnati offensive.
Then, Andy Dalton raised 418 yards at the top of his league against the Seahawks.
Granted, it took him 51 passes to get there, but it was still an effective and powerful performance for a player who missed a good part of 2018 due to an injury. Dalton flourished under the guidance of new head coach Zac Taylor. The same was true of former striker John Ross, who had seven catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
It's great, but it's by no means sustainable. Ross's previous career highs before last Sunday were three catches and 52 yards. His play-off in Seattle was equally attributable to the Seahawks' side's failures in their playoffs.
He will not be able to catch his opponents asleep after this explosion of the first week. While Dalton can turn to Tyler Boyd, a thunder of 1,000 yards, if Ross regresses, the rest of his extended room remains quite limited until Green returns to the field.
Dalton had never rushed for more than 400 yards in his career before the first week. Green, Boyd, and a high-level player can bring him back to fall this fall, but it will take a while and he will need another team with a secondary soft tissue to get there. – Christian D'Andrea
Surprise: bad defense of Jaguars
Why it's a stroke of luck: Players like Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue have defended well and have given Jacksonville a top-five defense over the past two years. That's why the Jaguars managed to qualify until the AFC Championship in 2017.
They did not look well defensive in the first week.
The Jaguars dropped 40 points, 491 yards off, and finished with zero sacks or turnovers. On the other side, it was the Chiefs, a team that averaged 35.3 points and 425.6 yards per game in 2018.
If other teams in the Jaguar calendar try to throw some light on secondary goals like Patrick Mahomes, they will probably not be so lucky. The Jaguars are still stacked with the playmakers on this side of the ball and should rebound well. They are too talented not to do it. – Adam Stites
Surprise: Baker Mayfield duo + Odell Beckham Jr. was not much fun
Why it's a stroke of luck: Despite what Gregg Williams says, Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL. Pairing him with a renowned young quarterback, and a head coach whose attack was tailor made for big games, seemed like a free fireworks show every week.
Things started so promising too:
After that? Meh While Beckham was the first receiver of the Browns, his day of seven catches and 71 yards was average for him and, frankly, rather boring. No touchdowns. No hold on one hand. No proposals for kicking. Mayfield was concentrating a bit too much on his new # 1 bandage, targeting him eleven times and seeming to try to force the connection – or a play.
Things should be able to happen naturally, however. Beckham did not play at all in the pre-season because of a hip injury and is probably not yet at full force. Mayfield had little protection against an offensive line whose left starting tackle had been ejected.
Both players should be motivated after their mediocre performances of Week 1, especially because they tend to feed off their enemies. And if anything can help their chemistry, he teams up to take revenge on Williams, a Beckham coach accused of trying to hurt him. As for Mayfield, we already know how much he likes to return to former coaches. The second week against the Jets could be the real beginning of a beautiful friendship. – Sarah Hardy
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