NFL Insider Notes: Time to Buy the Raiders, Dolphins Key Flaws Exposed, and More From Week 2

Are you buying the Las Vegas Raiders? I am.

I know, I’ve been down this route before. Few years ago. I thought they had turned the corner. I started to believe. But it looks different. After two weeks in the NFL, it’s hard to identify a team that has been more courageous, resilient, opportunistic, or – on offense – as prolific. Their 2-0 start is as impressive as any in football, ranging from battling Baltimore on Monday night, beating the Ravens despite being 14-0 behind. They overcome this crazy and late interception in the end zone to persevere deep into extra time. Over the course of a short week, they crossed the country, played what looked like a 10 a.m. kick-off, and systematically strangled a defense that some thought was football’s best to emerge with a comfortable 26 victory. -17.

Wow.

Of course, there are flaws. It’s the NFL. Nothing is perfect.

This reconfigured offensive line has some issues, and the right tackle is already changing. Over the course of two weeks they barely led the game, with star fullback Josh Jacobs plus a lure against the Ravens, who were battling injuries and with him unable to dress on Sunday. Las Vegas ran the ball 25 times over just 52 yards after their backers could only muster about 50 on the ground against the Baltimores as well.

But Derek Carr (over half a mile already) is playing incredible football. He and Jon Gruden conspire to destroy defenses when they attempt to blitz (the Raiders took control of this match on a bombshell at Henry Ruggs on a third and 10 blitz-beater after doing it multiple times against Baltimore as well. ), and even with the Steelers choking out star tight end Darren Waller in the first half, Carr still pulled off a balanced attack, hitting six different receivers. And with the Steelers without TJ Watt in the second half (groin), to accompany Tyson Alualu (who left with an ankle injury) and Stephon Tuitt (who didn’t dress), the Raiders looked unstoppable.

Consider they wrapped 286 yards in the second half alone; This a week after putting 221 on Baltimore in the second half as they gathered on Monday night. It also appears to be a much improved defense, with Maxx Crosby looking like a Pro Bowl passer, Yannick Ngakoue returning from a lost 2020, Jonathan Hankins anchoring the inside and defensive backs displaying better ability to play on the ball.

These may end up being less than the old best teams of the Ravens and Steelers, but the spirit that the Raiders also displayed should also help them carry them, they finally have an edge on the pitch again and even in what appears to be a very tough AFC West they have a shot at being a playoff team. Vegas, baby. Vegas.

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The main faults of exposed dolphins

The reasons I was a Dolphin skeptic continue to resonate Sunday after Sunday. The offensive line has major personnel issues, they are fragile in wards and don’t seem to have the answers when the most in-depth questions are posed by a defense. This is, frankly, a tough watch.

People like to point fingers at Tua and his health, but playing behind this unit would be a problem for anyone. And now that he might miss a few games, get ready for the real problems to begin. How can a team throw the ball 44 times and not break 150 yards on the way? Of our time ? The Dolphins are averaging 3.1 yards per game on Sunday against a non-85 Bills defense.

Yeah, maybe having two offensive coordinators wasn’t that smart after all.

Miami found a lousy way to win in New England, but it’s hard to imagine this attack heating up, and even this win was more defensive in spirit than anything else. It is early, but there is cause for concern. I wonder if Brian Flores, and his still itchy trigger finger, already has an assistant coach (or PR person, or matching subordinate) in his sights.

Colts’ empty trips near the goal line are costly

There were several reasons the Colts lost at home to the Rams in a weird game. Losing Carson Wentz in the end hurt, especially with substitute Jacob Eason quickly throwing a pick to cement the loss. Allowing Cooper Kupp (9 catches on 11 targets for 163 yards and two touchdowns) to run free all over the place a week after the Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett did the same to that injured zone defense as well.

But the Colts’ first two possessions in which they found themselves in goal-to-go situations with nothing to show ultimately cost them as much as anything. In those two heats, they ran six plays inside the Rams’ 3-yard line and produced no yards, no runs, and returned the ball on one of the ugliest interceptions you’ve ever had. never seen. In the first set, they pushed Jonathan Taylor back four times in a row – three of them right in the middle – never to pick up a yard.

Next time there, the Colts ran Taylor inside again on the second and the 3 goal, and were pissed off once again. In the next play, Wentz offered a bizarre shovel pass to no one (it seemed to be a bit without a look) that was easily intercepted. Even get two field goals in these cases and they will likely win the game. Take one and you might be playing OT at home. Instead, they’re 0-2 with two losses at home.

The good start of the Jaguars fizzles out

The Jaguars opened the game with a promising and surprising practice – walking 83 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown and taking 5:39 on the clock in the process. Then this happened on their following records, until they were lost to Denver:

By that point it was 23-7 with about six minutes remaining, and this one was over. The Jaguars held the ball for just 9:15 am, at 2:03 pm as the Broncos took the lead. A long way to go for the Jaguars.

More Week 2 Insider Notes

• It wasn’t just that Zach Wilson threw four picks, because a lot of us thought Bill Belichick would give rookie QB adjustments. But it was the fact that each seemed to be worse, or more egregious, than the last that must have made Jets fans think. No shame in losing to The Hoodie, but the fourth was essentially a punt with no chance of going to anyone except the New England players. I’m still uninspired by what I’ve seen of the Patriots so far, and they’re really, really conservative about how they use rookie Mac Jones, but at the very least, they’ve got the Jets number …
• The Steelers offense isn’t going to improve anytime soon. Ben Roethlisberger is what he is, they won’t push the ball down with great frequency of conviction, running play remains an issue and Big Ben is already commenting on the new offensive coordinator who will get a lot of attention in western Pennsylvania. If this defense loses impact players for a while, it won’t be a normal Steelers season …
• I still don’t see that Bills offense looking like it was last year. Yes, they blew up a 35-point division foe, but things don’t go as smoothly for Josh Allen as they seemed a year ago as he flirted with an MVP award, and that line offensive could be a problem …
• Hats off to the Texans, who are playing much better and harder than I thought. The Browns’ defense has some work to be done.