Injuries ravage in Week 2, NFL power rankings, Chiefs-Ravens and more
The NFL was ravaged by injuries in Week 2. For some teams, the problem might be too much to overcome.
The lede could have been about Cam Newton or Russell Wilson. It could have talked about any of the 2-0 teams or the Dallas Cowboys rising from the dead.
Instead, it’s about the crush of injuries we watched ravage the league in Week 2.
The San Francisco 49ers were besieged more than any other. In the first half of their game against the New York Jets, Niners fans watched in horror as the cart came out twice in three plays, once taking off reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and then, later, Solomon Thomas. While the details aren’t confirmed, it’s believed Bosa sustained a season-ending torn ACL. Thomas’ remains more uncertain.
Additionally, star running back Raheem Mostert was held out of the second half with an MCL sprain, while quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo missed the final 30 minutes with a high-ankle sprain. It’s unclear how long either will be out, but considering the strength of the NFC West, even a few missed weeks for Garoppolo could spell doom.
The 49ers are already without receiver Deebo Samuel (foot), edge rusher Dee Ford (neck), cornerback Richard Sherman (leg) and tight end George Kittle (knee). While those injuries aren’t thought to be long term, San Francisco is taking on more injuries than any team can rightfully be expected to overcome.
In Denver, the Broncos are holding their collective breath with quarterback Drew Lock undergoing an MRI on Monday morning. Lock was sacked in an awkward position by Bud Dupree, spraining the AC joint in his right shoulder, sidelining him 2-6 weeks.
Then there was New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who also likely sustained a torn ACL in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears. Barkley was carted off in obvious pain, potentially prematurely ending the superstar’s third pro season.
There were myriad others as well, including Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker (Achilles) and receiver Parris Campbell (knee), Kansas City Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins (head) and Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle).
All told, it was a day of injuries, with all the aforementioned ones happening in the first 90 minutes of play on Sunday afternoon. It was a season-altering period, with the NFC champions potentially capsizing while the Broncos, a sleeper pick of many, may be finished at 0-2 and without their starting quarterback.
While the injuries are incredibly unfortunate, the carnage isn’t altogether shocking. Without OTAs, minicamps or preseason games, only truncated training camps were left to prepare players. As one league source texted me during the early games, only speed trains speed.
During the summer, FanSided ran a feature on how NFL players trained throughout the pandemic. Almost everyone interviewed for the piece brought up the 2011 lockout unsolicited as a loose comparison of the offseasons. The following season was a mess of injuries. Hopefully, this weekend was an aberration, not a harbinger.
Of course, it’s wrong to speculate the odd offseason is the only possible cause for the rash of injuries on Sunday. Ultimately, this is the NFL. Every player is at risk on every play, and even those in the best shape with the best training can succumb. A bad hit. A sticky patch of turf. The wrong amount of torque at the wrong angle. On the reasons go.
The reality is several teams are already down key contributors two weeks into the season. Depth is always tested in the NFL, but after Sunday, some teams are looking at situations bordering on the absurd.
Power rankings
Top 10 realistic trade targets on teams potentially selling at deadline
1. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears
2. William Jackson III, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Football Team
4. Marvin Jones, WR, Detroit Lions
5. Shelby Harris, DT, Denver Broncos
6. Markus Golden, EDGE, New York Giants
7. Desmond King, CB/S, Los Angeles Chargers
8. Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers
9. Avery Williamson, LB, New York Jets
10. Alex Mack, C, Atlanta Falcons
Quotable
"“We’re obviously frustrated,. You never want to start 0-2. Last week, the way we lost to Washington, starting 0-1, obviously not what we want and not how we expect to finish ballgames, and then today, coming out behind again. … There’s enough things through two games, offensively speaking, that we can put on the tape and know we’re right there. … Don’t panic; we’ll be OK. I’ve always had all the confidence in the world in our defense. … We’re not panicking.”"
– Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz says the team will rebound from its 0-2 start
Wentz can say this, and he should, but it rings hollow. Philadelphia has looked abysmal through two weeks, losing a 17-0 lead to Washington before being easily handled by the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field. The blame can be spread around, but right now, Wentz has been the biggest problem. That can’t continue in a city fickle as they come.
Podcast
Random stat
From 1995-97, the Pittsburgh Steelers went 20 consecutive home games without allowing a rushing touchdown at Three Rivers Stadium. During that span, the Steelers ran for 26 touchdowns at home. Yes, the 1990s Steelers are football at its best.
The streak was bookended by Natrone Means of the San Diego Chargers (1995) and Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos (1997).
Info learned this week
1. Chiefs, Ravens set up for mammoth Monday night tilt
The matchup of two titans coming into Monday night undefeated almost didn’t happen. While the Baltimore Ravens crushed the Houston Texans, 33-16, the Kansas City Chiefs took the harder route.
Kansas City was mired in an atrocity against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium, trailing 17-9 late in the third quarter. Then, an interception by rookie L’Jarius Sneed, his second in two games, propelled the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes — who started 9-of-20 for 60 yards — got rolling in the fourth quarter. The former MVP threw for 155 yards in the stanza, highlighted by a 54-yard, on-the-run-touchdown bomb to Tyreek Hill.
In overtime, Kansas City watched Harrison Butker drill his second 58-yard field goal of the afternoon, capping a 23-20 rally.
Now, the two foes meet for the third time in three years, with Mahomes having bested Lamar Jackson in the first two affairs. This time, though, it’s in Baltimore after the previous contests were held at Arrowhead Stadium.
We’ll have all week to write/talk about this one, but it should the game of the year.
2. Newton proves far more in loss than in prior victory
The New England Patriots lost on Sunday. In the long term, though, they won.
In Week 1, the Patriots beat an undermanned Miami Dolphins team with Cam Newton throwing for 155 yards. No starting quarterback threw for less on opening weekend. He also ran 15 times, an unsustainable amount.
On Sunday night against the Seahawks, Newton was sublime. The former MVP threw for 397 yards despite having Julian Edelman and nobody else worth mentioning as targets. New England needed Newton to make throws early and late to simply compete with Seattle. Despite it all, Newton led the Patriots to within one yard of victory, falling short 35-30.
The loss stings in Beantown, but the real truth is easy to see. If Newton continues playing like he did against the Seahawks, the Patriots will challenge for another AFC East title.
3. Cowboys jumpstart their campaign, but McCarthy remains a problem
The Cowboys made a million mistakes against a high-octane offense. And won.
Yes, the Atlanta Falcons are kings of losing huge leads. Still, the Cowboys came back from deficits of 20-0, 29-10 and 39-24, the latter coming midway through the fourth quarter. Somehow, Dak Prescott led a trio of scoring drives in the final minutes, culminating in a recovered onside kick and Greg Zuerlein drilling a game-winning 46-yard field goal at the gun.
Prescott threw for 450 yards, helping Dallas overcome a pair of failed fake punts, seven penalties and three lost fumbles.
While the Cowboys and their fans have to be thrilled with the victory, new head coach Mike McCarthy isn’t engendering goodwill. Those aforementioned fake punts were both questionable at best, while the offense was a quagmire for the first half after being lackluster in Week 1.
In short, McCarthy better dial it up in Week 3 against the Seahawks. Both the owner and fanbase aren’t overly patient.
With the Philadelphia Eagles in shambles at 0-2, the Cowboys have to feel good about their situation. While the defense is shoddy and injured, the offense is suddenly rolling and the schedule soon becomes favorable. After the Seattle trip, their following three games are in Dallas with the Browns, Giants and Cardinals coming to JerryWorld.
4. Packers look like an offensive juggernaut through two weeks
Aaron Rodgers is in vintage form, and the Green Bay Packers are absolutely rolling.
While Rodgers will get the headlines — and deservedly so — the Packers are doing a phenomenal job running the ball. Aaron Jones ran for 168 yards on 18 carries in the 42-21 rout of Detroit, while Green Bay totaled 259 rushing yards. Last week, the Packers ran for 158 yards against the Minnesota Vikings.
Rodgers was sublime against the Lions at Lambeau Field, throwing for 240 yards while being let down by a half-dozen drops. The biggest difference from recent years? The ball is out on time, Rodgers is taking the checkdowns, and Green Bay is utilizing play-action beautifully.
Next week, Green Bay goes to the Superdome for a tilt with the New Orleans Saints. It’ll be a tougher test than what has been faced so far. But for all those screaming regression, Rodgers appears motivated to prove the doubters wrong.
5. Minshew will be a very intriguing player to watch now, and in offseason
The Jacksonville Jaguars are playing tough at 1-1, and Gardner Minshew is playing like a kid with vast potential.
Minshew is a case study in draft position. Selected in the sixth round from Washington State, he played well as a rookie (3,271 yards, 21 TD, 6 INT) but was largely dismissed as putting up bloated numbers on a bad team.
Two games into his sophomore campaign, with the team trading off myriad stars, Minshew has thrown for 512 yards and six touchdowns against two interceptions while completing 75.3 percent of his attempts against the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts.
So why is he intriguing? Because the upcoming draft has a trio of stud quarterback prospects in Trevor Lawrence, Trey Lance and Justin Fields. If in a high draft slot, will Jacksonville trade back for a slew of choices, take one of the aforementioned youngsters and deal Minshew, or take a top-tier prospect at another position to help Minshew in his third year?
It’s a long way off, but it bears watching.
Gambler’s game
Love the Arizona Cardinals laying six points against the Lions in the desert come Sunday. With all due respect to our beloved Detroit readers, it’s tough seeing Motown stopping Kyler Murray, Kenyan Drake, DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald.
After watching Arizona carve up Washington’s legitimate front seven, Detroit is in a tough spot.
Two cents
If the Cincinnati Bengals don’t break Joe Burrow, he’s going to be a star.
While the stats show a long yard per attempt and a ho-hum TD:INT ratio, the film shows something much different. Burrow has a fantastic pocket presence, is accurate under duress, possesses good mobility and has enough arm to make all the NFL throws. Through two games, he absolutely looks worthy of the No. 1 overall pick.
Now, the Bengals have to make sure he doesn’t go the way of David Carr. Cincinnati’s offensive line is atrocious, and Burrow has already taken a beating. With the team consistently trailing, opponents are going to rush him with no regard for the run. It’s a bad situation.
Still, the Queen City should be excited. The Bengals have a real talent in Burrow, an unflappable hometown kid with all the abilities needed to turn around the moribund franchise.
Inside the league
The Chargers may have lost a tough game Sunday, but the future looks bright behind their youth.
This offseason, I traveled to the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine. Luckily, I got to speak a few times with UCLA’s Joshua Kelley while getting a three-day, up-close look at Justin Herbert in Mobile.
Talking to league executives, the belief was Kelley was a productive back with good hands who lacked top-end speed to make him a Day 1 pick. As for Herbert, scouts typically loved the size and arm, but worried about his quiet nature and accuracy under duress.
Los Angeles gambled on both, taking Herbert No. 6 overall before nabbing Kelley — the most likable kid you’ll ever meet — in the fourth round.
So far, both look terrific. Kelley has made an immediate impact replacing Justin Jackson as the second back, totaling 124 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards and a touchdown. Herbert made his first career start after Tyrod Taylor injured his chest in pregame warmups and played excellent ball against the defending champs, throwing for 311 yards and a touchdown.
Los Angeles has more gaps to fill on the roster, but Kelley and Herbert appear part of the answer.
History lesson
The Saints and Las Vegas Raiders play on Monday night. Back in 1979, the franchises hooked up — albeit with the Raiders in Oakland — for one of the most memorable contests in the show’s history.
In the Superdome, the 7-6 were fighting for their first playoff berth (and winning season) in franchise history. The Saints built a 35-14 third-quarter lead over quarterback Ken Stabler and the Raiders, only to watch Oakland hang 28 unanswered points on them. Stabler threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns, all but finishing off postseason hopes in the Big Easy.
Parting shot
Being 0-2 in the NFL is a massive hole to escape. This year, eight teams must grab shovels.
While history says one or two will dig out, the 2020 crop is a rough one. The Dolphins might be the best candidate, considering the AFC is weaker and they lost close games to Buffalo and New England. The Eagles are also a decent bet considering the talent, if not the results, are there.
Conversely, the New York Jets are beyond cooked. Adam Gase turning them around should have equal odds with the upcoming election going smoothly. Their co-tenants, the New York Giants, share a similar fate. It’s over.
Then there are the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Lions and Falcons. Considering the NFC’s strength and the complete lack of a defense for all four, odds say an early winter is forthcoming for the quartet. However, Minnesota has a playoff pedigree, and with Danielle Hunter not far away, maybe things change.
With a seventh team added to each conference’s bracket, 0-2 isn’t the doom once was. But it’s not good, and it’s going to require a swift turnaround.