The NFL Roundup: Week 2

Written by John Edward Betancourt

You know, it really is quite the amazing feeling that settles in your bones once football returns to the national stage. Everything just feels right in the sports world, and the return of this incredible sport seems to brighten everyone’s day as football fans everywhere speak to the joy and the hope that their team brings them early on in the season as they wait to see if all the hard offseason work is going to pay off and deliver the wonder of a playoff run or a championship. It just seems as though we never run out of things to talk about when it comes to this sport and with Week 2 upon us, the buzz when it comes to our favorite teams is as strong as ever. So, without further ado, let’s stoke that fire further and look ahead to this weekend’s slate of games and all the top stories surrounding them.
 
Which of the seven new coaches will finally win their first game this weekend?
It was simply a rough opening weekend for all of the new coaches in the NFL this year since…none of them won, and well, I think we are all wondering at this point, which one of these rookie coaches are finally going to get over the hump and enjoy their first victory in the NFL? There’s of course, no easy answer when it comes to that question, but if I had to narrow it down to one guy, I’d have to put my faith in Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears. Because for one half of football this past week, he had the Packers in a tough place. Which speaks to his preparation and study of the team. Granted, it didn’t end the way he wanted it to and that’s okay, but the fact that his defense was ferocious and his offense effective, it’s clear Nagy is hungry to make a splash and I have faith that he will get his first W against Seattle this weekend.
 
Can the Jets keep the momentum from Monday night’s blowout win going?
The Jets have been a forgotten team for some time now since they consistently disappear from the playoff discussion as the season rolls on, but boy did they turn some heads on Monday Night Football. Because this team was downright ferocious against the Lions and regardless of the poor coaching on Detroit’s part, they took advantage of every mistake and executed in all three phases of the game and well, is this something they can repeat against Miami at home on Sunday? I would like to think so. Because I read a lot about their film study and preparation for the Detroit game and if they stick to that same regimen and Sam Darnold comes out and makes smart plays like he did in week one, then expect this team to turn heads again by going 2-0 against the Dolphins.
 
Is this weekend when the Browns FINALLY win a game?
It’s a little scary when one considers the fact that it really has been years since the Cleveland Browns enjoyed a victory in the NFL, but here we are, dealing with a squad that simply cannot seal the deal when it comes to a game and well, while one would expect fans to forget about a team that cannot win, all eyes are on this franchise right now. After all, they were the subject of Hard Knocks this offseason, they’ve invested some serious money on quality players and their best quarterback selection in the draft in years is waiting in the wings to take over for the franchise. So, is this it? Do they finally shock the football world and win a game? The answer is…maybe. Because unfortunately, they’re going up against the Saints, a team that is vastly more talented, but there is a chance. If they can score on offense and maintain the quality defense they did against Pittsburgh last week, then they will pull off one hell of an upset. But, they’re going up against Drew Brees, one of the league’s finest, so…it’s probably best we don’t hold our breath…

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, PA
1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

This game has my attention simply due to the fact that it could become a scoring fiesta. Because the Chiefs were simply clicking on offense in week one and you know they’ll be looking for a repeat performance against a Pittsburgh squad that looked lethargic at times against the Browns, but don’t count the Steelers out of this contest. Because when their offense executed against Cleveland, they were downright lethal which means, this might become quite the quarterbacking duel between Patrick Mahomes and Ben Roethlisberger and when all is said and done, the key to this game may flat out come down to which offense performs better in the Red Zone. Either way, this should be a fun one to watch. 

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI
1:00 p.m. EST – FOX

​As of late, NFC North contests have been producing some downright incredible games and this matchup looks like no exception to that rule. In part due to the fact that the Vikings are a well-oiled machine right now and they’re hungry to add to their win column. But they will face off against a simply magical Packers squad, one that has literally willed itself to wins on several occasions in the past couple of seasons, and this past Monday Night as well, and while Aaron Rodgers’ status is still up in the air right now with a knee sprain, I wholly expect him to be out there come game time, simply due to the fact that he has something to prove when it comes to his contract and his durability and having him and Kirk Cousins out on the field should lead to one explosive divisional matchup. 

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX
Sunday Night Football - 8:20 p.m. EST – NBC

I’m not one to usually watch prime time matchups that feature a pair of losing teams, but this one, has my attention for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s an NFC East Matchup, which have been known to get supremely competitive because no team in the division is a fan of the other and also because, both of these teams have something to prove. They were both outright embarrassed in their opening weekend matchups and they cannot be happy with that. Which means that the Giants need to show the football world they are indeed still talented and able to play at a high level and Dallas needs to show everyone that they can recreate the offensive magic that they wowed the football world with in Dak Prescott’s rookie year, and it is that hunger to prove something that should make this game worthwhile, and it should be fascinating to see which team rises to the occasion and gets their season back on track.