Week 2 of the NFL season saw perhaps one of its worst weeks in recent memory as a plethora of stars suffered serious injuries. While there are three takeaways to dive into from a pretty stellar week of action, it is alarming how many teams suffered a serious injury on Sunday.
From Saquon Barkley to Christian McCaffrey and so many more, teams had to adjust on the fly. While some teams recovered, most were dealt with accepting that they lost a key player or two for the season. A year that has already taken so much from us continues to rear its ugly head; the NFL won’t escape the treachery that is 2020.
Injuries aside, fans were treated to a fantastic overtime game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, another strong offensive outing from the Green Bay Packers, and a thrilling ending to the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.
Ben Roethlisberger continues to look fantastic in his two starts after missing nearly all of the 2019 campaign, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills continue to make strides as a darkhorse contender in the AFC, and fans saw one of the most improbable comebacks in Big D as the Dallas Cowboys broke the heart of the Atlanta Falcons.
While there were entertaining games across the board on Sunday, only three games make it into the three takeaways segment. So, without further ado, here are three takeaways from the week that was.
Three Takeaways From Week 2
Big Comeback in Big D
Just when the 28-3 jokes from four years ago were about to finally die, Atlanta provided a 40-39 heartbreak defeat that will linger for seasons to come. And it was not even Matt Ryan‘s (273 yards, four touchdowns) fault that they lost that game.
Even as Dallas was mounting their comeback, the game was well in hand until it came down to one final onside kick — in which apparently Atlanta thought the ball had to travel 10 yards before THEY could touch it. The ball just spun towards the entire Atlanta team and Dallas jumped on it.
After trailing 39-24 with under eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Dak Prescott (450 yards, three rushing touchdowns) capitalized on every drive Atlanta gave him and brought his team back from the depths of hell. A few plays after recovering the onside kick, Greg Zuerlein kicked the 46-yard game-winning field goal and fan’s hearts could be heard breaking throughout the city of Atlanta.
Las Vegas Cements Win at Allegiant Stadium
Oakland no more and now calling Las Vegas their new home, the Las Vegas Raiders cemented the famous motto of “what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.” Las Vegas was in firm control of the New Orleans Saints as Derek Carr and Co. made play after play to keep Drew Brees on the sideline for most of the game.
In fact, Las Vegas dominated the time of possession on Monday Night 36:18 to 23:42 against a New Orleans team that was already without top wideout Michael Thomas. They would get an outstanding contribution from Alvin Kamara but could not stop Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller from moving the ball at will.
Las Vegas has started the season 2-0 and looks to prove that the new-look Raiders are not a fluke in 2020. If Jon Gruden can lead this talented – albeit young – team to beating teams late in games and not themselves, then they could be a darkhorse contender in the AFC West – and perhaps the AFC.
Cam Newton’s Still Got It
When Cam Newton’s tenure in Carolina came to end, many thought that he would quickly sign with a new team. However, as the weeks went by, no one called for Newton’s services despite a number of teams needing a starting-caliber quarterback for the upcoming 2020 season.
Newton did not sign until Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots came calling, knowing they were entering a post-Tom Brady world. If there is one coach in the NFL that could help restore the 2015 MVP to his former self, then Newton could not have asked for a better scenario. Despite the loss to Seattle on Sunday Night, Newton has flourished with New England through two weeks.
Newton reminded fans of his near-unstoppable running ability near the goal line after he rushed for two touchdowns a week prior against the Miami Dolphins – which carried over into Week 2 with two more rushing touchdowns and 397 yards through the air on the road. Newton and New England seem to be a match made in Heaven that may not hand over the AFC East so willingly, after all.
Three Takeaways: Honorable Mention
How unstoppable do the Arizona Cardinals look right now? Larry Fitzgerald finally has a co-receiver he can rely on to help Kyler Murray get the ball downfield – who just happens to be DeAndre Hopkins. With their thrashing over the Washington Football Team in Week 2, it has not been since Kurt Warner led this team that fans ask how high their ceiling is. The focus in the NFC West is on Seattle but fans do not need to look far for a team that is very quietly putting together one heck of a team.
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