Man, that was about as bad as it gets, and it already was so bad. I hate to say it, but it seems pretty apparent Bryce Young just doesn't have anything yet. Maybe there's a future, but I think it is far more accurate to say that Drew Brees was just a once in a lifetime player. The worse part really was how awful that defense looked as well.
31.) New York Giants = 0-1 (6-28)
Daniel Jones needs to be benched. Or I guess if they're going after whoever would be the presumptive #1 pick next year, maybe keep playing him. He's squarely in David Carr territory of just seeing ghosts and being too far gone at this point. The rest of the team is hard to even make judgements on based on how limited that QB is.
30.) Washington Commanders = 0-1 (20-37)
Jayden Daniels was more poised than I expected, but he really needs to find a way (or I guess the coaches do) to get Terry McLaurin the ball more. The real issue with the Commanders is their defense, which may be one of the worst in the league though. Not surprising, given their fire-sale last year and change of schemes. I guess if there's one positive it would be Jayden will get a lot of passing downs.
29.) Las Vegas Raiders = 0-1 (10-22)
The offense had some life early but that ended quickly. I wasn't expecting much better - Aidan O'Connell is just too limited at this point. I give another week or two until Davante Adams starts itching for a trade - and to be honest the Raiders should absolutely give him what he wants and get some picks in return. The defense is quite good, but also interesting to watch if Maxx Crosby's quietness was more a result of Joe Alt being great or some age creeping in?
28.) Cleveland Browns = 0-1 (17-33)
Yuck. I truly hope they just cut / bench Deshaun Watson. Well.. actually I don't want that because I want them to go down in flames even more than already.
27.) Atlanta Falcons = 0-1 (10-18)
They better hope Kirk Cousin's performance was more rust than a new normal. Also nice to see that even with Arthur Smith gone they still can't maximize the talent around Cousins. Might be nice if they gave any help to their tackles instead of letting TJ Watt basically ruin the entire game.
26.) Tennessee Titans = 0-1 (17-24)
For three quarters, I was ready to start considering if the Titans are sneaky playoff contender. But then it all unraveled so spectacularly. Will Levis threw just an atrocious pick. The run game went fully away. The Titans to be honest should ahve won that game, but even then, ahd they won 17-13 or so in an ugly game against the Chicago, I don't think I consider them all too differently.
25.) Denver Broncos = 0-1 (20-26)
The positive is the defense is still quite good, and has some serious upside - at minimum it should keep the Broncos in most games. The downside is Bo Nix seemingly can't throw the ball more than 10 yards. Granted, a lot of teams ahd that issue in Week 1 - especially the rookie QBs, but Nix was just so gun-shy, even when he had time. The Broncos gave him OK protection, and he was just so skittish. Hopefully for their sake that is something he can grow out of over time.
24.) Green Bay Packers = 0-1 (29-34)
The ranking here reflects the knowledge that we'll be struggling through Malik Willis for a month or so. If it gets a bit longer than that we ahve to really worry about what had become a bit of a darling darkhourse NFC contender. That said, even prior to the injury, I was seeing some issues. Their ballyhooed defense was struggling against the pass. Love was more inaccurate than he's been in quite a while. They have talent, but without Love it will be tough to tread water.
23.) Indianapolis Colts = 0-1 (27-29)
It was one of thsoe games that you wonder how the Colts only lost by two, but also feel they left a good 10 points out on the field. Richardson needs to get more accurate, sure, but there is so much potential there. He reads defenses well, and makes the right decision, but man does he throw too high. Defensive pass rush is great, so it was so surprising to see them just gashed on the groudn. That shouldn't be a recurring problem - we would hope.
22.) Arizona Cardinals = 0-1 (28-34)
I picked them to get the #7 seed, and I feel better about that prediction today, especially with them moving the ball fairly well, Kyler looking really composed, and Marvin Harrison Jr. having no impact so far. The defense isn't great but gets pressure. Kyler really does look composed and better in that offense.
21.) Cincinnati Bengals = 0-1 (10-16)
The Bengals just don't start seasons well. Then again, this was probably the best Week 1 performance of the last three years. They were way too conservative (again) against the Patriots, but also moved the ball fairly well. If not for a barely bobbled TD and the fumble at the two yard line, they probably win that game. The run defense has to improve however. That was distressing.
20.) Jacksonville Jaguars = 0-1 (17-20)
Man they blew that game. The protection issues were present the entire game. Lawrence made some amazing throws, especially the second TD throw. Of course he should get rid of it quicker also, but they just couldn't block. The DL was excellent but corners can't let guys get behind them so much. A lot to like, and in a vacuum we wouldn't expect them to beat Miami in Miami, but when you are two yards away from giing up 24-7 and get outscored instead 13-0 to end the game, it very much hurts.
19.) New York Jets = 0-1 (19-32)
There's a good chance I'm overrating the Jets here, because I think that highly of a motivated 49ers team playing at their best. What's uplifting about the Jets is that Rodgers arm looked perfectly fine and he has a good rhythm with Wilson. What's dispiriting, and maybe in net terms, more worrying, is that the Jets defense needed to stay at a Top-5 level for the equation to work. They certainly didn't look anything close to that on Monday.
18.) Los Angeles Rams = 0-1 (20-26)
Hopefully Nucua is out only the four games, because they have a chance to be quite good. I think very highly of Detroit (as you'll see) so palying them to OT while taking on some injuries is a very impressive loss. Stafford looks excellent. Kupp looks fully healthy. If Johnson can give them a reliable third option, they can be a scary offense. The defense is no-names but push the pocket. Good team, tough loss.
17.) Baltimore Ravens = 0-1 (20-27)
They remain really good on both sides of the ball. I have a standing rule to rank the defending champs #1 until they lose, but even without that I probably have the Chiefs at #1, so makes perfect sense I have the team that played them close on the road as my top 0-1 team. Lamar looks shifty and good. The two TE sets can be dominant. The OL needs to play better, as does the linebacker group without Pat Queen. Some issues to iron out, but this is still a really good team.
Ranking the 1-0 Teams
16.) Chicago Bears = 1-0 (24-17)
It is hilarious that they draft Caleb Williams, a dynamic player with a ridiculous arm, and win a game with pure Rex Grossman / Kyle Orton 2005 type bullshit. The Bears just stay the Bears. They won't get two defensive / special teams TDs each game. Williams probably also won't be that scattershot again. He does have a special arm.
15.) New England Patriots = 1-0 (16-10)
If they can run the ball that well, and not turn it over, and get two freak turnovers each game... well maybe if they can do all of that they can win 6-8 games. The OL is still a problem, and the defense is sound but also has no depth. This was a classic "you get shit on all offseason and come out and rally behind your coach" but I just don't see i lasting.
14.) Pittsburgh Steelers = 1-0 (18-10)
They can't keep doing this man. They can't keep just grinding out just abhorrent, unwatchable games where their defense overmatches some shit offense like that. They somehow did it to 10-7 last year despite being outscored for the season. I can already see that same bullshit happening again. This must end.
13.) Minnesota Vikings = 1-0 (28-6)
My only real hesitation is we went through this just three years ago with Sam Darnold, as he went 3-0 in Carolina and then the clock struck twelve... There is more talent around him here than there was that year in Carolina, but that's more about the offense. I do want to see how this rejuvenated Flores-led defense plays against defenses that aren't QB'd by the Daniel Jones's of the world.
12.) Seattle Seahawks = 1-0 (26-20)
I wrote in the first section about how well the Broncos defense looked, and the Seahawks better hope that performance was more about the Broncos defense, as their offense for the first time in a while looked a bit scattershot. Geno was off target a bit. The OL had issues. The defense stepped up though, and if anything that seems like Mike McDonald already has them playing at a faster pace than anything from last year.
11.) Los Angeles Chargers = 1-0 (22-10)
Harbaugh baby. Harbaugh. Why did we ever think this would go any differently. Yes, if they get injuries to any of their top defenders (Bosa, Mack, Samuel) it may all fold like a house of cards, but right now those guys are healthy. The OL is playing well. Alt looks like a star. Herbert still throws short way too much, but it seemed like it all made sense for once.
10.) Miami Dolphins = 1-0 (20-17)
It's funny because Tagovailoa ended up with ~320 yards, but I am worried about the offense. That was a game - perfect weather, etc. - where last year Tua gets 400. This was more boom or bust than I'm sure they want to play. The OL is a problem. Luckily for the Dolphins, the defense seems to have firmed up nicely. Man having Jalen Phillips back is such a help. The secondary played better than I expected as well. This is a good team, but maybe some latent predictability may stop them from being a great one.
9.) New Orleans Saints = 1-0 (47-10)
The Saints were DVOA darlings headed into the season. Not to say anyone thought they would be great, but maybe the best in the NFC South. Well, for one week it looked that way. Carr looked confident. The DL was playing out of their mind. Granted, all of that is hard to judge because the Panthers might just be a special type of bad.
8.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers = 1-0 (37-20)
The Bucs were the team DVOA didn't love, but a lot of that is expected regression and/or injuries. Well, injuries can and will come for any team, but that offense might just be good enough to withstand some of that. The OL protected well (granted, against a pretty miserable front). Mayfield looked confident. Mike Evans is still a monster. They still have to me the highest ceiling of any NFC South team.
7.) Philadelphia Eagles = 1-0 (34-29)
That was the good Eagles. That team still exists in there. Hurts looked to be playing in rhythm. Devonta Smith had his best game in a while. The OL held up even without Kelce. The defense is missing true game changes - the DL has to get a better rush to sustain their play week to week. This isn't a great team yet, but given how many were predicting a bit of disaster to come, this was a promising start, a deserved victory against what was seen as a great test in Green Bay.
6.) Houston Texans = 1-0 (29-27)
If their OL can run block like that, this might be a special team. Then again, they have to block better as well. Also maybe block punt rushes as well. The Texans maybe only won by two but showed startingly few weaknesses (other than again the OL in pass pro). Stroud looks to be picking up right where he left off. Diggs is playing ball for now. All is well in Houston. Also new uniforms look sharp!
5.) Buffalo Bills = 1-0 (34-28)
The pass rush has to be better. It came on as the game went on - with Greg Rousseau having a standout performance, and Von Miller doing more in that game than the entirety of last season, but it has to be more consistent. The Cardinals dominated TOP early because of that. The offense was quite good - what a shock, Josh Allen is still amazing. This team needs that defense to be better though, or at least more consistent.
4.) Dallas Cowboys = 1-0 (33-17)
The Cowboys are good for 6-8 of those types of games per year, where they look absolutely incredible. It is nice to still see that with new coordinators and some new guys - and somehow even I'm nostalgic for Zeke Elliott being back! On the whole, the real Cowboys will show their worth in their ability (or lack of ability) to remain consistent week to week. At their best, they're still amazing.
3.) San Francisco 49ers = 1-0 (32-19)
I hate how familiar the top of this looks compared to last year, but that's what happens when the preseason favorites not only (1) are all the top teams from last year, but also (2) win. The 49ers looked excellent. The pass rush was better than I was expecting - not giving Rodgers much time. The OL was excellent against what is a great Jets front as well. Kyle remains an unparalleled playcaller. Depth will be an issue if injuries pop up, but this is still just a stellar team.
2.) Detroit Lions = 1-0 (26-20)
You leave that game thinking "this is the amazing offense we've heard so much about?" but then you realize the Lions had the best success rate on offense of any team. The OL showed who they were in that OT. Goff looked good, with really just one bad throw on the pick. Jameson Williams being a bigger part of the offense can take them to a higher level. What really impressed me though was the coverage at times. Yes, Kupp went off, but 110 yards on 22 targets isn't all that bad against one of the best receivers. They do need a bit more from the pass rush, though.
1.) Kansas City Chiefs = 1-0 (27-20)
The champs are my #1 till they lose, but even then I do think this is the best team in the NFL. Or at least the most complete. There is no real weakness here - especially with Xavier Worthy at least giving defenses more to worry about deep allowign for more to happen underneath. The secondary remained excellent even without Sneed, which was my only real concern. Karlaftis was a bit quiet - pass rush could get better I guess, but that is the definitions of picking nits.
Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games
Ranking the 0-1 vs 0-1 Games
6.) New York Giants (0-1) @ Washington Commanders (0-1) (1:00 - FOX)
5.) Las Vegas Raiders (0-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-1) (1:00 - CBS)
4.) Cleveland Browns (0-1) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) (1:00 - CBS)
3.) New York Jets (0-1) @ Tennessee Titans (0-1) (1:00 - CBS)
3.) New York Jets (0-1) @ Tennessee Titans (0-1) (1:00 - CBS)
2.) Indianapolis Colts (0-1) @ Green Bay Packers (0-1) (1:00 - FOX)
1.) Los Angeles Rams (0-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-1) (4:05 - FOX)
Ranking the 0-1 vs 1-0 Games
4.) Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) @ Carolina Panthers (0-1) (1:00 - CBS)
3.) Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) @ Denver Broncos (0-1) (4:25 - CBS)
2.) Atlanta Falcons (0-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) (MNF - ESPN)
1.) Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) (4:25 - CBS)
Ranking the 1-0 vs. 1-0 Games
6.) Chicago Bears (1-0) @ Houston Texans (1-0) (SNF - NBC)
5.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) @ Detroit Lions (1-0) (1:00 - FOX)
4.) New Orleans Saints (1-0) @ Dallas Cowboys (1-0) (1:00 - FOX)
3.) San Francisco 49ers (1-0) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-0) (1:00 - CBS)
2.) Seattle Seahawks (1-0) @ New England Patriots (1-0) (1:00 - FOX)
1.) Buffalo Bills (1-0) @ Miami Dolphins (1-0) (TNF - Prime)
