"The Stack" 9-18-17
The Stack is back on this Monday with reaction to Sunday’s week 2 NFL action. There were some bad games in week 2, but there were some impressive performances so let’s get right to it and see what’s in “the stack” for today, Monday, September 18th:
Ravens 24 Browns 10
The Ravens defense is really good. They helped force five turnovers including three interceptions of Browns rookie Deshone Kizer. The offense didn’t do a ton, but they did enough to lead the Ravens to a victory. That defense has looked really good so far through two games.
Panthers 9 Bills 3
This was game was bad. Defenses were both good I guess. Or was it really bad offense? Combination of both I suppose. The win came with a price though for the Panthers. Tight end Greg Olsen broke his foot and Cam Newton suffered an injury in the second half though he was able to finish the game. That Panthers defense has given up a field goal in each of the first two games. That’s pretty good.
Cardinals 16 Colts 13
Speaking of bad games, throw this one into the mix too. The Cardinals offense couldn’t do much of anything until the fourth quarter when they tied the game up and could have won it at the end if Phil Dawson’s kick hadn’t gone to the right. No worries though. The defense picked off Jacoby Brissett on the first play of overtime and Dawson would redeem himself with a game-winning field goal. Brissett didn’t play bad for the Colts on two weeks notice, but this was still not good to lose a game they had leading after three quarters.
Titans 37 Jaguars 16
This game was ugly early with both defenses forcing turnovers, but once the third quarter got underway the Titans imposed their will. Tight end Delanie Walker even ran a touchdown in on a jet sweep. Their defense made life difficult for Blake Bortles (what team’s defense doesn’t give Bortles troubles?) and the Titans blew this one wide open.
Chiefs 27 Eagles 20
A defense struggle in the first half, the Eagles had the lead when Kareem Hunt took over. The rookie running back scored two touchdowns and the Chiefs defense got after Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. They sacked him six times yet the Eagles still had a chance to tie the game after they scored a touchdown with seconds to go and then recovered the onside kick. They couldn’t get the job done though. Both these teams seem like they are going to have good seasons this year.
Patriots 36 Saints 20
The New Orleans Saints paid a price for facing a ticked off Tom Brady who was sitting on a loss for ten days. He lit them up in the first quarter for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Drew Brees did what he could, but the Patriots were just too good even after Rob Gronkowski left with a groin injury. It could be a long year in the Big Easy where it won’t be easy for the Saints to recover.
Steelers 27 Vikings 9
When Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was declared inactive you knew the Vikings would have some troubles moving the ball down the field offensively. They had way too many penalties on both sides of the ball to beat Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. The Steelers didn’t play great offensively, but they did what they needed to do and took advantage of the defensive penalties the Vikings game them. Bradford’s health status is going to be the dominating storyline this week in Minnesota.
Buccaneers 29 Bears 7
Tampa Bay’s first game of the year was a good one against an overmatched Chicago Bears team. The Buccaneers’ defense turned the Bears over a few times and capitalized on those opportunities. It was an emotional win for them. Going to be a long year in Chicago.
Dolphins 19 Chargers 17
The snake-bitten Los Angeles Chargers once again were bitten by the field goal unit. A terrible sequence by both the Chargers and the Dolphins late gave the Chargers a chance, but Younghoe Koo missed the field goal just to the left. Two straight weeks and Koo has missed two game-winning kicks. That is difference between 2-0 and 0-2 and 0-2 is what the Chargers are. The crowd was not good at the StubHub Stadium. Jay Cutler looked pretty good though. And congrats to Antonio Gates for his touchdown reception giving him the most touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history with 112.
Raiders 45 Jets 20
Derek Carr and Michael Crabtree had a pretty good connection in this game with three touchdown hookups. Marshawn Lynch scored his first rushing touchdown since coming out of retirement and the Raiders beat the Jets easily. You’d like to not see them give up 20 points to the Jets, but the Raiders will take the win.
Broncos 42 Cowboys 17
Lightning delay or not, the Broncos were without a doubt the better team in this one. Trevor Siemian was great and the Broncos defense made life miserable for Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. Big win for the Broncos. The Cowboys’ secondary was definitely exposed in this one.
Washington 27 Rams 20
Jared Goff was not nearly as good this week as he was in week one against the Colts. The Rams defense wasn’t nearly as good either. Kirk Cousins wasn’t spectacular for Washington, but the rushing game was very effective and a late touchdown pass to Terrelle Pryor gave Washington the lead late and they would hold on to win.
Seahawks 12 49ers 9
It took the Seattle Seahawks seven-and-a-half quarters, but they finally found the endzone. The offensive line is an absolute disaster and if they didn’t have Russell Wilson, the Seahawks would not have own this game. Things must improve if they want to be a threat to win the Super Bowl.
Falcons 34 Packers 23
The Atlanta Falcons christened their shiny new Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a dominating effort on the Packers. Their offense was great with Devonta Freeman scoring a touchdown on the game’s opening drive. Aaron Rodgers got rocked and a fumble that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown early in the third quarter really put this game away. Big win for the Falcons. It’s now the second straight year that the Packers helped open up a new stadium in week 2 and lost (they lost to the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium last year).
Detroit Lions @ New York Giants 8:30 PM ET ESPN MNF
The Giants looked atrocious in week one. The absence of Odell Beckham Jr. was a major contributor. He is questionable tonight. If he plays, the Giants win. If not, I think Matthew Stafford and the Lions can sneak out of MetLife Stadium with a win.
Prediction: Giants 24 Lions 16
Coming up Tuesday: MNF reaction plus thoughts from the college football weekend
