NFL Week Two Review: Bumps and Brilliance
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The NFL’s Week Two slate of games saw some memorable match ups and some jaw-dropping moments. Unfortunately, the headlines will cover injuries to Bears and Commanders QBs Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Williams went down with no contact to a right hamstring injury. The Commanders’ Jayden Daniels is believed to have dislocated his left elbow. Thankfully, Ja’Marr Chase provided us with some positive news and entertainment. His early Catch-of-the-Year contender is well worth a watch on social media.
Bills Tame Lions
This Thursday Night Football fixture may flatter to deceive with a “close” scoreline, but those watching will have seen a storyline carry from week one. As described on the Gaelic Gridiron Podcast, the Lions’ defense is an obvious weakness. The lads pinpointed this in their season review last year. In the two games so far this year, the Lions defense has conceded 900 yards & ten TDs ALREADY!
Josh Allen had the Bills purring: with a 14-0 lead at the end of First Quarter. He was imperious as he lead the Bills to a 27-13 lead at half-time. By the end of the game, Josh Allen threw 3 TDs and two personal rushing TDs: with a rampant Bills QB completing 446 yards for the Bill: on this opening fixture in the new Stadium. Dan Campbell’s disappointment was clear for all to see with his end of game statement “We needed to play. It didn’t have to be spotless, but it certainly needed to be a lot cleaner than that.”
Bills 41 Lions 31
Bengals Defense Bites Texans
For many Bengals fans, it is a common thread this season so far to delight in ANOTHER stunning defensive performance. The name Dexter Lawrence II was on the lips of many fans leaving NRG Stadium. The Defensive lineman was pivotal in pressuring Texans QB CJ Stroud: with the Bengals D sacking him four times. Stroud was under pressure all game long: completing just 30 passes for 353 yards from 55 attempts (yes dear reader, your eyes do not lie!)
On the other side of the ball, we saw a composed and somewhat pedestrian game from Joe Burrows: Burrows threw 2 TDs during his 20 completed passes from 31. The LSU alum will no doubt relish the opportunity to showcase his pinpoint accuracy next week against AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers … especially as he now has a resolute defense to back him up!
Bengals 20 Texans 6
Steelers Put to the Sword by Patriots
Speaking of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it would appear that Mike McCarthy may now be realising the REAL reason why Mike Tomlin left after the blowout loss to the Texans last year. McCarthy has inherited a porous offensive line and an aging QB. The Pats sacked Rodgers four times and forced two fumbles: one returned by Elijah Ponder. Rodgers was forced to throw erratically when scrambling, and the veteran was lucky to throw just one interception.
Last year, the Steelers won this fixture 21-14: as the Steelers’ D caused havoc in the ranks of the New England Patriots. It was not to be this week, as Drake Maye lead the franchise to it’s 600th victory. Although with injuries to five starters, the Pats will feel the impact of this routine victory as the season progresses. Both sets of fans may feel vindicated in feeling queasy after this one: with the Steelers fandom more nervous. Completing two-for-twelve third downs successfully leaves alot to be desired: we face a long season ahead!
Patriots 20 Steelers 3
It’s been another week of drama and excitement from some of the world’s finest athletes! We are incredibly lucky to see such daring and bravery from the safety of our couches and from the stands! Here’s hoping we can continue to see some of the modern greats return to the field fit and healthy soon!
Make sure you are subscribed to the Gaelic Gridiron podcast to hear the lads speak of this week’s entire slate of games with even more in-depth analysis!