Despite a global pandemic ravaging our world, the NFL seems to be going smoothly two weeks into an unusual 2020 season. Here’s a look at what I’ve seen around the league so far:
1. There are too many injuries because of the cancelled preseason
NFL fans have constantly complained about four preseason games. The amount of star-power that was lost in week two should remind us why we need the preseason after all. A total of seven players tore their ACLs this week, including 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and Giants running back Saquon Barkley. The next time NFL fans complain about the preseason, be grateful for it – it does physically prepare athletes.
2. Don’t let the Bears record fool you
The Chicago Bears have gotten off to a 2-0 start. However, their record is pretty deceiving. The Bears had to stage a major fourth-quarter comeback to beat the lowly Lions and barely beat the struggling Giants after leading 17-0 at the half. Their supposedly vaunted defense not being able to close out games and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s continued inconsistency is also concerning. It’s impossible to tell if this team is good or not.
3. The Packers are looking scary again
Aaron Rodgers had bought into head coach Matt LaFleur’s system after an offseason where the organization drafted his possible future replacement. Luckily for Rodgers, he doesn’t have to carry the offense like he did in the past thanks to versatile running back Aaron Jones behind him. It is obvious that the Packers are the clear-cut favorite to win the NFC North. This week’s match-up against the Saints could be a real barometer of how good this team is.
4. The Patriots are doing fine in the post-Brady era
I’ve always said that the Patriots will be just fine as long as Bill Belichick is around. I think that remains the case here. They can still play tough defense and run the football very well. Quarterback Cam Newton looks healthy again and has played really well so far, contrary to what I said about him last year. The Pats might not be a dominant force like in years past, but they are still good enough to win the AFC East.
5. The Vikings could be in for a long season
The Vikings were due for a bit of regression with the loss of star players such as Stefon Diggs, Everson Griffen and Xavier Rhodes. However, nobody could have predicted that they would look this bad to start the season. Their defense got shredded by the Packers in week one, and their offense was completely shut down by the Colts last week. Plus, their offense isn’t built to overcome big deficits. It’s going to take some luck for the Vikings to turn it around, or else it will be a long season.
6. The Jets are a mess
It’s really hard to tell which New York team is worse, but I’m going to go with the Jets. Sam Darnold has a ton of raw talent, but is being underserved by terrible coaching from head coach Adam Gase. The Jets couldn’t even beat a 49ers team that was decimated by injuries last week. They are being outscored 58-30 by opponents and have looked very non-competitive in the first two weeks. It’s just a matter of time until Gase is fired.
7. Kyler Murray could capture the MVP
The past two years have seen second-year quarterbacks breaking out and winning MVP. Kyler Murray was picked by many to continue that trend and is living up to the hype so far. Murray has made history, becoming the first quarterback to throw for more than 500 yards and run for 150 over the first two weeks of the season. It’s too early to give out awards, but Murray could end up as MVP if he keeps playing at this level.
8. The Cowboys’ historic comeback could set the tone for the rest of their season
Heading into the 2020 season, history favored the Cowboys to win the NFC East. The first six quarters were rough for them, but they picked it up in the second half against the Falcons. Besides overcoming a 20-0 deficit in the first quarter, Dallas also overcame a 15-point deficit with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Though the Falcons’ collapse was historic, but not surprising, being 1-1 instead of 0-2 is a huge relief to the Cowboys. The historic comeback could set the tone for the rest of the Cowboys’ season.
