2021 NFL Week Two: Biggest Storylines and Takeaways
After an entertaining Thursday night game between the Giants and WFT, the weekend slate did not disappoint. From division rivalries to young quarterback battles to an amazing Sunday Night game, week two had everything and more. With that being said, here are the most important storylines and takeaways from 2021 NFL Week Two.
2021 NFL Week Two- Derek Carr and Raiders Start 2-0
The Raiders have had some disappointing seasons under Jon Gruden. Last season was no different as the Raiders started off hot only to miss the playoffs by three games. However, 2021 has gotten off to a different start. The Derek Carr hate has gotten out of control and he has quickly silenced those haters by throwing for over 800 yards in their two wins. Carr made a number of elite throws against Pittsburgh including a 60-yard dime to Henry Ruggs.
The biggest question mark for LV has been the defense. They have looked indifferent to tackling at times and have not drafted defensive talent very well. Through the first two games, the defense looks faster and is playing with more urgency. Lamar Jackson is one of the more dynamic athletes we have ever seen and the Raiders held him relatively in check in week one. The Raiders have the two best wins so far in the league and they happen to come against two playoffs teams from last year. I am interested to see if Carr and the Raiders can keep up this style of play and get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
2021 NFL Week Two- Lamar Jackson Gets First Win Versus Cheifs
Actively rooting against Lamar Jackson is so weird to me. The guy enters the draft and people are telling him to switch to WR. He gets drafted by Baltimore, wins unanimous MVP, and has made the Ravens a consistent threat in the AFC. But because he struggles against the Cheifs and he is inaccurate at times, people massively over-hate him. Well on Sunday night in dramatic fashion, Jackson earned his first victory against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Cheifs.
What was even more impressive is that the Ravens mounted a double-digit comeback without their two top running backs; Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins. Everything was put onto Lamar’s shoulders and he took on the challenge with a smile. It felt fitting that the game ended with John Harbaugh asking Lamar if he wanted to go for it on fourth down, Lamar said yes, and Patrick Mahomes was handed his first loss in the month of September.
2021 NFL Week Two- Darnold and Panthers Off To A Hot Start
How about the Carolina Panthers? After acquiring Sam Darnold in the offseason, many like myself questioned if Darnold had anything left in the tank. They earned a victory versus the Jets in week one and dismantled the red-hot New Orleans Saints this past week. Darnold looks like the 3rd overall pick he was supposed to be, Christain McCaffrey is one of the leagues’ most dynamic players and Joe Brady is an elite OC.
I predicted the Panthers to make a Wild Card appearance in 2021 but I did not think they would start off this hot. They get an easy Thursday night game against Houston followed by a light upcoming schedule, we could look up in week nine and the Panthers are 6-2. Don’t sleep on Rhule and those boys from Carolina.
2021 NFL Week Two- Rough Weekend For Rookie Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson had a rough Sunday. Lawrence and the Jags fell to the Broncos while Wilson and the Jets were plastered by the Patriots. Let’s start with Lawrence, after making some promising throws in week one, Trevor looked absolutely lost. Lawrence was 18/33, 118 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. The Jaguars scored on their opening drive but could not get the offense moving after that. Jacksonville scored six more points after their opening touchdown which came on a kick return late in the fourth quarter. In defense of Lawrence, the Jags line is horrible and Urban Meyer’s offensive coaching hires are questionable.
As for Zach Wilson, he was the latest rookie QB to feel the wrath of Bill Belichick. Belichick was 21-6 against rookie QBs heading into Sunday and this game was no different from the rest. The Patriots had Wilson seeing ghosts all afternoon as the rookie threw four INTs on the way to a 25-6 Patriots’ victory. Wilson looked terrified and that arm he had once relied on got him into trouble on Sunday.
We also saw extended playing time for Justin Fileds for the first time in his rookie year. After Andy Dalton was sidelined with an injury, Fields got extensive first-team reps. Although the Bears won, Fields looked like a rookie QB completing 6/13 passes for 61 yards and an interception. At this point I would play Fields over Dalton just to get the kid some experience, this team is not competing for Super Bowls anytime soon so what is the harm in getting him reps.
2021 NFL Week Two- Kyler Murray Magic
Other than Lamar Jackson, there is not a QB I enjoy watching more than Kyler Murray. His athletic ability combined with his insane arm gives defensive coordinators nightmares. Murray had another great performance against the Vikings on Sunday throwing for 400 yards and three touchdowns and added another rushing touchdown on the ground. Through two weeks, Murray is tied with Tom Brady with nine total touchdowns but if you had to give MVP today, the award belongs to Murray. The question for Kyler now becomes can he continue this elite play the whole season and lead the Cards to the playoffs.
Check out week one here and come back for week three next week!
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