Denver stopped Dallas, but other teams won’t
Week 2 of the NFL schedule provided a clearer picture of where teams stand, but that’s still a small sample size for any assessment of this season. But that won’t stop some from drawing premature conclusions. Here are four overreactions from Sunday’s action that we’re pushing back against.
COWBOYS ARE OVERRATED
It’s not a shock that Dallas lost to Denver 42-17. What’s surprising is how the defeat unfolded.
The Broncos crafted an excellent defensive game plan by loading the box with extra defenders and clogging running lanes. Ezekiel Elliott, who led the NFL in rushing last year as a rookie, was held to an astonishing, career-low 8 yards on nine carries.
With Elliott’s role diminishing as Denver built its lead, the threat of the play-action passing game — one of Dallas’ top tactics — vanished. That left quarterback Dak Prescott, who attempted a careerhigh 50 passes, to keep the Cowboys in it.
But the Broncos held firm behind arguably the best secondary in the NFL led by cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib, who returned an interception 103 yards to ice the game. The Broncos also lined up Harris at safety several times, further confusing Prescott.
The good news for the Cowboys is not many teams are built like the Broncos, who boast rare talent at every level on defense as well as a tough setting for any visiting team. Sunday’s loss exposed some of the Cowboys’ flaws, but the team’s offensive talent and experienced coaching staff will keep it a contender this season.
TROUBLE FOR PACKERS OFFENSE?
One week after delivering enough when tested by Seattle, the Green Bay offense plodded against Atlanta in a 34-23 loss.
Aaron Rodgers’ attack finished with a respectable 367 total yards. But the Packers spent most of the game trying to dig themselves out of a large deficit, which swelled to 31-7 in the third quarter. Up to that point, with 14:04 left to play in the period, the Packers had only 92 yards of total offense.
There was an easy explanation for the uncharacteristic outing, however. Injuries kept starting offensive tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga inactive.
The effects were clear. The Fal- cons sacked Rodgers three times and hit him seven times. He never settled into a rhythm, and the pressure from the edge also blocked his escape routes out of the pocket, limiting his ability to extend plays.
Then, after the team’s opening drive, top receiver Jordy Nelson exited with a quad injury. Fellow receiver Randall Cobb left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
Simply put, the Packers were short-handed. A fully healthy group led by Rodgers should be just fine.
LE’VEON BELL ISN’T THE SAME
It has been a rough start for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-team all-pro running back. Though his team is 2-0 after a 26-9 win against Minnesota, Bell hasn’t produced like he has in the past.
Bell gained 87 rushing yards against Minnesota, but it came on
27 carries (3.2 yards per attempt). He caught four passes for just
4 yards.
His two-week totals (37 rushes for 119 yards; seven catches for 19 yards) are lagging well behind his previous efficiency; he averaged
4.9 yards per rush in the last two seasons. His longest play was a
15-yard carry in Week 1 against Cleveland, and he still has not scored a touchdown.
Bell’s early struggles, though, were to be expected.
This is what happens when a player — even one as talented as Bell — misses the entire offseason program and training camp because of a contract dispute.
Bell said he stayed in shape and worked out while he was gone, but it’s impossible to replicate live football work in training sessions.
Pittsburgh looks like a top team in the AFC. But after spending eight months away from his teammates, Bell will need time to round into form.
TIME TO BENCH KIZER
Cleveland is 0-2, and its quarterback has struggled. Some things feel as if they never change.
In this case, though, Cleveland needs to continue to exercise patience after its rookie passer struggled in a 24-10 loss Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
This was not a good game for Kizer, who left briefly with a migraine. He threw behind receivers, again held on to the ball too long and committed four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble). He completed only 15 of his 31 passes for 182 yards.
Kizer was always going to need time to assimilate into the NFL. He flashes potential behind great arm strength, but he needs to do a better job of anticipating throws. Benching him after appointing him the starter would only stunt his development under coach Hue Jackson.
In the short term, neither Kevin Hogan nor Cody Kessler represents an upgrade.
The full outlook for Kizer is still to be determined. But the Browns need to give themselves time to assess what they have — especially given that they are likely a season or two from competing, anyway.