NFL News and Notes | Week 2

The NFL season is underway, and Week 1 is done. Here are some takeaways from Week 1 and what to look forward to in Week 2. 

Cowboys at Buccaneers

The NFL season kicked off Thursday evening when the Dallas Cowboys visited the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dallas, coming off a 6-10 campaign in 2020, played well on Thursday night. 

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense shined in the spotlight against the strong Buccaneers’ defense. Prescott completed 42 of 58 passes for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns. Amari Cooper led the Cowboys’ wide receivers with 13 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott was very quiet in the run game with 11 carries for 33 yards. 

Prescott did not miss a beat in his first game back since breaking his foot last season. In a game against one of the best run defenses, Prescott found receivers all night to give his team a chance to win. Prescott did not play a single preseason game due to a shoulder injury. Prescott took time off and rehabbed as a pitcher in baseball, due to the rotator cuff injury. 

While the defense looked improved as well, forcing the Tampa offense into 5 turnovers, Tom Brady was left with too much time late in the 4th quarter. 

Just when you want to count Tom Brady out, he proves everyone wrong again. Age is just a number at this point for Brady. Brady completed 32 of 50 passes for 379 yards and 4 touchdowns. 

Antonio Brown led the receivers on the Buccaneers with 5 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Brown’s touchdown came late in the 2nd quarter on a 47-yard throw from Brady. 

The first game of the year came down to a final drive led by Brady setting up a game-winning field goal by Ryan Succop. 

The Dallas Cowboys are in a much better situation than a year ago and should expect a much different season than what they played last year. In the worst division in football, if playing to their potential, the Cowboys should run away with the NFC East. 

Packers at Saints

Last year’s MVP struggled, and the Packers looked terrible in Week 1 on the road against the Saints. 

For a team that faced a lot of drama in the offseason, there should be no surprise to the level of play in Week 1. The Packers were blown out by a Drew Brees-less Saints team, 38-3 on Sunday. 

Aaron Rodgers was the face of the drama that the Packers endured over the offseason due to his contract. Rodgers is unhappy with the current situation in Green Bay due to the front office. In the past years, the Packers have not done much to help the offense around Rodgers. 

The Packers have struggled to create a run game, and besides Devante Adams, there has not been much help in the receiving department. 

Two years ago, when the Packers traded up to draft Jordan Love, the assumed replacement for Rodgers, that is when the turmoil started. 

Rodgers now is on a one-year deal that requires a trade at the end of the year to Rodgers specified destination. The contract also allows Adams to be paid more this offseason by the Packers. 

On Sunday, Rodgers completed 15 of 28 passes for 133 yards and 2 interceptions. Adams caught 5 passes for 56 yards. 

The biggest highlight of the game came from the Saints quarterback, Jameis Winston. Winston, who has spent the last few seasons in New Orleans studying under Drew Brees, now has control of the offense. In the first game without Drew Brees, Winston completed 14 of 20 passes for 148 yards and 5 touchdowns. 

What To Look For In Week 2

Week 2 provides many interesting games for not only fans, but bettors as well. 

Cincinnati, who beat Minnesota in Week 1, travels to Chicago to play the Bears. The Bears, who struggled in Week 1 against the Rams, look to find a consistent offense scheme and to not allow many big plays on defense. The Bears open up as three-point favorites. 

Two of the better defenses in the NFL square off when the Rams travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. Matthew Stafford, who looked great in Week 1 faces a tough test on the road. The Colts’ offense, still trying to find their way, have a daunting defense in front of them this week. The Rams are four-point favorites for the Sunday game. 

The Sunday night game is going to be all you can expect, plus more. The Chiefs, who survived a scare in Week 1, host the Ravens, who fell apart on Monday night in Vegas. The Ravens are hurt and are missing many key players; they will be looking to avoid their third straight loss against the Chiefs. 

The Ravens need to take care of the ball to avoid giving Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense many chances to score. The Chiefs open up as four-point favorites for Sunday night's game. 
 

Click here for The Dunkel Index NFL Picks for Week 2.