One week after beginning the NFL season with loads of skepticism and little buzz, the Steelers, Colts and Jets will probably be among the many most intently watched groups of Week 2 as followers and analysts seek for clues to some of the sudden questions of the younger season.
Can the quarterback trio of Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers, the Jets’ Justin Fields and Indianapolis’ Daniel Jones look this good once more?
Every had been solid off by their former staff in the course of the offseason, and one other unhealthy efficiency in Week 1 threatened to put in writing them off with their new one, too.
When media shops printed preseason rankings of the league’s beginning quarterbacks, all three routinely ranked within the backside half; the NFL’s personal web site ranked Fields and Jones thirtieth and thirty first in a 32-team league. Rodgers, a former four-time league MVP, was twenty first.
That insecurity was justified. Jones had a 1-5 document in season openers with the Giants. Then, in his first begin with the Colts since supplanting Anthony Richardson on the depth chart, Jones led Indianapolis to factors on every of its first seven drives to blow out the Dolphins, 33-8, and win the Colts’ first Week 1 recreation in 12 years. Jones mixed for 3 touchdowns. It was the primary time since not less than 1978 {that a} staff scored on each possession of a recreation, in line with league analysis.
Like Jones, Fields had been drafted within the first spherical with nice expectations that have been by no means fulfilled. After shedding his beginning job in Pittsburgh final season, he signed with the Jets because the alternative for Rodgers, who had been solid apart by New York’s new teaching employees. Fields accomplished 16 of his 22 passes for 218 yards and a landing and rushed for 2 extra touchdowns. The passing effectivity was harking back to the best way he began final season, largely capably with Pittsburgh, too; the distinction in his Jets debut was how far more Fields aired the ball out, averaging almost 11 air yards per try, the very best of his profession by 4 yards in 5 profession season openers, in line with the stats database Stathead.
The Jets misplaced regardless of scoring 30-plus factors as a result of Rodgers was even higher in his debut with a brand new staff. With Pittsburgh, Rodgers threw for 4 touchdowns with no turnover, one thing he hadn’t achieved since 2021. He’d thrown for 4 touchdowns in a season opener solely as soon as in 17 earlier tries. His passer price was the second-best of his profession in season openers, as effectively, whereas his landing price was a career-high in such eventualities, per Stathead.
It was sudden. It was stunning.
Is it sustainable?
Jones hasn’t gained consecutive video games since October 2022. Whether or not that can change is determined by whether or not he can keep wholesome, a continuing battle whereas he was with the New York Giants, and the way a lot he discovered whereas spending half of final season in Minnesota beneath coach Kevin O’Connell, a famous quarterback coach. Jones advised the “Pat McAfee Present” this week that he was impressed watching the granular degree of element that O’Connell paid consideration to when scheming towards defenses. With the Colts, he additionally has the good thing about throwing to standout rookie tight finish Tyler Warren.
Rodgers, who relished beating the Jets in his postgame information convention, seems as motivated as ever, and his arm confirmed the identical zip that made him a four-time MVP. However Father Time is as formidable to outrun as an unblocked edge rusher. Within the 19 video games since he left Inexperienced Bay — and since Rodgers turned 40 and has misplaced mobility — he has been sacked extra typically (45 instances) than he has thrown landing passes (32).
Criticized throughout stops in Chicago and Pittsburgh for the way typically he scrambled moderately than let performs develop from the pocket, Fields was markedly higher in his Jets debut, rating first amongst all Week 1 quarterbacks in explosive performs and anticipated factors added when he dropped again to cross, in line with the NFL’s Subsequent Gen Stats. His skill to run offered Fields a 3rd likelihood to show he’s an NFL starter. However producing as a passer will decide how lengthy it lasts.
“We’re gonna let him play quarterback, we’re gonna see the issues that he likes, and we’re additionally gonna progress with the issues that he’s not good at so he can get higher in that side,” Aaron Glenn, New York’s first-year coach, advised reporters after the sport.
What we’re awaiting in Week 2:
Jacksonville (1-0) at Cincinnati (1-0): No quarterback was pressured much less in Week 1 than Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence. The Bengals are hoping to realize greater than the 7 yards they produced in final week’s second half.
New York Giants (0-1) at Dallas (0-1): When Dak Prescott performs, the Cowboys have gained 13 consecutive video games towards the Giants. The NFL document belongs to Bob Griese, who gained 17 consecutive video games towards Buffalo by means of 1979.
Chicago (0-1) at Detroit (0-1): That is uh-oh territory for Detroit, which is at risk of going from final 12 months’s No. 1 playoff seed within the NFC to an 0-2 begin to this season.
Los Angeles Rams (1-0) at Tennessee (0-1): Solely 16 interceptions have been thrown mixed in Week 1, the fewest throughout a season-opening week for the reason that NFL/AFL merger in 1970, in line with the NFL. L.A.’s Matthew Stafford and Titans No. 1 choose Cam Ward saved that quantity low by staying pick-free final week.
New England (0-1) at Miami (0-1): Final week the Dolphins averaged 6.5 yards per carry, among the many finest within the league. In addition they rushed the ball a league-low 12 instances.
San Francisco (1-0) at New Orleans (0-1): Out goes 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, probably for a month, with a toe harm. In his place steps backup Mac Jones.
Buffalo (1-0) at New York Jets (0-1): Cam Newton holds the NFL document for many video games (45) by a quarterback with a passing and speeding landing, per Stathead. Buffalo’s Josh Allen can tie him Sunday.
Seattle (0-1) at Pittsburgh (1-0): It’s Steeler wideout DK Metcalf’s first recreation towards the staff that traded him. It’s additionally a possibility for Aaron Rodgers (507 profession landing passes) to cross Brett Favre (508) for fourth all time.
Cleveland (0-1) at Baltimore (0-1): In accordance to the NFL, the Ravens produced an explosive play on almost a 3rd of their offensive performs in Week 1, the very best proportion by any staff within the final decade. But they misplaced.
Denver (1-0) at Indianapolis (1-0): Right here’s an enormous take a look at for Daniel Jones to show his sizzling Week 1 was for actual. After main the NFL in sacks final 12 months, Denver produced an NFL-best six extra in Week 1.
Carolina (0-1) at Arizona (1-0): After a promising finish to his second season, former No. 1 general choose and Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger accomplished simply 18 of his 34 passes for 154 yards, a landing and two interceptions.
Philadelphia (1-0) at Kansas Metropolis (0-1): The Chiefs haven’t began a season 0-2 since 2014.
Atlanta (0-1) at Minnesota (1-0): Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson is one catch away from tying Larry Fitzgerald because the youngest receiver to succeed in 500 profession catches. Jefferson will probably be 26 years and 90 days previous on Sunday, the identical age as Fitzgerald to the day when he completed it.
Tampa Bay (1-0) at Houston (0-1) (Monday): Coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, the Texans’ high receiver, Nico Collins, bought simply three catches for 25 yards within the opener. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud has been sacked 104 instances since getting into the league in 2023, 12 greater than some other quarterback.
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