That was a wild one. So many big performances, fantastic finishes, controversial developments. Some bold calls worked out, others disappointed. Glad we don't have press conferences, which no doubt weren't fun for several coaches yesterday. On to the games.
Jets versus Vikings across the pond: An entertaining if not pretty game, where the Vikings made one fewer mistake. Aaron Rodgers got knocked around pretty good in this game, before and after throwing 3 interceptions. One overthrown, one a Pick Six where the defender jumped the route, and the last -- with the Jets down 6 in scoring range in the final minute -- a low throw where Mike Williams didn't turn to look for it and the defender made a great play. Rodgers suffered a sprained ankle (not surprising), so we'll see if he's in next week. Garrett Wilson and Justin Jefferson were peppered with targets, finishing with good numbers that could have been even better but for some missed connections and Jefferson drawing 5-6 interference penalties. Aaron Jones left due to injury, Ty Chandler wasn't good, Breece Hall didn't look particularly good either. Vikes 5-0.
Carolina at Chicago: The Andy Dalton story was nice while it lasted, but the Bears are really good defensively and the Panthers really aren't. Big game for DJ Moore, D'Andre Swift scored once and could have been 3 TDs (Roschon Johnson came in to vulture a couple). Caleb Williams also had a rushing score called back on a clipping penalty, which I feel like I haven't heard called in a while. Bears offense looking a little better, but Carolina defense will do that.
Baltimore at Cincinnati: Joe Burrow and the Bengals passing game did everything they could to win this one. And the Bengals defense made a big play in overtime to maybe get a win. But Zac Taylor was comfortable enough with a 50ish yard field goal attempt that he ran the ball into the line three times before his holder botched the snap, the field goal missed, and the Ravens won. Huge difference for Cincinnati between 1-4 and 2-3, obviously. Big numbers for a lot of different players, including 3 touchdowns to Ravens tight ends (just not Mark Andrews). Tough one for Bengals fans to swallow, gonna be a rough week there.
Buffalo at Houston: Speaking of a tough loss to swallow. The Bills operated in the final minute of this game as if they didn't know what the score was. All tied up, deep in their own end, with 30 seconds left, they hurled up three prayers out of the end zone as if they were losing, which they in fact did when they had to punt, giving Houston the ball on the outskirts of field goal range for a last-second winning kick. Strange. Probably another interesting press conference. Good news for Buffalo is they look like heavy favorites in the AFC East, but a game they let get away. Nico Collins caught a long touchdown but left with a hamstring injury, so make sure Tank Dell is on a roster in case Nico needs to miss time.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville: Wild shootout with both Joe Flacco and Trevor Lawrence playing like their younger selves -- well actually no, Flacco has been better as an aged player than he was in his prime, really. But both defenses were really bad and both quarterbacks were chucking up huge plays, including a Flacco touchdown to Mo Alie-Cox in a crowd of defenders (most of today's QBs don't even attempt that throw), and Lawrence heaving up rainbows to Brian Thomas et al. Good game to have quarterbacks, wide receivers and backup running backs like Tank Bigsby in your lineup. He looked better than Etienne last week and maybe took over the job today. Nice game for Alec Pierce too (every Colts wideout, really).
Miami at New England: The less said about this eyesore the better. DeVon Achane left early with a concussion, Tyreek Hill had a near-miss touchdown where he was ruled out of bounds in the end zone, and I think that's it for players anyone started in this game. Patriots had a last-minute touchdown that would have won the game overturned by part of a foot on the end zone line, similar to the Likely play in the season-opener. Dolphins butchered a couple of field goals but won anyway, because the Patriots have virtually nothing these days. Good game for Jaylen Wright, yes he should be added, while Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson played in a committee, with Stevenson (the one less started everywhere) scoring on the game's lone big offensive play. Stevenson also injured a knee late, so we'll see on that.
Cleveland at Washington: Washington offense did whatever it wanted in an ugly laugher. Ugly describes Cleveland's offense now, which managed some production what with Washington's defense not being good, but kept shooting itself in the foot at critical moments. Running back committees, but the Browns didn't have any touchdowns until a late, meaningless one by a tight end nobody started. Glad to get serviceable (10 PPR points) out of Amari Cooper, since it's probably time not to start any components of Cleveland's offense the rest of the way (or until they bench Watson for Jameis Winston, which can't hurt).
Las Vegas at Denver: That Broncos defense is something to watch right now. Making plays all over the field, key to a three-game winning streak for what I thought was one of the league's worst teams. Impressive. Not a lot of big fantasy numbers here, not from anyone facing Denver (long Brock Bowers TD early, at least), but little else. Gardner Minshew benched for Aidan O'Connell, unsurprisingly, but it's also rearranging deck chairs I think. Javonte Williams another decent game, though not credited for a touchdown when he seemed to be in, while Jaleel McLaughlin credited with one where he seemed to be short. Refs aren't good at these calls. Davante maybe traded this week, with Raiders looking like they're in for a long season.
Arizona at San Francisco: Upset of the day, cost me some money in a four-game parlay where I hit the others, probably killed some Survivor Pool entries. Niners were up 10, but they got their kicker injured on a tackle which hurt them after that on ensuing drives. Teams have three quarterbacks available but only one kicker on game day, and we've now seen two games where teams lost because of it. Not a great day for Brock Purdy, a little unlucky at times, and a huge fumble late by Jordan Mason (with San Francisco having a first and goal while up 2 points, he was almost down when the ball was knocked free), but an impressive win for Arizona. Niners maybe should have run it a little more, but just one of those unfortunate games. Big game for Aiyuk and Kittle, in defeat.
Green Bay at L.A. Rams: Jordan Love (despite an ugly pick six that reminds us he's just a second-year starter) led the way here, hitting Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed regularly, and the Packers defense made a bunch of big plays. Rams made things interesting but playing without your two best wideouts isn't easy. NFC North sure looks like it's going to put three teams in the playoffs, and there will be a good team from the West or South left out. But it's early I guess.
N.Y. Giants at Seattle: Hats off to the Giants, who have now won 2 games where they started about as bad as you possibly could, fumbling away the opening kickoff at Cleveland (next play: TD) and then at the goal line at Seattle (fumble return TD), Both by Eric Gray, ugh. That fumble opened the door for Tyrone Tracy to be featured, and those who gambled on him and Darius Slayton were rewarded. Not sure if Seattle came in overconfident or I've underestimated New York's defense...maybe a little of both. Giants made more plays and get the win.
Dallas at Pittsburgh: The delayed start was no friend to those of us on the East Coast, and the game itself was kind of a defensive slog for a while. But it got exciting at the end, with a couple of desperation drives, a remarkable defensive play to force a Rico Dowdle goal line fumble just before Dallas' winning touchdown, but a heads-up play by Dak Prescott to recover it (and then hit Jalen Tolbert for winning touchdown on fourth dowh; they almost connected on third down, too). With Pittsburgh losing its last two (and the offense generally not doing much all year), it's fair to say there will be some Russell Wilson speculation this week.
Monday, Monday: New Orleans and Kansas City seems kind of anticlimactic after all the drama on Sunday. I'm curious as to how they'll use their backfield (probably Kareem Hunt mostly) and if JuJu Smith-Schuster or Xavier Worthy is busiest. In general, both defenses have some ability, and it might not be a slugfest, but presumably there will be a big Patrick Mahomes game one of these weeks. Right? Kansas City 24, New Orleans 17.
