Week two can be labeled the 'Black Plague' for quarterbacks. Future Hall of Famers Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger are expected to miss significant time, with the latter out of the remained of the season. Jets' quarterback Sam Darnold misses a Monday Night Football matchup against the Browns in which his backup Trevor Siemian fractured his ankle.
This week has claimed another victim as Cam Newton re-aggravated a foot injury listing him as 'doutbful' for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
With injuries reshaping the season, week three could define the contenders and pretenders. Are the Eagles still a Super Bowl pick following a loss to the inconsistent Falcons? Who are the Chargers and when will they stop playing down to the level of their opponents? Are the Rams still the top dog in the NFC West or are the Seahawks and 49ers destined to claim the crown?
Player of the Week:
Offensive:
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has been unstoppable since returning from injury. He led Minnesota to win in week one, and although a loss to the Packers may not be what the Vikings wanted, Cook still dominated. Totaling 154 yards and one touchdown on the ground in just 20 carries, Cook continues to prove why he is a top back in the NFL.
Defensive:
Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett put up a fight to claim DPOW, but Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett stole the show Monday night against the Jets. The former first-round totaled three tackles on top of three sacks and a total of five quarterback hits, in a 23-3 victory.
Speaking of the Browns, they host the defending NFC champion Los Angeles Rams in a game that can solidify Cleveland as a top threat in the NFL. While a candidate for game of the week, the AFC holds a more prestigious and possible playoff preview in week three.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0) vs. KANSA CITY CHIEFS (2-0)
The Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs enter Sunday after two weeks of dominating their opponents with the second and fourth highest point differentials in the NFL.
Led by Lamar Jackson and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes, both teams look like early division favorites and have proven that by both being undefeated thus far. Leaving Sunday, only one team can remain unbeaten.
The last time the two teams faced off, the Chiefs came out victorious 27-24 after fending off Baltimore's fourth-quarter comeback. Back in 2018, we did not know much about Lamar Jackson, but his two-touchdown performance against the Chiefs stood out amongst his eye-catching rookie season.
Now with close to a full year under his belt, Jackson is proving to be more than just a 'running back' with seven passing touchdowns and almost 600 passing yards in just two games. By improving his passing ability, Jackson has taken away one of his major flaws and made it difficult for defenses to prepare for him.
Because Jackson and rookie Marquise Brown's contribution to the passing game, the Ravens have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Chiefs.
The question is not the offenses heading into Sunday's contest, but rather the defenses.
Baltimore currently ranked as the number two defense in the NFL, according to NFL.com, and is holding opponents to a measly 13.5 points a game. It should be taken into account the Dolphins and Cardinals were the Ravens' opposition in weeks one and two.
The Chiefs have also started the year strong defense only allowing 18 points a game and forcing four turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble).
With both defense totaling seven turnovers and neither quarterback throwing an interception, something will have to give. Sunday's game could easily reach its finale when the first turnover is made.
The Chiefs are the BushLeagueSports pick to represent the AFC in this year's Super Bowl and even without star receiver Tyreek Hill, Kansas City has not missed a beat.
Patrick Mahomes has turned into a combination of Aaron Rodgers, with his ability to make any throw, and Tom Brady, with his success despite lacking a star receiver. What Mahomes does have is an elite tight end, instead in the form of Travis Kelce, who coming into this week is four yards shy of 200 on the season and averaging 19.5 yards per reception.
With an absolute star over the middle and the emergence of Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman on the outside, the Chiefs' offense more dangerous than last year. Even Mahomes has tallied more yards and averaged a better completion percentage through the first two games of this season.
Both the Chiefs and Ravens have quarterbacks playing at their peaks with league-leading defenses. The running game is the key factor, and it leans heavily in Baltimore's favor.
Thanks to Mark Ingram's 5.7 yards per carry, Baltimore has been able to control the time of possession. Leading the NFL with 38:52 time of possession, six more minutes than the Chiefs, Baltimore can slow down any game and play at their pace.
Instead of a gunslinging quick scoring gameplan of the Chiefs, the Ravens can use Kansas City's 13th ranked defense against them. All it will take is for Baltimore to ice the clock with a one-point lead, and this case, Baltimore can do so with three minutes still left in regulation.
Verdict:
Besides the Patriots, Baltimore has the best chance to knock off Kansas City in the regular season, at least at this point.
With Lamar Jackson playing the best football of his career, and his ability to not only throw the deep ball but to evade tackles, expect the game to go down to the wire.
The ball will be flying around the field, on behalf of Patrick Mahomes. It is now law that Mahomes has an MVP type of game so chalk up at least 27 points for Kansas City. On Baltimore's behalf, it will be interesting to see if they decide to revert to last season's style of play, where the team ran the ball over 65 percent of plays or decide to continue to display Jackson's newly found passing confidence.
If the Ravens choose to pass, there is no way Jackson outguns Mahomes, which is why Baltimore must run into a play-action team. Run the ball heavy and make Kansas City stack the box then attack them downfield.
Both teams have played weaker opponents through week two with this Sunday's matchup being their first real test.
Unfortunately for Baltimore, the game is being played in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium, where since Mahomes took over as the starter, the Chiefs are 7-1. Expect their home record to be 8-1 after Sunday's game season home debut victory.
Final Score: Chiefs 30, Ravens 26
Week 3 Predictions:
Titans (1-1) vs. Jaguars (0-2) - Titans 17, Jaguars 14 (TNF)
Dolphins (0-2) vs. Cowboys (2-0) - Cowboys 36, Dolphins 10
Bengals (0-2) vs. Bills (2-0) - Bills 23, Bengals 20
Lions (1-0-1) vs. Eagles (1-1) - Lions 24, Eagles 23
Jets (0-2) vs. Patriots (2-0) - Patriots 30, Jets 10
Falcons (1-1) vs. Colts (1-1) - Colts 23, Falcons 20
Raiders (1-1) vs. Vikings (1-1) - Vikings 24, Raiders 17
Broncos (0-2) vs. Packers (2-0) - Packers 24, Broncos 13
Panthers (0-2) vs. Cardinals (0-1-1) - Cardinals 23, Panthers 10
Giants (0-2) vs. Buccaneers (1-1) - Bucs 24, Giants 17
Saints (1-1) vs. Seahawks (2-0) - Seahawks 29, Saints 17
Texans (1-1) vs. Chargers (1-1) - Texans 24, Chargers 23
Steelers (0-2) vs. 49ers (2-0) - 49ers 28, Steelers 17
Rams (2-0) vs. Browns (1-1) - Rams 27, Browns 23 (SNF)
Bears (1-1) vs. Redskins (0-2) - Bears 20, Redskins 16 (MNF)
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