Well, was there enough drama in week 2 for you? I’m not sure I can remember a week more dramatic, nor am I sure I need to waste your time with a length intro. It’s time we get straight to this week’s seven burning questions. Burn, baby, burn!
The End of an Eli – how does it look?
Daniel Jones is upon us. It’s like the book of Revelations. Gabriel has blown his horns and Eli has been summoned to the heavenly platform also referred to as the bench. No quarterback has been more impressive in a pre-season than Jones was this year, but Miami also won three of their four pre-season games, so there’s that.
His two Super Bowls will stand up in any conversation, as will the public outcry for his reinstatement after Ben McAdoo ruined his consecutive starts streak. But the Giants are a million miles away from being competitive right now.
However, if they can lean on an All Pro running back in Barkley and a quarterback who looks semi-functional, that might be enough to excite Giants fans in a season that’s otherwise a write-off.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 22: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of the preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Can Miami actually get worse?
So, we’re not far removed from the Fins giving up 51 points to Lamar Jackson. We’re even less removed from the Fins failing to score against New England.
But since then, they’ve traded away Minkah Fitzpatrick – their All-Pro Swiss Army Knife slot corner/safety hybrid.
I’m not even sure there’s a good football player left on that roster aside from Howard on the back end. Actually, I wish I never asked this question now – I’m upset. The Dolphins are 21.5-point underdogs now and I despair for that fanbase.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Nick Foles #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in action during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at TIAA Bank Field on September 08, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Is this the end of the Jags’ run?
Losing Nick Foles was a tough blow for them. But Myles Jack losing his temper was an even bigger indication that something isn’t right in Jacksonville.
Turns out he was right. This roster, that was built for a Super Bowl run, is falling apart in front of their eyes, and they might well rip up the rulebook and start again.
Doug Marrone got into a confrontation with Jalen Ramsey – the best cornerback in football – and now he’s demanding a trade. Leonard Fournette looks fatigued, their receiving corps is depleted and Minshew is trying to drop dimes, but occasionally coughing up quarters.
Hey – is that why they call them quarterbacks?
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 speaks with head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Heinz Field on September 22, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Is Big Ben going to retire?
Pittsburgh just traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Confused? Me too. If a team who close to a Championship did that, to get them over the final hurdle, it would make sense. But Pittsburgh? They’ve got no franchise quarterback, they’ve no top-tier talent on offence outside of JuJu and their defensive coordinator might be the worst coach in football.
But if Rudolph looks any way functional, might Tomlin and co force Ben out to save a fortune on cap space? It would make a lot of sense. Defensively, they’re now as good as they’ve been in a decade. Yet, Ben’s need to load up and fire downfield instead of controlling the clock with west coast offence may actually cost them long-term.
Keep an eye on how Rudolph manages the game on Sunday. It’ll tell a lot.
Oct 8, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
How much of this Saints offence went through Brees?
Teddy Bridgewater might be the second-best backup after Tyrod Taylor but to what extent can he run the same offence to Brees?
The best thing about the near-40-year-old is how flat his release was. His passes are very hard to intercept and a lot of his reads are small-gap, quick shots that release big-play receivers for yards after the catch. That accuracy is important to how they run plays.
If Teddy relies too much on checkdowns to Alvin Kamara, it could eliminate his usefulness and render this entire team useless.
I suppose we’ll truly find out Mr. Brees’ worth now.
Where exactly are the Cleveland Browns?
They can run the ball. They can pass the ball. They can rush the passer. They can stuff the run. They’re a good special teams unit.
But can they be coached properly against a team who will make adjustments? As they play more and more, there’s an influx of tape available for offensive and defensive coordinators to review. It’s how they react in-game to the other reactions that will matter here.
You can compile all the talent, but until you come up against a mastermind like Sean McVay, you can’t really gauge where you stand just yet.
This week will give us the answer to just where Cleveland are on their quest for Vince Lombardi.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 03: A general view during Super Bowl LIII between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Is the NFL actually really that exciting?
Patrick Mahomes is going to line up against Lamar Jackson. Both former baseball standouts, they’re capable of throwing bombs downfield, where no other signal-callers can, with the same level of touch and that element of grace that they possess.
It’s a tough one.
But by the end of this game, they might be making us question just how much we actually enjoy watching other quarterbacks. Shouldn’t everyone, given their lifelong coaching, be able to produce these circus throws?
It is 100% the game of the weekend and you should tune in.
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