This league is still about who you play and when you play them.
If the Steelers faced the Vikings last week, they probably lose. Instead they get Case Keenum as a follow up to the Deshone Kizer and they're talking about Blitzburgh being back. Stop. They get Rodgers and Brady later this year, talk to me then.
The Seahawks and Carolina on the other hand....how many teams do they beat with those stinky performances? Five or six at most?
I have to throw out any defensive effort against the following:
Indy without Luck
Giants without OBJ
Bears
Browns
Texans
Jets
Niners
Any backup QB not named Garappolo
Likewise I have to dismiss any offensive explosion against the Saints.
Two I'm still on the fence are the Bengals offensive woes and the Cowboys defense(?). The Bengals just have two much talent with AJ, Eifert, LaFell, Bernard and Mixon to be this bad. I'll give them another couple of weeks with the new OC. Dallas was down 3 cornerbacks by the end of the first quarter, and their talent at the position was suspect to begin with. That was a weird game in Denver, I'm willing to give them a pass for another week, although the run defense is the real concern there.
The Week 2 bounceback game vs. a 1-0 opponent still is one of the surest money makers in the NFL. The Titans and Redskins both got the W against teams that looked really good last week. The Jets were the lone exception, but they are not bet worthy in any situation.
UP TONIGHT, Giants looking to bounce back against the 1-0 Lions.
So what was there to like about Week 2?
Texans D will keep them in a lot of games.
Ravens effort is a toss but there was no let down vs. the Browns.
Bills and Panthers D both put up good efforts.
Titans rebounded nicely, they have their offensive identity firmly in place (lets hope Henry is now the #1 guy for my fantasy sake)
Chiefs keep rolling behind Hunt. To their credit the Eagles had him in check for almost 3 quarters, and Wentz is making some plays.
Redskins running game was very strong against a good Rams DL.
Falcons still look like the class of the NFC.
Playoff picture is starting to clear up already:
AFC East - Do we see the Dolphins as a threat to Brady & Co? I don't. But there are more than a few big games for the Pats against the AFC West and NFC South, the two strongest divisions in the league. Tough sledding to get a #1 seed and maybe #2 as well.
AFC North - Matched up with AFC South and NFC North. For Baltimore and Pittsburgh that's two against the Browns, two against the Bengals, the Jags, the Colts, the Texans and the Bears on the schedule. Bonus for catching Minny without Bradford. Winner of the head to head has the inside track to the #1 seed.
AFC South - Titans look like the most complete team, but they're still likely a #4 seed.
AFC West - Because of the soft schedules in the North there will probably only be two left standing out of KC, Denver and Oakland. Those six head to head games will be must see TV. They will kick around the NFC East for the most part.
NFC East - Matches up OK with NFC West, but the AFC West will leave this a one playoff team division, likely a #3 or #4 seed. Totally up for grabs.
NFC North - Think the Pack are still the class, but the Lion and Vikes may be OK if they stay healthy.
NFC South - Falcons look ready to be #1 seed this year, but Bucs and Panthers will be good tests. Could see three come out of here and the wildcards will give the #3 and #4 seeds a tussle.
NFC West - Flawed teams all around, Rams might have the most going for them and they just lost at home. They get four with the AFC South to boost their numbers.