Insane and ridiculously wild finish, the Giants were a difficult, scrappy, tough team to play, but we found a way to win. This is precisely what good teams do; find ways to win close games. Especially, Divisional challenging games.
It is obvious to me that NY. Giants have a good Defense, and they gave us a hard time moving the ball around, but Taylor Heinicke was able to rally back and get Washington in a position to put this game away.
Heinicke threw for over 300 yards with 2 TDs and 1 pick. His TD pass to backup Tight End Ricky Seals-Jones was spectacular. The offensive game plan to spread the ball around to our top receiving weapons like Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas, Dyami Brown, and Adam Humphries was effective, but not where it needs to be; however, it is only week 2. This group will get better as the season progresses.
I was happy to see J.D. McKissic more involved in the receiving game, adding to a more balanced attack from our offense. But our running game was subdued, with Antonio Gibson only carrying 13 times. The rushing attempts need to increase in volume.
Our Defense looked anemic yet again, which is puzzling, considering all the talent assembled. My biggest issue was the lack of pressure on Daniel Jones — When the protection was solid, Daniel Jones looked pretty good. They gave Jones lots of room to throw the ball. This issue has to be addressed and fixed ASAP.
Next Sunday, Washington takes on a dangerous Buffalo team with a dynamic QB in Josh Allen. This is the type of game where our Defense should shine. Advantage, Buffalo (on paper), but my heart believes in Washington to get it done.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM 30 — NY GIANTS 29
COWBOYS 20 — LA CHARGERS 17
Dallas got lots of help from the refs here. The Chargers got robbed with a bunch of bad calls, especially a sack call that wasn’t a sack. Dallas will crumble at some point this season. Next week, Dallas takes on Philly on Monday Night. Advantage, Dallas.
Like I said before, the refs stole this game from LA — I’m sure that Justin Herbert will get better as the season progresses, and they will contend in the AFC. Next week, the Chargers visit Kansas City for what should be an exciting Divisional game. Advantage, Kansas City.
49ERS 17 — EAGLES 11
San Francisco had to adjust after losing running back Mosfert for the season. As a result, the offense struggled to get their running game going; however, Jimmy G relied on his legs in some crucial plays to keep the 49ers driving forward. Next week, Green Bay is visiting, and we will get a better sense of how the 49ers adjust to all the injuries already piling up on their roster. Advantage, Green bay.
The Eagles are all about Jalen Hurts; he seems to be their most dynamic and their most dangerous player at this early point in the season. Next week, they visit Dallas on Monday night for a big divisional game. Advantage, Dallas.
RAIDERS 26 — STEELERS 17
I was initially very concerned about Josh Jacobs’s injury, and the signing of Peyton Barber did not really inspire much confidence in the running game. However, Derek Carr operated this Vegas offense effectively, throwing for 382 yards with 2 TDs and zero interceptions. Also, Henry Ruggs III is starting to get more involved in the passing game — getting Ruggs involved and getting Jacobs back healthy will be crucial for this team to contend in the AFC WEST. Next Sunday, Vegas hosts a Philadelphia team that lacks a balanced offense. Advantage, Las Vegas.
Pittsburgh was ineffective running the ball here. The Steelers have to get more balance out of their running game to have a chance in the AFC NORTH. Next week, the Steelers host Cincinnati with many questions on how the Bengals are running their offense. Advantage, Pittsburgh.
LA RAMS 27 — COLTS 24
It wasn’t a pretty victory, but good teams find ways to win. The Rams scored late in the 4th quarter to put this game away. LA has got to get more out of their running game — the combination between Darrell Henderson Jr and Sony Michel needs to become more effective. Next Sunday, an overrated Tampa Bay team is visiting LA Advantage, LA Rams.
The Colts were looking good until Carson Wentz got hurt, and their offense had to settle for field goals. Next Sunday, Indianapolis visits a resurgent Titans team. Advantage, Tenessee.
CARDINALS 34 — VIKINGS 33
Kyler Murray is electric; he threw for 400 yards with 3 TDs and 2 picks against a tough Vikings Defense. Next up, the Cardinals have an easier matchup against Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Advantage, Arizona.
Anti-vaxxer Kirk Cousins, for once, did not cost his team this game. Instead, Minnesota struggled to contain Kyler Murray and company. Next week, Minnesota takes on a wounded Seahawks team looking to keep the Vikings winless. Advantage, Seattle.
TITANS 33 — SEAHAWKS 30
Tennessee pulled a victory out of nowhere. They looked like the dangerous playoff team we saw last season. Derrick Henry was dominant here, rushing for 182 yards and 55 receiving. Next up, the Titans host a Colts team with a questionable Carson Wentz. Advantage, Tennessee.
The Seahawks did not have an answer for Derrick Henry, and next week they take on another tough running back in Minnesota’s Delvin Cook. However, I think Seattle will make the necessary adjustments. Advantage, Seattle.
RAVENS 36 — CHIEFS 35
Lamar Jackson finally found a way to beat Patrick Mahomes. It was a thrilling game to the end. It came down to gutsy plays from both teams, but it was Baltimore’s night. Next week, the Ravens Host Jared Goff and the Lions. Advantage, Baltimore.
Kansas City let this game slip away as they got away from the run. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has got to get more than 13 carries per game. The Chiefs cannot put it all on Patrick Mahomes and the passing game; a better-balanced offense will be needed if Kansas City wants to get back to the Super Bowl this season. Next week, the Chiefs take on a dangerous LA Chargers team. Advantage, Kansas City.
PACKERS 35 — LIONS 17
Aaron Rodgers silenced all his detractors with this Monday night performance; Rodgers threw for 255 yards with 4 TDs and zero picks. It was a shaky start for Green Bay, but Green Bay settled down and began to move the ball by the second half. However, I’m not sold on the Packers Defense under new coordinator Joe Barry. Next week, Green Bay takes on an injury-filled 49ers team. Advantage, Green Bay.
Jared Goff looked good and poised in the first half, but he began to unravel under Green Bay’s defensive pressure in the second half. Detroit got away from the run and relied on Goff for most of their rushing yards; this is not a good recipe for success. Next week, the Lions take on Baltimore. Advantage, Baltimore
PANTHERS 26 SAINTS 7
Sam Darnold continues to impress me, and he seems to be getting more comfortable under this new offense. Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore are finding solid balance with their new QB. Next up, Carolina visits Houston on Thursday night. Advantage, Carolina.
The saints were completely dominated here. Carolina took all of New Orleans’ top weapons like Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill out of this game. Next Sunday, New Orleans visit Belicheater and his overrated rookie QB.; I think the saints will rebound here. Advantage, New Orleans.
BILLS 35 — DOLPHINS 0
Buffalo made a statement here by shutting out Miami, and this Bills team seems like the team we all expected them to be this season. Next Sunday, Washington is coming to town, and it will not be an easy day for Buffalo. Advantage, Washington.
Miami had nothing to offer here, and to make things worse, Tua got hurt but seems to be ok for next week. At some point, Miami needs to reach out to Cam Newton for a chance to save their season. Next Sunday, Miami visits the undefeated Raiders. Advantage, Las Vegas.
PATRIOTS 25 — NY JETS 6
New England had their way with this rebuilding NY. Jets team. Next week, the Patriots take on a more balanced New Orleans team that looks to rebound after losing to Carolina. Advantage, New Orleans.
Zach Wilson had a terrible game, throwing 4 interceptions and struggling to move the offense. I do not expect much this season from this rookie QB and rookie head coach. Next Sunday, things will not get any easier for NY as they visit the 2-0 Broncos. Advantage, Denver.
BRONCOS 23 — JAGUARS 13
Terry Bridgewater seems to be finding his place in Denver. The Broncos are 2-0 and playing good football these first two weeks of the season. The balance on offense between Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams, and Melvin Gordon III is pretty solid. Next up, Denver has a chance to go up 3-0 against a struggling NY. Jets. Advantage, Denver.
Urban Meyer is learning pretty fast how different the NFL and the College game are. Meyer better get himself comfortable with losing because it will not get easier for them. Next up, Jacksonville takes on Kyler Murray and the Cardinal. Advantage, Arizona.
BUCCANEERS 48 — FALCONS 25
Brady threw 5 TDs and connected twice with Mike Evans and once with Rob Gronkowski — Gronk now has 4 TDs in two games. Next up, Tampa Bay will face their toughest test so far against Sean McVay’s well-balanced LA Rams team. Advantage, LA Rams.
Atlanta put up a good fight, but they just ran out of firepower to keep up with Tampa Bay. Next Sunday, the Falcons have a good chance to get their first win against Danny Dimes. Advantage, Atlanta.
BROWNS 31 — TEXANS 21
This game was closer than the final score suggests. Cleveland scoring on every quarter and keeping Houston scoreless on the third quarter made the difference here. Next Sunday, Cleveland takes on a Chicago team with questions at QB advantage, Cleveland
The Texans struggled to get more out of Mark Ingram, and QB play was lackluster. Nevertheless, Houston was still pretty much into this game until the end. Next Sunday, the dangerous combination of Sam Darnold and Christian McCaffrey is coming to town. Advantage, Carolina.
BEARS 20 — BENGALS 17
Andy Dalton got hurt after throwing a TD to Allen Robinson in the first quarter. Justin Fields came in and did not do much. However, Chicago’s Special Teams and Defense chipped in with scores to pull this victory. Next Sunday, Chicago Visits Cleveland, and it will be a challenging game for the Bears if Andy Dalton doesn’t play. Advantage, Cleveland.
Joe Burrow’s 3 interceptions and some of the questionable play calls on the offense were the difference maker here. Next Sunday, Cincinnati visits a dangerous Steelers team. Advantage, Pittsburgh.
Rod Rioja 