Sports
Top Ten: NFL Week Two
Editor Brady Landry
The first week of the NFL Season was filled with upsets, blowouts, and thrillers. With former MVPS on new teams, the highly-anticipated week one did not disappoint. Now that the dust has settled, I’ll be ranking my ten best teams entering week two.
10. New England Patriots.
The Patriots looked energized by former MVP Cam Newton as they held the Dolphins to 11 points in a 21-11 win. The defense, led by 2019 defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore, forced Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzptarick to throw 3 interceptions. New England will be tested by Russel Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday night.
9. Washington Football Team.
The team with no name looked dead at halftime. In a 17-0 hole to a well coached team, it was turning out to be a blowout. But, the Football Team came out of halftime looking to make a name for themselves, as they went on to score 27 unanswered points en route to a 27-17 win. Dwayne Haskins, much maligned for his play last year, led his team down for multiple scoring drives. They look to build on their win streak against the 0-1 Browns.
8. Tennessee Titans.
Why put the Titans ahead of the Patriots and the Football team, who each put up more points than the Titans? One word. Altitude. Denver is a notoriously difficult place to play, and quarterback Ryan Tannehill has little experience in high altitude. The Titan’s would've had
More points if not for 3 Stephen Gostkowski missed field goals. Even with the departure of Jack Conklin, the offensive line allowed for playoff hero Derrick Henry to run for 116 yards in a 16-13 victory. Their next matchup will be against Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars.
7. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen might be the real deal. The addition of Stephon Diggs to this already impressive offense has really paid off for the 2018 1st round pick. Buffalo's defense looked as prolific as ever, only allowing 10 points, with the other touchdown being a fumble. They limited former star running back Le’Veon Bell to 14 yards, (prior to an injury) and the Jets’ other running back, Frank Gore to 24 yards. After constantly falling behind New England in the AFC East, the boys from Orchard Park seem to be turning things around. They look to continue their AFC East lead with their matchup against the Rams.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben is officially back. After a successful 8-8 season even with Mason Rudolph at QB, Steelers fans had a lot to hope for. Now, that’s all coming to fruition after a 26-16 win against the New York Giants. The defense, led by Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt, hammered young QB Daniel Jones all night. The Steelers next game is against the Broncos.
5. Green Bay Packers
After the Packers drafted Utah QB Jordan Love Aaron Rodgers had something to prove. With over 400 yards and four touchdowns, two of which went to Davante Adams. The only thing that kept the Pack from being higher was their abysmal defense, allowing 34 points to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. The Packers host the Lions next week.
4. New Orleans Saints
This Saints team will be the best team in the NFC South. Sorry, Tom. The Saints defense mainly shut down the 6 time Super Bowl champion and his new team, even getting a pick six against him. Even with Michael Thomas not being 100% Alvin Kamara more than made up for it with his 2 touchdowns. The Saints play the newly relocated Las Vegas Raiders next week on Monday Night Football.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Russel Wilson has never won an MVP. The man known for throwing on the one line wanted to change that. In a 38-26 win against the Atlanta Falcons, Wilson had as many touchdowns as he did incompletions as he dominated the banged up Falcons defense. If he keeps this up, Russel Wilson will win MVP. Book it.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs looked like the defending Super Bowl champs Thursday after their 32-20 dismantling of the Deandre Hopkins-less Texans as rookie Clyde Edwards-Healire ran all over the Texans defense. Patrick Mahomes was as stellar as usual, with three touchdown passes. The Chiefs are set top have an amazing year and are only behind Baltimore in my power rankings
- Baltimore Ravens
Only one team could displace Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs, and that’s 2019 league MVP Lamar Jackson. John Harbaugh built a system around Jackson, and that’s worked gangbusters for them. The one reason they are ahead of the Chiefs is their defense. Even without Earl Thomas, who was released in August, Marcus Peters and the rest of the Ravens secondary has more than made up for the loss of Thomas.