We’re only two weeks into NFL season, and there’s much to discuss. Also, history made in the MLB.
Early quarterback changes, surprising blowouts, a couple of Mel Kiper tirades and we’ve only gotten through two weeks? Nothing like the NFL season.
Undoubtedly, the biggest headline going into the week is the Carolina Panthers deciding to bench former top draft pick Bryce Young just two weeks into his second season. Andy Dalton will take the reigns and try to right the ship for first-year head coach Dave Canales and salvage an 0-2 start.
But what happens to Young? We’ll see if a move is made by the trade deadline, or if he just rides out the year as the team’s backup. Dalton and the Panthers will face off against a Raiders defense led by pass rusher Maxx Crosby and marquee free agent signing Christian Wilkins. Despite a poor showing the last two years, you would think there’s some interest around the league in reviving the former first overall pick.
If this is truly the end of Young’s tenure in Carolina, many will look back upon the Panthers’ trade up to the number one pick last year as one of the worst trades in NFL history. As a reminder, the Panthers did not hold the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They traded up with the Chicago Bears, giving up several draft assets including the eventual 2024 first overall pick and top receiver DJ Moore.
To add salt into the wound, number two pick CJ Stroud leading the Houston Texans to the playoffs in his first year with the franchise. Easy to look at it in hindsight and wonder what the Panthers would look like with CJ Stroud or even 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams.
Known for his NFL Draft analysis (good and bad, mostly bad), Mel Kiper Jr weighed in on how the Panthers handled Bryce Young and was very critical of the organization for doing a poor job of supporting the already physically limited quarterback. Several analysts echoed a similar sentiment, not so much excusing his poor play as much as they were expressing how poorly run the Panthers organization has been over the last few years.
The rant of his that drew the most attention would come later in the week, when discussing the lack of explosive plays on ESPN’s Get Up. Kiper suggested the NFL should make a rule that requires safeties to play closer to the line of scrimmage, so that two-high shells would not take away the deep passes he grew up watching.
Because no, defense is NOT already hard enough on defenders with the rules they’ve added in the name of player safety. Thanks but no thanks Mel, signed every defensive back to ever play the game.
The aftermath of yet another concussion for Tua Tagovailoa leads to him being placed on the Dolphins injured reserve. Skylar Thompson takes over as the team’s backup and will lead the high-powered Dolphin offense this coming week against Seattle.
Just when we thought a Malik Willis revenge game against his former team was in store, reports came in this week about Jordan Love returning to practice for the Packers. It will be an interesting matchup regardless with the Titans desperate for a win at 0-2, in large part due to a couple reckless plays from quarterback Will Levis.
The New Orleans Saints might be the biggest surprise early in the season. Head coach Dennis Allen has his team clicking on all cylinders, and the team sits at 2-0 with two blowout victories against the Panthers and Cowboys respectively.
Quarterback Derek Carr is playing some of his best football in years, and Alvin Kamara shows why he’s one of the most dynamic running backs in the league. The Philadelphia Eagles will come to New Orleans following a heartbreaking loss to the Falcons on Monday night, so the world could really be put on notice by yet another strong performance.
In a similar boat at 1-1 is the Arizona Cardinals. Jonathan Gannon’s squad narrowly lost out to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 but responded by thrashing the Los Angeles Rams in their home opener. Like with Carr, we saw a level of play from Kyler Murray that we haven’t seen in years. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr had a lot to do with that in his coming out party.
The Detroit Lions will come to Glendale with one of the best rosters in the NFL. Both the Saints and the Cardinals will have their chances to cement themselves as legitimate threats in the NFC with wins Sunday.
Circling back to the Rams, they’ve had to deal with a slew of injuries early on. Sean McVay is currently down multiple offensive line starters, and now top receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are going to be out for the foreseeable future. They’ll face off against their fellow banged up division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. The latter of those teams is currently down top playmakers Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffery, and coming off a loss to the Sam Darnold led Minnesota Vikings.
Speaking of which, the Vikings are another intriguing team early on. After losing presumed starting quarterback JJ McCarthy in training camp, the Vikings have jumped out to a 2-0 start in 2024. They’ll face one of the AFC’s rising contenders in the Houston Texans, who secured a win on Sunday night last week over first overall pick Caleb Williams and the Bears.
The Seattle Seahawks sit at 2-0 in the first year after Pete Carroll’s tenure as head coach. Mike McDonald is one of the youngest head coaches in the league and has grinded out two close victories against the Broncos and Patriots respectively. With Tagovailoa out of the fold for Miami, there’s a solid chance they’ll sit atop the NFC West at 3-0. Not many would have seen that coming in the lead up to the season.
Shifting over to the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers have scored only one offensive touchdown yet sit at 2-0. It appears Mike Tomlin is inevitable. And while the newly acquired Russell Wilson has been unable to play early in the season, the also newly acquired Justin Fields along with the defense has managed to lead Pittsburgh to wins over the Falcons and Broncos. The Steelers will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday, who also sit at 2-0.
Known for its high quality of football, Thursday Night brought us yet another blowout with the Jets blowing out the New England Patriots. We got a very strong showing from Aaron Rodgers (and a viral clip of him interacting with his heavily scrutinized head coach Robert Saleh), and also got to see the first of rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were once poised to take over a weak AFC South. With the Texans on the rise under Demeco Ryans, the TrEverbank Stadium residents getting off to an 0-2 start is very surprising. After narrow losses to the Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns – led by model citizen Deshawn Watson – it doesn’t get any easier for Jacksonville as they look to turn their season around.
Week 3 brings us our first Monday Night Football doubleheader of the season. The first of those two games will include the 0-2 Jaguars, who will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills; an early Super Bowl favorite coming off an absolute drubbing of the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
This will be coupled with the Cincinnati Bengals looking to bounce back from yet another narrow loss (that may or may not have been decided by a late penalty) to the Kansas City Chiefs. They’ll host rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders on Monday night as well.
In the world of baseball, few names resonate as powerfully as Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Angels superstar has always defied conventional roles, but his recent achievement of a 50-home run, 50-steal season has solidified his place in the sport’s history. This remarkable feat showcases not only Ohtani’s unparalleled talent but also redefines what it means to be a two-way player in the modern game.
Ohtani’s 50-50 season is a dazzling combination of power and speed, a rare occurrence in Major League Baseball. Hitting over 50 home runs is a challenge that only a select few have conquered, while stealing 50 bases demands elite agility and intelligence on the basepaths. Ohtani’s ability to excel in both categories simultaneously is a testament to his extraordinary skill set.
This season, Ohtani not only smashed homers but also displayed his exceptional baserunning, navigating the bases with precision and instinct. His combination of athleticism and strategy keeps pitchers on edge, making every at-bat a thrilling spectacle. Fans are treated to a show every time he steps up to the plate or takes off for second base.
Ohtani’s accomplishments extend beyond personal records. His success has reinvigorated interest in baseball, attracting new fans and inspiring young athletes worldwide. He embodies the spirit of the game, blending tradition with innovation and proving that one player can change the narrative of an entire season.
As we celebrate this historic achievement, it’s essential to appreciate not just the numbers but the joy Ohtani brings to the field. His 50-50 season is a reminder of the magic of baseball and the incredible feats it can inspire. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, Ohtani’s journey is one to watch as it unfolds.
