The long anticipated opening week in the NFL did not disappoint. As we go through the high and low lights, what can we learn for Week 2?

Week 1 Recap

49ers Stiff Armed the Steelers to the Ground
  • Lions Steal Victory in KC – DET has been a darling in the off season, but they needed to prove it on the road in Arrowhead. HC Andy Reid had not lost an opener since 2014, but with TE Travis Kelce out, QB Patrick Mahomes (226 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) could not convert a 3rd down in the 2nd half. Plus, the WR Kadarius Toney (1 catch for 1 yard on 5 targets) drops and tip for a Pick 6 allowed the Lions to win this one only scoring 14 points on O, 21-20.
  • 49ers Established Dominance – SF went east to take on the Steelers in what many thought would be a rough start for 2nd year QB Brock Purdy. Well, the 49ers came very prepared for the Steelers’ D and dominated from the jump. Purdy was crisp (2 TDs, 0 INTs), and RB Christian McCaffery (152 yards rushing, 17 yards receiving) ran all over them, and WR Brandon Aiyuk was great (8 catches on 8 targets for 129 yards and 2 TDs). Plus, newly minted DE Nick Bosa was ready to go leading the SF D to a dismantling of the PIT O – QB Kenny Pickett was awful, 232 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs throwing 31 of 46. SF won easily 30-7.
  • Bucs Grind Down Vikes – TB is not going to be good this year, but they took care of business in MIN. MIN played terribly early and often with 3 QB Kirk Cousin TOs, and after a monster first half, WR Justin Jefferson could not be found. Give the TB D credit, as they only allowed 3 Vikings’ possessions in the 2nd half including 2 three and outs in the fourth quarter – allowing the O to run the clock out for the 20-17 win taking out a lot of survivor picks.
  • Game of the Day – MIA went to LA for a shoot out and they got one with the Chargers. MIA’s QB Tua Tagovailoa was excellent throwing for 466 yards on just 28 completions thanks to the Cheetah, Tyreek Hill’s 11 catches for 215 yards and 2 TDs. The Chargers were able to run all over the MIA D for 234 yards, but the Fins were able to make the key stop late to get the win in this back and forth contest, 36-34.
  • Cowboys Own the G-Men – DAL’s Dak Prescott has never lost against the Giants. This time he didn’t need to do much, as the DAL D and special teams scored on a blocked FG and pick 6, plus forced another 2 TOs. The Giants had no answer, and the Boys quieted that crowd with a resounding 40-0 victory.
  • Jets Win, But Lose – The Jets were flying high with QB Aaron Rodgers running out the American Flag out on the field commemorating the 22nd anniversary of 9/11. However, the scene changed dramatically when on the 4th offensive play, Rodgers popped his Achilles Tendon (out for the season) turning to Zach Wilson. The Bills on the other hand found ways to give the Jets opportunities, as QB Josh Allen accounted for 4 TOs, as they blew a 13-3 lead. The game went into OT tied at 16, when rookie WR and Hard Knocks star, Xavier Gipson took the Bills’ punt to the house to walk off with the win, 22-16.

Key Injuries:

Tough Break for the Jets and Rodgers
  • Jets – QB, Aaron Rodgers – Achilles Tendon (out for the season)
  • Ravens – RB, JK Dobbins – Achilles Tendon (out for the season) and S Marcus Williams – Concussion (Out Week 2)
  • Chiefs – TE Travis Kelce – Knee (Questionable)
  • Rams – WR Cooper Kupp – Hamstring (now on IR)
  • Packers – WR Christian Watson – Hamstring (Questionable – trying to “avoid” IR)
  • Browns – OT Jack Conklin – ACL/MCL (out for the season)
  • Steelers – DT Cameron Heyward – Groin (Out Week 2) and WR Diontae Johnson – Hamstring (Doubtful Week 2)

Fantasy Football Immediate Adds:

Puka Nacua Was Awesome
  • Gus Edwards, RB, BAL – Hopefully, you handcuffed Dobbins, but if you did not, now is the time to grab Gus the Bus. He is capable, just not as explosive as Dobbins.
  • Kyren Williams, RB, LAR – So, Williams, not Akers got more run in Week 1 with 15 carries for 52 yards and 2 TDs. Tough match up in Week 2 vs. SF, but long term, he should be productive.
  • Puka Nacua, WR, LAR – Hard to ignore 15 targets for 10 catches and 119 yards. Perhaps it was the match up vs. SEA, but Nacua is rooke out of BYU who in the slot can kill it in PPR with Cooper Kupp injured for a few weeks.
  • Rashid Shaheed, WR, NO – Another smaller WR who popped on Sunday with 5 catches on 6 targets for 89 yards, but Shaheed was the main target in crunch time for Derek Carr. That is a good sign, and I liken him to a faster Hunter Renfrow for Carr.
  • Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, TEN – The name is a mouthful, but his play is ready for prime time. If Tannehill can actually hit this guy, then your fantasy team will thank me. He missed on a long TD that he was wide open on. He only got 2 targets, but the Chargers were crushed in the passing game in Week 1.

Note, I did not list Zach Wilson at QB. Not sure he will be the starter long term and he faces the Cowboys in Week 2.

Week 2 Marquee Match Ups

Can the Pats Slow the Cheetah?

In the coming weeks, I’ll put out the Wegs Index (after Week 4), so for now, we will jump right into the games.

  • Jets at Cowboys (-8.5, 39.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/17 at Noon Central on CBS – This line jumped up the second Rodgers went down, but I’m very curious to see how the Jets respond now that they have to move on. The Cowboys were world beaters at NY, but this Jets D is no joke. Prescott and Pollard will need to make elite plays. I think the Jets keep this one closer than +8.5 and the Total will go Under 39.5.
  • Ravens at Bengals (-3.5, 46.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/17 at Noon Central on CBS – The Bengals need to try to avoid yet another slow start with another AFC North rival in Week 2. The Ravens O was not all that impressive at home versus HOU, but CIN couldn’t stop the run against CLE despite the Conklin injury. I think the Bengals win this one, but no way I’m going to lay -3.5 in this divisional spot. The Total will go Over 46.5.
  • Chiefs at Jags (+3, 51 Total) – Sunday, 9/17 at Noon Central on CBS – Huge early game in the AFC, and the Chiefs need to try to avoid an 0-2 start for the first time in a decade or more. QB Trevor Lawrence looked solid in Week 1, as did RB Travis Etienne, but the D was not very good at all. The Chiefs will be vulnerable if Kelce misses another game, but I would expect a better game plan than against the Lions. Still, I like the Jags +3 in this one and Under 51.
  • Dolphins at Patriots (+2.5, 46.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/17 at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – An interesting prime time game in the AFC East as the Fins who are coming off that shoot out goes to the Pats. NE’s D is healthy and nasty still. They held PHI to 252 total yards, and I would expect HC Belichick to slow down the Cheetah and make Tua throw underneath. I like the Fins to win, but I’d take the Pats and the points here. I think this is an Under 46.5 play.
  • Browns at Steelers (+2.5, 39.5 Total) – Monday, 9/18 at 7:15 PM Central on ABC – One of 2 MNF games in Week 2, but this one is more intriguing. The Steelers got embarrassed in Week 1, while the Browns got the big in the rain. These teams do not like each other, and we are only a couple years removed from the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph melee. I like the Steelers to win outright here and cover +2.5. The total is pretty low, so I’m going to just stay away from it. If I had to bet it, then I’ll go Over.

Let’s hope we get some great games again in Week 2.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.