Hey, what’s up. Instead of Monday Morning Quarterback, let’s look at the games through a former defensive back’s perspective. We will go through the weekend’s games and briefly talk about the major happenings in that game. If you don’t see a matchup in this column, well, maybe that game stunk or was blah. Anyway, let’s get started.
So who needs preseason? Turns out, it looks like all of the offenses needed it except for a few. Sunday’s games seem to have been a little low scoring compared to opening games of the past few years. I’ll have to do more research on that and get back to you. But for a league that’s continuously changed the rules so the offense can score points, it didn’t show up much yesterday. Only 4 teams (Buffalo on Thursday, Philly, Detroit & KC) scored 30 or more points yesterday. Maybe the preseason is actually good for offenses. Maybe, just maybe Aaron Rodgers (7 pts) and Dak Prescott (3 pts) should have played at least a series in the preseason. Neither one played a snap and their offenses looked like ish! Coaches are risk adverse though and don’t want their main players getting injured in meaningless games. Let’s take a look around the league.
Bills @ Rams
The Bills have been talked about as the best team in the AFC. They did nothing to disappoint on Thursday night. Josh Allen could be primed for an MVP run but a SB appearance and win should be their goal this year. As for the Rams, they looked outclassed. This did not look like a Super Bowl hangover. It looks like their offense is missing OBJ and Robert Woods right now. They better find someone opposite of Cooper Kupp soon or this could be a bad, reoccuring theme.
Chiefs @ Cardinals
Who needs Tyrek Hill? Patrick Mahomes shows why many thought he was/is the best QB in the NFL, throwing 5 TDs and 360 yards in a blow out of Arizona. The Cardinals did not look ready to play. Maybe the organization should have been focusing more on the Head Coaches performance in the offseason instead of Kyler Murray’s extention. Does anybody really believe in Kingsburry?
Steelers @ Bengals
That Steeler defense looked terrifying, constanly rushing the passer and then making plays on the back end. That combination of TJ Watt up front pressuring and sacking the QB and Minkah Fitzpatrick in the back end snatching interceptions is….. electrifying. It’s just too bad that Watt will now miss major time with that pectoral injury. As for Cincinatti, Joe Burrow looked hurried and confused back there, making bad decisions in the passing game. In the end, they had their chances to win but Pittsburgh’s kicker missed less critical kicks than Cincy’s kicker.
Patriots vs Dolphins
Patriots are in trouble this season. Dolphins have some question marks still on offense, specifically the running game. Tyrek Hill was heavily involved in the passing game and Tua looked…. OK. It was good enough for the win.
49ers @ Bears
Sloppy Field conditions. Trey Lance better watch his back. He could, and probably will be benched sometime this season for Jimmy G. Justin Fields does enough for the win.
Packers @ Vikings
As talked about earlier, maybe Rodgers should have played more in the preseason with his new WRs. That drop on the first offensive play was inexcusible though and would have been a sure TD. Justin Jefferson is the real deal, as we already know.
Giants @ Titans
Saquan Barkley is back!
Raiders @ Chargers
Three interceptions for Carr? Althought it looks as if he was getting pressured constantly, you can’t have that when you are battling an up and coming QB like Herbert and the explosive Chargers. Speaking of pressure, what about Khalil Mack with 3 sacks in his first games with the Chargers?
Bucs @ Cowboys
How bout them, Cowboys? They will be without Dak for 6-8 weeks. Julio Jones looks to be a nice addition with his 69 receiving yards and 17 rushing yards. Tom Brady shakes off the off-the-field stuff and does what he always does against the Cowboys, win.
Sorry we couldn’t talk about the other games. We’ll talk about those teams when they play an actual important game against a good team. For now, that’s it for the first version of MMDB. Thanks for joining me. We’ll see you again for the next article, coming soon. But please, post your comments below and we can talk about it.
Mariota and the Falcons let the Saints come back and win.
With or without preseason packers gonna look like this all season. Dallas too that o-line is suspect. Tampa did look all that great either . It was more of how bad of a team Dallas is. AS FOR AZ well that coach and Murray are maxed out. That offense won’t work in nfl.
man you don’t know about AZ. Quit hating on Kyler Murray.