By: Rachel Xue
So much has happened in the NFL is just 2 weeks. Even though the season has only just begun, major storylines have emerged. Probably the biggest story so far is the holdout of Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. Chancellor, one of the NFL’s most intimidating safeties in the league, refused to play in the Seahawks first 2 games due to a contract dispute with the team. This left a major hole the league’s best defence. Chancellor will return week 3 in hopes of salvaging their season
The Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts have also started a disappointing 0-2. The Saints and Colts both have playoff caliber offenses but their lackluster defenses are preventing them from winning ball games. Eagles, despite starting 0-2 still have a realistic shot of winning the NFC East. We have only seen glimpses of the dominate Chip Kelly’s offence this season. If the Eagles offence starts to click, they have a shot in beating out the
Cowboys, who have QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant out with injuries for extended time.
The New England Patriots, reigning superbowl champions who been called cheaters all offseason after the deflategate incident once again asserted their dominance over the with decisive wins over the steelers and AFC rival, Buffalo Bills. The Patriots lucked out this season with, QB Tom Brady winning an appeal that nullified a 4 game suspension. Without Brady, it’s unlikely the Patriots would be having so much success early on.
Along with the Pats, the Cardinals, Cowboys, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Bengals and Jets, are the only 9 undefeated teams left. The most surprising name on the list is definitely the New York Jets who finished 4-12 last season. The Jets got CB Darrelle Revis and WR Brandon Marshall in free agency, both of whom have greatly improved the team. They have a solid offense backed by an even better defense who have already forced 10 turnovers in their first 2 games.
The Cardinals and Packers have played like title contenders thus far. The Cardinals, lead by QB Carson Palmer, have one of the most efficient offenses in the league. Since last season, Carson Palmer has only lost one game. As long as Palmer doesn’t get injured again, the Cardinals should be favorites to win the NFC West.
Reigning MVP, Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers are back at it again doing what they do best: winning. After a big win versus the seahawks last week, it appears that the Packers offence will be just fine without Pro-Bowl WR Jordy Nelson who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
The Broncos despite starting 2-0 look shaky. For the last 3 seasons we have grown accustomed of seeing QB, Peyton Manning pick apart defenses. This season however, it looks like age has finally caught up to him. At age 39, Manning threw 2 pick-6’s before throwing his first TD this season, a troubling sign for the Broncos.
Pro-Bowl wide receivers Julio Jones and Antonio Brown, two of the best wide receivers in the game, are pulling their weight for their respective teams. The Falcons appear to have bounced back from their 6-10 record last season. They’re much improved on defense and their offense as potent as every, making them favorites in the AFC South. The Steelers Antonio Brown has over 300 yards in just 2 games. The team welcomes back they’re Pro-Bowl running back Le’veon Bell who finished serving his 2 game suspension and should be starting come week 3. The Steelers scary offence make them the favorites in the AFC North.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s and the Tennessee Titan’s hope for better things from their rookie QBs Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, who were picked 1st and 2nd overall in the 2015 draft. Both quarterbacks have both shown great potential but have also struggled against NFL defenses and schemes.
Another “rookie” QB, Tyrod Taylor of the Buffalo Bills, has made a splash in the NFL. Tyrod Taylor, who has been back QB for the Raven since 2011, won the starting job for the Bills due to his explosive play style. His ability to make explosive runs out of the pocket, and deliver the ball to other Bills playmakers, makes him a great fit for the team. The concern with Tyrod, is the lack of pocket awareness, a skill he needs to develop in order for 1-1 Bills, under coach Rex Ryan, to end their 15 year playoff drought.
With 15 more weeks to go, anything can happen – this is just the first chapter. A bad team can start to make things work and potentially make the playoff or elite team can lose a star player that could end their hopes of winning a Superbowl.
