Analysis
9/18/23
7 min read
NFL Week 2 Expert Analysis and Takeaways
Following Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season, The 33rd Team's experts analyzed the biggest storylines and applied their unique perspective to each team's outlook. Is it panic time in Cincinnati? How good is Dallas' defense? Should the Jets find a new quarterback?
Here are their expert takeaways from Week 2:
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Lamar Jackson's Improvement Stunning
Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Martz is pleasantly surprised with Lamar Jackson’s ascension as a passer under first-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Martz likens Jackson’s usage to Patrick Mahomes’ in Kansas City.
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Not Time to Panic For Bengals After Joe Burrow's Strong Second Half
Mike Martz doesn’t think it’s time to panic in Cincinnati. Instead, he thought Joe Burrow looked “in midseason form” in the second half of the Cincinnati Bengals’ home loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills
Bills QB Josh Allen Heard the Critics and Responded
Former NFL MVP Rich Gannon says there is nothing wrong with a quarterback taking a little off the gun-slinging mentality and managing the game more. That is exactly what Josh Allen did during the Buffalo Bills’ victory against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
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Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bears' OL Issues, Poor Run Defense Led to Loss
Former NFL coach Dave Wannstedt was pleased to see better energy from the Chicago Bears in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Chicago still struggled with consistency, mainly keeping QB Justin Fields upright.
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Buccaneers' Talented, Aggressive Defense Lifts Them Atop the NFC South
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster has more talent than many gave it credit for, Hall of Fame CB Rondé Barber notes. It starts with a defense that has eight sacks through two games and is forcing turnovers. And it continues with QB Baker Mayfield, who is producing dynamic plays without making costly mistakes.
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Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Anthony Richardson Week 2 Injury Should Be a Wake-up Call for the Colts
Mike Martz and Rich Gannon discuss the second injury in two games to QB Anthony Richardson and what needs to change — both from Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff.
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers Did the Rams a Favor by Playing Soft Defense
The San Francisco 49ers' passive approach on defense in the first half startled Mike Martz. That allowed the Los Angeles Rams, who are exceeding expectations under coach Sean McVay, to keep the score close.
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Sean McVay Happy to Be Back Following Rams' Solid Start
Rondé Barber explains why the Rams could surprise people this season. He thinks the way Sean McVay is getting the best out of Matthew Stafford and the young wide receiver group is a sign of good things to come.
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New York Jets vs. Dallas Cowboys
Dominant Defense Will Push Cowboys to Top of NFC
The Dallas Cowboys' offense is clicking to the tune of 70 points in two games, but the real story in Big D is defense, Rondé Barber says. Led by Micah Parsons and a loaded secondary, the Cowboys have allowed just 10 points thus far and appear to be the class of the NFC.
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Doesn't Matter Who Plays QB for Jets if Offensive Line Can't Improve
Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles agree New York Jets QB Zach Wilson was not the problem against the Cowboys, and it won’t help to put another quarterback out there if the Jets’ offensive line continues to struggle to stop the pressure.
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Jets Coaching Gets an "F" in an Embarrassing Performance
Laveranues Coles and Wayne Chrebet agree: The Jets’ coaching staff was not properly prepared for the likes of Parsons and the Cowboys. The Jets didn’t put Wilson in a position to succeed, leading to Coles’ F grade for the coaching against Dallas.
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Time of Possession Killed the Jets in Week 2 Loss to Cowboys
The Cowboys dominated the time of possession against the Jets, making the job for the New York defense even more difficult. Laveranues Coles and Wayne Chrebet dive into the Jets’ Week 2 loss.
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Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
Dolphins Should Be Encouraged After Imperfect Win
Former All-Pro CB Samari Rolle explains why Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins should be encouraged by the outcome and game, despite not playing their best football.
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