As we enter week two of the 2021 NFL season I pick 5 things to look out for this week. Injuries are being updated as and when they are confirmed.
#5 Who Needs a Win in Week Two?
With 32 teams playing in the NFL at least half of those lost their games in week one, those teams will need to pull something out if they want to start the season off right. Here are the scores for the first week of the 2021 NFL season.
Atlanta Falcons lost to the Philidelphia Eagles 32/6 | Week Two: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baltimore Ravens lost to the Las Vegas Raiders 33/27 | Week Two: Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 23/16 | Week Two: Miami Dolphins
Chicago Bears lost to the LA Rams 34/14 | Week Two: Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns lost to the Kansas City Cheifs 33/29 | Week Two: Huston Texans
Dallas Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31/29 | Week Two: LA Chargers
Detroit Lions lost to the San Francisco 49ers 41/33 | Week Two: Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers lost to the St. Orleans Saints 38/3 | Week Two: Detroit Lions
Indianapolis Colts lost to the Seattle Seahawks 28/16 | Week Two: LA Rams
Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Huston Texans loss 37/21 | Week Two: Denver Broncos
Minnesota Vikings lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 27/24 | Week Two: The Arizona Cardinals
New England Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins 7/16 | Week Two: New York Jets
New York Giants lost to the Denver Broncos 27/13 | Week Two: Washington Football Team
New York Jets lost to the Carolina Panthers 19/14 | Week Two: New England Patriots
Tennessee Titans lost to the Arizona Cardinals 38/13 | Week Two: Seattle Seahawks
Washington Football Team lost to the LA Chargers 20/16 | Week Two: New York Giants
#4 Hey Aaron Rogers, WAKE UP!
Aaron Rogers has been in the NFL for 17 seasons and it’s starting to feel like he has lost his mojo.
Did he take the off-season quite literally? Because he has returned and been unable to set the field alight or encourage his team to make any moves. After a 38/3 loss to the St. Orleans Saints, which was on the neutral ground of Arizona due to the hurricane clear up, will the Packers and Rogers be able to win their next game? It was an embarrassment on the field while every fan of the team from Green Bay must be wondering what has happened to their quarterback.
#3 Injuries, Injuries, and more Injuries
Injuries are already stacking up as we head into week two of the 2021 NFL season.
The Arizona Cardinals have five players out as of 17th September 2021. Dennis Gardeck [LB] and Jordan Phillips [DE] have both been placed on the injured reserve list while Antoine Wesley [WR] will be out due to a positive COVID test. Devon Kennard [LB] has been ruled out of the Cardinals game against the Vikings due to a hamstring injury while Kelvin Beachum [OT] will be a game-day decision due to a rib injury.
The Atlanta Falcons have four players out as of 17th September 2021. Kendall Sheffield [CB] and Josh Andrews [C] were both placed on the injured reserve on 3rd September, just before the new season got underway. While Matt Gono [OT] is out with an undisclosed injury and Frank Darby [WR] has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers due to a calf injury.
The Baltimore Ravens has nineteen players currently on the bench, which will not help the team going into their week two game against the Kansas City Chiefs. On the injured reserve list, we have Chris Westy [CB], Tyre Phillips [G], Marcus Peters [CB], Nick Boyle [TE], Gus Edwards [RB], Justice Hill [RB], J.K. Dobbins [RB], Aaron Crawford [DT], Otaro Alaka [LB], Miles Boykin [WR] and Rashod Bateman [WR]. Ja’Wuan James [OT], who suffered an Achilles injury, and Derek Wolfe [WR], who suffered a back injury, are both out of the squad for this weekend’s game. The Ravens also have six players whose status will be questionable for their game against the Chiefs. Daelin Hayes [LB], Marlon Humphrey [CB], Devin Duvernay [WR], Marquise Brown [WR], Jimmy Smith [CB], and Ronnie Stanley [OT].
The Buffalo Bills have five players out as of 17th September 2021. While Christian Wade [RB] is out for the season due to surgery on his shoulder, Marquez Stevenson [WR] has been placed on the injured reserve. Gabriel Davis [WR], Star Lotulelei [DT], and Efe Obada [DE] are all questionable going into their game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
The Carolina Panthers only have one player out as of 14th September 2021, Myles Hartsfield [CB] is on the injured reserve due to a wrist injury.
The Chicago Bears have ten players out injured as of 17th September 2021, which will not help them after the disastrous game against the LA Rams, losing 34/13. Teven Jenkins [OT] has been placed on the injured reserve, while six players are questionable leading into the Bears game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jason Peters [OT], Joel Iviegbuniwe [LB], Darnell Mooney [WR], Nsimba Webster [WR], Marquise Goodwin [WR], and Robert Quinn [LB]. Larry Bloom [OT] has been ruled out of their week two game against the Bengals while it’s looking doubtful that Eddie Goldman [DT] will play on Sunday.
Eight players are currently listed as injured for the Cincinnati Bengals leading up to their Sunday game against the Chicago Bears. Hakeem Adeniji [G], Wyatt Hubert [DE], and Trae Waynes [CB] have all been ruled out of Sunday’s game while Khalid Kareem [DE], Joseph Ossai [DE], and Ricardo Allen [S] have been placed on the injured reserve list. Darius Phillips [CB] and Markus Bailey [LB] are questionable as of 16th September.
The Cleveland Browns have ruled out 2 players for their upcoming game against the Texans this Sunday, first is Chris Hubbard [OT] who has an injury to his triceps, and Odell Beckham Jr. [WR] who suffered an injury to his knee. Two players have been placed on the Injured reserve, Anthony Walker [LB] and Jacob Phillips [LB], while things are looking questionable for the Texans game for Anthony Schwartz [WR], Troy Hill [CB], Jedrick Wills jr. [OT], JC Tretter [C], and Michael Dunn [G] as of 17th September 2021.
Dallas Cowboys have been ruled out four of their players for their game against the LA Chargers, Donovan Wilson [S], Ty Nsekhe [OT], Randy Gregory [DE], and La’el Collins [OT]. Damontae Kazee is looking like a questionable choice owing to a thigh injury, while eight players are on the injured reserve list, DeMarcus Lawrence [DE], Michael Gallup [WR], Francis Bernard [LB], Josh Ball [OT], Malik Turner [WR], Sean McKeon [TE], Kelvin Joseph [CB], and Neville Gallimore [DT].
The Denver Broncos have two players out, both are cornerbacks Essang Bassy and Duke Dawson Jr. Bradley Chubb [LB] and Jonas Griffith [LB] are questionable leading into their game against the Jaguars while Graham Glasgow [G] is looking doubtful. Ronald Darby [CB], Jerry Jeudy [WR], Michael Ojemudia [CB], and Mike Boone [RB] have been placed on the Injured Reserve.
The Detroit Lions have ruled out Kevin Strong [DE], and Tyrell Williams [WR] while Kalif Raymond [WR], D’Andre Swift [RB], Trey Flowers [LB], and Michael Brockers [DE] are looking questionable for their game against the Packers on Monday. Jeff Okudah [CB], Taylor Decker [OT], Tyrell Crosby [OT], Time Boyle [QB], and Da’Shawn Hand [DE] have been played on Injured Reserve.
The Green Bay Packers have ruled out Vernon Scott [S] for their Monday game against the Detroit Lions while it is looking doubtful for Josiah Deguara [TE] and questionable for Darnell Savage [S] and Lucas Patrick [G]. Za’Darius Smith [LB] was placed on the Injured Reserve on Friday.
The Huston Texans Deshaun Watson [QB] has been ruled out of Sunday’s game due to a non-injury-related issue. Five players have been put on the Injured Reserve list, Kevin Pierre-Louis [LB], Vincent Taylor [DT], Ka’imi Fairbairn [PK], A J. Moore Jr. [S], and Tae Davis [LB] while it is looking questionable for Pharaoh Brown [TE], and Kamu Grugier-Hill [LB].
The Indianapolis Colts have three players ruled out of Week 2’s game against the LA Rams, Braden Smith [OT], Xavier Rhodes [CB], and Dayo Odeyingbo [DE]. It is looking questionable for Julian Blackmon [S], Parris Campbell [WR], Michael Pittman Jr. [WR], Khari Willis [S], Kwity Paye [DE], Quenton Nelson [G], and Eric Fisher [OT] while Dezmon Patmon [WR], Sam Ehlinger [QB] and T.Y. Hilton [WR] have been placed on the Injured Reserve list.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have ruled out Tre Herndon [CB] for the game on Sunday against the Broncos while it is looking questionable for Jordan Smith [DE] and Lerentee McCray [DE]. Travon Austin [WR] and Travis Etienne Jr. [RB] have been placed on the Injured Reserve.
The Kansas City Chiefs have two players out, Malik Herring [DE] and Kyle Long [G] while Willie Gay [LB] is on the Injured Reserve list.
The Las Vegas Raiders have five players out ahead of their game against the Steelers, Roderic Teamer [S], Richie Incognito [G], Nick Kwiatkoski [LB], Marcus Mariota [QB], and Josh Jacobs [RB]. Yannick Ngakoue [DE], Darius Philon [DT], and Carl Nassib [DE] are looking questionable while Jalen Richard [RB], Gerald McCoy [DT], Denzelle Good [G], Javin White [LB], Keisean Nixon [CB], and Nicholas Morrow [LB] have been put on the Injured Reserve list.
The Los Angeles Rams have Chris Harris Jr [CB] out while it is looking doubtful for Justin Jones [DT] and questionable for Nasir Adderley [S]. Bryan Bulaga [OT] and Ryan Smith [CB] have been placed on the Injured Reserve.
The Los Angeles Rams have Chris Garrett [LB] and Cam Akers [RB] are out while Xavier Jones [RB], Tremayne Anchrum Jr. [G] and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo [LB] are all on the Injured Reserve list.
The Miami Dolphins have ruled out William Fuller V [WR] with Preston Williams [WR] looking questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bills. Raekwon Davis [DT] and Larnel Coleman [OT] have been placed on the Injured Reserve list.
The Minnesota Vikings has four players out, Harrison Hand [CB], Christian Darrisaw [OT], Everson Griffen [DE], and Anthony Barr [WR], while Eric Kendricks [LB] is questionable leading into their Sunday game against the Cardinals. Bisi Johnson [WR], Dan Chisena [WR], Kene Nwangwu [RB], Nate Stanley [QB], Chad Beebe [WR], and Irv Smith Jr. [TE] have all been placed on the Injured Reserve list.
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
New York Jets
Philidelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tennessee Titans
Washinton Football Team
#2 Patrick Peterson Returns to Arizona
The former Cardinals star, who built his entire career with the franchise, became a free agent in the off-season before being picked up by the Minnesota Vikings as their new starting Corner Back. DeAndre Hopkins [WR] will be facing off with Peterson [CB] this weekend and after years of playing on the same side, this match-up should be very interesting, as the two know each other so well.
The Cardinals brought it in their first game of the season, defeating the Tennessee Titans 38/13 with Kyler Murrey being the star Quarterback we all know he can be. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so great for the Vikings in their opening match of the season, with a whole list of injuries to contend with, their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals 27/24 wasn’t as much of a disaster as it could have been.
#1 MVP vs MVP
The Baltimore Ravens are set to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday, 19th September 2021, Lamar Jackson vs Patrick Mahomes. These two men have faced off several times before and are considered the two best young Quarterbacks in the NFL right now.
The question is can Lamar Jackson and the Ravens get the win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs?
The Ravens need to protect Lamar Jackson, it is obvious from their game last week against the Raiders that the defense is lacking something. Protecting the Quarterback from attacks will really help in the long run and allow for longer runs and hopefully more touchdowns.
In saying that Lamar Jackson needs to up his game, he is a fantastic player, but he needs to start protecting the ball. Also, fumbles seemed to be a huge issue during the week one game, everything needs to be tightened up. The Ravens are a great team but have they become complacent which allowed for the Raiders to win in the opening game of the season.