NFL Week 2 preview: Quarterbacks: Who’s hot, who’s not and who can bounce back this week
Opening week in the NFL gave us a few wobbles, a few saves, and a few performances that look very promising indeed for the season ahead
With the start of the 2022 NFL season, nobody was under the microscope more than the quarterbacks around the league. Sure it is a team game, and no quarterback can win or lose a game alone, but they are the top spot, the number one, the guy who gets all the credit or blame in the press. So how did they do? And more importantly, what does it mean?
The legends of the game started in the way that you might expect them to. Aaron Rodgers had a stinker, but then again, he kind of does that every season and still winds up as the MVP by December. Tom Brady looked impressive, which is of course exactly what you would expect from Tom Brady. But the place to start, perhaps, is with the two protagonists of Super Bowl LVI.
Matthew Stafford had a very ugly opening game indeed, completing 29 of 41 passes for 240 yards, throwing one touchdown and three interceptions. The Bills front line managed to get through to him fifteen times, seven of which resulted in a sack, so the reigning champs have a bit of business to attend to. But fans shouldn’t get too disheartened, with the Falcons on the slate for week two, the Rams could find their stride in short order. The Rams should be able to win this matchup.
His opponent in the Super Bowl, Joe Burrow, had an opening game that was every bit as turgid as Stafford’s. The Bengals wunderkind managed to get into all kinds of trouble against a Steelers defense that picked him five times. It is a testament to his ability that he kept Cincinnati within striking distance, losing by a field goal in overtime. This week, the opposition will be just as stiff as he squares off against the Cowboys, but his luck may have turned with Dak Prescott out for several weeks with a thumb injury. Look for the Bengals to stamp their authority on the game.
The Bucs will have to face their nemesis in New Orleans. Tom Brady has yet to beat the Saints in a Bucs uniform, going 0-4 into this matchup, and Tampa has long struggled to beat New Orleans even before Brady’s signing. The Saints struggled with a rebuilding Falcons team in week one, while Tampa looked comfortable in their win over Dallas, but that is the thing about boogeymen, they pop up when you least expect. Jameis Winston had a pretty flat outing in Atlanta, but when the chips were down in the fourth quarter, he led the Saints on an effervescent two-minute drill to erase a 16-point deficit. All told, the Saints own Tampa, Brady or no Brady, and this week won’t be any different. Look for the Saints to come away with a close win.
Aaron Rodgers struggled in week one against a seriously talented Minnesota team, throwing an interception on his way to a 22 for 34 day, picking up just 194 yards and no touchdowns. The Vikings showed the threat that they are and particularly Justin Jefferson demonstrating just how seriously opponents should take them this season. Week two will see the Pack take on a Chicago Bears team who, although beating the 49ers in the opener, are struggling to pull all of their weapons together. Rodgers fans will remember that the MVP quarterback had an even worse start last season and still managed to become one of the most dominant arms in the league by season’s end. Look for Green Bay to sail past Chicago with ease.