As the NFL season progresses, analysts and fans alike have begun to take stock of the early performances from teams and players. Week 2 has provided a truly inspiring and electric array of stories. Exciting breakout performances and unfortunate lackluster performances have turned heads all around the league. We’re especially grateful to Dan Graziano, ESPN’s senior national NFL reporter for sharing his valuable insights. Here’s what he said were the most important advances from this week.
One of the biggest storylines has been the play of Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback. The team looks to bounce back from a shaky start as speculation grows around Prescott’s ability to lead the team effectively. Whoa, nelly. The Pittsburgh Steelers are dominating the news! And then there’s George Pickens, their highly-skilled wide receiver, doing everything he can with important flashes to make every criticizing analyst eat their words.
The defending champion Los Angeles Rams have struggled, particularly with superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has been out since the summer. His absence has led to questions about the team’s defensive direction going forward.
Dallas Cowboys’ Quarterback Dilemma
Dak Prescott has been under a lot of heat after up and down showings through the first couple games of the year. While critics have attacked his decision making on the field too, leading many to question his place as the Cowboys’ long-term solution atop the offensive hierarchy.
The weight on Prescott’s shoulders is evident—even in a season where he hasn’t performed up to expectations. The Cowboys’ offense needs to find its rhythm quickly if they hope to compete with other teams in their division.
“So, I was hoping things would turn around at some point.” – Brian Schottenheimer
Williams, the Cowboys’ star running back, is the player most often mentioned when the game comes up in conversation. His performance will be key in taking some of that pressure off Prescott. If Williams is able to find success on the ground, it’ll set Prescott up to be successful, too, allowing him to pick his spots with accurate passes.
Rookie cornerback DaRon Bland has been a revelation on defense, too. His contributions may be most important in keeping games competitive as the season wears on.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been treated to some solid performances as of late from many of their prospects on the week. George Pickens has quickly become a fan favorite due to his impressive catches and ability to gain yards after reception. His chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones gives plenty of reason for optimism moving forward this season and beyond.
Steelers’ Rising Stars
Defensively, T.J. Watt remains a force of nature. On the field, his presence alone throws a wrench into opposing offenses, making it extremely difficult for the opposition to find any sort of rhythm. Combined with Cameron Heyward’s interior defensive line dominance, the Steelers’ defensive front continues to be one of the scariest in all of football.
Meanwhile, fellow linebacker Alex Highsmith has thrived opposite of Watt, developing skills that pair well with Watt’s playmaking ability. When put together, these players form an extremely fun defensive unit that would immediately transform games in Pittsburgh’s favor.
The Steelers’ early season success is built on a foundation of star power. They succeed too by operating like a well-oiled machine. If they can keep adding to this momentum, they could cement themselves as a legitimate threat within their highly competitive CCL division.
Beyond the results, injuries have been the biggest story in determining team composition this year. The Los Angeles Rams are still reeling from Jalen Ramsey’s injuries. As one of the league’s top 10 cornerbacks on any given Sunday, the talent that Hunter brings to the field is quite literally irreplaceable.
Injury Reports and Defensive Strategies
Like former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., who suffered a hastened and broken professional career due to injury. His struggles have completely altered the Buccaneers’ defensive philosophy. Indy’s coaching staff must continue to find innovative ways to implement an offensive game plan while dealing with a constant overhaul in personnel.
Patrick Queen (LB — Baltimore Ravens) Patrick Queen has been under the microscope as well, having wildly inconsistent performances this year. The Ravens trust his elite instinct to diagnose and erupt ahead of the play. His continued development is crucial for the team’s overall defensive success.
Similarly, Darius Slay of the Philadelphia Eagles has been under increasing pressure as teams try to attack him and find holes in his coverage. As each team adjusts its strategies in response to injuries and performances, it will be interesting to see how these adjustments affect game outcomes.
Darius Slay of the Philadelphia Eagles also faces mounting pressure as teams seek to exploit weaknesses in his coverage. As each team adjusts its strategies in response to injuries and performances, it will be interesting to see how these adjustments affect game outcomes.
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