Winners
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers trailed the Los Angeles Chargers by a score of 24-3 in the second quarter. Rookie Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was out-dueling Brady, until the second half where Brady led the Bucs to another double digit comeback victory by a score of 38-31. Brady tossed five touchdown passes in the victory as he continues to prove that he’s not too old to be an elite quarterback. Although Tampa Bay hasn’t played a very tough schedule early on, the Bucs still sit atop the NFC South with a splendid record of (3-1).
Seattle Seahawks
MVP favorite Russell Wilson and the Seahawks survived a tough road test in Miami against a young and hungry Dolphins team. The game was close throughout, but Wilson and NFL receiving yards leader WR D.K. Metcalf proved to be too much for Miami’s secondary to handle. Despite not having superstar safety Jamal Adams due to a groin injury, the Seahawks continue to prove that they can win close games against top tier competition. Seattle moves to 4-0 on the season and holds the number 1 overall seed in the NFC conference.
Cleveland Browns
Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had his best game ever as a Brown, scoring 3 touchdowns in a 49-38 victory on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. Beckham Jr. finally had the breakout game that so many NFL fans had hoped to see from the supremely talented wideout. The Browns also had a jaw-dropping 307 rushing yards and had their way with the overmatched Cowboys defense. Since being blown out by the Ravens in week 1, Cleveland has gone on to win 3 straight games and is tied with the Ravens and Steelers for first place in the AFC North division. I know its early, but new head coach Kevin Stefanski deserves some praise for his team’s overall performance so far this season.
Indianapolis Colts
After losing a stunner at home in week 1 to the now (1-3) Jaguars, Phillip Rivers and the Colts went on the road and defeated the previously unbeaten Chicago Bears by a score of 19-11. Rivers didn’t throw any interceptions and the Colts defense completely shut down former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles for most of the game. Just like the Browns, the Colts have responded to a disappointing week 1 defeat by winning their next 3 games and proving they are more than capable of bouncing back from adversity. Indy seems poised for a deep playoff run this year if star pass rusher DeForest Buckner and their defense continues to play at this elite level.
Losers
New York Jets
All head coach Adam Gase and the dysfunctional Jets had to do is beat a severely banged up Denver Broncos team at home to get their first win of the season. Instead, Denver’s third string quarterback led the Broncos to a 37-28 victory and the speculation now begins on whether the Jets will even win a game this season. To put icing on the cake, Jets starting quarterback Sam Darnold suffered an injury and may have to miss a couple upcoming games. What a dumpster fire of an organization.
Arizona Cardinals
After starting the season with a (2-0) record, the Cardinals have gone on to lose their next 2 games to inferior opponents. Last week Arizona lost a stunner at home to the winless Detroit Lions; this week, Kyler Murray and the dynamic Cardinals offense was once again held at bay as they were beaten by the far less talented Carolina Panthers 31-21. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury must quickly find a solution to get his team playing harder and more consistent. If Arizona wants to make the playoffs, they will need to bring their best effort every week no matter who they are playing.
Dallas Cowboys
After another offseason full of high expectations and Super Bowl predictions, the Cowboys got steamrolled yesterday afternoon at home by the Cleveland Browns. The Browns led at one point by a score of 38-14 and hung on to win 49-38. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw for over 500 yards, but most of those stats came in “garbage time” when his team was down big and with the Browns defense playing soft passing coverage. The Cowboys defense should take the majority of the blame as they let up an inexcusable 307 rushing yards to the Browns. One could argue that the Cowboys should be winless if the Falcons didn’t have another one of their notorious fourth quarter meltdowns back in week 2. First year head coach Mike McCarthy has his work cut out for him.
Houston Texans
How do you have a quarterback as talented as Deshaun Watson yet manage to start the season with four straight losses? That’s what Texans fans will be asking themselves all week after another disappointing home loss this week to the previously winless Minnesota Vikings. Watson played well per usual but the Texans defense couldn’t stop the Vikings aggressive rushing attack. Star running back Dalvin Cook and a bruising offensive line led the team to their first win of the 2020 season.
**UPDATE** Texans head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien was fired on Monday October 5th. Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel was named the team’s interim head coach for what will likely be for the remainder of the 2020 season.
