A look into AB's troubling past — plus expert picks, fresh fantasy advice and more for Week 2
Can you believe it? It's already Week 2!
But before we get to the best of this weeknd, let's first dive into the troubling past of Antonio Brown.
'Just a problem kid, man'
- “I’m surprised that it took them this long to figure him out": Those who know Antonio Brown shed light on how his past proves that his current situation isn't much of a surprise.
- Should NFL bench Brown? Roger Goodell can show how much the NFL cares about women by putting Brown on the sideline while investigating rape allegations against him, Christine Brennan writes.
- Sideline Brown during investigation: Putting Brown on the commissioner's exempt list is the right move for the NFL as it looks into the Patriots WR, Jarrett Bell writes.
- NFL's worst nightmare: Brown is going to spoil all those grand plans the NFL had for its 100th birthday, Nancy Armour writes.
Week 2's best and brightest
About last night: Buccaneers 20, Panthers 14. Thursday night got off to a slow start thanks to a lightning delay and sloppy early play from both Carolina and Tampa Bay early. But there were some dramatic flourishes late in the game, as the Buccaneers stuffed RB Christian McCaffrey on a fourth-and-1 in the final two minutes to seal the 20-14 victory. Carolina failed to reach the end zone, netting four field goals from Joey Slye and a safety from LB Luke Kuechly as it fell to 0-2.
Quick look at Week 2:
- Game of the week: New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams -- This is a revenge game for the Saints, who were miffed the pass interference that wasn't in last season's NFC Championship Game. This early season showdown could have massive implications come January.
- Sneaky-Good Game of the Week: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans — Is the AFC South going to be fun this year? This game might decide just that.
- Sunday Ticket Game of the Week: Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers — The Seahawks were less than impressive in beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. The Steelers, meanwhile, got pummeled in front of a national television audience by the New England Patriots. This game could be a litmus test for the direction which each teams' seasons could go.
- Suicide Pool Game of the Week: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans -- Yeah, going with "whoever is playing against the Dolphins" is too easy. So, the Texans are the pick here. With Nick Foles out indefinitely, rookie Gardner Minshew makes his first start on the road. Despite his success coming on in relief in Week 1, the odds aren't in his favor. The Texans have dominated this series under coach Bill O'Brien, winning eight of the last 10, with the only losses coming during the 2017 season when the Jaguars reached the AFC title game.
TOP PICS: Buccaneers-Panthers | Cheerleaders | NFL at 100
Week 2 essentials: Picks, rankings and more
- Week 2 picks: Paste BN Sports' panel of experts has provided fans with the great public service of making prognostications for every NFL game this weekend.
- Power rankings: See how each team stands entering Week 2. Can any team, or anyone, derail the Patriots' promising season?
- Sam Darnold has mono: The Jets will be without the leader of their offense as they try to avoid an 0-2 start when they take on the Browns on Monday night.
- Watching OBJ: Odell Beckham Jr. wore an expensive watch during the Browns' Week 1 loss to the Titans. He's insisted on continuing to wear it, and has been called out by a Hall of Famer: "You can’t wear a $350,000 watch and play like a $2 bill."
- Malik is magic: That swaggy, one-handed interception Sunday in Los Angeles? Colts safety Malik Hooker has done that before.
- Emmitt Smith: Cowboys needs this for Super Bowl: The Hall of Famer says there's an ingredient Dallas must add to be title-worthy.
- Who had best, worst 2019 debuts? From coaches to rookies to veterans, there were plenty of big-name NFL figures starting off in new spots.
Fantasy football: Get your lineup right
Whether you won in Week 1 (congrats!) or were defeated (sorry!), you likely need some advice to attain victory in Week 2. You've come to the right place. Our panel of fantasy football experts is here to help you make the most of your lineup this week.
- Fantasy rankings for Week 2: For your convenience, these position-by-position rankings were updated for this week's games.
- Keep or cut? After disappointing Week 1 performances, is it time to replace these players?
- Waiver wire: Make good use of that waiver wire ... it's what good fantasy football players do.
- Studs, duds and sleepers: Here are some names to know for Week 2. Which category does Kyler Murray fall into?
- Sizzlers and fizzlers: Consider this your fantasy football stock report.
Week 2 schedule
Click on team name to get updated news on your team from our NFL wire sites.
(All times Eastern)
Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers, 8:20 p.m. (NFL Network)
Sunday
Arizona Cardinals at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Buffalo Bills at New York Giants, 1 p.m. (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Los Angeles Chargers at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Monday
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
#NFL100
As the NFL celebrates its 100th season, we are unveiling our all-time 100 lists:
- Greatest players ever for every team: The Paste BN Sports Network unveils the best players for each NFL team.
- 100 greatest teams in league history: 1972 Miami Dolphins. 1985 Chicago Bears. 2007 New England Patriots. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers. 1996 Green Bay Packers. 1989 San Francisco 49ers. 1920 Akron Pros. Which is the greatest ever?
- Greatest players ever by jersey number: From No. 00 Jim Otto to No. 99 J.J. Watt, these are the best players at 100 different uniform numbers.
- Greatest players from HBCU programs: The HBCU schools have a storied history and have produced many Pro Football Hall of Famers. These are the 100 greatest NFL players from HBCU programs.
- 100 biggest draft busts ever: The NFL draft has an extensive history of top picks who would only be remembered as busts.
- NFL's best and worst uniforms ever: Throughout the NFL's history, there have been some fantastic uniforms, and there are some that have been widely scorned.
NFL Facebook group: Join now!
If you love talking football (and who doesn't, amirite?), we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders.
Want to keep this conversation going? Head to Facebook, and/or give a Twitter follow to your friendly neighborhood football guy who put together this newsletter, @jimreineking.