Joe Burrow so impressive even LeBron James noticed. Plus, Week 2 picks and fantasy football advice
It's Week 2 and even LeBron James was impressed with Joe Burrow on Thursday night. Before we dig deeper, enjoy these:
- Which teams will emerge victorious in Week 2? Our experts make their picks.
- The narrative that America is souring on the NFL? Forget about it.
- The Patriots got creative to prepare for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.
- As always, we're here to help you set that fantasy football lineup.
About last night: Cleveland Browns 35, Cincinnati Bengals 30 -- Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft, attempted an astonishing 61 passes, but the Browns' backfield combo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt ran through the Bengals' defense as Cleveland improved to 1-1.
Game of the Week: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks -- This is just the second meeting between these two teams since Super Bowl XLIX, when the Patriots won in the game's final moments due to a questionable play call by the Seahawks. The coaches -- Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll -- are the same from that game on Feb. 1, 2015. However, while Russell Wilson is still under center for Seattle, New England now features Cam Newton at quarterback. Both quarterbacks are coming off impressive Week 1 performances, which is encouraging for an exciting capper to Sunday's action.
Sneaky-Good Game of the Week: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans -- A week ago, folks figured the Jaguars to be a team that would #TankforTrevor. Instead, hopes are high for #DUUUVAL after a Week 1 upset of the Colts. On Sunday, Gardner Minshew and crew face a Titans team coming off a wild Monday night win in Denver.
Survivor Pool Game of the Week: San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets -- Despite a myriad of injury issues (George Kittle, Richard Sherman, Deebo Samuel, just to name a few), the 49ers still possess the talent and coaching acumen to handle the Jets, who could be in for a long season. Full disclosure: Last week's pick was the Steelers ✅.
Week 2: Yes, more football, please
- Week 2 picks: Paste BN Sports' panel of experts has provided fans with the great public service of making prognostications for every game this weekend.
- Lorenzo's Locks: Paste BN Sports' Lorenzo Reyes has the three best bets for this weekend.
- Protests are no threat to NFL's status as America's favorite pastime: The NFL is not dying. Throngs of fans are not turning off their televisions, writes Nancy Armour.
- How one NFL player spread 'End racism' T-shirts: The Texans' Michael Thomas helped unify NFL players with a single message for Week 1.
- Patriots use undrafted CB to emulate Russell Wilson: Rookie Myles Bryant was running circles around the Patriots defense in preparation for Sunday night's showdown in Seattle.
- Aaron Rodgers comes around to one change: Packers coach Matt LaFleur is opening up the playbook, and threw a dizzying array of motion at the Vikings in Green Bay's Week 1 win.
- No hurt feelings after Week 1 critiques: Bruce Arians said he and Tom Brady "are fine" after Arians was critical of Brady's two Week 1 interceptions.
- Best and worst debuts of Week 1: Both Tom Brady and Philip Rivers gave off warning signs in their first games with new teams, writes Mike Jones.
- Empty NFL stadiums leave 'eerie' vibe: Cavernous stadiums have all the charm of an empty airplane hangar, writes Jarrett Bell.
- 2021 Hall of Fame candidates: Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Power rankings: See how all 32 teams stack up heading into Week 2.
Fantasy football: Get your lineup right
Of course you want to start the fresh season off with a win. We're here to help. Our fantasy football experts have valuable advice to get the most out of your lineup.
- Fantasy rankings for Week 2: For your convenience, these position-by-position rankings were updated for this week's games.
- Studs, duds and sleepers: Here are some names to know going into Week 2. Bills QB Josh Allen could have a big week. Eagles QB Carson Wentz? Not so much.
- Waiver wire options: Astute fantasy football enthusiasts are well aware that championships are won with effective use of the waiver wire.
Week 2 schedule
(All times Eastern)
Thursday
Sunday
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. (FOX)
San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. (FOX)
New York Giants at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Washington Football Team at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Monday
New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Trivia: Did you know the answer?
In Monday's edition of 4th & Monday, we posed this trivia question: In Week 1, Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander became the fifth player since 2000 to register a sack, interception and safety in the same game. Can you name the other four players?
Here's the answer: Tennessee Titans' Rocky Boiman (Week 4, 2003), Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell (Week 5, 2016), Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison (Week 11, 2008) and Baltimore Ravens' Adalius Thomas (Week 2, 2006).
In a fun fact that might only interest the author of this newsletter, Rocky Boiman was one of three players named "Rocky" playing in the NFL during the 2003 season. The other two? Seattle Seahawks DT Rocky Bernard and Tennessee Titans LB Rocky Calmus.
NFL Facebook group: Join now!
Football season is here! And, if you love talking football, 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. Sign up now!
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