Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season delivered unexpected twists and thrilling performances. The Saints lit up the scoreboard with an explosive offensive display, while the Ravens and Bengals stunned fans with surprising 0-2 starts. Across the league, poor quarterback play has raised concerns, and the Vikings have defied expectations with a strong 2-0 start. In this recap, we dive into the biggest surprises, standout moments, and early-season storylines shaping the year.
The Saints are on Fire
What in the world got into the New Orleans Saints? The Saints offense has scored 91 points through 2 games, including a 44-19 thrashing of the Cowboys in Dallas last week. This offense is essentially the same as last year's offense, what has changed? The offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak. Kubiak is in his first year with the Saints, it is looking like the perfect hire. New Orleans has had the football 15 times on offense so far this year, they've scored on all 15 possesions, whether it be a FG or a TD. That is a crazy stat. Can they keep it up?
Can the Ravens and Bengals turn it around?
Baltimore and Cincinnati were expected to be fighting for the division title this season. Yet both teams find themselves in an 0-2 hole. Lamar Jackson & Derrick Henry were expected to explode as a dynamic duo but we have yet to see that. Todd Monken has a decent amount of talent to design plays with, but with a shaky new offensive line it is hard for Lamar and Co. to get rolling. The Bengals have started the season 0-2 five times in the last six years. It seems that Head Coach Zac Taylor never has his team prepared to start the year. The loss in Week 1 to the Patriots was as ugly as it can get, the loss to Kansas City was a tough one, it will make them a better team.
Bad Quarterback Play
Something that has caught the eye of NFL fans this season is how noticably bad the QB's have been this season. An interesting statistic I came across on Twitter/X.
Passing touchdowns through two weeks:
2019: 105
2020: 110
2021: 110
2022: 105
2023: 86
2024: 69
Recently, on ESPN, NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. suggested the NFL ban the Cover 2 defense in order to create more explosive offenses. I can't imagine how defensive players and NFL great's reacted to those comments. Just a few years ago, this was a passing league. Now all of the sudden it is a ground and pound league? What is happening?
Vikings Start 2-0
Losing Kirk Cousins in Free Agency, first round draft pick JJ McCarthy hurt for the year, multiple defensive players hurt, season presumably over. Not so fast, says Sam Darnold. The journeyman QB has found his groove as the starter for Minnesota. Coach Kevin O'Connell has been dialing up mighty-fine playcalls for Darnold and the offense, meanwhile Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores has the Vikings defense in the top 3 in all statistical categories. After defeating the 49ers, Brock Purdy admitted that Flores' defensive scheme is "ridiculious". Justin Jefferson injured his quad muscle during the game Sunday and did not return, meanwhile Jordan Addison is out as well. Darnold has quite the challenge ahead of him this weekend without his top 2 wideouts, can Brian Flores' defense save the day?
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