The first two weeks of the new NFL season have been played and nine teams have yet to win. Who to worry about, where can you expect improvements in the coming weeks? We’re looking into the league’s victorless teams.
David Johnson is a star in the backfield, Larry Fitzgerald a clear number one receiver and Sam Bradford at least a transitional quarterback before first-round pick Josh Rosen takes over the team. A defense that could be one of the better units in the league thanks to stars like Patrick Peterson and Chandler Jones and talented youngsters like Budda Baker: There were plenty of reasons for optimism at the Cardinals immediately before the start of the season.
Just two weeks later, however, the situation is quite different. After an absolute dismantling by the Los Angeles Rams, six points scored are compared with 58 approved points. Arizona reach 350 offensive yards in two games – in total! Against the Rams there was a historic low of five (!) First Downs, the middle line was crossed for the first time just before the end of the game.
Mike McCoy’s offensive scheme is uncreative and static, Johnson is used one-dimensionally and Bradford seems to have left his days as quarterback with NFL starter quality behind him. The defense has at least some positive aspects (run defense against the rams, partly the pass rush), but also falls short of expectations.
The Cardinals need changes in tactics and personnel as quickly as possible, perhaps even in quarterback position – otherwise they are clearly the worst team in the NFC.
The Cardinals may be the worst team in the NFC, but the Bills hold the title of the league’s worst franchise. A completely desolate 3:47 opening collapse against the Baltimore Ravens was followed by a 20:31 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers, which was only marginally better despite the relatively close final result.
Rookie quarterback Josh Allen (18/33 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) showed why he wasn’t supposed to start at the NFL level (and certainly not in this offense!), Running Back LeSean McCoy (9 ATT, 39 yards) was again no real factor and also the at least talented defense was dismantled by Philip Rivers into halftime one – like the week before already by Joe Flacco.
As long as Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer’s secondary can’t find its way back into shape, there’s little reason for hope for this team. In this condition, next year’s draft’s number one pick only goes through Buffalo.
Unlike the Cardinals or the Bills, the Cleveland Browns don’t look like a bad football team. Pass-Rusher Myles Garrett and Cornerback Denzel Ward defended against the Steelers and Saints’ highly explosive offenses, and after two games they feel like they have a top 10 unit this season.
In fact, in both games, the Browns were only one solid NFL kicker away from finally finishing their winning streak of 19 games. In New Orleans the team gave up a 12-3 lead in the last quarter and kicker Zane Gonzalez left an incredible eight points. Gonzalez has meanwhile been dismissed, to what extent this problem zone could actually be permanently closed by the signing of Rookie Greg Joseph, can be observed however with doubts.
There is no doubt that Cleveland are anything but a hot playoff contender this season. Tyrod Taylor doesn’t look like the quarterback solution they were hoping for after two interceptions in two games, and luck definitely played a role in five Fumble Recoveries in the defense.
However, the Browns’ ability to bring talented teams to the brink of defeat is a step in the right direction. They still can’t finish these games and win. Whether this can actually change under the leadership of Head Coach Hue Jackson remains to be seen. But the playful means are there per se.
Matt Patricia must have imagined his debut as head coach differently. The longtime Patriot Defensive Coordinator came to Detroit with the goal of stabilizing the defense and finally establishing a run game to lift the Lions out of mediocrity. After two games, however, it looks as if the franchise is heading in the opposite direction.
A disastrous opening match against the jets, who showed quarterback Matthew Stafford to the best of their ability, was followed last weekend by a close defeat to the 49ers. Of all things, the defense – actually Patricia’s specialty – seemed much too fragile. Lions scored 78 points in just two games. After the retirement of Pass-Rusher Ziggy Ansah, the lack of quality in the defensive line becomes even more noticeable.
The lack of in-game adjustments by Patricia seems equally alarming at the moment. Both New York and San Francisco were overtaken by Detroit immediately after the break, and rumors of dissatisfied players and moves known to the opponents don’t make the picture look any better.
The quality of Stafford and the receiving trio Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay combined with a good offensive line can give Lions a chance in almost any game, but unless the defense can improve in all parts of the team, they face a long, long season in their monster division.
Page 1: Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions
Page 2: Texans, Steelers, Seahawks, Giants, Raiders