Windy City Gridiron
1. This might be the most wide-open we’ve seen the NFL in years. You’ve got traditional powerhouses like the Ravens and Chiefs sitting at 1-2 and looking washed. On the flip side, the (*checks notes*) COLTS are 3-0 with Daniel Jones at quarterback, the Chargers aren’t Chargering anymore, and Baker Mayfield’s aura is approaching dangerous levels. But even teams we know are good, like the Bills and Eagles, don’t look completely unbeatable. (The Bills will sleepwalk to an AFC East championship because their division is terrible, and their schedule is soft. But Week 1 showed they can be had.) If you’re not strapped into this crazy train yet, now’s the time. Snacks optional, whiplash guaranteed.
2. Here’s how you know the Patriots are a poverty franchise now. Former Pats first-round pick Mac Jones is 2-0 with the 49ers filling in for Brock Purdy after languishing for two seasons under Bill Belichick’s chaotic rule, and castoff receiver Tyquan Thornton has suddenly become essential to the Chiefs’ offense that currently has no other wideout who can run faster than a Roomba. Meanwhile, Drake Maye, who might actually be good, is throwing to Mr. Cardi B. (the receiver formerly known as Stefon Diggs) and handing the ball to running backs who immediately give the ball to the other team. But in fairness to New England, we knew they’d be bad this year. What’s Bill Belichick’s excuse?
3. Did Jordan Davis need to run that blocked field goal back for a touchdown at the end of regulation to win the game? No. Are we all better for watching a 330-pound man hit 18.59 mph? Absolutely. You know how crazy of an athlete you are to be that big and still speed in a school zone?
4. Okay, fine. Maybe I was too quick to bury the Detroit Lions. It’s still early, but punching the Ravens in the face like that on national TV—not just taking advantage of their porous defense but racking up seven sacks on Lamar Jackson—is damn impressive. Also, thank you, David Montgomery, for refusing to fall down at the one-yard line on that late touchdown run. My fantasy team pulled victory from the jaws of defeat because of it. Plus, it looks like Ben Johnson didn’t take all the fun plays with him…
5. Some coaches make everyone around them better. Some make everyone around them worse. Shane Waldron leaves Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze…and suddenly they all start cooking. Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr. suddenly looks washed under Waldron’s eye in Jacksonville. Oh, and Matt Eberflus somehow went up against Ben Johnson’s offenses five times in three seasons and managed to impart literally zero wisdom to the Cowboys defense last weekend. Just think: at this time last year, those two guys were the Bears’ two most important coaches.
6. Russell Wilson’s four-play sequence in the red zone Sunday night deserves to be preserved in the Louvre. Or...
