Seven months on from Cooper Kupp’s final gasp landing which secured the Lombardi trophy for the LA Rams on dwelling turf, the NFL is effectively and actually again. And there have been many speaking factors over the primary two weeks of the brand new marketing campaign. OddsChecker, which compares odds and supplies free provides on the NFL, had made the Buffalo Payments the favorites to assert their first ever Superbowl victory this season, they usually laid down a marker in week one, defeating the reigning champion Rams on the highway. There have been additionally a ton of slender victories on the opening weekend, with the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints all profitable by only one level.
In week two, there have been extra sizzling matters ready to be mentioned. The Payments as soon as once more flexed their muscle mass, with quarterback Josh Allen throwing 4 touchdowns and 313 yards en path to a dominant 41-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The Rams lastly bought a primary win beneath their belt, though it wasn’t simple. They led the Atlanta Falcons by 28 factors to 10 as their conflict entered the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, a comeback from the guests meant that final yr’s Superbowl winners gained by a rating of 31-27.
There have been extra big fixtures on the calendar in week three. The battle of the quarterback GOATs came about in Florida, as Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers took on Aaron Rodgers’ Inexperienced Bay Packers.
And if we’re speaking about quarterbacks, how can one not point out Cam Newton? Again in 2015, he led the Carolina Panthers to a franchise-best 15-1 common season report, taking his group all the way in which to Tremendous Bowl 50, the place they’d run into Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos. Seven years on and his beloved Panthers discovered themselves 0-2 coming into week three. They’ve managed to place issues proper, securing their first win of the marketing campaign in opposition to the New Orleans Saints regardless of the Louisiana-based franchise gaining 133 extra yards than their opponents.
However what different speaking factors have been there on week three?
Cincinnati Bengals get their first win of the brand new season
The opening weeks of the brand new yr have been considerably of a actuality verify for the Bengals. Final season, they ended the common season with a report of 10-7 earlier than defeating the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs en path to reaching their first Tremendous Bowl in 34 years. And so they have been mere minutes away from profitable that sport till that final gasp landing disadvantaged them of a primary Lombardi trophy in franchise historical past.
And if the ache in Cincy was already at an all-time excessive after that defeat, issues solely bought worse on week one of many new season. They hosted their arch rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers of their season’s curtain raiser. The Bengals appeared to be on target for victory when Ja’Marr Chase caught QB Joe Burrow’s go for a last-minute landing, tying the sport up at 20-20. Evan McPherson – whose boot is often so dependable – missed the PAT, the primary miss of his profession with the Bengals. As such, the sport went into extra time, the place McPherson would miss one other effort, this time a subject purpose. That opened the door for the Steelers to steal a outcome on the demise and consign the Ohio-based outfit to defeat.
In week two, there was extra but ache to comply with. Away on the Dallas Cowboys, the Bengals fell to a halftime deficit of 16 factors to three earlier than battling again to tie the sport up at 17-17 in Arlington. Extra subject purpose ache would comply with although, with Cowboys kicker Brett Maher sending his final try and safe victory for the hosts over.
In week three, nevertheless, it might all change for the Bengals. They traveled to the New York Jets, and quarterback ‘Jackpot Joey’ – as he’s affectionately recognized – was again to his finest. He threw for 261 yards as his facet recorded a 27-12 victory and at last bought their new season up and working.
Aaron Rodgers’ Packers edge out Tom Brady’s Bucs within the battle of the QB GOATs
When you have been requested who the best quarterback in NFL historical past was, each Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers could be up there. The pair have eight (Brady 7, Rodgers 1) Tremendous Bowl rings and 7 (Brady 3, Rodgers 4) NFL MVP awards between them. And, regardless of being a mixed 83 years of age, they’re nonetheless two of the sports activities’ most interesting.
In week three the pair went head-to-head, because the Inexperienced Bay Packers traveled to the Raymond James Stadium to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In a good affair, it was the guests who managed to tug out a 14-3 lead on the midway mark, with Rodgers throwing two touchdowns, firstly to Romeo Doubs after which to Allen Lazard.
The hosts would battle again via a sequence of subject targets within the second half. And with the Bucs inside putting distance, they’d pounce. Late within the fourth quarter, Brady discovered Russell Gage in the long run zone to deliver their facet inside two. They tried for a two-point conversion however got here up wanting, permitting the guests to go again to Wisconsin with the spoils.
Miami Dolphins’ excellent begins proceed
Previous to the beginning of this season, you’d have been hard-pressed to search out many followers or pundits tipping the Miami Dolphins for achievement. What a distinction a number of weeks could make. Within the opening week of the brand new season, the Dolphins hosted the perennial winners which are the New England Patriots. The Massachusetts-based facet has been to the Tremendous Bowl a report 11 instances, profitable six of them. Nevertheless, they got here unstuck in Florida, falling to a 20-7 defeat courtesy of QB Tua Tagovailoa throwing for 242 yards.
In week two, it appeared like they have been headed for defeat on the highway in Baltimore. Nevertheless, an unimaginable 28-3 fourth-quarter comeback – wherein Tagovailoa threw an unimaginable 4 touchdowns – meant that the guests headed again to Miami with a 42-38 victory.
In week three a a lot sterner check was on the playing cards because the Tremendous Bowl favorites Buffalo Payments got here to city. They too have been put to the sword, nevertheless, thanks to 2 touchdowns from working again Chase Edmonds, leaving the Payments licking their wounds following a 21-19 defeat. How far the Dolphins can go this season stays to be seen, however with a report of 3-0 to this point, don’t be stunned to see them within the playoffs for less than the third time in 21 years.
