Week Two NFL Recap
Week two was headlined by some close matchups with teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Chicago Bears coming out on top.
Ryan “Fitz-Magic” Fitzpatrick led the Buccaneers past the Eagles 27-21 Sunday in Tampa Bay continuing his hot start from week one. Over the first two weeks of the regular season, the Harvard grad has thrown for eight touchdowns and over 800 yards. Having proven deep threats like Mike Evans and Desean Jackson as well as an improved second-year tight end in OJ Howard have contributed to Fitzpatrick’s success.
It will be interesting to see how the Bucs handle the situation once their starting quarterback Jameis Winston returns from suspension. The writing on the wall seems to say that Fitzpatrick will continue as the starter even when Winston returns because he currently has the hottest hand in the NFL with possible exception to Patrick Mahomes, who will be discussed later.
“You can’t take the hot man out. You got the hot fire right now. It’s like NBA Jam, whoever’s got that hot fire shot, you got to keep shooting, man,” said Buccaneers wide receiver Desean Jackson.
Mahomes may be the only quarterback in the NFL right now with as hot a hand as Fitzpatrick after he led the Chiefs over the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Mahomes threw for 10 touchdowns in the first two weeks which proved all of the doubters of Andy Reid wrong. Mahomes proved that the Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not make a mistake in letting go of veteran quarterback Alex Smith.
Smith had previously made the pro bowl in his career and had received high praise from Andy Reid. It came as a surprise when the organization decided to move forward with Patrick Mahomes, but so far it is paying off with a 2-0 start.
The Kansas City Chiefs look to be a major power in the AFC early on here in the season. Along with the quarterback position, the Chiefs have several weapons that will continue to help them win more games moving later into the season. Kareem Hunt came onto the scene last year at running back and made an immediate, impact as well as wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce.
An exciting matchup on Monday night between the Bears and Seahawks ended with the bears on top 24-17. The Khalil Mack led Bears defense sacked Russell Wilson six times and held Seattle to only three points in the first three quarters.
The addition of Mack, one of the most talented defensive players in the NFL, continues to prove to be a great move by the Chicago Bears front office. Although the Bears allowed a big comeback in week one against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, they are still trending in the right direction with an invigorated defense as well as young talent on offense.
The Bears offense showcases Mitchell Trubisky, as well as second-year running back Jordan Howard, who is building off his strong rookie season. The Bears have also added former Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson who has shown flashes of major production in years past.
The NFC North will continue to be a battle throughout the remainder of the season. If the Bears can build off this week two win, they could potentially pose as an X- Factor in the NFC North.
David Green is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email davidrgreen95@gmail.com.
