User-Endzone: Where Every Prediction Crumbles

New Orleans Saints

24:17 against the Baltimore Ravens

by Fredix

For the second week in a row, the offense needed a half to get going after the break and, led by 2nd-year QB Tyler Shough, come back from a deficit. While things looked hopeless for a long time against the Lions at the start of the season and the QB's stats weren't spectacular, the mere fact that a 0:21 deficit in the third quarter was overcome, taking the game into overtime and pushing the Lions to the brink of defeat, was remarkable.

This week, the deficit wasn't quite as large: The Saints were only trailing 9:17 at the start of the fourth quarter and played the game out for the win. It was particularly pleasing - more on this in my opinion piece - that after the failed two-point conversion at the start of the fourth quarter against the Ravens at 15:17, they weren't deterred from trying again and succeeded.

Who would have thought that before the season? The Saints as a "team to watch," entertaining and competitive... Apart from User-Endzone colleague kloisg, of course, in his season preview two weeks ago...

Los Angeles Chargers

14:26 Loss against the Las Vegas Raiders

by sportfan_1990

Last week, the Chargers were spared by my colleagues. After Week 2 and another loss, they must now be named as major losers. My colleague "DM79" predicted an 11-6 season for the Chargers in the AFC Preview here on LAOLA1.

Before the season, there was a real hype surrounding the Chargers: A playoff team with a quarterback in his prime and now with one of the best offensive play-callers in the entire NFL. Mike McDaniel moved to Los Angeles and is now in charge of the offense. However, the offense has been very underwhelming in two games so far, scoring only 14 points in each.

On Sunday, the offense proved to be very error-prone. Justin Herbert threw two interceptions. Omarion Hampton committed a costly fumble, just as he did in Week 1. And on the last drive, Joe Alt was once again caught off guard by Maxx Crosby, conceding a safety after a holding penalty in their own end zone.

Furthermore, it must be mentioned that both previous opponents – at least before the season – were considered Bottom-5 teams. And the schedule isn't kind to the Chargers, as in the next four weeks leading up to their bye week, they face the Bills, Seahawks, and Chiefs away, as well as the Broncos at home.

If they don't improve quickly, it's quite possible that the Chargers could soon be at 0-6. Furthermore, the schedule immediately after the bye week, with the Rams and Ravens away and Houston at home, will also not be easy. The schedule only becomes more manageable from late November, but by then, the Chargers' season goals might already be out of reach.

Devin Lloyd (LB, Carolina Panthers)

34:3 Victory against the Atlanta Falcons (9 Tackles, 2 Interceptions, 1 Sack, 2 Tackle for Loss, 1 Touchdown)

by sportfan_1990

Last week, the Panthers still conceded 59 points to the Chicago Bears. On the second game day, the Panthers' defense presented a completely different picture. Their opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, once again played with their third-string quarterback (Cooper Rush), but the defense only allowed three points.

The five turnovers were primarily responsible for this. Two of them can be attributed to Devin Lloyd – the offseason acquisition from Jacksonville. Besides the two interceptions, one of which he even converted into a pick-six, he also recorded a sack and nine tackles.

Last season, he was partly responsible for the Jaguars' strong defense. In the summer, he signed a three-year, $42 million contract in Carolina. Now, he is tasked with stabilizing the Panthers' defense.

In Week 1, this hadn't worked yet – even though Lloyd himself recorded 13 tackles. Now there was a bounce-back and a very dominant victory in an NFC South duel. Carolina's goal this year is also clear: to repeat winning their division.

Aaron Rodgers (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers)

3:20 Loss against the New England Patriots (23 of 39 for 187 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 2 Fumbles and sacked 4 times)

by Fredix

The Steelers' offense was not good overall, and yes, they played against a very good defense - the Patriots weren't in the Super Bowl for nothing. So, responsibility can be spread across many shoulders, but most of it always rests on the quarterback, and he didn't look good.

Rodgers' best days are (far) behind him, and he simply isn't his old self anymore. He is old.

Denzel Boston (WR, Cleveland Browns)

23:19 Victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5 Receptions, 95 Yards, 1 Touchdown)

by sportfan_1990

The Browns invested their three highest picks in the offense. The young players need to be developed this season, and a new quarterback will likely follow next year in Cleveland.

Denzel Boston was drafted in the second round with pick 39. Already in the first game against the Jaguars, Boston recorded his first touchdown. On Sunday, he was primarily responsible for the victory in Tampa Bay – the game was suspended for three hours due to a thunderstorm.

With a total of five receptions for 95 yards, he also recorded a 55-yard touchdown. He shook off three players and outran the rest of the defense.

Here you can see Boston's TD:

63

by Fredix

The "Etroit Lions" have allowed 63 first downs in the first two weeks, more than any other team. But wait, isn't there a "D" missing? Exactly! Just as the Lions are missing a 'D' on the field! The 71 points and 915 yards allowed would also be a league-high, were it not for the Colts (74 points and 1,029 yards).

Yes, to be fair, it must be said that the Lions played one game in overtime. Last season, however, they only allowed so many points and yards after four game days. The injury concerns in the secondary – safeties Joseph Kerby and Brian Branch will miss at least two more game days – are not diminishing, and replacement Avonte Maddox is out for the rest of the season.

Will they manage a turnaround this coming Sunday against the Jets? Games are hard to win with only a high-scoring offense (62 points, tied for 4th with Bears and 49ers); a "D" is also needed to turn the "Etroit Lions" back into the "Detroit Lions."

Fredix:

Early in the season, there have already been a few coaching decisions, especially regarding going for it on fourth down, that I don't necessarily understand.

Yes, of course, win probability analyses are a better basis for decisions than (my) gut feeling or intuition. It's also not for nothing that the Latin saying "Fortes fortuna adiuvat" translates in the USA to "Fortune favors the bold."

You call plays to win, not to avoid losing. I also liked the Saints' decision last week to go for the two-point conversion in overtime to win the game, instead of giving the ball to the Lions, who would then have only needed a field goal to win.

But on Week 1, there were also decisions I don't understand (e.g., Bears 4th&1 at their own 21-yard line at 21:14 in the 2nd quarter - even if it only cost them the lead, but ultimately not the game) and others I agree with (Packers going for it on 4th&1 in the 4th quarter instead of taking the field goal to make it 25:17).

This week, the Jets were on display with rather questionable play-calling: First, they didn't go for it on 4th&1 at the Packers' 9-yard line at 14:7 with eleven minutes left to play and kicked a field goal, only to fail shortly before the end of the game after a 3rd&2 and an unsuccessful run on 4th&1 at midfield with another run play. The Packers didn't win the game in regulation, but at 17:17 with 1:20 left to play, you don't give an opponent with three timeouts the ball at midfield, do you!?

I'd be interested in your opinions on these decisions, and I'm sure there were questionable coaching decisions in other games that I missed.