Week 2 Recap & MNF Preview

Sept, 19th, 2022

Sep 19, 2022

Comeback Sunday!

Dolphins rally from 21-point 4th quarter deficit

The Dolphins scored an incredible four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to complete the most unlikely of comebacks. It was the first 21-point 4th-quarter comeback in 15 years in the NFL and it was completed by a Dolphins squad who until recently been considered ‘boring’.

Tua Tagovailoa had a career day going 36/50, 462 yards and an amazing 6 TD passes. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle each had 11 catches and two TDs for a combined 361 yards in what was a breakout game for the Dolphins offence. Hill was criticized by many for comparing the Dolphin’s offence to his old team led by Patrick Mahomes in KC, but all of his critics are silent this morning.

It was a devastating collapse by the proud Ravens defence, known as game closers. They were unable to close the door for their QB Lamar Jackson who also had an impressive day with 318 yards passing, 3 TD passes, 119 yards rushing, and 1 rushing TD.

Jets score two TDs in final 2 minutes to upset Browns

It was a spectacular collapse of fairy tale proportions by the Browns. Cleveland scored just inside the final 2 minutes of play to go up by two touchdowns and most casual fans likely switched games to another game on another channel. Hard-core Browns fans knew better.

The collapse started of course with a missed extra point. But the situation was still under control at that point. When Joe Flacco found Corey Davis for a 66-yard pass with two Brown’s safeties inexplicable watching the play as spectators, there was a collective groan by Clevelander’s everywhere. But again the situation was still under control, they simply needed to collect the on-side kick and assume victory formation.

But when the Jets predictably collected the on-side kick, it seemed the Brown’s fate was already sealed. The Jets marched the field in less than a minute on 9 plays capped by a 15-yard pass from Flacco to Garett Wilson. The extra point put the Jets up by a single point for the victory. Brownie the Elf’s presence at midfield this season might be short-lived.

Cardinals score twice on final play of game to force OT

It was classic Kyler Murray in the final two drives of the game who proved too elusive for the Raider’s defence to handle. The Cardinals overcame a 20-0 first half and scored 8-point touchdowns on their final two possessions of regulation to send the game into OT.

Kyler Murray was the key to victory as the Raider defence seemed incapable of tackling the slippery QB. On the first 2-point conversion, Kyler held the ball for an eternity before cutting across the field from the 20-yard line to run into the end zone untouched. The second conversion was an equally impressive pass to find AJ Green in the back of the end zone.

The Raiders looked primed to win the game in OT after stopping Murray on fourth down and marching the ball into field goal range. But a fumble by a Raider receiver opened the gates to heaven for Byron Murphy to claim victory on a 59-yard walk-in, walk-off touchdown.

Week 2 - MNF Preview

It is a special Monday Night Football broadcast tonight as we are treated with not one, but two MNF games to watch simultaneously.

Line: Bills -10, 47.5

The Buffalo Bills are consensus favourites to return to (and win) the Super Bowl for the first time since Scott Norwood’s wide right attempt in 1993. The hype train is currently at full in fifth gear and gaining speed after their crushing of the defending champs from Los Angeles on opening night.

The Bills are early (+250) favourites to represent the AFC in the Super this season. Josh Allen is also a (+400) favourite to dethrone Aaron Rodgers as MVP this year. But Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs may still have something to say about those outcomes this season.

The Titans let a game slip away from them last week losing 21-20 to the Giants at home. But the Titans are defending AFC South winners after going 12-5 last season. The expectation of this club is to repeat as winners of this division that may be the softest in the AFC.

The Titan’s offence is consistently good, albeit often predictable. Ryan Tannehill is accurate with the ball and typically makes good decisions. Derrick Henry returns once more in the backfield for the Titans and is still a premier running back in the NFL. Tennessee’s defence will be put to the test tonight as playing in Buffalo on a Monday night will be their toughest game all season.

My Pick: Over (47.5)

The Bill’s offence looks to already be in late-season form and it seems unlikely that any defence can hold them under 31 points right now. In fact, 35 points or more seems very reasonable for the Bills tonight. Just two touchdowns from the Titans should be enough to push this game over the total. That seems reasonable if Tennessee finds itself in a hole early and are pressing to come back.

Philadephia Eagles Vs Minnesota Vikings, 8:30 EST

Line: Eagles -2.5, 49

Both these teams picked up quality wins in week 1 and each now has playoff expectations behind them.

The Eagles held off a late game surge from the feisty Lions team at Ford Field to hang onto a 38-35 win. As good as the Eagles looked running the ball with 218 rushing yards, their defence presented some red flags by not being able to stop the run themselves allowing 181. Being outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter by the Lions last week is also a concern for Eagles fans.

The Vikings were impressive on both sides of the ball last week taking down their rivals from Green Bay in impressive fashion, 23-7. Minnesota boasts a well-balanced and potent offence led by Kirk Cousins and RB Dalvin Cook that will be difficult to stop for any team.

My Pick: Vikings (+2.5)

I am riding the Vikings for the second straight week as I believe they are serious NFC contenders this season. Minnesota’s offence should be good for 3 or 4 TDs and 30+ points winning this game outright.

Beached Ape Bets

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