"The Stack" 9-21-20

The Stack is back on this Monday and for several teams in the NFL, it almost feels like their seasons are over before they have even fully begun. Fans in New York, Philly & Minnesota are freaking out this morning and rightfully so. And week 2 was not kind to us on the injury front, but we were treated to one of the best comebacks and onside kicks you’ll ever see. So let’s get to it all and do some recap and reaction to week 2 in the NFL in “the stack” for today, Monday, September 21st:

Titans 33 Jaguars 30

There were those that said that with the Titans having the shortest week of anyone flying back home after the late game Monday night. Would they be ready for the Jaguars? Well Minshew Mania did his best to lead the Jaguars to an upset win. He threw for over 300 years against a good Tennessee defense, but his counterpart, Ryan Tannehill, was just too good. Tannehill threw four touchdowns, two of them coming to tight end Jonnu Smith and. Stephen Gostkowski kicked the game-winning field goal from over 50 yards away and the Titans took sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Great game.

Bucs 31 Panthers 17

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started out fast against the Carolina Panthers and it looked like it would be a rout, but Tom Brady still is getting used to things as he did not play all that great. The big story in this game is that Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey hurt his ankle and had to leave the game in the fourth quarter. We’ll have to wait until today to determine the severity of it.

Steelers 26 Broncos 21

When Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock went down in the first half (he’s out 2-6 weeks with a shoulder injury), it seemed like the Pittsburgh Steelers should have ran away with this game, but the Broncos did not let that happen. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskoll kept the Broncos in the game and had a chance to lead the Broncos to a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but a failed assignment left an unblocked Steeler with a shot at Driskoll and that was all she wrote. Tough loss for the Broncos. They aren’t as bad as their 0-2 record shows. The Steelers also may not be as good as their 2-0 record indicates.

Rams 37 Eagles 19

It was the Taylor Higbee show in Philly on Sunday. The L.A. Rams tight end had three touchdowns as Jared Goff and the Rams wreaked havoc on the Eagles for most of the day. The Eagles got close, but it was still a tough day for Carson Wentz and company. They are now 0-2 while the Rams are 2-0. Definitely didn’t have that at the start of the season.

49ers 31 Jets 13

How bad is it to be a New York Jets fan right now? You just got blown out at home to a team from the west coast playing an earl kickoff game. Know what depicts Jets fans to a T? Giving up a 3rd and 31 draw play to running back Jerrik McKinnon. Not only did the 49ers lose two defensive linemen to injury (Nick Bosa & Solomon Thomas), but they also lost running back Raheem Mostert and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Plus they were already without tight end George Kittle and defensive lineman Dee Ford. And they still smoked the Jets. Yikes!

Bills 31 Dolphins 28

So this Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs combination is pretty good so far. Diggs had 153 receiving yards and two total touchdowns and Allen threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns as the Bills hung on to beat the Dolphins. This Bills team appears to be pretty, pretty good. The Dolphins are competitive, but just not quite good enough to win games yet.

Colts 28 Vikings 11

If it weren’t for the Jets, there is an argument that could be made that the Minnesota Vikings are the worst team in the NFL. While the defense was a little better against Indianapolis, the Colts were still able to move the ball and put points on the board despite all of their injuries. The Vikings offense meanwhile was a disaster. Kirk Cousins played the worst game of his career in a Vikings uniform with three interceptions and a QB rating of 0 for most of the game. And he took another safety on a sack. Wasn’t his fault necessarily, but the quarterback gets the blame along with the glory. The Vikings need to figure things out and they need to figure them out fast.

Packers 42 Lions 21

The Detroit Lions had a 14-3 lead against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Key word: HAD. The Lions became the first team in NFL history to blow a double digit lead that they have held in four straight games as it was the Aaron Jones show. He had three touchdowns including a 75-yard touchdown to start the second half off. The Packers also added a pick-six on defense. The Packers are rolling right now!

Cowboys 40 Falcons 39

There will be losses this season and perhaps no loss will be as deflating as what happened to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Dallas. They jumped out to a 20-0 lead and were up 29-10 at one point. Dallas couldn’t hang onto the ball, fumbling three times in the first quarter. And then they were up 39-24 with a half a quarter to go. Then the Cowboys chipped away. Dak Prescott ran threw for over 400 yards and a touchdown and ran for three more including the one to cut the lead to 39-37. But it is the onside kick that everyone is talking about. Greg the Leg Zuerlein kicked one of the best onside kicks you will ever see. How it traveled ten yards I do not know. How the Falcons didn’t jump on it before it traveled ten yards, I do not know. The Cowboys would kick the game-winning field goal and save their season. The Falcons blowing this game is almost as bad as blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl against New England a few years back…almost. What a game!

Bears 17 Giants 13

Another fast start for Mitchell Trubisky and the Chicago Bears. Their defense was all over the place and were up 17-0, but the New York Giants chipped away and quarterback Daniel Jones had a chance to win it, but couldn’t get the job done. An even bigger loss for the Giants is losing running back Saquon Barkley to what looks like a season ending ACL injury. Rough go for them. The Bears are tied with the Packers for first place in the NFC North.

Cardinals 30 Washington 15

If you all want to get on the Kyler Murray/Arizona Cardinal bandwagon, you only have a little bit of time remaining before it leaves the station. Murray was incredible against Washington with two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown. This Cardinals team is legit and Murray is only beginning to realize just how good he can be. Watch out! Washington had no chance.

Chiefs 23 Chargers 20

What an incredible game this was. L.A. Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert got the start due to a chest injury for Tyrod Taylor and he found out he was starting only seconds before kickoff. He only ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the first half, the first rookie QB to do that since the 50s. The Chargers defense kept hall-of-famer Patrick Mahomes and company in check for much of the game, but you can onl hold him down for so long. Mahomes used his legs a lot in this game and made an incredible pass to Tyreek Hill for a touchdown to tie the game for the Chiefs, but the big story was Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. He made a 58-yard field goal in regulation and then in overtime, he made another 58-yard field goal not once, but twice after the Chargers called a timeout. Ice in his veins! Chiefs hang on to win a thriller!

Ravens 33 Texans 16

The NFL schedule makers did the Houston Texans no favors to start the year and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and company made sure to make their lives miserable. The Ravens ran all over the Texans in route to the big win. The Texans did their best to stay in the game, but they don’t have the firepower.

Seahawks 35 Patriots 30

What a thrilling SNF game this was. Russell Wilson and Cam Newton battled back and forth against each other. Wilson threw five touchdowns and Newton threw for one and ran for two more. The Patriots had a chance to win the game at the end with three seconds left and the ball at the Seahawks one-yard line, but Newton, who had so much success running close to the goal line earlier in the game, was stuffed and the Seahawks survived. Unfortunately there was some sad news to report pregame as Patriots running back James White was made an inactive for the game after his parents were in a car accident Sunday morning in Miami. White’s dad passed away and his mother is reportedly in critical condition. Certainly our thoughts and prayers are with White and his family. A horrific, tragic situation.

1-0 New Orleans Saints @ 1-0 Las Vegas Raiders 8:15 PM ET ESPN & ABC

First game in the Death Star aka Allegiant Field aka the home of the Las Vegas Raiders. It won’t be the same without any fans. Even though we have seen the Chargers and Lakers play inspired football in their home debuts, it is for that reason alone that I am going with the better team. I’m going with the Saints.

Prediction: Saints 27 Raiders 20

Coming up Tuesday: MNF reaction plus thoughts on Stanley Cup Playoffs & more.