Here are the thoughts weighing on my mind from Week 2.
Led by Phillip Rivers, the San Diego offense was in full control over the defending champions.
They controlled the ball for over 42 minutes, frustrated the Seattle secondary with 10 third-down conversions, and made a statement to the league in the sweltering 110-degree heat.
The statement is this: Put together a well-devised game plan and stay patient on offense against the Seahawks and you’ve got a chance. Yes, not everyone has Rivers and Antonio Gates (7 catches, 96 yards, 3 TDs). But that’s not really the point.
The Chargers used an array of spread formations to get their offensive players in good iso matchups against the bigger Seattle defense. Creating mismatches is what San Diego head coach Mike McCoy does best. The name of the game against Seattle is to make their bigs cover in space. For as good a safety Kam Chancellor is moving downhill, he is not nearly as comfortable moving backward. Gates was able to get by him consistently. The same can be said for linebackers K.J. Wright and Malcolm Smith.
Rivers also did an outstanding job with the short-passing game. With the Chargers able to create openings with stacks and multi-side route combinations (three receivers to one side), the veteran QB gnawed away at the Seahawks on first down with 4-to-5 yard gains. That set up the easier third down conversions.
Granted, it’s one game, and Seattle is still Seattle, especially on their turf. But this game plan is certainly repeatable, as teams like Denver, New England, and New Orleans also have dominant TEs and lightning-quick receivers that are hard to press at the line (Keenan Allen and Eddie Royal also confounded the Seattle corners with their short-area quickness). Denver is getting receiver Wes Welker back just in time…
Speaking of quick passing, it was clear that quarterback Joe Flacco had an agenda to get rid of the ball decisively against the Steelers.
His reads and drop backs were short and sweet. The result was one of his most efficient passing days. It’s not a coincidence.
Observers that criticize Flacco’s lack of quickness getting rid of the ball (the same skepticism that was shared when viewing his fit for the West Coast Offense) really haven’t been paying attention.
Flacco is at his best in a two-minute, hurry-up offensive attack. When he has quick reads, he is generally on point getting rid of the ball on time, to a designated spot. As long as he is in a rhythm, he is a consistent passer.
Think back to his games during the 2012 Super Bowl run. Specifically, the games against the Giants and the Bengals at home. The ball was out of Flacco’s hands off of three steps repeatedly and the offense moved at warp speed.
The Ravens need to continue maximizing Flacco’s quick game to keep their signal caller comfortable and precise in the pocket…
Don’t look now but the Cardinals (minus some of their best players) are at the top of the rugged NFC West.
They are finding ways to win, coming back from a 17-6 deficit against the Chargers last Monday night, and getting big plays from their special teams to deflate the Giants this week.
Bruce Arians is not only a brilliant offensive coach but he is also resourceful and embeds a mentality of “whatever it takes” to win.
This is a team that has already notched a win in Seattle under Arians’ tenure, so they are clearly comfortable going back there to dethrone the champs if it comes to that.
Arizona needs to be looked at more seriously as a contender in the NFC…
And the final word is:
The Texans might figure into the AFC playoff picture.
They mopped up Oakland on the road and already have the same number of wins they had all of last year. With an easy slate of games to start the season (at NYG, Buffalo, at Dallas), they are set up nicely to be 4-1 or even 5-0 before playing the Colts at home in a Thursday Night Football showdown.
Right now, Arian Foster looks revived, and the defense is dynamic. This could very well be the Kansas City Chiefs Part II.
