First Down Under: Where has all the NFL’s offence gone?
Two weeks is a very small sample size, but that doesn’t mean the first fortnight of the NFL season hasn’t given us some storylines worth following.
For starters, what happened to all the offence? Between 2019 and 2022, there were at least 105 passing touchdowns thrown across the first two weeks of each NFL season.
This year that number sits at a measly 66 TDs.
Meanwhile, passing yards are also down and interceptions are up. So what gives?
Well, nearly half the league’s QBs are relatively inexperienced, having been drafted in the last five years, with many of those passers still trying to prove whether they deserve to be starters.
And then there’s the defences, which have become fiendishly complex for opposing offences to figure out, while also being constructed to limit explosive plays.
It’s created a situation where old-school, smashmouth football is suddenly in vogue, which is why Buffalo (2-0) and its running game out of jumbo packages has been so effective.
Camera IconJosh Allen and the Bills have made an encouraging start. Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty Images
That’s bad news for the Jaguars, who, at 0-2, are looking at their season going up in smoke.
Since 1979, only six teams have made the postseason after starting the season 0-3, and only one team has accomplished the feat since 2000.
The Ravens (0-2) find themselves in the same position, after blowing a 10-point lead at home in the fourth quarter against the Raiders last week.
The loss highlighted pre-season concerns about the offensive line and the team’s collection of playmakers, as well as what impact the departure of defensive coordinator Mike McDonald would have.
The Cowboys (1-1) had there own share of concerns going into the year, which were on full display in a beat-down by the Saints last week.
It’ll be fascinating to see what Dallas can muster against a motivated Baltimore team in Week 3.
The Vikings make a home stand against the Texans in a battle of undefeated teams.
Before the season, Houston would’ve been an easy pick here, but Vikes journeyman QB Sam Darnold has looked surprisingly solid, and Brian Flores’ defence has been extremely impressive, with its exotic pressure packages.
It’ll be a great test for sophomore Texans gunslinger CJ Stroud, who has been excellent and bucked the league-wide trend of underwhelming young QBs.
Camera IconKamari Lassiter of the Houston Texans celebrates with teammates after making an interception against Chicago. Credit: Tim Warner/Getty Images
Talking about bucking trends, the aforementioned Saints (2-0) are proving there’s no dip in offensive production in the Big Easy this season.
Two big wins, albeit one against the lowly Panthers, has this team humming, and in Week 3 they’ll host an Eagles (1-1) team still licking its wounds from a last-gasp loss to the Falcons.
If Philly doesn’t bounce back, and the likely absence of star wideout AJ Brown won’t help, then things could start to get dicey in the City of Brotherly Love for coach Nick Siriani.
There was lots of love in the Falcons (1-1) locker after that win over the Eagles, but now they’ll host an undefeated Chiefs team that looks like the best team in football.
No one could accuse the Steelers or Chargers of being the best teams in football, but both are undefeated through two games, and look set to give us a throwback game in Week 3.
Running the football and good defence. It’s not sexy, but it wins games. Close, low-scoring games. This won’t be a points fest, that’s for sure.
San Francisco QB Brock Purdy might put up some points, though, after not getting much going last week in his team’s shock loss to the Vikings.
The 49ers (1-1) will be too good for an injury depleted Rams (1-1) outfit in this NFC West clash.
Same goes for the Bengals (0-2) when they welcome the Commanders (1-1) to Cincinnati.
The slow-starting Bengals desperately need a win, and Washington rookie QB Jayden Daniels needs to show why he was drafted at No.2 overall.
Not-so-fun-fact: Through two weeks, rookie QBs are yet to throw a touchdown from more than 200 combined pass attempts.
Texans @ Vikings, tomorrow, 1-4.25am, 7MATE
Eagles @ Saints, tomorrow, 1-4am, ESPN
Chargers @ Steelers, tomorrow, 1-4am, ESPN2
49ers @ Rams, tomorrow, 4.25-7.30am, 7MATE
Ravens @ Cowboys, tomorrow, 4.25-7.30am, ESPN
Chiefs @ Falcons, tomorrow, 8.15-11.30am, ESPN
Jaguars @ Bills, Tuesday, 7.30-10.30am, ESPN
Commanders @ Bengals, Tuesday, 8.15-11.15am, ESPN2
#NFLs #offence