Column: Ravens may have blown their Super Bowl window

September 21, 2021

AP/Terrance Williams

At long last, the Baltimore Ravens dispatched of the Kansas City Chiefs, overcoming a late 11-point deficit to turn what was previously one of the most lopsided matchups — Sunday night’s 36-35 thriller was Baltimore’s first win over KC since 2012 — into a true rivalry.

Despite the relief over getting the proverbial monkey off the Ravens’ backs, the win will ring a bit hollow without a championship ring to top it off. And Baltimore’s approach to 2021 may have undermined that effort.

Lamar Jackson’s double triple and clutch jump pass finally announced to the football world that he can go toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes, the player with whom Jackson will always be compared to because of consecutive masterpiece seasons in which each won MVP successively — even though Mahomes has never done it with a league-high 15 teammates on injured reserve as Jackson is trending toward doing.

However, Kansas City has managed to keep a ridiculous bevy of weapons around Mahomes and just revamped their offensive line in response to the stunning 31-9 throttling in Super Bowl LV. Even with Sunday night’s loss, the Chiefs remain the favorite to make a third straight trip to the Super Bowl.

What was Baltimore’s answer to a passing offense ranked dead last in just about every passing metric the last two years? Signing Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal — essentially picking up Kansas City’s scraps.

The Ravens are wasting the NFL’s greatest gift: a franchise quarterback playing on a rookie contract. Jackson’s cap number this season is $3 million. It’s generally impossible to get a championship-caliber signal caller that cheap otherwise, and it allows the franchise to build up a great team around him.

Week 13
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson flips into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Yet with that benefit, the Ravens failed to make two potentially franchise-altering moves in the offseason: signing J.J. Watt, and trading for Julio Jones.

I know, I know. It smacks of Washington in 2000: Watt and Jones are two 30-something players on the back end of their careers commanding big money. But this is way different from the “Fortune .500” disappointment in D.C.

Both Watt and Jones are the personification of what the Ravens look for at their respective positions, and considering Baltimore’s need for difference-makers on the defensive line and (especially) at receiver, these would be worthy gambles for the next year or two.

Jones should be self-explanatory, given Baltimore’s obvious struggles in the passing game. Josh Allen’s renaissance after Buffalo acquired Stefon Diggs is the blueprint for what Jones could do for Jackson — especially considering Jones is an established veteran and two-time All-Pro. His presence both on the field and in the locker room could even boost the performance of some of Baltimore’s younger receivers (I’m looking at you, 2019 first-round pick Marquise “Hollywood” Brown). Tennessee gave up a second-round pick and a fourth-rounder for Jones. That’s a discount for a player that, when healthy, can be dominant.

Watt’s impact in Arizona has yet to translate to gaudy numbers in the box score, but his presence has helped Chandler Jones dominate in the first two weeks of the season. In Baltimore, Watt would have the benefit of lining up next to Calais Campbell and the up-and-coming Justin Madubuike to form one of the most dominant defensive line tandems in the league. That would be huge for a team so depleted by injury on the back end of the defense.

Also, Jones and Watt are veterans running out of chances to win a Super Bowl. Thanks to a 14-win 2019 season, Baltimore is widely considered a contender. And with Jones carrying a $4.1 million cap hit for this season and Watt at $4.9 million (according to Spotrac), the Ravens could have mounted an all-out assault on a championship in 2021, and even 2022 — even if their cap numbers skyrocketed to $14.3 million and $15.9 million, respectively.

Baltimore could afford that without dramatically altering the roster. As stated before, Jackson’s 2021 cap hit is a measly $3 million in what is the final year of his rookie contract. Assuming he plays under his fifth year option next season, $23 million is still considered a bargain for an MVP-caliber QB.

The Ravens entered the offseason with over $20 million in cap space for 2021, and are currently projected to have $28 million in cap space next year, according to overthecap.com. It would take some creative accounting to fit in Watt and Jones at the above numbers, but Baltimore could pull it off.

Perhaps the Ravens still make a run as currently constituted. After all, this franchise won both its Super Bowl titles as wild card underdogs and the 2010 Green Bay Packers overcame 17 players on IR to improbably clutch the trophy named for patriarch Vince Lombardi. But it’s hard to dispute that Watt and Jones would drastically improve Baltimore’s odds.

I recognize that here in Washington, we’re accustomed to constantly (and often rightfully) second-guessing the NFL franchise while Baltimore has enjoyed a first-class organization that largely does the right things the right way. But it looks like this is one instance where the Purple and Black needed to take a more Burgundy and Gold approach.

Click here to check out Rob’s take on the Packers-Lions game on MNF.

Rob Woodfork

Rob Woodfork is WTOP's Senior Sports Content Producer, which includes duties as producer and host of the DC Sports Huddle, nightside sports anchor and sports columnist on WTOP.com.

<p><b><i>Lions 17</i></b><br />
<b><i>Packers 35</i></b></p>
<p>It&#8217;s fitting that Aaron Rodgers wears green (for now) because only Cheeseheads <a href="https://youtu.be/VFQkQ1-D2g4?t=35">like him when he&#8217;s angry</a>.</p>
<p>As we should have predicted following last week&#8217;s <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1437844498671882241?s=20">discount double nut shot</a>, Rodgers has now been victorious in his last nine starts following a loss, throwing 24 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in those games. Three of those TDs were to Aaron Jones Monday night, <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1440140253789102080?s=20">making for some MNF history</a>. Green Bay&#8217;s last dance isn&#8217;t over just yet.</p>
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 20: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws under pressure from Julian Okwara #99 of the Detroit Lions during the first half at Lambeau Field on September 20, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
<p><em><strong>Chiefs 35</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Ravens 36</strong></em></p>
<p>I know it&#8217;s only Week 2 … but like Washington, Baltimore saved its season by winning a prime-time thriller against a team that previously had its number.</p>
<p>Lamar Jackson&#8217;s <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/20/lamar-jackson-records-11th-career-double-triple-with-239-pass-yards-107-rush-yards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">double triple</a> (his fifth career game with over 100 rushing yards and 200 passing yards) earned him his first win at Kansas City&#8217;s expense in four tries, and the Ravens defense forced two late Chiefs turnovers, including Patrick Mahomes&#8217; first career interception in Sept. (made by Prince George&#8217;s County native Tavon Young) in what is also his first career loss in this month. Even with a league-leading 15 players in injured reserve, there&#8217;s hope in Charm City.</p>
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — SEPTEMBER 19: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens dives into the end zone past the tackle of Michael Danna #51 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at M & Bank Stadium on Sep. 19, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
<p><em><strong>Titans 33</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Seahawks 30 (OT)</strong></em></p>
<p>This could have been a coronation for Seattle. Pete Carroll became the fourth man to coach an NFL team after age 70 and Russell Wilson could have become the third fastest QB to reach 100 career wins. But Derrick Henry stiff-armed all that — and the reigning two-time rushing champ might just be the first player to top 2,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons.</p>
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes for a touchdown with Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams (33) in the background during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
<p><b><i>Cowboys 20</i></b><br />
<b><i>Chargers 17</i></b></p>
<p>What surprised me: Tony Pollard being this much better than Ezekiel Elliott through two games, the Chargers defense holding Dak Prescott without a touchdown and Justin Herbert having an upside down TD: INT ratio in the first two weeks of the season.</p>
<p>What I expected: <a href="https://twitter.com/WerderEdESPN/status/1439737500453326851?s=20">Dallas playing a virtual home game</a> in a city that hasn&#8217;t embraced the Chargers (and may never) and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/19/mike-mccarthy-tries-to-explain-questionable-clock-management-before-field-goal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike McCarthy proving himself to be a decidedly mediocre NFL head coach</a>.</p>
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA — SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Tony Pollard (20) of the Dallas Cowboys scores a touchdown over defensive back Nasir Adderley (24) of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on Sep. 19, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
<p><b><i>Falcons 25</i></b><br />
<b><i>Buccaneers 48</i></b></p>
<p>Death, taxes and Tom Brady beating Atlanta.</p>
<p>Forget the Super Bowl LI result (<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32214122/matt-ryan-super-bowl-loss-tom-brady-head-atlanta-falcons-face-tampa-bay-buccaneers">as Matt Ryan says he has</a>). Brady is 9-0 against the Falcons in his career, only the sixth QB to win that many games without a loss against a single opponent since 1950. Oh, and Tampa&#8217;s the first team to tally nine straight games scoring over 30 points. The two teams to do it eight times? Brady&#8217;s Patriots in 2007 and 2010-11. This dude ain&#8217;t human.</p>
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs past Atlanta Falcons linebacker Steven Means (55) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
<p><b><i>Vikings 33</i></b><br />
<b><i>Cardinals 34</i></b></p>
<p>For as bad a loss as this was for Minnesota, <a href="https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1439744233724841986?s=20">the Vikings broadcast team perhaps took a bigger L</a> with the missed call of Greg Joseph&#8217;s missed field goal. The Land of 10,000 Lakes will have a long season that feels like 10,000 games.</p>
GLENDALE, ARIZONA — SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Rondale Moore #4 against defensive end Danielle Hunter #99 and outside linebacker Nick Vigil #59 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on Sep. 19, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
<p><em><strong>Raiders 26</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Steelers 17</strong></em></p>
<p>I know the Raiders are, for the first time in their illustrious franchise history, off to a 2-0 start over a pair of playoff teams from the previous season &#8212; and they did it Sunday despite coming east on a short week to play a 1 p.m. kickoff without several key players (again disproving, and perhaps eliminating, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYeGCHNEi1A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Dave Preston Corollary</a>) &#8212; BUT LOOK AT THIS STIFF ARM!</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1439644683362344961?s=20</p>
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) dives into the end zone with Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Johnathan Abram (24) defending for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
<p><strong><em>49ers 17</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Eagles 11</em></strong></p>
<p>Now <em>that&#8217;s</em> what I expected to see out of Philadelphia this year.</p>
<p>What I didn&#8217;t expect to see? Former Washington stalwart Ryan Kerrigan in Kelly Green playing for a defense that let Jimmy &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-c2S-wB4R8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pretty Ricky</a>&#8221; Garoppolo run in the end zone like … well, Trey Lance. With Brandon Graham likely done for the season, Kerrigan is about to play a much bigger role than expected.</p>
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA — SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in the fourth quarter in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sep. 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
<p><b><i>Patriots 25</i></b><br />
<b><i>Jets 6</i></b></p>
<p>If Zach Wilson was <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/13/zach-wilson-feeling-a-little-whiplash-after-nfl-debut/">feeling whiplash after his debut</a>, he should be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiFNrO33bSo">screaming over his neck and his back</a> after completing as many passes to Patriots (4) in his first 10 passes as he did his own team. Welcome to the NFL, rookie. Good luck not <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/sam-darnold-seeing-ghosts-in-scary-showing-on-mnf-0ap3000001068458">seeing ghosts like your predecessor</a>.</p>
<p>And welcome to Groundhog Day. You can change the quarterbacks, change the coaches, change the uniforms — it doesn&#8217;t matter. New England has 11 straight wins over the Jets to match the longest active win streak over a single opponent with no end in sight.</p>
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, right, throws under pressure from New England Patriots’ Joejuan Williams during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
<p><em><strong>Bills 35</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Dolphins 0</strong></em></p>
<p>Buffalo pitched the first shutout of the 2021 season and first shutout of division-rival Miami since 1966 on a day in which Tua Tagovailoa suffered another tough injury. It&#8217;s hard not to think this is the game that inspires the Dolphins to bet the farm on Deshaun Watson, no matter how much trouble is swirling around him.</p>
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is sacked by Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
<p><b><i>Rams 27</i></b><br />
<b><i>Colts 24</i></b></p>
<p>A 2-0 start has become a virtual given in the Sean McVay era in Los Angeles, as the Rams are undefeated in the opening two games for the fourth straight season. We&#8217;re about to find out how good the Matthew Stafford-led Rams are when they take on the defending champs in Tampa.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, football season in Indianapolis might be over in a hurry if Carson Wentz is sidelined for multiple weeks. The Colts have to travel to face the Titans, Dolphins and Ravens in successive weeks, so <a href="https://wtop.com/nfl/2021/09/2021-afc-south-preview/">as I said in the NFL Preview</a>, this could be a rough start for a team carrying Super Bowl expectations.</p>
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA — SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball against linebacker Terrell Lewis #52 of the Los Angeles Rams in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sep. 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
<p><b><i>Saints 7</i></b><br />
<b><i>Panthers 26</i></b></p>
<p>New Orleans had more coaches sidelined by COVID protocols (8) than points scored in Carolina. <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/19/panthers-had-a-simple-plan-for-jameis-winston-get-after-him/">The Panthers&#8217; plan</a> didn&#8217;t just work, it basically justified spending most of their last two drafts on building up the defense. If this team keeps pounding, there&#8217;s a path to a playoff berth — and maybe even a gaudy won-loss record.</p>
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints tries to avoid a tackle during the second half in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sep. 19, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
<p><em><strong>Texans 21</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Browns 31</strong></em></p>
<p>This should be both scary for Cleveland and encouraging for Houston: If Tyrod Taylor finishes this game, the Texans probably win. As usual, Taylor is better than people think he is and Houston will miss him badly if he&#8217;s sidelined for an extended period.</p>
Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) rushes for a 15-yard touchdown against Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
<p><em><strong>Bengals 17</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Bears 20</strong></em></p>
<p>The focus will be on Chicago&#8217;s QB situation — as it has been since Jim McMahon left, really — but this was about a return to form for a Bears defense that intercepted Joe Burrow on three straight plays (one of which returned for a touchdown) and sacked him four times in a game they won by just three points. If this unit can do similar damage to Baker Mayfield in Cleveland, Chicago might actually be competitive this year.</p>
Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith heads to the end zone for a touchdown after intercepting a pass from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
<p><b><i>Broncos 23</i></b><br />
<b><i>Jaguars 13</i></b></p>
<p>Who knew Denver was so full of soothsayers? <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/18/von-miller-forgot-he-was-micd-up-when-he-compared-teddy-bridgewater-to-peyton-manning/">Von Miller&#8217;s Teddy Bridgewater-Peyton Manning comparison</a> looks mighty good through the season&#8217;s first two games and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/16/broncos-dremont-jones-urban-meyer-needs-to-change-the-way-he-coaches-in-the-nfl/">Dre&#8217;mont Jones looks 100% correct about Urban Meyer being in over his head</a>.</p>
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — SEPTEMBER 19: Safety Andre Cisco #38 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field on Sep. 19, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
<p><b><i>Giants 29</i></b><br />
<b><i>Washington 30</i></b></p>
<p>Daniel Jones was 4-0 against Washington and 0-5 in prime-time. Something had to give — and it was New York&#8217;s stranglehold on the Burgundy and Gold.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not the least bit hyperbolic to say Washington&#8217;s season was saved by its first walk-off win over the Giants in 40 years and second game in franchise history in which there were three lead changes in the final five minutes of the game. Big Blue blew it more than Washington won it but If Taylor Heinicke is even half <a href="https://twitter.com/NickiJhabvala/status/1438723111432736768">as good as Russell Wilson</a>, there&#8217;s hope in D.C. yet — and <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/09/17/giants-kenny-golladay-appears-to-get-into-shouting-match-with-daniel-jones/">gnashing of teeth in New York</a> after its fifth straight 0-2 start.</p>
LANDOVER, MARYLAND — SEPTEMBER 16: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team rushes from Leonard Williams #99 of the New York Giants during the third quarter at FedExField on Sep. 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(1/16)
<p><b><i>Lions 17</i></b><br />
<b><i>Packers 35</i></b></p>
<p>It&#8217;s fitting that Aaron Rodgers wears green (for now) because only Cheeseheads <a href="https://youtu.be/VFQkQ1-D2g4?t=35">like him when he&#8217;s angry</a>.</p>
<p>As we should have predicted following last week&#8217;s <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1437844498671882241?s=20">discount double nut shot</a>, Rodgers has now been victorious in his last nine starts following a loss, throwing 24 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in those games. Three of those TDs were to Aaron Jones Monday night, <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1440140253789102080?s=20">making for some MNF history</a>. Green Bay&#8217;s last dance isn&#8217;t over just yet.</p>
<p><em><strong>Chiefs 35</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Ravens 36</strong></em></p>
<p>I know it&#8217;s only Week 2 … but like Washington, Baltimore saved its season by winning a prime-time thriller against a team that previously had its number.</p>
<p>Lamar Jackson&#8217;s <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/20/lamar-jackson-records-11th-career-double-triple-with-239-pass-yards-107-rush-yards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">double triple</a> (his fifth career game with over 100 rushing yards and 200 passing yards) earned him his first win at Kansas City&#8217;s expense in four tries, and the Ravens defense forced two late Chiefs turnovers, including Patrick Mahomes&#8217; first career interception in Sept. (made by Prince George&#8217;s County native Tavon Young) in what is also his first career loss in this month. Even with a league-leading 15 players in injured reserve, there&#8217;s hope in Charm City.</p>
<p><em><strong>Titans 33</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Seahawks 30 (OT)</strong></em></p>
<p>This could have been a coronation for Seattle. Pete Carroll became the fourth man to coach an NFL team after age 70 and Russell Wilson could have become the third fastest QB to reach 100 career wins. But Derrick Henry stiff-armed all that — and the reigning two-time rushing champ might just be the first player to top 2,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons.</p>
<p><b><i>Cowboys 20</i></b><br />
<b><i>Chargers 17</i></b></p>
<p>What surprised me: Tony Pollard being this much better than Ezekiel Elliott through two games, the Chargers defense holding Dak Prescott without a touchdown and Justin Herbert having an upside down TD: INT ratio in the first two weeks of the season.</p>
<p>What I expected: <a href="https://twitter.com/WerderEdESPN/status/1439737500453326851?s=20">Dallas playing a virtual home game</a> in a city that hasn&#8217;t embraced the Chargers (and may never) and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/19/mike-mccarthy-tries-to-explain-questionable-clock-management-before-field-goal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike McCarthy proving himself to be a decidedly mediocre NFL head coach</a>.</p>
<p><b><i>Falcons 25</i></b><br />
<b><i>Buccaneers 48</i></b></p>
<p>Death, taxes and Tom Brady beating Atlanta.</p>
<p>Forget the Super Bowl LI result (<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32214122/matt-ryan-super-bowl-loss-tom-brady-head-atlanta-falcons-face-tampa-bay-buccaneers">as Matt Ryan says he has</a>). Brady is 9-0 against the Falcons in his career, only the sixth QB to win that many games without a loss against a single opponent since 1950. Oh, and Tampa&#8217;s the first team to tally nine straight games scoring over 30 points. The two teams to do it eight times? Brady&#8217;s Patriots in 2007 and 2010-11. This dude ain&#8217;t human.</p>
<p><b><i>Vikings 33</i></b><br />
<b><i>Cardinals 34</i></b></p>
<p>For as bad a loss as this was for Minnesota, <a href="https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1439744233724841986?s=20">the Vikings broadcast team perhaps took a bigger L</a> with the missed call of Greg Joseph&#8217;s missed field goal. The Land of 10,000 Lakes will have a long season that feels like 10,000 games.</p>
<p><em><strong>Raiders 26</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Steelers 17</strong></em></p>
<p>I know the Raiders are, for the first time in their illustrious franchise history, off to a 2-0 start over a pair of playoff teams from the previous season &#8212; and they did it Sunday despite coming east on a short week to play a 1 p.m. kickoff without several key players (again disproving, and perhaps eliminating, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYeGCHNEi1A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Dave Preston Corollary</a>) &#8212; BUT LOOK AT THIS STIFF ARM!</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1439644683362344961?s=20</p>
<p><strong><em>49ers 17</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Eagles 11</em></strong></p>
<p>Now <em>that&#8217;s</em> what I expected to see out of Philadelphia this year.</p>
<p>What I didn&#8217;t expect to see? Former Washington stalwart Ryan Kerrigan in Kelly Green playing for a defense that let Jimmy &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-c2S-wB4R8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pretty Ricky</a>&#8221; Garoppolo run in the end zone like … well, Trey Lance. With Brandon Graham likely done for the season, Kerrigan is about to play a much bigger role than expected.</p>
<p><b><i>Patriots 25</i></b><br />
<b><i>Jets 6</i></b></p>
<p>If Zach Wilson was <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/13/zach-wilson-feeling-a-little-whiplash-after-nfl-debut/">feeling whiplash after his debut</a>, he should be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiFNrO33bSo">screaming over his neck and his back</a> after completing as many passes to Patriots (4) in his first 10 passes as he did his own team. Welcome to the NFL, rookie. Good luck not <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/sam-darnold-seeing-ghosts-in-scary-showing-on-mnf-0ap3000001068458">seeing ghosts like your predecessor</a>.</p>
<p>And welcome to Groundhog Day. You can change the quarterbacks, change the coaches, change the uniforms — it doesn&#8217;t matter. New England has 11 straight wins over the Jets to match the longest active win streak over a single opponent with no end in sight.</p>
<p><em><strong>Bills 35</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Dolphins 0</strong></em></p>
<p>Buffalo pitched the first shutout of the 2021 season and first shutout of division-rival Miami since 1966 on a day in which Tua Tagovailoa suffered another tough injury. It&#8217;s hard not to think this is the game that inspires the Dolphins to bet the farm on Deshaun Watson, no matter how much trouble is swirling around him.</p>
<p><b><i>Rams 27</i></b><br />
<b><i>Colts 24</i></b></p>
<p>A 2-0 start has become a virtual given in the Sean McVay era in Los Angeles, as the Rams are undefeated in the opening two games for the fourth straight season. We&#8217;re about to find out how good the Matthew Stafford-led Rams are when they take on the defending champs in Tampa.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, football season in Indianapolis might be over in a hurry if Carson Wentz is sidelined for multiple weeks. The Colts have to travel to face the Titans, Dolphins and Ravens in successive weeks, so <a href="https://wtop.com/nfl/2021/09/2021-afc-south-preview/">as I said in the NFL Preview</a>, this could be a rough start for a team carrying Super Bowl expectations.</p>
<p><b><i>Saints 7</i></b><br />
<b><i>Panthers 26</i></b></p>
<p>New Orleans had more coaches sidelined by COVID protocols (8) than points scored in Carolina. <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/19/panthers-had-a-simple-plan-for-jameis-winston-get-after-him/">The Panthers&#8217; plan</a> didn&#8217;t just work, it basically justified spending most of their last two drafts on building up the defense. If this team keeps pounding, there&#8217;s a path to a playoff berth — and maybe even a gaudy won-loss record.</p>
<p><em><strong>Texans 21</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Browns 31</strong></em></p>
<p>This should be both scary for Cleveland and encouraging for Houston: If Tyrod Taylor finishes this game, the Texans probably win. As usual, Taylor is better than people think he is and Houston will miss him badly if he&#8217;s sidelined for an extended period.</p>
<p><em><strong>Bengals 17</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Bears 20</strong></em></p>
<p>The focus will be on Chicago&#8217;s QB situation — as it has been since Jim McMahon left, really — but this was about a return to form for a Bears defense that intercepted Joe Burrow on three straight plays (one of which returned for a touchdown) and sacked him four times in a game they won by just three points. If this unit can do similar damage to Baker Mayfield in Cleveland, Chicago might actually be competitive this year.</p>
<p><b><i>Broncos 23</i></b><br />
<b><i>Jaguars 13</i></b></p>
<p>Who knew Denver was so full of soothsayers? <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/18/von-miller-forgot-he-was-micd-up-when-he-compared-teddy-bridgewater-to-peyton-manning/">Von Miller&#8217;s Teddy Bridgewater-Peyton Manning comparison</a> looks mighty good through the season&#8217;s first two games and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/09/16/broncos-dremont-jones-urban-meyer-needs-to-change-the-way-he-coaches-in-the-nfl/">Dre&#8217;mont Jones looks 100% correct about Urban Meyer being in over his head</a>.</p>
<p><b><i>Giants 29</i></b><br />
<b><i>Washington 30</i></b></p>
<p>Daniel Jones was 4-0 against Washington and 0-5 in prime-time. Something had to give — and it was New York&#8217;s stranglehold on the Burgundy and Gold.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not the least bit hyperbolic to say Washington&#8217;s season was saved by its first walk-off win over the Giants in 40 years and second game in franchise history in which there were three lead changes in the final five minutes of the game. Big Blue blew it more than Washington won it but If Taylor Heinicke is even half <a href="https://twitter.com/NickiJhabvala/status/1438723111432736768">as good as Russell Wilson</a>, there&#8217;s hope in D.C. yet — and <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/09/17/giants-kenny-golladay-appears-to-get-into-shouting-match-with-daniel-jones/">gnashing of teeth in New York</a> after its fifth straight 0-2 start.</p>
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