NFL Week 2 Bests & Worsts: Rex Ryan Has The NFL's Hottest Seat
Every week, we’ll go through some of the best and worst of the notable Sunday performances and plays. Here they are for Week 2.
Hottest Seat: Rex Ryan, Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan found a scapegoat for his team’s horrendous 0-2 start: offensive coordinator Greg Roman. That may seem ridiculous given how the team has played in the first two weeks of the season, but not much makes sense when either Ryan brother is involved.
The Bills have given up 400.5 yards per game which ranks 22nd in the NFL. They’ve done that against the Ravens and Jets, teams that aren’t exactly offensive juggernauts. Yes, the defensive-minded combination of Rex and Rob Ryan has failed to produce for the Bills. Who could have seen that coming?
While Ryan only arrived in Buffalo last year, his 8-10 record with the franchise puts him at risk. What’s worse, the team’s ownership met with players without Ryan present, before they decided to fire Roman. They’re already putting Rex on the outs to get the truth from the players. That’s not a good sign.
Offensive Player of the Week: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan decimated the Oakland Raiders defense on Sunday, throwing for 396 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Ryan led the Falcons to a 35-28 road win and got the Falcons back to .500 in the process.
This is the second-straight week the much-hyped Raiders defense has been torched and the second week in a row they’ve faced the eventual offensive player of the week honors. Drew Brees got the nod from us in Week 1.
Defensive Player of the Week: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
As the kids would say, “Von Miller is beasting!” That couldn’t be more true, as the Broncos’ stud linebacker terrorized the Colts on Sunday, racking up seven tackles, three sacks, a pass defended and a forced fumble. The last sack set up the game-clinching touchdown via an Andrew Luck fumble.
Miller already has four sacks on the season and is slowly creeping into J.J. Watt territory.
Randy Fasani Award: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yeesh, this was awful. Winston easily takes home the Fasani award for worst starting quarterback this week after a four-interception performance. Jameis was 27-of-52 for 243 yards, with one touchdown, those four picks and a fumble. He averaged just 4.67 yards per completion and finished with a passer rating of 39.2. The Arizona Cardinals defense blew up the second-year signal-caller, hitting him eight times and sacking him three.
It was a forgettable week for Winston and the Bucs in a 40-7 loss.
Most Impressive Rookie: Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
No, Wentz didn’t blow up the stat sheet this week, but in his first Monday Night Football appearance the rookie quarterback made things look easy. The No. 2 pick from the 2016 NFL Draft was in complete control as the Eagles thoroughly dominated the Chicago Bears 29-14. Philadelphia is now 2-0 with a road win under its belt.
Wentz completed 21 of 34 passes for 190 yards, with a touchdown and no turnovers. Meanwhile, the man picked before Wentz, Jared Goff, is backing up Case Keenum in Los Angeles. Wentz is already looking like a legit NFL starting quarterback while Goff is holding a clipboard.
Worst Impending Film Session: Perrish Cox, Tennessee Titans
Cox got run over by Matt Stafford. Yes, a defender was trucked by one of the least mobile quarterbacks in the NFL. While the 29-year-old cornerback later sealed the game with a late interception, film session is still not going to be fun this week.
Handsomest Injury: Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots
Just when Jimmy G. was rising up the ranks of the “best looking NFL quarterback” standings, tragedy struck. He sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder against the Dolphins on Sunday and is likely to miss the next few weeks.
Don’t feel too bad, I’m sure there are plenty of ladies who’d offer to nurse Garoppolo back to health.
Mother of the Year: Carmen Gordon
Melvin Gordon’s mom gave him the definition of tough love as a rookie. Carmen Gordon refused to wear her son’s jersey until he scored an NFL touchdown. She had to wait the length of his rookie year, as Gordon never found the end zone in his first season.
After Melvin scored two times in Week 1 of the 2016 season, Carmen finally suited up in her son’s jersey for Week 2. He rewarded her with another touchdown and his first career 100-yard game.
Nice work, mom.
Worst Kickoff Return: Ted Ginn, Carolina Panthers
This was just…wow. I don’t even have a witty remark that could improve the hilarity of that play.
Best Ref-plant of the Week: Undrey Wash
Wait for it…
We have a piper down!
Most Likely to Sell You a Monorail: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Look Cam, I’m a fan of a smart looking suit too but…what, exactly, is going on here?
Lyle Lanley sure has aged well.
Most Helpful Teammate: Justin Hardy, Atlanta Falcons
“Don’t even trip guys, I got you.”
You Did What? Face of the Week: Cassius Marsh, Seattle Seahawks
Marsh looks like one of his teammates just told him he bred raptors.
My Squad > Yours: LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots
Mike McCoy Update: Still awful
Despite a 38-14 win over the Jaguars, the Chargers head coach still doesn’t deserve his job.