NFL Week 2 newest buzz, questions, information and fantasy suggestions

We have turned the web page to Week 2 of the NFL season, and league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano are breaking down the newest information and notable buzz.

Week 1 introduced plenty of questions. What ought to the Giants do about Russell Wilson and their quarterback scenario — and what will they do? What is going on on with the Dolphins after their terrible loss to the Colts of their opener? Does Justin Fields' massive efficiency imply the Jets may need a long-term repair beneath middle?

Jeremy and Dan made some calls across the league to get the newest on these conditions. Then additionally they broke down how among the most talked-about backfield timeshares shook out in Week 1 for fantasy soccer functions and what comes subsequent. It is all right here, as Dan and Jeremy reply the large questions heading into Week 2.

Soar to:
Newest on Giants' QB plan | Panic in Miami?
Is Fields the reply? | RB timeshare updates

Has something modified with the Giants' QB plan?

Graziano: Nope! Coach Brian Daboll stated Monday that Russell Wilson would begin once more in Week 2, and their plan, as of now, is to maintain going with him. A part of me wonders if the plan would possibly change as soon as left deal with Andrew Thomas is again wholesome and the offensive line is extra reliable. However I do know that Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have a really particular technique for Jaxson Dart's improvement that features particular benchmarks he should hit earlier than they're satisfied he is prepared. They've crafted this plan primarily based on earlier experiences breaking in younger quarterbacks, which embody distinguished success tales similar to Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

Nobody is saying Dart is Allen or Mahomes, however Daboll and Kafka are utilizing their previous successes to tell the plan. So far, they insist that they've perception in Wilson within the brief time period whereas they get Dart prepared for the long run. That is their present story, and so they're sticking to it — even after Wilson seemed fully misplaced towards the Commanders' cross rush Sunday.

Fowler: Regardless of Wilson's struggles, cash normally talks in these conditions, and to bench Wilson after Week 1 means the Giants would have paid him greater than $10 million for one recreation. Smart groups do not usually do such issues. And I consider the Giants are attempting to be smart right here. This can be a workforce that should keep on with a plan, and having Dart sit and study — not less than within the brief time period — may help him. Wilson is a declining player however ought to play higher this week towards the Cowboys. He gives expertise for a workforce that wants it.

Now, I do consider Dart has expedited the method primarily based on his stellar preseason. Issues clicked late within the spring, and Dart took off from there. The Giants' workers has discovered him to be a quick learner, extremely motivated and, as one workforce supply calls him, “powerful as s—.” On the very least, Dart has made a compelling case. And I am not naïve; it feels inevitable that Dart will play — most likely earlier than later. However I am not overreacting to Week 1. However what occurs if Wilson information one other dud in Week 2?

Graziano: The drumbeat will get louder. Look, I get the thought of sticking to the plan. However the Giants made Dart the No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's recreation, which suggests they are comfy with the thought of him going into the sport ought to one thing occur to Wilson. If that is the case, why would not they be comfy beginning him? This can be a matter of time, and if Wilson seems as misplaced and ineffective Sunday in Dallas as he did in Washington, I do not know the way for much longer the Giants can maintain off.

One query I've, although, is whether or not they'd flip to Jameis Winston first in the event that they determine Wilson must be benched however aren't able to put in Dart. I have not heard something to point that, but it surely might characterize a compromise of kinds.

Fowler: Once I visited the Giants' joint apply with the Jets, Winston was working the third-team offense and instantly related on a deep ball. It would not be the worst determination to play Winston and experience along with his fearless fashion. However on that very same day, the Giants inserted Dart on a drive that Wilson had began, which I filed away. Implementing a package deal for Dart within the circulation of Wilson's offense nonetheless seems like a really actual possibility.

Are the Dolphins already urgent the panic button? What are you listening to out of Miami?

Fowler: It hasn't been pressed but, however there's one someplace contained in the Dolphins' facility. When or in the event that they press it's anybody's guess. Bear in mind … it is just one week.

But it surely does really feel just like the Dolphins' season — and the purveyors of it, GM Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel — is approaching a relatively early crossroads. The Dolphins seemed uninspired and inexplicably flat Sunday in Indianapolis. Miami appears as if it is a lot better than what it confirmed, however a couple of themes emerged when asking folks across the league their impressions of the Dolphins. There are considerations concerning the roster's total expertise. The Dolphins moved on from a number of key gamers perceived as dangerous suits, which may enhance a locker room. However they relinquished confirmed expertise and changed it with cheaper choices that don't seem as succesful in some instances.

There are additionally questions on participant management. Good groups have bona fide leaders, true alphas. With all of the change, who fills that function in Miami's locker room proper now? I am not saying these gamers do not exist, however they don't seem to be apparent from the surface. It is potential robust voices will emerge. They are going to be wanted instantly, with division opponents looming the subsequent three weeks.

Graziano: I am undecided there is a workforce that wants a Week 2 win greater than Miami. After visiting its coaching camp, I used to be kind of shopping for the concept this season was going to be a little bit of a cultural reset and that issues won't be as terrible as feared. However the Dolphins seemed disastrously dreadful on either side of the ball towards the Colts, and immediately there was an entire bunch of recent proof suggesting they may very well be the league's worst workforce this season. If Week 1 was a real illustration of how Miami's season will go, issues might get actually ugly shortly. And that would imply massive modifications.

Fowler: Commerce rumors round Tyreek Hill will probably be price watching. My understanding is that Miami obtained calls on Hill however didn't present curiosity in buying and selling him. If the shedding persists, maybe these cellphone strains reopen. The Dolphins already exercised Hill's $15.85 million possibility bonus, leaving a $10 million base wage and $1.8 million in per-game bonuses.

A Chiefs reunion is low-hanging fruit and may very well be what Kansas Metropolis wants. The Chiefs can not seem to get their receiving trio of Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown on the sphere on the identical time, and a lift of explosiveness would assist.

Graziano: It could, for certain, however the Dolphins want to assist themselves firstly. There are legit questions on what sort of participant Hill is at this level, even aside from the problems he has had within the locker room and on the sidelines (which he and others have publicly mentioned). The Chiefs clearly know Hill from early in his profession and will persuade themselves he'd play higher for them than he is enjoying for Miami. But it surely has been a very long time since we have seen Hill be an explosive participant. If he does not begin enjoying higher, it may be powerful for the Dolphins to discover a commerce companion.

Hill can also be dealing with home violence allegations from his estranged spouse, in response to TMZ. Along with being a critical non-football matter, the allegations might have an effect on the curiosity of different groups in buying him in the event that they end in any type of NFL investigation and potential self-discipline.

Are you shopping for or promoting the concept Justin Fields is the reply to the Jets' QB woes?

Graziano: I'm renting with an possibility to purchase. Fields seemed lots higher than I — or virtually anybody — anticipated in his first recreation with the Jets. Until that is the worst Steelers protection in many years, a 72.7% completion proportion and 9.9 yards per cross try is price sitting up and noticing. We all know what Fields provides along with his legs, and that was on show Sunday. However what actually stood out was the beforehand elusive accuracy and contact on his downfield throws. If he has taken a giant leap in that regard, the Jets would possibly be capable to scheme round his limitations, lean into his strengths and have success with a really proficient former top-12 decide who's nonetheless solely 26 years outdated.

Fowler: I'm shopping for a low-cost duplex that I can lease out if I wish to transfer. Look, Fields has lots to supply — exhausting employee, favored by teammates, a prepared chief and extremely dynamic with loads of arm power. However we type of know what he's at this level. He has 45 profession begins and has gained solely 14 of them (not all his fault). He has by no means thrown greater than 17 landing passes in a season and completes 61% of his throws.

Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Geno Smith have made QB resurgence fashionable, and maybe Fields is subsequent in line. That will be a terrific story. However I am considerably reluctant to consider he can cross with constant precision and contact all through an NFL season. The Jets signed him as a bridge quarterback, and that is what I feel he's. However I am very open to being unsuitable. What's clear is Fields' supporting forged on offense is fairly good, significantly alongside the offensive line. Did Sunday change your notion of the Jets, Dan?

Graziano: Sure. I had been instructed to count on a slowed-down, ball-control, keep-away kind of offense that relied on the run recreation (together with Fields' working capacity) and did not ask a ton of Fields as a passer outdoors of key third-down conditions. But it surely was clear Sunday that the Jets had finished sufficient work with him as a passer that they belief him to throw it greater than we anticipated. Garrett Wilson has true No. 1 huge receiver capacity, and I do know they like their working backs lots.

I stay a little bit involved concerning the lack of guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and its long-range affect on the offensive line, and I consider the Jets might use one other dependable outdoors huge receiver to enhance Wilson. However I assumed the Jets' offense seemed higher than the Steelers' offense did Sunday, whatever the closing rating.

Fowler: Fields' efficiency was promising, and he seems able to offering the Jets' offense extra versatility than I anticipated. However offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand additionally did a pleasant job preserving the sport manageable for Fields, having him throw 22 instances (vs. 39 workforce speeding makes an attempt). Asking Fields to be a quantity thrower may very well be problematic, however scheming simpler throws to Wilson and spectacular rookie tight finish Mason Taylor will assist the quarterback thrive.

Which workforce's RB hierarchy received some readability in Week 1?

Fowler: The Bears-Vikings recreation was telling. Phrase out of Minnesota was that Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. would see a 50-50 cut up. That performed out Monday night time, with Mason getting 30 snaps to Jones' 28. Mason is the youthful (26) and extra explosive runner at this stage, and he had 15 carries for 68 yards in comparison with Jones' 23 yards on eight carries, although Jones added three catches for 44 yards and a landing. I count on the even workload to proceed, with Mason serving because the hammer and Jones the do-it-all possibility.

On the opposite aspect, D'Andre Swift logged 54 of Chicago's 67 snaps. He is clearly the No. 1 in a de facto contract 12 months (the assured cash on his three-year deal is up after 2025).

Graziano: The Jaguars' scenario received a little bit clearer Sunday, when Travis Etienne Jr. received 19 of the workforce's 26 working again touches. It received a lot clearer Monday night time once they traded Tank Bigsby to the Eagles. That leaves them with Etienne, fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten and seventh-round rookie LeQuint Allen Jr.

Tuten is the big-play burner who might push for a extra important function as he learns the league and Jacksonville's playbook. Allen is the Jaguars' third-down pass-catching again. However for now, Etienne seems as if he most closely fits what they wish to do on early downs, and I do know they suppose his ability set suits effectively into their screen-game plans. The query will probably be whether or not Tuten can earn extra touches as his rookie season goes on, or whether or not we have to wait till 2026 to see what he can do.

Fowler: The hope is Tuten can turn out to be an analogous residence run hitter for Liam Coen in Jacksonville that Bucky Irving was for him final season in Tampa Bay, easing the load on Etienne. Each Irving and Tuten are fourth-round picks with an analogous stature. That stated, Etienne has discovered his 2022-23 groove once more primarily based on the open-field explosion he displayed in Week 1. Final season was a slog, however the traits are there. Coen is expert at making a profitable run recreation.

I saved listening to how excessive Washington was on Jacory Croskey-Merritt within the preseason, and he delivered Sunday with 82 yards and a landing on 10 carries. I am anticipating his momentum to proceed. Austin Ekeler will stay an element, and the Commanders belief Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Croskey-Merritt won't be the lead again but, however he will probably be finally. Commanders gamers have been impressed by the persistence and imaginative and prescient he confirmed when working with the first-team offense in camp.

Graziano: I tentatively agree. When Rodriguez was introduced as inactive Sunday, it was a transparent signal that Croskey-Merritt was in for a major function. A tiny a part of me wonders if the Commanders may need Rodriguez up for Thursday night time's recreation with the Packers and provides another backs extra work to keep away from overloading Croskey-Merritt with two high-usage video games in a five-day span. However I've no inside data to counsel that, and being in that locker room after Sunday's recreation, I can say they have been very pleased with what they received from the seventh-round rookie. I count on him to be their essential man for the majority of this season together with Ekeler, who has his personal particular function.

We additionally got here out of Week 1 sure that Javonte Williams is the Cowboys' prime working again — a place that ought to be extra solidified after Miles Sanders' expensive third-quarter fumble towards the Eagles. Kenneth Gainwell must also have a major function forward of rookie Kaleb Johnson in Pittsburgh, not less than within the brief time period whereas Johnson works on cross safety and different areas that want ironing out.