NFL: Panic in Miami? Giants and Jets in the crosshairs after Week 1

NFL Week 2: Analysis and News

The NFL season moves into its second week, and experts Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano bring us the latest news and most relevant analysis. Week 1 left many questions. What should the Giants do with Russell Wilson and his quarterback situation? What’s up with the Dolphins after their loss to the Colts? Does Justin Fields’ outstanding performance mean a long-term solution for the Jets? Jeremy and Dan contacted various sources to obtain information about these situations. They also analyzed how the most talked-about running back rotations in Week 1 developed and what is expected for the next game. Here, Dan and Jeremy answer key questions and share their observations for Week 2.

Highlighted topics:

• Latest news on the Giants’ quarterback plan
• Panic in Miami?
• Is Fields the answer for the Jets?
• Updates on running back rotations
• More notes for Week 2

Changes in the Giants’ Field Marshal Plan?

The answer is no. Coach Brian Daboll confirmed that Russell Wilson will be the starter in Week 2, and the current plan is to keep him. However, the situation could change when Andrew Thomas returns and the offensive line is more reliable. Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have a specific strategy for Jaxson Dart’s development, based on previous experiences with young quarterbacks, including successful cases like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Although no one compares Dart to Allen or Mahomes, Daboll and Kafka build on their past successes. For now, they trust Wilson in the short term while preparing Dart for the future. This stance remains, even after an unconvincing performance by Wilson against the Commanders. Despite Wilson’s difficulties, the financial situation influences. Bench Wilson after Week 1 would mean paying him more than $10 million for a single game. The Giants are looking for a sensible plan and, for now, the strategy is for Dart to learn and Wilson to provide experience.

Description: Stephen A. Smith argues that Jaxson Dart should be the Giants’ starting quarterback sooner. Dart has progressed rapidly, proving to be a fast-learning and motivated player. It’s inevitable that Dart will play, possibly soon. But, what will happen if Wilson has another bad performance in Week 2? The pressure will increase. The Giants made Dart the backup quarterback for Sunday’s game, indicating they are prepared for him to play. If Wilson doesn’t perform in Dallas, the Giants’ patience could run out. A question is whether Jameis Winston would be the first option if Wilson is benched. Implementing a scheme for Dart in Wilson’s offense remains a real possibility.

Are the Dolphins in Crisis?

Although the alarm has not yet been activated, the situation in Miami is delicate. The Dolphins’ season, and that of their leaders, Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel, is approaching an early crossroads. The team looked uninspired against the Colts, and concerns arose about the overall talent of the roster. The Dolphins got rid of key players who didn’t fit, but the replacements might not be as capable. There are also doubts about leadership in the locker room. Good teams have clear leaders. Who will take on that role in Miami? Strong voices are needed immediately, especially with division rivals in the next three weeks. Miami needs a win in Week 2. After training camp, a cultural reset was expected, but the performance against the Colts raised doubts about whether they could be the worst team in the league. If Week 1 is indicative, the situation could quickly worsen, and that could mean significant changes. The rumors of Tyreek Hill’s transfer are relevant. Although Miami has not shown interest in negotiating him, if the defeats continue, the situation could change. The Chiefs could be a viable option for Hill. However, Hill faces domestic violence accusations, which could affect other teams’ interest and the NFL investigation.

Is Justin Fields the Solution for the Jets?

The answer is with caution. Fields showed better-than-expected performance in his first game with the Jets. With a completion percentage of 72.7% and 9.9 yards per attempt, he deserves attention. Fields is expected to improve his accuracy on long passes. If he has made a significant leap, the Jets could adapt their strategy to his strengths. Fields has a lot to offer: hardworking, valued by his teammates, a leader, and with great arm strength. However, with 45 starts and only 14 wins, there are still doubts. He hasn’t thrown more than 17 touchdown passes in a season and completes 61% of his passes. The resurrection of quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Geno Smith has created a trend, and Fields could be next. The Jets hired him as a bridge quarterback, but there’s a chance he could be more. Fields’ performance was promising and seems capable of giving the Jets’ offense more versatility than anticipated. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand did a good job of keeping the game manageable for Fields, with 22 passes. Limiting passes and easier passing schemes to Wilson and impressive rookie tight end Mason Taylor will help the quarterback thrive.

Which Teams Clarified Their Running Back Hierarchy?

The Bears-Vikings game was revealing. A 50-50 split was expected between Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. Mason had 30 plays against Jones’ 28. Mason, younger and more explosive, had 15 carries for 68 yards, while Jones had 23 yards on eight carries, plus three receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown. The workload is expected to remain, with Mason as the primary rusher and Jones as the versatile option. D’Andre Swift had 54 of the Bears’ 67 plays. He is clearly the number one in a contract year (the guaranteed money from his three-year contract ends after 2025). The Jaguars’ situation became clearer when Travis Etienne Jr. had 19 of the team’s 26 touches. Tank Bigsby’s trade to the Eagles further simplified the situation. Etienne, rookie Bhayshul Tuten, and rookie LeQuint Allen Jr. are the remaining running backs. Tuten could have a more significant role as he learns the league and Jacksonville’s playbook. Allen is the receiving back on third down for the Jaguars. For now, Etienne seems to be the best fit for what they want to do on early downs, and his skill set fits well into their screen game plans. The question is whether Tuten will be able to earn more touches as his rookie season progresses, or if we’ll have to wait until 2026 to see what he can do.

Description: Field Yates explains how Tank Bigsby’s transfer affects Travis Etienne Jr.’s fantasy numbers. The hope is that Tuten becomes a long-play player for Liam Coen in Jacksonville, similar to Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay last season, alleviating the burden on Etienne. That said, Etienne has found his 2022-23 rhythm, building on the explosiveness he showed in Week 1. Coen is skilled at creating a successful running game. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, after a standout preseason, had 82 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. His momentum is expected to continue. Austin Ekeler will remain a factor, and the Commanders are relying on Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Croskey-Merritt may not be the lead running back yet, but he will be eventually. His teammates were impressed by the patience and vision he displayed while running with the first-team offense in camp. Croskey-Merritt had a significant role. He is expected to be the primary player for most of the season, along with Ekeler, who has his own specific role. Javonte Williams is the Cowboys’ lead running back, a position that should be more solidified after Miles Sanders’ costly fumble against the Eagles. Kenneth Gainwell should also have a significant role ahead of rookie Kaleb Johnson in Pittsburgh, at least in the short term, as Johnson works on pass protection and other areas.

More News This Week

• The performance of Emeka Egbuka, the Buccaneers’ rookie wide receiver, with two touchdowns, was highlighted. Graham Barton, playing left tackle, also impressed. Barton, selected in the first round to play center, played in that position last season. When Tristan Wirfs was injured, Barton was placed as left tackle, and his good performance led the team to keep him in that position. The Buccaneers are excited to have him as an option in other positions on the offensive line besides center. • Von Miller, 36 years old and in his 15th NFL season, played more than 40% of the defensive plays for the Commanders. Miller hopes to contribute at a higher level in Washington this year. He has recovered from an ACL injury and feels strong, ready to help the team win. Miller, a two-time Super Bowl champion, ranks 16th with 129.5 career sacks. He was asked what drives him: “I love football, I love all aspects. I love practicing, watching videos, being in the locker room with the guys. If I got bored, I might want to do something else, but so far I haven’t. I just love it.” • The Lions extended Jameson Williams’ contract, but they haven’t yet reached an agreement with Aidan Hutchinson. Talks have been productive, but there’s no deal, and given that Micah Parsons’ deal set a new standard for edge rusher contracts, it could get complicated. The Lions have many incentives to do it before next spring, when their outstanding 2023 draft class, which includes Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch, becomes eligible for extensions for the first time. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been talking since spring about the difficult decisions Detroit might have to make to get their young stars to sign long-term. The Lions have drafted almost too well for their own good. • The disciplinary solution for Jalen Carter was interesting from a precedent standpoint. In the past, spitting incidents like this resulted in fines and not suspensions. The NFL announced Carter’s sanction as a one-game suspension without pay. The fine was equivalent to one-eighteenth of Carter’s base salary, i.e., one game check, and the suspension was considered to have already been served because Carter was ejected from the Eagles’ opening game before there was a single play from the line of scrimmage. • The Chiefs are frustrated because injuries and other issues (i.e., Rashee Rice’s suspension) have prevented them from keeping their wide receiver group together in recent years. They had a game plan centered around Xavier Worthy designed for last Friday’s opening game against the Chargers in Brazil, and after Worthy was injured on the third play of the game, the offense seemed out of sync… because it was. The Chiefs consider Tyquan Thornton, former second-round pick from the Patriots, one of the pleasant surprises of their preseason, but the fact is that quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn’t had all his receivers available.