Week Two of the 100th season is officially in the books. While this week’s action was arguably less entertaining than the opening one, there were still some standout moments among players. Week Two brought us a Heisman Trophy-winning QB battle, a conference championship rematch, strong divisional matchups, and another asinine Miami Dolphins performance. Nevertheless, I return with the Week Two edition of my NFL stock market. Who’s stock rose from last week, and who dropped-off in their performance?
Stock Up: Lamar Jackson vs. Cardinals
Week 2 Stats: 65% completion percentage, 272 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 16 carries, 120 rushing yards, and a 104.8 passer rating.
Lamar Jackson, in Week Two, showed us, once again, how much he improved as a quarterback this offseason. His stock rose last week due to a blistering performance against the Dolphins. Although I praised his Week One perfect passer rating game, I did mention that it was against the Dolphins. The biggest thing for Jackson following a game like that was to prove it wasn’t a one-off event, something he did with ease.
As stated previously, Jackson showed us he can throw the ball yet again. And, against the Cardinals, he also did what he’s best at: running the ball. His 120 rushing yards led the game and were third in the NFL that week.
I’m not saying the Cardinals are an elite defense by any means, but I must give credit where credit is due. It’s hard to win an NFL game no matter how bad the team may be. But, honestly, what else is there to say about the kid? He’s had back-to-back games where he’s looked like an elite-level NFL quarterback (you’ll hear that often).
Even though it’s still early in the season, it’s not crazy to call Jackson an MVP candidate. He’s just been that good. I wasn’t one that was high on the Ravens this season after losing key defensive starters in the offseason. However, Jackson has changed my opinion mightily. If he can continue passing the ball efficiently, as well as run the ball “like a running back,” then he’ll lead Baltimore far this season.
Jackson and the Ravens take on the Chiefs next in what should be a true test for the young quarterback. The Chiefs aren’t known for their defense but rather for their blistering speed and constant supply of weapons on offense. The challenge for Lamar Jackson will come in keeping up and eventually outplaying Patrick Mahomes. Can he keep his stock rising? Perhaps.
Stock Down: Kirk Cousins vs. Packers
Week 2 Stats: 43.8 completion percentage, 230 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 2 interceptions, and a 52.9 passer rating.
The three-year, $84-million quarterback is certainly living up to his standard. That’s, of course, sarcasm. Kirk Cousins hasn’t lived up to the expectations that come with earning a big contract, especially when it’s fully guaranteed. When you have Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Dalvin Cook on the same offense, you should expect above-average production from your quarterback.
Cousins is surrounded by a roster that should be contending in the NFC. If this team can go 13-3 with Case Keenum as their quarterback, I see no reason why Kirk Cousins can’t draw close to that.
If I started this series a year ago, Cousins may have had the most stock downs of any quarterback expected to win. In terms of his career, he’s 5-26 against winning teams, is 13-24-2 on the road, and 7-25 in primetime. He’s overrated according to his contract, and at 31 years old, there’s a large enough sample size to label his play a disaster.
I believe that the NFC North is the hardest division in football. The rest of the season will be beyond difficult for Cousins and the Vikings. Minnesota faces the Oakland Raiders in Week 3, and if they want to contend in a division with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, an elite Packers defense, a promising Lions squad, and the established Chicago Bears, then Kirk Cousins needs to play better.
Stock Up: Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott vs. Redskins
Prescott’s Week 2 Stats: 86.7 completion percentage, 263 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 123.5 passer rating.
Elliott’s Week 2 Stats: 23 rushes, 111 rushing yards, and 1 rushing touchdown.
My NFC favorites shined yet again. After holding out for a new contract, Ezekiel Elliott had a slow game against the Giants with only 53 rushing yards. However, to combat that, Dak Prescott decided to throw for 405 yards himself. Fast forward to Week 2, Elliott improved while Prescott stayed consistent.
Once again, Prescott looked like an elite quarterback, completing over 78% of his passes. The deal with Prescott is the same as last week. His poise lifted the Cowboys to their second straight win. You can argue that having the best offensive line in football would warrant any quarterback to put up the numbers Prescott has. Nonetheless, through two weeks, he has seven touchdown passes coupled with only 12 incompletions. Prescott is another player who’s launched himself into the early MVP conversation.
Ezekiel Elliott is finally finding his stride after an uncharacteristic performance in week one. The Washington Redskins are no scrubs, but Elliott ran over them anyways. Elliott was trusted on crucial third-downs which worked out well for Dallas all game long. That included an eventually rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Elliott’s stock rises, as it looks like he’s back to his elite form. The holdout clearly had some effect on him in the later parts of the preseason and last week. He managed to shake it off, notching 36 carries, 164 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns this season All of those totals are his most through two games in any season of his career. What does this mean, though? It means that teams should fear Zeke.
All signs point to Elliott not having a cap on his carries for the rest of the season. If that’s truly the case, then seeing the Cowboys in the Super Bowl is that much closer to becoming reality. It’s early, and I understand why you wouldn’t crown Dallas as contenders yet. However, as the season goes on, Elliott is only going to get better. That continues with the abysmal Miami Dolphins, who I expect Elliott to feast on.
The stock is up for Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. Don’t be surprised if you see them here next week.
Stock Down: Eli Manning vs. Bills
Week 2 Stats: 57.8 completion percentage, 250 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 2 interceptions, and a 62.3 passer rating.
For the past few seasons, Eli Manning has been one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks. He proved that against the Bills last week. Manning’s below-average performance against one of the lesser teams in the league was enough to warrant his benching.
Whether you think Manning is a hall of fame quarterback or not, his stock falls because he lost his starting spot. From here on out, Daniel Jones will be the man under center for the Giants and rightfully so.
We don’t know what will happen, but for now, it seems like Manning is done being a starting quarterback in this league. If you ask me, Manning should request a trade to a team depleted at the quarterback position. Teams that come to mind include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguar,s or even the New Orleans Saints (despite the fact he’d end up being benched again).
I really don’t know what else to say about this guy. The Giants gave him a chance to turn their misfortune around for the past few seasons. With a running back like Saquon Barkley, the Giants should at least be looking to contend for a wildcard spot. That’s not the case, though, and now it’s the next man up. Manning will be remembered for bringing New York two Super Bowl rings, but it’s now Daniel Jones’ time.
Stock Up: Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Jets
Week 2 Stats: 6 receptions, 161 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.
We all knew Odell Beckham Jr. was returning to Metlife Stadium for the first time since his trade from the Giants, but what we didn’t know was that he was going to torch the opposing team.
Beckham was another player who had an uncharacteristic week one performance. Fresh out the gate this week, Beckham went to work fast, making a one-handed grab in the same spot he did against the Cowboys in 2014.
If that wasn’t enough, Beckham secured the Browns win a blistering 89-yard touchdown which saw him completely outrun the Jets’ secondary. Beckham showed out big time on his former playing grounds.
The question now is if Beckham can keep up these high-level performances. I don’t see the Browns as the favorites to win the AFC North, but they’re greatly improved from last season. Beckham’s first big test of the season will be against the defending NFC Champions Los Angeles Rams.
Those lights that shine on Odell Beckham Jr. will never dim. Whether it’s because of his eye-catching grabs or because he wears his watch while playing, what matters most is his on-field production. He believes he’s one of the best WRs in football. You have a better team around you than you had in New York. It’s time to make it happen. All of the cards are in Beckham’s hands, so let’s see if he can continue to raise his stock and help the Browns win the AFC North.
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