San Diego Chargers 19 – 24 Cincinnati Bengals
Chargers are made to pay for mistakes as Bengals move to 2-0
Bengals QB Andy Dalton had a good week last week and this week turned out to be no different. Dalton, unlike some of his more famous counterparts has really hit the ground running this season. He finished the game on 16 of 26 for 214 yards and whilst these stats are particularly remarkable he did throw for three scores to three different receivers, the best of which was a 45 yarder to Wide Receiver Marvin Jones.
The Chargers only managed to score their first touchdown in the third quarter and had to rely on field goals for the first half. This game also signaled the end of Chargers QB Philip Rivers perfect passing stats from week one. Rivers had a half decent game, almost matching Dalton's with 21 of 27 for 214 yards. However it was the Bengals offense that really made the difference in this mistake filled game.
Last week the Chargers looked a complete outfit with both offense and defense performing but this week both offense and defense looked to be going through the motion, neither underperforming but neither stepping up either.
Cincinnati benched receiver Jeremy Hill after two fumbles and unfortunately for him, his replacement, Giovani Bernard went on to run for 123 yards. Dalton was quick to heap praise on his offense and after the game said "We had a good mix of everything" Ironically though the best praise was saved for Giovani Bernard and came from an unlikely source in the man he replaced, Jeremy Hill. He told reporters "He ran past guys, he ran through guys. He had a strong game"
The Chargers weren't bad yesterday, they just came across as indifferent and unfortunately for them the Bengals were strong and ready to win.
Next game for the Chargers is Sunday 27th with a road trip to Minnesota.
Baltimore Ravens 33 – 37 Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr Shakes off heartbreak and injury to lead Oakland to victory
If Raiders fans were worried that QB Derek Carr wasn't going to recover from last weeks heartbreak of his intercepted throw in a tied game or his match ending wrist injury they needn't have been. He threw for a career best of 351 yards and three touchdowns. What a difference a week makes, as Oakland really looked up for this challenge. The silver and black fans really must wonder sometimes what is needed for the Raiders to become more consistent.
Up against an unusually lack lustre Ravens defense Carr was able to move the ball around with ease, taking advantage of the fact there was very little pressure and he made them pay with some really big plays.
Baltimore QB Joe Flacco managed an even better 384 yards but with only two touchdown throws, however the finger of blame can't really be pointed at the offense – it was the unusually quiet defense that were the instigators of this defeat.
Flacco had to heavily rely on old campaigner Steve Smith who at 36 years old is not a long term answer. Smith had 10 catches for 150 yards by the time the game ended. Ultimately it was the third quarter that cost the Ravens as they just couldn't come up with a response to the 10 point Oakland put on the board.
Let's just hope that the Raiders haven't pulled us up only to knock us down again next week. Next up is a trip to Cleveland and the Browns on Sunday 27th.
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