There's really no other way to say this.... The New York Giants are a hot mess.
After a 24-10 home loss last night to Matt Stafford and the Detroit Lions, it would be easy to focus on the Giants, their lack of offensive productivity, their defensive inability to contain a decent, but certainly not overwhelming Lions offense and their seemingly lethargic approach to their home opener.
But that would be dismissing the Lions, who improve to 2-0 on the season, one of only seven teams in the league with that record.
Again, this isn't the most prolific offense that Detroit has ever put on the field, but they have learned to run the ball effectively, which resulted in advantages in times of possession and 3rd down conversions.
The Lions will get their first real test this season on Sunday, when they play host to the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
Meantime, it might be time to "sell" these Giants as legitimate contenders of anything. With a leaky offensive line and no running game to speak of, they visit Philadelphia this weekend where once again quarterback Eli Manning figures to be under siege from a defense led by Brandon Graham (2.5 sacks) and Fletcher Cox (2 sacks) both of whom also have fumble recoveries this season.
There seems to be a lot of eyes on Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott these days.
First, there's the legal issues surrounding his suspension, which is being played out inside a number of different venues involving league offices and courtrooms.
And now, the latest issue comes from his on-the-field performance this past weekend in a disappointing game in which the Cowboys were hammered on the road 42-17 by the Denver Broncos.
Seems Elliott didn't go chasing after Broncos defensive back Chris Harris, Jr., after he intercepted a pass from Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in what was clearly becoming a rout in the third quarter.
Former NFL running back and Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson called out Elliott after the game, suggesting he "quit on his team", and didn't act a vocal leader on the sidelines.
Then yesterday, head coach Jason Garrett seemed to suggest Elliott's lack of effort on that third quarter play was going to be a topic they'd address at some point this week.
And while I'm sure Elliott will work on those in-game issues, it's got to be a little disconcerting for the young man right now, considering the high expectations on not only his performance, but the team's expectations of a deep playoff run.
I'm not going to sit here and feel sorry for Elliott. He knew what he was getting into when he put on the football uniform years ago. There are expectations, there are goals for which you are responsible and there are eyes on you everywhere you go.
Off and on the field.
It would be nice if there were a teammate in the locker room who went through some of these similar growing pains. It would help Elliott out probably a great deal if there were a veteran guy inside that locker room who faced similar scrutiny for his antics on the field and his questionable character issues off the field.
I'm looking at you, Dez Bryant.
As a team leader, and someone who should understand the overwhelming nature of the business, particularly for an impressionable second-year guy, it may be time for some tough love from a veteran who appears to have overcome some of those very same issues and has learned some valuable lessons along the way.
For the record, I hate countdown lists of top teams.
They're good for only one thing, and that's merely to generate fake and phony outrage amongst fans of teams not listed in someone's "Top 5" this or that award.
But I understand we live in the arena of fake and phony outrage, and sometimes -- I will admit -- the pot needs to be stirred up some.
So without further delay, here's my "Top 5 Teams" in the NFL after week 2 of the season.
(5) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
(4) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
(3) OAKLAND RAIDERS
(2) ATLANTA FALCONS
(1) PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Yep, that's right. I'm all in on the Steelers right now.
With the 5th best defense in the NFL, which is tied with Kansas City for second-best in the league in sacks (9), this is also an offense still finding itself right now.
If the aerial assault led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continues to get productivity from the regulars like Antonio Brown and Jesse James, they will find more opportunities down the road to go rookie Ju-Ju Smith Schuster as well as Eli Rogers and the always dangerous Martavis Bryant.
The Steelers can move to 3-0 this weekend when they visit Chicago to face the Bears.
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