NFL | Let’s go in fear

A week ago, in this same space, we warned all of humanity: be careful not to become afraid after a week of play. Now, after two weeks, can we become afraid at least a little ?

The answer is yes.

Faced with such certainty, Patriots fans may start to panic, supporting a club whose record is 0-2. Also, the Pats are coming back from a difficult game, where Bill Belichick threw his protest handkerchief with the angriness of a 5-year-old pushing back a plate of broccoli at the salad bar at Scores.

Panic is also in order in Cincinnati, where this 0-2 record is not at all compatible with this sum of 275 million dollars which has just been granted to quarterback Joe Burrow, who incidentally has the most expensive calf all time. And then, of course, people from Houston can curse life too, first of all because they live in Houston.

But let’s focus a little, if you wish, on the case of the Los Angeles Chargers.

It’s impossible not to love this team a little, firstly for that fabulous powder blue uniform, secondly because it’s easy to fall in love with such beautiful losers like them, who have been inventing new ways to lose for over 50 years old.

Besides, we all remember their end of the 2022 season, because it ended in shame in Jacksonville, in the playoffs no less, after squandering a 27-point lead. A spectacular collapse, which is reminiscent of what happened to Russell Brand’s career.

But tomorrow is another day, right, and the Chargers could at least look forward to this season with optimism. Upon leaving, they spent the off-season bringing good news together: the hiring of linebacker Eric Kendricks, a leading receiver, Quentin Johnston, found in the first round of the last draft, the arrival of a genius, Kellen Moore , as offensive coordinator. Finally, the cream on top of the latte: this huge contract extension, for $262.5 million, directly into the pockets of quarterback Justin Herbert, who would become the premier quarterback the Chargers were hoping for.

But we put it all together, and what does it give? That’s 0-2 after two weeks of play. Not exactly what was expected.

So the Chargers have 15 games left to get back on track. If the rout continues, the finger will have to be pointed at Kellen Moore; among other things, the genius will have to find a way to highlight Johnston, who has a grand total of three catches since the start of the season.

By the way, did you know that the Cowboys offense seems to be doing a lot better since Moore is no longer in charge of the offensive game over there in Dallas? That’s good to say.

Meanwhile, it looks like the argument is over in the Bears’ cabin in Chicago. Quarterback Justin Fields, who often throws the ball into the opponent’s hands, said this week that the Bears’ problem is not him, but the coaching.

Poor him. If he had said that when Mike Ditka was running the Bears, he would have been fired on the spot or, worse, traded to the New York Jets.

But times are changing, and instead, Matt Eberflus, the current Bears coach, suggested he was going to let his quarterback be himself. Which will likely lead to a four-win season.

You know, we like to laugh at the Cleveland Browns and their 30 different quarterbacks since 2015. But the Bears haven’t had a quarterback worthy of the name since good old Sid Luckman, retired from his state since 1950, and then no, don’t tell me about Jim McMahon, whose main quality was knowing how to hand the ball to Walter Payton.

Other than that, there will be big football on Sunday, and even more. Among others, the surprising Washington Commanders will try to command respect, if that is possible, by welcoming the Buffalo Bills, who do not ask for so much. The Detroit Lions surprised us all during the first week, but now, they seem to be coming back to earth a little, and it is the Atlanta Falcons who will arrive at home, the proverbial knife between their teeth.

Also, there will be two matches Monday evening, including this succulent Eagles-Bucs, presented in Tampa Bay, in the stronghold of the legendary Hulk Hogan. What will the Eagles do when Hulkamania is unleashed on them? The question is valid.