Cowboys get a mulligan for week 2 loss; keep pace with NFC contenders

Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season has now come and gone after QB Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons spoiled the Philadelphia Eagles homecoming with an improbable touchdown drive with less than two minutes left in regulation.

It was just one example of several surprising outcomes in week 2, and it is also another example of the parity in today’s game. Gone are the days when the most talented team is sure to win the game. Yes, talent plays a huge role, but scheme and coaching seem to have more of an impact than usual.

The NFL machine just keeps spitting out young and innovative coaches that are utilizing new schemes and the supreme athleticism of today’s athletes to overcome any deficiencies that their particular team may have.

Well, all except the Dallas Cowboys. That, however, is an article for another day. Today, I want to focus on the fact that week 2 was full of upsets, and go through the list of the preseason NFC contenders who also lost this week.

I’ll give the Cowboys a mulligan for their loss to the New Orleans Saints because, despite the loss, other losses have allowed Dallas to keep pace with the rest of the NFC contenders. Only one preseason darling (Green Bay) was able to secure a victory, but after a loss in week 1, they also sit with a 1-1 record.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

Week 2 Result: 23-17 loss at Minnesota

The San Francisco 49ers were early Super Bowl favorites, and I can’t argue with that prediction. They have been the class of the NFC for several years, and also a thorn in the Cowboys’ side for the same amount of time.

After a week 1 victory at home over Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, San Francisco hit the road to Minnesota, where former 49ers QB Sam Darnold is the one under center.

Darnold must have paid attention in practice last year because he was able to do just enough to knock off the NFC’s top contender, sparked by a 97-yard touchdown pass to All-World WR Justin Jefferson.

San Francisco falls to 1-1 on the season with another road trip next week to the division rival Los Angeles Rams, who are coming off of a bad loss in Arizona to Kyler Murray and rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr.

The 49ers will be without two offensive stars, Christian McCaffrey and WR Deebo Samuel, for at least the next few weeks. How they perform in their absence will determine how the rest of their season plays out.

Detroit Lions (1-1)

Week 2 Result: 20-16 loss vs Tampa Bay

The Detroit Lions reached the NFC Championship Game last season. They held a large lead at halftime, and Dan Campbell’s bunch looked well on their way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance until they collapsed in the 2nd half to Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers.

There are high hopes for the Lions this season, with several analysts predicting them to win the NFC’s top seed. The Lions were poised to start the season 2-0 after a week 1 victory at home over the Los Angeles Rams.

Another home game versus Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers proved to be a bump in the road, however. The Lions’ offense struggled to get going, scoring only 16 points on their home field.

Nursing a 16-13 lead in the 3rd quarter, the Lions’ defense couldn’t stop Mayfield and the Bucs from driving down the field for the go-ahead touchdown and a 20-16 lead. Neither team would score again.

Detroit’s next matchup will be their first road trip of the season. Arizona is the destination, and Kyler Murray awaits. The Cardinals are riding high after a resounding win over Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Detroit will need to bring it’s A game to avoid falling to 1-2.

Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

Week 2 Result: 22-21 loss vs Atlanta

My name’s not Tom, but you can call me petty because I went to bed with a huge grin after watching former Cowboys’ OC Kellen Moore call a pass play on 3rd & 3 in the redzone. The Falcons were out of timeouts and the clock was under two minutes in regulation.

Cowboys fans witnessed these bone-headed play calls time and time again. Just hand the ball to RB Saquon Barkley, who could not be stopped all evening, and run the clock out.

Instead, the Eagles left over 90 seconds on the clock for Cousins to drive his offense inside the 15-yard line in just three plays. Atlanta would eventually score the go-ahead touchdown when WR Drake London routed Eagles’ CB Darius Slay out of his shoes.

Then, my smile got bigger as I watched Jalen Hurts throw a game-ending interception on an errant pass when he still had a timeout in his pocket.

Philadelphia will make their first road trip this season within the continental United States as they travel to the suddenly dangerous New Orleans Saints, who have scored 91 points in the first two games of the season.