The NFL through week two: What the stats say (part one)

Mario Williams #94 of the Buffalo Bills sacks Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 15, 2013 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 24-23. (Getty Images)

Tackling the record books

Buffalo’s Williams leads the NFL with 4.5 sacks; almost half of the 10.5 he recorded last season and the same amount as he managed through his entire rookie campaign. In all likelihood Williams will slow down at some point, but right now he’s on pace for 36 sacks. The NFL single season record is 22.5.

Before the season began, Houston Texans star JJ Watt revealed his ambition to create a 20-20-20 club: 20 sacks, tackles for a loss and batted passes. Through week two, the defensive tackle is on track to record 16 sacks, 24 tackles for a loss and 24 batted passes. It’s still early, but he might actually manage to do this.

Jacksonville’s secret weapon not firing

To call the Jaguars’ new “offensive weapon” Denard Robinson a disappointment so far would be an understatement. The former Michigan quarterback has mustered only one yard on three rushing attempts through week two, and he hasn’t been targeted with a single pass despite coming into the league with ambitions of being a wide receiver.

If the Jaguars want to avoid going 0-16, they need to figure out a way to get the rookie involved more in their offence, and in better situations.

“Turnovers are like ex-wives. The more you have, the more they cost you.”

The Kansas City Chiefs had a horrible offense last season, proven by the unenviable fact that they had a league worst 37 turnovers. That averages out to about 2.3 giveaways per game, and was a big part of why the Chiefs ended up picking first overall in the 2013 draft.

This season, things are a lot different at Arrowhead stadium. New coach Andy Reid and new quarterback Alex Smith are bringing a safer brand of offensive football to the Missouri team, and it’s translating into wins. The Chiefs have exactly zero turnovers through week two, and as a result they find themselves at 2-0 in the standings. This time last year they had six giveaways and were 0-2.

Win the turnover battle, and you win the game. It’s as simple as that.

Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs waves his fist in the air in celebration for the victory over the Dallas Cowboys on September 15, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Getty Images)

Lions without their roar

Somebody obviously forgot to give that memo to the Detroit Lions. The Lions have an impressive six takeaways on defence, which is good for second best in the league. However, they still find themselves with a -1 turnover differential because of a league worst seven turnovers on offence. They are also the fifth most penalised team in the league, giving up an average of 9.5 penalties a game to the tune of 94.5 yards.

The self-destructing pattern has cost them. The Lions effectively handed the game to the Arizona Cardinals in week two, and now find themselves at 1-1 when they really should be undefeated. In a tight division like the NFC North, a lack of discipline like that can cost a team a playoff berth.

*Unless hyperlinked, all stats taken from ESPN.go.com

For the second part of this article, click here: The NFL through week two: part two