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NFL Week 2 overreactions: Is Cowboys' offense in trouble?

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Dallas’ attack hit a wall in Denver, but there’s no reason to sound the alarm just yet.
Week 2 of the NFL schedule provided a clearer picture of where teams stand, but there’s still a small sample size for any assessment of this season so far. But that won’t stop some from arriving at some premature conclusions.
Here are five overreactions from Sunday’s action that we’re pushing back against:
The Cowboys are overrated
It’s not a shock that the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Denver Broncos 42-17 on Sunday. What’s surprising is how the defeat unfolded.
The Broncos crafted an excellent defensive game plan by loading the box with extra defenders and clogging running lanes. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who led the NFL in rushing last year as a rookie, was held to an astonishing career low of 8 yards on nine carries.
With Elliott’s role diminishing as Denver built its lead, the threat of the play-action passing game – one of Dallas’ top tactics – vanished. That left quarterback Dak Prescott, who attempted a career-high 50 passes, to keep the Cowboys in it.
But the Broncos held firm behind arguably the best secondary in the NFL behind cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib, who returned an interception 103 yards to ice the game. The Broncos also lined Harris up at safety several times, further confusing Prescott.
Denver’s signing of nose tackle Domata Peko has proved to be one of the top low-key additions of the offseason. The Broncos, after ranking 28th in the NFL last season in rushing defense (130.3 yards allowed per game), are now the league’s fourth-best outfit through two games (52 yards allowed per game).
The good news for the Cowboys is that not many teams are built like the Broncos, who boast rare talent at every level on defense as well as a tough setting for any visiting team.
Sunday’s loss exposed some of the Cowboys’ flaws, but the team’s offensive talent and experienced coaching staff will keep it a contender in the NFC this season.
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Trouble ahead for Packers offense?
Just one week after delivering enough when tested by the Seattle Seahawks, the Green Bay Packers offense plodded against the Atlanta Falcons in a 34-23 loss Sunday night.
Aaron Rodgers’ attack finished with a respectable 367 total yards. But the Packers spent most of the game trying to dig themselves out of a large deficit, which swelled to 31-7 in the third quarter. Up to that point, with 14:04 left to play in the period, the Packers had sputtered to only 92 yards of total offense.
There was an easy explanation for the uncharacteristic outing, however. Injuries kept starting offensive tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga inactive.
The effects were clear, as the Falcons sacked Rodgers three times and hit him seven times. He never settled into a rhythm, and the pressure from the edge also blocked his escape routes out of the pocket, limiting his ability to extend plays.
Then, after the team’s opening drive Sunday night, top receiver Jordy Nelson exited with a quad injury. Fellow receiver Randall Cobb left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
Simply put, this Packers team was shorthanded. A fully healthy group led by Rodgers should be just fine.
Le’Veon Bell isn’t the same running back he once was
It has been a rough start for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-team all-pro running back. Though his team is 2-0 after a 26-9 win against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Bell hasn’t produced like he has in the past.
Bell gained 87 rushing yards against Minnesota, but it came on 27 carries (3.2 yards per attempt). He caught four passes for just 4 yards.
His two-week totals (37 rushes for 119 yards; seven catches for 19 yards) is lagging well behind his previous efficiency, as he averaged 4.9 yards per rush in the past two season. His longest play was a 15-yard carry Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, and he still has not scored a touchdown.
Bell’s early struggles, though, were to be expected.
This is what happens when a player – even one as talented and athletic as Bell – misses the entire offseason program and training camp because of a contract dispute. After the Steelers placed the exclusive franchise tag on him in February and no long-term deal was reached, Bell opted to stay on his own until early September.
Bell said he stayed in shape and worked out while he was gone, but it’s impossible to replicate live football work in training sessions.
Pittsburgh still looks like a top team in the AFC. But after spending eight months away from his teammates and away from practices, it’s going to take Bell some time to round back into form.
Time to bench DeShone Kizer
The Cleveland Browns are 0-2, and their quarterback has struggled. Some things feel like they never change.
In this case, though, Cleveland needs to continue to exercise patience after its rookie passer struggled in a 24-10 loss Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens,
This was not a good game for Kizer, who left briefly with a migraine. He threw behind receivers, again held onto the ball too long, and committed four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble). He completed only 15 of his 31 passes for 182 yards.
Kizer was always going to be a project quarterback who would need time to assimilate into the NFL. He flashes potential behind great arm strength, but he needs to do a better job of anticipating throws. Benching him after appointing him the starter would only stunt his development under coach Hue Jackson.
In the short term, neither Kevin Hogan or Cody Kessler represent an upgrade.
The full outlook for Kizer is still to be determined. But the Browns need to give themselves time to assess what they have — especially given that they are likely a season or two from competing, anyway.
Monday NFL injury news: Falcons LB Vic Beasley expected to miss a month
Season’s over for the Chargers
Once again, the AFC West looks like one of the NFL’s toughest divisions.
The Broncos, the Oakland Raiders, and the Kansas City Chiefs, are 2-0. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is at 0-2.
Historically, since the league switched its playoff structure in 1990, only 12% of teams who have started 0-2 reached the postseason.

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