So, two weeks into the new NFL season and there have already been some interesting takeaways.
Who saw the Ravens standing at 0-2? How will the defending champion Chiefs cope with the loss of Isiah Pacheco and Hollywood Brown? And what about those free-scoring Saints – will New Orleans be a challenger this year?
It’s not just team narratives, though. Here we analyse five players that have surprised us with their first two performances this season.
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📰 Table Of Contents
1. Alvin Kamara
Yes, it may seem like he has been around forever but Kamara is just 29 and seemingly in the form of his life.
The Saints running back has been the standout among an offense of standouts. Kamara scored four touchdowns in the blowout win over the Cowboys on Sunday and enjoyed 180 scrimmage yards.
It was Kamara’s 12th career game with at least one touchdown rushing and receiving. Only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have more in NFL history.
Alvin Kamara shined in Dallas 💎
22 touches, 180 yards, 4 TDs pic.twitter.com/5i0ZZ4C1JR
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 15, 2024
2. Derek Carr
Kamara can’t do it all on his own, obviously, and Carr’s early-season form has raised eyebrows.
His QBR of 96.2 is five points ahead of nearest challenger, Arizona’s Kyler Murray, not to mention the yards per attempt of 11.4 and a league-best five touchdowns – tied with Baker Mayfield.
A nod here too to new offensive co-ordinator Klint Kubiak, who has Carr and the Saints purring.
Derek Carr has always had those smooth moves 😂🕺@derekcarrqb | @Saints pic.twitter.com/2ILakjzFag
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024
3. Aidan Hutchinson
The Lions may have suffered a hard-luck loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday but no blame could be attached to Hutchinson.
The third-year defensive end recorded 4.5 sacks to restrict the Bucs’ offense.
Hutchinson leads the NFL with 5.5 sacks on the season and will have Murray in his sights when the Lions face the Cardinals this weekend.
4. JK Dobbins
Everyone loves a bounce back story and no-one epitomises that more than Dobbins.
His once-promising career appeared to have hit the tracks when he was released by the Ravens in the offseason with injuries restricting him to playing in just 24 of 73 games across four seasons.
The Chargers gave him a chance on a one-year deal with just $50,000 guaranteed but it is looking like a masterstroke.
The 25-year-old leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards and has also added two touchdowns.
Speaking after Sunday’s win over the Panthers, Dobbins said: “I’ve been telling you all offseason. No one believed me. When I’m healthy, I can be one of the best.”
It’s tough to argue at the minute.
JK DOBBINS RUNNING THROUGH EVERYBODY.
📺: #LACvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/IrANF2mYTR— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
5. Nick Cross
The Colts safety had another strong game despite the team’s 16-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Cross recorded a career-high 15 tackles (10 solo) and leads the NFL with 29 in total. He is five ahead of four players and eight in front of the next-highest safety, the Rams’ Quentin Lake.
The 23-year-old had 39 tackles in 17 games last season and could surpass that mark this weekend when the Colts host the Bears.
