“Adversity is an opportunity for heroism.”
Another two-match slate this week, which will probably be the norm for much of the season. That number could even drop to one if another team decides to enter the Jeremiah Smith sweepstakes officially.
Week 3 was also brutal on the injury front, with several major names going down:
De’Von Achane: Season-ending ACL injury
Mike Evans: Exited early, day-to-day with a rib injury
Justin Jefferson: Exited early, day-to-day with an ankle injury
Lawrence Powell: Sore right wrist with pain in the pelvic and gluteal regions
Baker Mayfield: Expected to miss 3+ weeks with a thumb injury
Travis Etienne Jr.: Expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury
Breece Hall: Expected to miss multiple weeks with a thigh injury
Jack Bech: Fractured forearm
It ended up being a comfortable victory for the Cyclones, as the Titans simply were not prepared for the defending champs. Captain McJetts leaving early certainly did not help, but even with a full game from him, it is hard to see the Titans overcoming a 40-point gap.
Fueled by a scorching start from QB Brock Purdy, the Cyclones have come out swinging in their title defense, scoring 140+ points in each of their first three games. Three weeks in, they remain the standard the rest of the league is chasing.
What a turnaround it’s been over the past couple of seasons for Brandon Lewis Nebens and the Davie Dawgs.
Aside from being the chillest manager in the league, Brady has been grinding his way through law school, going from 1L and an internship with a judge to now 2L, while still occasionally finding time to rip Steen and goob with the lads.
From a dynasty standpoint, the Dawgs always had the foundation with Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow, but over the course of just two seasons, Brady completely rebuilt the supporting cast.
Then:
James Cook
Raheem Mostert
Cooper Kupp
Evan Engram
Christian Kirk
Tony Pollard
Adam Thielen
Tyler Lockett
Now:
Christian McCaffrey
Jonathan Taylor
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Rashee Rice
George Kittle
Cam Skattebo
DK Metcalf
DJ Moore
Kenyon Sadiq
That is simply elite dynasty management.
Brady has firmly established himself as one of the best managers in the league, transforming an aging supporting cast into one of the deepest and most dangerous rosters in the SCD. More importantly, he pulled off what was arguably the league’s first true successful tank, bosh!