PFF Week: Down South, Week 2

It’s your last chance to get caught up on the happenings at PFF before the next slate of games is upon us and our new ‘PFF Week’ posts provide quick access to the week that was. The ‘Down South’ edition covers all things pertaining to the AFC and NFC South divisions for a one-stop Saturday shop built to keep you in the loop and on top of your football-watching game. 

Week 1 Wrap

With Week 1 in the books and Week 2 already begun, PFF has graded and reviewed every game. The AFC South went 3-1, while the NFC South picked up one win, but that was at the expense of a division rival. Who played well in wins, who deserved to lose? Who played well in defeat and who was poor despite the result? Our team took a look at each game and provided performances of note.

ReFo: Seahawks @ Panthers, Week 1
ReFo: Raiders @ Colts, Week 1
ReFo: Chiefs @ Jaguars, Week 1
ReFo: Falcons @ Saints, Week 1
ReFo: Buccaneers @ Jets, Week 1
ReFo: Titans @ Steelers, Week 1
ReFo: Texans @ Chargers, Week 1

Khaled Elsayed also released the top players of the Week  in the PFF Team of the Week, which featured three defensive linemen playing in the South. On the other end of things, the post players don't want to be named in, the PFF ‘Had a Bad Day‘ Team also featured a number of players from the AFC and NFC South, including offensive skill players and a couple of edge rushers. Not content with looking at the good and the bad, Khaled also took a look at the first 32 players off the board in April, putting the First-Rounders in Focus.

Nathan Jahnke took his weekly look through our Signature Statistics and grades to pick out 32 Observations and this week took a look at players who either picked up from last year or turned a page, good or bad. He picks out facts on Duane Brown, Andrew Luck, Bryan Anger and Robert Turner for the AFC South, while DeAngelo Williams, Pierre Thomas, Vincent Jackson and the Falcons' safeties are the focus for the NFC South.

Finally on our look back at Week 1, Gordon McGuinness named four Secret Superstars, players who don't get the praise they deserve, be it for playing an unpopular position, playing limited snaps or if they were just outperformed on the stats sheet. This week's selection features a back up running back and a fullback out of the AFC South.

Looking to Week 2

Week 2 will feature two divisional games for the South teams, one in each conference. Our team took a look at the areas in which these games could be won and lost, as well as the other four matches featuring the AFC and NFC South teams.

3TFO: Dolphins @ Colts, Week 2
3TFO: Panthers @ Bills, Week 2
3TFO: Saints @ Buccaneers, Week 2
3TFO: Titans @ Texans, Week 2
3TFO: Rams @ Falcons, Week 2
3TFO: Jaguars @ Raiders, Week 2

While we were all happy the NFL season was back last week, time spent in the trainer's room left some players less than joyous come Tuesday morning. Pete Damilatis took a look at the impact that these injuries will have and how the player who is likely to step into the team will do in the Next Man Up.

The PFF team have also given their Pick'ems, predicting a better week for the NFC South, with only three picks against a 3-1 weekend.

Additionally…

The Race for Rookie of the Year has started and Steve Palazzolo took a look at the the early favorites, with two NFC South rookies leading the way.

Ben Stockwell has already Re-Focused the Thursday Night Football matchup and provided the performances of note. Sam Monson has broken down one of the biggest plays from that game in his Analysis Notebook TNF. He also took a look at a player the Buccaneers will see later this season in Reggie Bush in last week's Analysis Notebook.

Steve Palazzolo explores some topics he found interesting following Week 1 in Palazzolo's Pitch. Of particular interest would be his take on Saints' rookie Kenny Vaccaro.

Finally, our analysts have put together their Power Rankings, with an AFC South team at the bottom of the pile. Where is your favorite team?

Don't forget to check back next week to catch the analysis of the Week 2 games and — if you are a PFF Premium subscriber — the full grades of statistics. If you are still unsure about whether or not to sign up, Steve Palazzolo explains how PFF fits in the analytic and advanced statistics spectrum here.