Arizona Cardinals
This group has some work to do, however they’re off to a superb begin.
The Playing cards haven’t regarded their finest via the primary two weeks of the season, however they’re 2-0, which is the one factor that issues. They performed bend-but-don’t-break protection in Weeks One and Two, and that technique has paid off with two game-clinching protection stands. Extra importantly, Kyler Murray as soon as once more seems to be like the previous number-one total draft decide he was cracked as much as be. Because the competitors will get stiffer, the Playing cards are sure to lose some video games, however for now, they’ve positioned themselves to have success this season and possibly even make a playoff push.
Atlanta Falcons
Sunday evening’s go rush efficiency was an anomaly but in addition an indication of issues to return.
For the primary time in years, the Soiled Birds appear to be they’ve a go rush that may assist them win video games. As a workforce, they’ve seven sacks on the season, however six of them got here in opposition to a Vikings squad with a banged-up offensive line and the youngest beginning quarterback within the league. They’re not going to be a top-five pass-rushing workforce, however the Falcons’ defensive linemen are already taking part in significantly better than final 12 months’s group. After ending final season with the second-fewest sacks within the NFL, that may undoubtedly not be the case this 12 months.
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry just isn’t as essential to this squad’s success as we’d suppose.
On a day when Baltimore scored 41 factors, Derrick Henry solely touched the ball 11 occasions for 23 dashing yards. He was mainly non-existent in opposition to a stable Browns protection, but the Ravens nonetheless managed to attain 5 touchdowns. Possibly Baltimore determined to scale back Henry’s workload after his second-quarter fumble? Regardless, in video games like this, the place the Ravens are lapping weaker opponents, they don’t should lean so closely on the 31-year-old operating again, which can permit him to remain recent for the postseason.
Buffalo Payments
The Payments must be the favourite to win the AFC.
Regardless that Josh Allen didn’t play his finest recreation, the Payments completely smoked a divisional opponent on the highway. The dashing assault averaged 5.21 yards per keep it up 43 makes an attempt whereas scoring three touchdowns. With out their finest d-lineman, the protection compelled two turnovers and held the Jets to 154 whole yards of offense. By means of two video games, the offensive line has solely given up two sacks. With the Chiefs on the decline and a win over the Ravens, Buffalo is the workforce to beat within the AFC up to now.
Carolina Panthers
A superb second half doesn’t change the truth that Bryce Younger stinks.
Younger may need thrown for 328 yards and three touchdowns, however his pricey errors originally and finish of the sport are the rationale why the Panthers are 0-2. His opening-drive fumble and his absurd interception put Carolina in a 10-0 gap that they spent the entire recreation battling again from. The Cats made it shut and even had an opportunity to win their matchup on Sunday, however on the Panthers’ ultimate drive, Younger went 0/6 passing and took a sack on a 4th and 15 that misplaced them the sport. Don’t let the comeback try trick you into pondering Bryce Younger is all of the sudden good.
Chicago Bears
It was a mistake to provide GM Ryan Poles an extension.
Regardless of all the apparent indicators to not lengthen this man, the Bears signed him to an extension anyway that retains him with the workforce via the 2029 season. Following Sunday’s blowout loss, the Bears moved to 15-38 underneath Ryan Poles’ watch. What’s worse is their divisional report, which is 3-17 after Week Two. On high of that, the gamers he chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft had been nowhere to be discovered this weekend. Tight finish Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden III mixed for one five-yard catch. Defensive deal with Shemar Turner is coping with accidents, whereas offensive lineman and second-round decide Ozzy Trapilo was a wholesome scratch. Ryan Poles has but to draft a Professional Bowler as the overall supervisor of Chicago. Each week, it seems to be worse and worse that they stored him on and prolonged him.
Cincinnati Bengals
Not all hope is misplaced for the season.
Cincy must be thanking its fortunate stars that they’re 2-0 to start out the 12 months. In any other case, this season may be a wash with Joe Burrow anticipated to doubtlessly miss three months of motion. As confirmed by Jake Browning, this squad has the offensive weapons to remain afloat within the AFC. There’s additionally an opportunity they make a transfer for one more quarterback, like Kirk Cousins or Malik Willis. The Bengals simply have to tread water and keep away from falling under .500 till Joe Burrow can return to the sector. In the long run, issues could not look nice, however heading into Week Three, it’s onerous to say that this workforce is completed for the 2025-26 season.
Cleveland Browns
The workforce must cease relying a lot on Joe Flacco.
The Browns are tied with one different workforce for the fifth-worst scoring offense within the NFL. Although they’re tenth in passing yards this season, they lead the league in go makes an attempt. The perfect groups within the Nationwide Soccer League decide up massive chunks of yards via the air. The Colts, Chargers, and Packers – who’re 6-0 mixed – common 8.50 passing yards per try. Nevertheless, Joe Flacco solely averages 5.43 yards per try, which ranks thirtieth out of 34 QBs who’ve thrown a go this season. If the Browns need to win, they should cease asking their 40-year-old quarterback to try 45 passes per recreation.
Dallas Cowboys
The defensive points may be worse than we first anticipated.
Are you aware how unhealthy you need to be defensively to permit the Giants to throw for 400+ yards? That’s one thing the G-Males haven’t achieved in 4 years! And it’s not like they had been a menace to maneuver the ball successfully on the bottom. That they had 84 dashing yards this weekend whereas averaging 3.59 yards per try on the season. Large Blue solely had the passing assault to work with, they usually nonetheless managed to common 11 yards per try, regardless that the Cowboys knew the Giants had been going to throw the ball virtually each play. If that is how Dallas performs in opposition to an abysmal Giants offense, think about how unhealthy it’ll be in opposition to balanced groups just like the Packers, Chargers, Eagles, or Lions.
Denver Broncos
That loss could possibly be enormous within the grand scheme of issues.
The Denver Broncos have playoff aspirations after reaching the postseason final 12 months, however so do the Indianapolis Colts, who’re at the moment 2-0 and are in sole possession of first place of their division. With the Chargers main the race for the AFC West, there’s an opportunity that the Broncos should earn a Wild Card spot in the event that they need to make it again to the playoffs. If that finally ends up being the case, then they’d higher hope Indy wins its division. In any other case, this loss might find yourself being the deciding issue that enables the Colts to overhaul the Broncos for a spot within the postseason.
Detroit Lions
The Lions’ demise was vastly exaggerated.
I feel it was unfair for NFL followers and media members to jot down off the Lions after a tricky Week One loss to the Packers. In spite of everything, it was their first recreation of the season, they usually had been breaking in new offensive and defensive coordinators. Now that they obtained the jitters out and have their footing underneath them, the Lions regarded just like the workforce that we’ve all turn out to be used to seeing this weekend. It additionally doesn’t harm that they performed a Bears squad that has the worst scoring protection within the league. Regardless, this win builds confidence within the new coordinators and exhibits that Detroit continues to be a drive to be reckoned with within the NFC.
Inexperienced Bay Packers
This is among the 4 finest groups within the NFL.
At this time, on September sixteenth, 2025, the Inexperienced Bay Packers appear to be one of the best workforce within the Nationwide Soccer League. That they had two spectacular wins in a span of 5 days, regardless that they haven’t even begun to play their finest soccer on the offensive facet of the ball. The Payments and Chargers are at the moment the category of the AFC. Although the Eagles are excellent, they haven’t regarded almost as spectacular because the Packers have of their two wins. Both manner, they’re the reigning Tremendous Bowl champs and need to be acknowledged as one of the best workforce within the NFC till confirmed in any other case. However the Packers are proper on their tails and will possibly even overtake them in the event that they proceed to play the way in which they’ve via the primary two weeks of the season.
Houston Texans
Unimaginative playcalling will likely be Houston’s downfall.
The pattern dimension is small, however the Texans haven’t but scored a landing regardless of three purple zone journeys on the marketing campaign. Their lack of ability to scheme up touchdown-scoring performs was evident final evening, after they had a turnover on downs on the one yard line. After attending to the Rams’ one, they ran the ball into the road of scrimmage for no acquire after which known as two straight go performs to large receiver Nico Collins. That’s the most unimaginative playcalling I can consider. The one manner it might’ve been worse can be in the event that they ran it twice and threw it as soon as. Houston wants to start out focusing extra on its offensive recreation plan as a result of it’s lifeless final when it comes to scoring (14 factors per recreation).
Indianapolis Colts
This group is a professional menace to make the playoffs and even win some video games.
If Week One was an outlier, then Week Two proved that this workforce has what it takes to compete with a number of the finest franchises within the NFL. The Denver Broncos, who got here into this recreation because the league-leader in quarterback takedowns, recorded just one sack on Sunday. The Colts had been doing no matter they needed offensively, averaging 9.3 yards per go try and 5.2 yards per dashing try. Indy had probably the most passing yards in opposition to the Broncos since they confronted Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals final 12 months. Plus, their 167 dashing yards are probably the most Denver has given up for the reason that begin of final season. If the Colts can proceed to drive turnovers, then this workforce will likely be taking part in in late January.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Liam Coen doesn’t have management of the passing assault.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is already waving off Liam Coen when he’s making an attempt to educate him up and get within the appropriate playcall. Brian Thomas Jr. is dropping passes and never operating routes to completion. Travis Hunter, who was supposed to return in and be an instantaneous difference-maker as a pass-catcher, solely has two receptions on 9 targets for a grand whole of 14 yards. Maybe the Liam Coen era got off to such a great start in Week One because they were playing the lowly Panthers? This isn’t a superb search for a workforce on its fifth head coach in 5 years.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
This isn’t a enjoyable workforce to look at play soccer.
Keep in mind when Patrick Mahomes first burst onto the scene, and the Chiefs had been placing up insane numbers each week? These days are lengthy gone. Hell, this franchise isn’t whilst thrilling because it was three years in the past. In 2022, the Chiefs had been first in yards and factors. Two years in the past, they fell to fifteenth in factors and ninth in yards. Final season, they completed sixteenth in yards and fifteenth in factors. At the moment, they’re twenty fourth in factors and seventeenth in yards. Exterior of Patrick Mahomes, this workforce can’t run the ball. In the mean time, their finest offensive weapon is Tyquan Thornton. If their quarterback’s title wasn’t Patrick Mahomes, individuals can be freaking out in Kansas Metropolis.
Las Vegas Raiders
They’ve one of many worst offensive traces within the league.
This was at all times going to be a degree of concern coming into this season as a result of they used all of their premium draft capital on ability place gamers. They solely added one offensive lineman in free company, Alex Cappa, a man who was launched by the Bengals after he couldn’t assist Joe Burrow keep upright. Final evening, it felt like Geno Smith was operating for his life each play, an extremely worrisome pattern contemplating the Chargers didn’t have their finest go rusher for many of the recreation. You need to know why Ashton Jeanty is averaging 2.7 yards per carry? There aren’t dependable blockers in entrance of him. This will likely be a protracted season for Geno Smith and the Raiders’ offense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert must be the MVP frontrunner after two weeks.
With Josh Allen placing up considerably of a stinker in opposition to the Jets and Lamar Jackson having a loss underneath his belt, my early-season favourite to win the MVP award is Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. He’s at the moment ranked within the high 5 in completion share (fifth), passing yards (third), yards per try (second), passing touchdowns (tied for second), QBR (third), and quarterback score (second). He’s additionally placing up these numbers with out his finest offensive lineman and with fewer weapons than Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. If he continues to make performs along with his legs and thru the air whereas racking up the wins, he’ll be named MVP when the season ends.
Los Angeles Rams
This is among the finest groups within the NFL.
I don’t see any holes on this roster. Do you? They’ve an elite quarterback who not appears to be an harm concern, arguably one of the best mixture of a operating again and two large receivers within the NFL, a hungry protection that will get after opposing QBs, a top-flight head coach, and a particular groups unit that (seemingly) received’t price them video games. All people is speaking in regards to the Eagles, Payments, Packers, and Chargers. However the Rams have really been taking part in probably the most full soccer of all these squads. They’ll get into the playoffs as an under-the-radar workforce and make some noise in January and February.
Miami Dolphins
Mike McDaniel will likely be fired in the course of the season.
“To win video games, you need to win the sport and never lose the sport, actually. And that’s the way you lose the sport.” -Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel in the course of the Week Two postgame press convention.
This seems like a man who’s out of concepts and is simply ready to be fired. That’s clearly what the followers need after they paid for planes to fly over Exhausting Rock Stadium with banners that learn, “Fireplace McDaniel.” Members of the Dolphins roster already held a players-only assembly, one other signal that issues should not all that sunny in Southern Florida. With one other loss anticipated on Thursday, the ‘Phins can flip issues round with back-to-back video games in opposition to the Jets and Panthers. Nevertheless, if Miami loses both a type of matchups, Mike McDaniel will likely be out of a job.
Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy is the worst beginning quarterback within the NFL.
Anyone who has eyes is aware of this to be true. It’s not even like he’s in Cam Ward’s state of affairs, the place he’s surrounded by horrible offensive weapons and unhealthy coaches. He has the reigning Coach of the Yr, a future Corridor of Fame wideout, a former Professional Bowl tight finish, and a former All-Professional operating again at his disposal. Regardless of all these advantages, he has the second-worst QBR and quarterback score within the NFL. Exterior of a fourth quarter in opposition to the worst protection in soccer, he’s 18/33 passing with 214 yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions, a pick-six, and 9 sacks. If he didn’t have that fourth-quarter comeback in opposition to the Bears, he would simply be thought-about the worst QB within the NFL.
New England Patriots
There are nonetheless loads of issues on the defensive facet of the ball.
If we issue out the league-leading 9 sacks, we see a protection that has not proven a lot enchancment regardless of all the cash that has been invested into that facet of the ball. The Patriots are permitting probably the most passing yards per recreation within the league whereas permitting the third-highest completion share. Additionally they hand over the second-most passing yards per try. The dashing protection is significantly better (third within the NFL), however that’s most likely as a result of it’s really easy to throw on this workforce. They’re additionally on tempo for 17 takeaways this 12 months, which is healthier than final season however nonetheless fairly unhealthy all issues thought-about.
New Orleans Saints
This isn’t one of many three worst groups within the NFL.
The New Orleans Saints are going to be a nasty workforce this season, however the gamers of their locker room don’t consider that. This squad has been in each of their video games and even had an opportunity to win these matchups. Nevertheless, their game-winning drives got here up brief, which is to be anticipated as a result of Spencer Rattler was by no means speculated to be a franchise quarterback. But, he has proven enchancment from final season and simply had his first recreation with a number of passing TDs. Once more, their win whole will likely be low, however they may end the season with a 6-11 report, which suggests they received’t be the worst workforce within the league.
New York Giants
The protection has not lived as much as expectations.
After drafting Abdul Carter, there have been excessive hopes for a protection that already featured a number of pass-rushing difference-makers. Dexter Lawrence II is among the finest d-linemen within the league. Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns are each extremely proficient gamers. There was even a perception that Abdul Carter could possibly be a Professional Bowler as a rookie. Nevertheless, these guys and the remainder of the protection have did not stay as much as the hype. They permit the fourth-most receiving yards within the league. They’re additionally twenty sixth in opponent completion share, twenty ninth in passing yards allowed per recreation, and have just one takeaway to point out for his or her efforts. As loopy as that is to suppose, the protection let the offense down this weekend.
New York Jets
Count on one other shedding season from Gang Inexperienced.
Isn’t Aaron Glenn speculated to be a no-nonsense defensive coach who is available in and modifications the tradition of the Jets? You wouldn’t have observed in the event you tuned in to their crushing 30-10 loss on Sunday. They had been gashed for 224 dashing yards and are actually thirtieth in scoring protection via two weeks. On the offensive facet, the Justin Fields reclamation mission has gone off the rails after he was held to 27 yards on three completions and left the sport with a concussion. Who cares about slicing down on penalties when you’ll be able to’t cease a run or a go?
Philadelphia Eagles
Week Two marked the dying of the Tush Push.
The Nationwide Soccer League had the possibility to ban the Tush Push this low season, however that rule change was struck down by plenty of groups. Now, the league is reaping what it sows. Tom Brady, NFL guidelines analyst Dean Blandino, and Kevin Burkhardt went out in entrance of a large viewers and mainly stated that they’re “done” with the Tush Push, calling it a “headache” to officiate. After a number of offensive linemen obtained away with uncalled false begins, and followers have begun to note that Eagles gamers are committing impartial zone infractions after they line as much as run this play, it’s clear that the Tush Push will likely be banned after this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Two was extra indicative of this workforce’s offense than Week One.
After all, Aaron Rodgers threw for 4 touchdowns and regarded incredible in opposition to the New York Jets. THEY’RE THE JETS! However when confronted with an opponent who is definitely well-coached, Pittsburgh turned the ball over twice and was held to 267 whole yards of offense. Granted, the Seahawks have one of many higher defenses within the league, however I nonetheless suppose the Week Two model of the Steelers is extra seemingly what this workforce will likely be than the Week One model. They’ll clear up the interceptions and play higher within the purple zone, however this is not going to be a 30-point-per-game workforce this season.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners ought to take time to let Brock Purdy get wholesome.
Kyle Shanahan as soon as once more proved that he’s the league’s final quarterback whisperer after Mac Jones threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Now that Jones has confirmed he can lead this workforce to a victory, there must be no cause for San Fran to hurry Brock Purdy again from his toe harm. The Niners’ subsequent two matchups are in opposition to the Cardinals and the Jaguars. They need to be capable to beat the Jags, however the Playing cards recreation could possibly be a toss-up with Mac Jones at quarterback. Nonetheless, it’s higher to be secure than sorry and danger Brock Purdy lacking any extra time as a result of he reaggravated his harm. Belief your coach and your backup to maintain your workforce afloat.
Seattle Seahawks
This is among the gutsiest squads within the league.
They aren’t going to wow you with their offense, however they will be aggressive in each recreation they play. I simply love what Mike Macdonald is constructing within the Pacific Northwest. Sam Darnold will not be one of the best quarterback within the league, however he has additionally managed to be an asset to the Seahawks in each of their video games. They’ve an important one-two punch within the dashing assault. They’re additionally close to the highest of the league in defensive scoring and takeaways. If they’ll lean on the protection and operating backs whereas limiting Darnold’s errors, this workforce might find yourself making the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This workforce is a Tremendous Bowl contender.
You need to speak about gutsy, no one demonstrated that high quality extra over the primary two weeks of the season than the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield willed his workforce to a victory regardless that he was harm and scrambling for his life final evening. Plus, the offensive line managed to play effectively even supposing it was lacking each beginning tackles. The protection seems to be stable, and the offense will solely enhance with the eventual returns of Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin. This workforce could possibly be taking part in for a Lombardi Trophy in February.
Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward is legit.
That is going to be a painful 12 months of progress for number-one total draft decide Cam Ward. Titans followers ought to buckle up and anticipate one other season with a shedding report, the place they end with a top-ten draft decide. Not like final 12 months, although, they don’t should query who will likely be their quarterback of the long run as a result of they discovered that man in Cam Ward. If he can get some rattling blocking and respectable teaching, this child might simply throw for 300 yards. The Titans had an extremely troublesome two-game stretch to open the season, however they persevered (considerably). Now, they’ll settle in and begin to enhance Cam Ward’s confidence with extra assist and higher playcalling.
Washington Commanders
This workforce should shield Jayden Daniels in any respect prices.
Jayden Daniels is already coping with a sprained knee after taking a bunch of hits from the Packers on Thursday. That’s extremely worrisome as a result of he isn’t constructed like a Josh Allen or a Justin Herbert. He’s a thin QB who solely weighs 210 lbs. He has already been sacked seven occasions, regardless that groups have solely blitzed the Commanders eight occasions this season. If different organizations really ship further go rushers after him whereas he struggles to maneuver with a knee brace, it might spell catastrophe for probably the most thrilling younger quarterback within the league. This franchise should do no matter it takes to guard Jayden Daniels. The very last thing the Commanders want is one other RGIII state of affairs.
