Two weeks into the season, we’re starting to get a feel for who’s for real and who’s already in trouble. Some teams look like they made all the right moves in the offseason, others are already starting to look towards 2026, and a few are hanging somewhere in the middle.

These first two weeks don’t decide everything, but they matter more than people realize. A handful of these games are going to end up being the ones we point back to in December as the moments that shaped playoff races and storylines we didn’t fully appreciate at the time. Early wins and losses have a way of snowballing.

That’s why Week 2 feels like a good checkpoint. It sets the tone, reveals some cracks, and gives us a glimpse of which teams might be contenders and which ones are pretenders. So let’s go game by game, with one big question from each matchup, and see what we can take away this early in the year. 

Washington Commanders @ Green Bay Packers

Q: Are the Packers the best team in the NFL?

A: Right now, it sure feels like it. Green Bay has come out swinging on both sides of the ball, and it’s not just the Micah Parsons effect. He’s been awesome, no doubt, but the offense has been humming too. Jordan Love looks calm and efficient, the receivers all look a step sharper than they did a year ago, and the balance between the pass and run is giving defenses headaches. Through two weeks, Love has 480 yards and 4 touchdowns with zero picks, and that’s against playoff teams from last season. Add in Romeo Doubs making plays, Tucker Kraft breaking out, and even Malik Heath flashing with a big sideline grab, and suddenly this WR room doesn’t look so shaky anymore.

And the defense? Nasty. Parsons has been wrecking protections, but it’s not just him — the front four is dictating games, the secondary has been sticky, and they’ve completely bottled up what was the league’s top scoring offense in Detroit a year ago. Washington barely moved the ball for three quarters. Early tape and numbers all say the same thing: this isn’t hype, this is a legit top‑tier unit.

Do I still think the Eagles will eventually be the class of the NFC once their new staff and system settle in? Probably. But right now, the Packers deserve every bit of credit. They’ve looked the part of the league’s best through two weeks, and until someone punches them back, you can’t argue with the results.

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins

Q: Are the Dolphins completely dead?

A: It’s hard not to say yes after what we’ve seen, because Miami looks like a mess on both sides of the ball. The offense has been one of the sloppiest in the league through two weeks, with Tua forcing balls into coverage and Tyreek Hill showing clear frustration as the miscues pile up. The defense hasn’t bailed them out either — they’ve been shredded in back‑to‑back games, and when you throw in a special‑teams touchdown allowed against New England, it feels like every phase is leaking at the same time. That’s usually how seasons unravel.

You can see it in the numbers. They’re 0–2 with a brutal –31 point differential, giving up 33 points in both games. Against Indy in Week 1, they were completely outclassed — outgained 418–211, out‑possessed by nearly 18 minutes, and Tua tossed a pair of picks. Then in Week 2, rookie Drake Maye carved them up for an 82% completion rate and a 137 passer rating while their own offense stalled with penalties and another late interception. Eight sacks allowed in two weeks only makes matters worse.

So are they dead? If things don’t turn around fast, yeah. This looks like a team headed for major shakeups, whether that means staff changes, roster moves, or both. Maybe Tua steadies and the defense finds its footing, but with Buffalo looming on a short week, it feels like things are going to get worse before they get better.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals

Q: Can Bengals survive without Burrow?

A: Honestly, it’s tough to see them pulling that off. Joe Burrow needing surgery for turf toe changes everything — he’s likely gone for most, if not all, of 2025. That leaves Jake Browning, and while he had a couple of nice moments after coming in against Jacksonville, the three interceptions tell the real story. He’s a gamer, but asking him to steady a playoff contender for months is a huge ask. Defenses are going to have film on him now, and that’s usually when the cracks really show.

There’s been some fun talk about trying to pry Jameis Winston out of New York, where he’s wasting away as the third‑stringer behind Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart. That at least would give the Bengals a starter with experience and the kind of arm that could keep Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase relevant. But even then, you’re not replicating what Burrow brings to the table. He’s the franchise for a reason.

At 2–0, Cincinnati’s record looks fine on paper, but one win came with Burrow barely moving the offense, and the other was fueled more by chaos than control. Without him, this feels like a team that could slide out of the race quickly. And if that happens, the smart play might be to let Burrow sit the year out and focus on being fully healthy for 2026.

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Q: Are the Cowboys a Playoff team?

A: I just don’t see it. Yeah, they put up points on the Giants and nearly stole one from Philly in Week 1, but if you peel back the layers it’s not as pretty as it looks on the surface. That Eagles game felt more like Philly having an off day than Dallas proving anything. The Eagles seemed like they were thinking about Kansas City the whole time.

Then Week 2 happens — Dallas hangs 40 on the Giants, but that says more about New York’s defense than some great awakening for Dak and company. The Cowboys still needed a miracle 64‑yarder just to force overtime, and the defense let Russell Wilson light them up for 450 yards and three touchdowns — something he's only done once, and it's been over a hundred games. That’s a brutal look for a defense that may not have had high expectations, but they were higher than this.

Add in the penalties, the injuries up front with Cooper Beebe going down, and the fact that the Eagles already look like the class of the division at 2‑0, and it’s hard to buy Dallas as a playoff lock. They’ve got talent, no doubt, but right now the mix of coverage leaks and shaky situational play screams “pretender” more than contender.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

Q: Is the Lions offense all the way back?

A: Honestly, I’m not sure it was ever really gone. Week 1 against Green Bay looked ugly on paper, but the more we see of that Packers defense, the more it feels like it was about who they were facing, not some huge problem with Detroit’s offense. New coordinator, reworked interior line, first game jitters — it added up to a bad day. They still moved the ball a little, just couldn’t finish drives and got swallowed by constant pressure.

Fast forward a week and they hang 52 points and over 500 yards on Chicago. Yeah, the Bears’ defense might be bottom-tier, but it’s not like those numbers just happen by accident. Jared Goff was nearly flawless, Amon-Ra St. Brown looked unstoppable, and the run game finally had some juice. More importantly, the protection was night-and-day better — no sacks allowed and a pocket that let Goff pick the bears apart.

Los Angeles Rams @ Tennessee Titans

Q: Is Davante Adams going to put this team over the top?

A: He sure looks like the kind of piece that could, but it’s going to take a little time. The chemistry with Matthew Stafford isn’t there yet — 10 catches on 21 targets isn’t the standard you expect from a guy like Adams. Compare that to Puka Nacua hauling in 18 of his 20 looks and you see the gap. That’s not about Adams slowing down, though. Watch the tape and you see him winning routes the same way he did in Green Bay: sharp releases, patient stems, late hands. He’s getting open and drawing top coverage, the ball just hasn’t consistently hit him in stride yet.

By the end of the season, I think this duo is going to look like a true 1A/1B with him and Nacua. Stafford has always thrived on timing throws and back‑shoulder shots, and that plays right into Adams’ wheelhouse. Once they iron out the small things — landmarks, timing, trust — this offense is going to get scary. The upside is obvious: Adams forces defenses to tilt coverage his way, which only makes life easier for Nacua, Atwell, and McVay’s play‑action concepts. The production will catch up to the talent, and when it does, the Rams’ offense could go from good to downright dangerous.

San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints

Q: Can Kyle Shanahan win with any quarterback?

A: People love to say he can, and honestly, it’s hard to argue he doesn’t get the most out of whoever lines up under center. But the whole “Kyle could make Mac Jones look like Brock Purdy” debate? That’s where I think folks are getting carried away. Jones looked decent against a soft Saints defense, while Purdy just handled a much tougher Seattle defense a week earlier. Context matters.

The difference isn’t arm strength or athleticism so much as it is what goes on upstairs. Purdy processes quicker, stays calm in the storm, and consistently hits those tight‑window throws in big moments. That’s his superpower — poise and anticipation. Jones, on the other hand, has had a knack for crumbling when the lights get brightest, and that’s not something a coach can just scheme away. Shanahan’s system raises the floor, sure, but it doesn’t erase the mental gap between the two.

At the end of the day, the numbers tell the story. Mac Jones might have piled up more yards, but his completion rate was eight points lower than Purdy’s, his EPA per dropback was five times worse, and he was pressured on only 21% of his snaps — far less than the 60% Purdy dealt with in Week 1. 

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

Q: Are the Bills the best team in the AFC?

A: Not yet. Buffalo has looked really good through two weeks, but the Ravens still feel like the team to beat. Week 1 told the story — Baltimore controlled that game for three quarters before the Bills flipped it late. That’s kind of been Baltimore's deal in big moments: get ahead, then find the strangest way to let it slip. But that's not going to happen forever, not with this group of leaders. Josh Allen can cover up a lot of flaws for the Bills, and the defense plus run game make this version of the team more balanced than in years past, but I’m not convinced they’re ready to knock off the Ravens when it really counts in January. For now, they look like the clear No. 2 in the conference.

That doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. They handled the Jets on the road in Week 2 with smothering defense, holding them to 154 total yards and 0-for-11 on third downs. James Cook ran wild for 132 yards and two scores, and Allen managed the game even with a banged-up nose. Add that to the rally against Baltimore where he threw for nearly 400 yards and erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, and you see a team that can win in multiple ways. They’re ahead of the Chiefs right now, and the Chargers’ defense might be tough, but Allen is the difference-maker there too.

Still, Baltimore’s balance with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry gives them a steadier floor, especially in bad-weather playoff games. If the Bills' defense keeps playing like it did against the Jets, though, the gap could shrink fast.

Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Q: What's wrong with this Steelers defense?

A: For a unit that’s the highest‑paid in football, it’s been a rough start. Pittsburgh has given up 63 points in two games — something that hasn’t happened to a Mike Tomlin team in over a decade — and it doesn’t really make sense on paper when you see names like T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey in the lineup. The pass rush isn’t finishing, the run fits have been leaky, and opponents have gashed them on third downs. That’s not what you expect from a group with this much talent and money tied up in it.

Week 1 was shaky — they let the Jets run for 182 yards and control the clock, and it took Rodgers going nuclear just to sneak out with a win. Then in Week 2, Seattle bullied them in the second half, outscoring Pittsburgh 24–3. Kenneth Walker ran wild, the secondary gave up explosives, and to top it off, a rookie let a live kickoff roll into the end zone for a Seahawks touchdown. That kind of mental lapse almost never happens under Tomlin, which makes all the other issues stand out even more.

So what’s the deal? It feels like a mix of communication issues and maybe even pressing too hard for splash plays instead of just doing their jobs. Watt hasn’t logged a sack yet, and when your superstar is quiet, it trickles down. The good news is it’s still early, and Tomlin’s defenses usually figure it out. But right now, they’re not playing anywhere near the standard their paycheck — or their reputation — suggests.

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

Q: When should the young quarterbacks get a chance in Cleveland?

A: Sooner rather than later. I get why Kevin Stefanski wants to lean on a veteran like Joe Flacco — the guy has experience, knows protections, and in theory gives you a stable floor. But let’s be real: at 0–2 with a thin roster around him, how much are you really gaining by sticking with a 40‑year‑old QB? Flacco hasn’t exactly lit it up, and while Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are both raw, at some point the best move for the franchise isn’t squeezing out a couple of ugly wins in 2025 — it’s figuring out what you’ve got for 2026 and beyond.

If you’re going to make the switch, the natural time is after the Week 9 bye. That gives Flacco one more month to see if he can steady things, and if not, you hand the keys to Gabriel and get eight games of real evaluation. He’s the older rookie, played a ton of ball in college, and should be able to handle protections better right away. Sanders is probably more of a December look if the season is completely lost — give him some red‑zone or two‑minute packages to get his feet wet without throwing him to the wolves.

But if it was me making the decision, it would've been made on Monday immediately following this Week 2 loss. It’s not about giving up; it’s about being honest. This roster doesn’t have the firepower to make a serious run right now. Playing the kids gives you clarity. If one of them pops, you just found your guy. If not, you’re positioned for the draft. Either way, the Browns need to be thinking about the long game, not chasing a wild card that they'll never reach with Flacco in 2025.

Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

Q: Are the Colts a real Super Bowl contender?

A: Not yet. Don’t get me wrong, this is the most life we’ve seen out of Indy in years, and starting a season with back‑to‑back games without a single punt is flat‑out ridiculous. Daniel Jones looks sharper than anyone expected, Jonathan Taylor is healthy and rolling, and Shane Steichen’s scheme is humming. But I’m not ready to pencil them in with the AFC’s heavyweights just yet. The schedule is favorable, the defense has questions up front, and red‑zone execution hasn’t been great. That stuff tends to catch up with you when you run into the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and maybe even the Chargers in January.

Still, you can’t deny how impressive the start has been. They stomped Miami 33–8 in Week 1 with Jones throwing darts and running in scores, then followed it up by outlasting Denver in a wild finish where even a rare leverage penalty worked in their favor. Two games, zero punts, zero turnovers — that’s not a fluke, that’s efficiency. If Jones keeps avoiding mistakes and Taylor keeps chewing up yardage, they’ll be in the playoff mix deep into December.

They are certainly a playoff team, and for Colts fans, that’s already a huge step forward. Give this group more time together and another offseason to beef up the pass rush, and maybe then we can start talking about a real run.

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals

Q: Can the Cardinals ever keep the train on the tracks?

A: History says no, and that’s why it’s so hard to buy in. The Cardinals always seem to find a way to come unglued — whether it’s boneheaded turnovers, late‑season fades, or just flat collapses in games they should have locked up. We’ve seen it over and over: strong starts in 2020 and 2021 that turned into brutal finishes, and even last year when they were leading the division in November only to lose four of five and bow out before the playoffs. Until they prove they can close, it’s tough to trust this team to keep the train on the tracks.

Kyler Murray still gives you reasons to hope, but we’ve been down this road before. He couldn’t make it work consistently with DeAndre Hopkins, and now he’s trying to get in sync with Marvin Harrison Jr. Week 1 showed flashes — a long touchdown and some real promise — but Week 2 was clunky, with Harrison barely making an impact while Trey McBride was the go‑to option. The potential is there, but the chemistry isn’t yet, and until that timing develops, this offense is going to sputter at the worst times.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs

Q: Are either of these teams as good as they were a year ago?

A: Not really. Both the Eagles and Chiefs just don’t look like the same groups that powered their way to the Super Bowl last year. For Philly, the offensive line isn’t bullying people like it used to, and you can feel that trickle down into the passing game. Through two weeks they’ve averaged barely 120 yards through the air, and it’s been more about leaning on Saquon and a defense that looks tough under Vic Fangio. That unit is keeping them unbeaten, but the offense hasn’t found its rhythm.

Kansas City’s issues are a little different but just as glaring. They’re 0–2 for the first time in the Mahomes era, and it shows how thin the margin is when your receiver room is short‑handed. Rashee Rice is suspended, Xavier Worthy’s been banged up, and that leaves Kelce trying to do too much — which led to that brutal goal‑line pick off his hands against Philly. The run game still hasn’t become a steady answer, so Mahomes is carrying the weight without the help he needs.

Both of these teams still have high ceilings — it’s Mahomes and Hurts, after all — but right now they look a notch below last year’s versions. The Packers, Ravens, and Bills have been sharper through two weeks, and until the Eagles’ offense and the Chiefs’ weapons catch up, it’s fair to say these squads aren’t quite the same juggernauts we saw a season ago.

Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings

Q: Were the Vikings right to bet heavy on McCarthy?

A: I still think so. Two games into his career, it hasn’t been pretty for J.J. McCarthy, but writing him off this early would be a mistake. Seven of his first eight quarters were rough, sure, yet the one shining quarter showed why Minnesota made the bet. Rallying for 21 unanswered points in your NFL debut, on the road, says a lot about his poise and leadership. That ability to settle in when it matters most is something you can’t coach, and it’s why I’m not wavering on him.

The struggles are real, though. Against Atlanta, he was sacked six times, threw two picks, and looked like a rookie trying to operate behind a patchwork offensive line. The offense has barely run 50 plays a game, third‑down conversions have been brutal, and the protection issues aren’t going away until guys like Christian Darrisaw are fully healthy.

At the end of the day, McCarthy is still just a 22-year-old kid adjusting to one of the league’s more complicated offenses, all while becoming a new dad in the middle of it. Kevin O’Connell has made it clear this is a process, and he’s the kind of coach who can steady the ship. A high‑ankle sprain will slow his year down, but none of this changes the bigger picture: the Vikings were right to make the investment, and patience is the only way it pays off.  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans

Q: What can Texans do to keep Stroud protected?

A: It’s the same old story in Houston — the line just hasn’t held up, and it’s dragging down everything around it. Stroud isn’t the kind of QB who thrives running for his life; he’s a pocket passer who can absolutely pick defenses apart when he’s got a clean pocket, and we’ve already seen him do that at a high level. The problem is, he rarely gets that luxury. Six sacks through two weeks, constant reshuffling up front, and a pressure rate that’s fourth-worst in the league — it’s no wonder the offense bogs down in long yardage situations. Some of that falls on Stroud to get the ball out quicker, but most of it is about the guys in front of him not winning enough reps.

The numbers back it up. Last year, Houston gave up 54 sacks and ranked near the bottom in pass‑block win rate, and nothing looks all that different now. When Stroud didn't face pressure last year, he looked like a top‑10 quarterback: 70% completions, over seven yards an attempt, and a positive EPA. Under pressure, that drops to about 50% completions and a 5:4 touchdown to interception ratio.

So what can they actually do? Until the offseason gives them a chance to fix it for real, it’s about band‑aids: more quick game, more RPOs, extra chips and six‑man protections on passing downs, and leaning on play‑action to slow down the rush. It’s not flashy, but it’s the only way to keep their franchise QB upright. Give him time and he’ll shine. Keep letting him get hit like this, and you risk wasting what could be a special season.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders

Q: Can this Chargers defense play this well against top-tier opponents?

A: I think they can, but we still haven’t really seen them tested. Holding the Chiefs to 21 in Week 1 looks nice, but that Kansas City offense was missing weapons and hasn’t looked like the juggernaut version we’re used to. The Raiders certainly don’t scare anyone either. So yes, the early numbers are great — third in points allowed, one passing touchdown given up, a bunch of takeaways — but the real proof will come when they’re lining up against a loaded offense that’s firing on all cylinders.

That said, the talent is absolutely there. You’ve got a front that can generate pressure without blitzing, linebackers who can both cover and create splash plays, and a secondary that’s already come up with multiple red‑zone interceptions. That combination is why it feels sustainable. The back seven buys the rush an extra beat, and in today’s AFC, that’s the only way to slow down the likes of Allen, Lamar, or even Mahomes when his receivers aren’t letting him down.

So even though I want to see this group against a true heavyweight before crowning them, the ingredients are all in place. If they keep flying around like this and Mack gets back healthy, this defense has a real shot at joining Green Bay and Philadelphia as one of the league’s best. The only question left is whether it holds up once the schedule gets tougher.

All stats courtesy of NFL Pro.