Week 1 of the NFL season was hectic and chaotic, and Week 2 didn’t disappoint in following up. There were multiple high drama comebacks from multiple possessions down and even an overtime thriller. Where does every team stand after two weeks?
32. Carolina Panthers (0-2) Prev: 31
Two weeks in, Baker Mayfield has not made the Panthers any better than the team was last year. Mayfield completed less than 50% of his passes, and the team only put one touchdown on the board. If the team continues in this direction, coach Matt Rhule’s time in Carolina may end soon.
Team MVP: Brian Burns (4 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: vs Saints
31. Atlanta Falcons (0-2) Prev: 29
Atlanta almost pulled a reverse 28-3 on the Rams, but they ultimately fell short. A very concerning point for the dirty birds is the lack of production from Kyle Pitts. Last year’s third overall pick hasn’t been getting many targets while being their best skill player. Marcus Mariota should start looking his way more often.
Team MVP: Drake London (8 rec, 86 yds, TD)
Next: at Seahawks
30. Houston Texans (0-1-1) Prev: 28
Despite looking like the better-coached team, the Texans fell to the Broncos. Denver’s talented secondary kept Houston’s passing attack at bay, only completing 50% of their passes for less than 200 yards. Davis Mills has shown flashes, but he needs to stop having games like this if he wants to be a franchise quarterback.
Team MVP: Christian Kirksey (5 tackles, 0.5 sacks, INT)
Next: at Bears
29. Washington Commanders (1-1) Prev: 26
Washington got its doors blown off by Detroit. If nothing else for Washington, Carson Wentz didn’t necessarily have a bad game, although most of his stats came from garbage time. However, the Commanders seem to have some problems with their usually solid defense.
Team MVP: Curtis Samuel (7 rec, 78 yds, TD, 21 rush yds)
Next: vs Eagles
28. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) Prev: 24
Seattle’s offense couldn’t put any points on the board against the 49ers. Their only score came on a blocked punt, but they couldn’t seize the momentum. After the high of beating Russell Wilson, the Seahawks may be coming back down to Earth.
Team MVP: Mike Jackson (6 tackles, blocked kick return TD)
Next: vs Falcons
27. Chicago Bears (1-1) Prev: 23
Facing off with their long-time rivals, the Bears lasted about a quarter against the Packers. Chicago’s passing offense has a big problem, as Justin Fields couldn’t even throw for 100 yards. Either Chicago’s receivers need to step up, or Fields himself does.
Team MVP: David Montgomery (122 yds)
Next: vs Texans
26. Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1) Prev: 20
The Colts have looked dreadful through two weeks of the season. Matt Ryan coming in was supposed to make this team a playoff contender, but the team seems to have taken a step back. Getting shut out by the Jags should almost be considered an accomplishment.
Team MVP: Ashton Dulin (5 rec, 79 yds)
Next: vs Chiefs
25. New York Jets (1-1) Prev: 32
Coach Robert Saleh recently said that the Jets would start keeping receipts from their doubters. A dramatic fourth-quarter comeback later, and the Jets added to their receipt collection. Joe Flacco turned the clock back to 2012, with over 300 yards and four touchdowns. The groundwork is there for the Jets to be a solid young team this season.
Team MVP: Garrett Wilson (8 rec, 102 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Bengals
24. Tennessee Titans (0-2) Prev: 17
Tennesse was royally curb-stomped by the Bills. Last year’s AFC number one seed has taken a serious step back, even with King Henry back and healthy. Relying way too much on their weak passing game, the Titans need to start feeding Derrick Henry before their season gets away.
Team MVP: Denico Autry (1 tackle, sack, 2 QB hits)
Next: vs Raiders
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) Prev: 30
The Jaguars must have the Colts’ number. Jacksonville scored a shutout win over Indy. Trevor Lawrence found Christian Kirk, who everybody thought was significantly overpaid, for two touchdowns. Maybe they do know what they’re doing down in Jacksonville.
Team MVP: Christian Kirk (6 rec, 78 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Chargers
22. Detroit Lions (1-1) Prev: 27
How about the Detroit Lions? Detroit put up 36 points in a win over the Commanders. The Lions, like the Jets, have the groundwork to be a good young team. Detroit could be a trap team this season for contenders.
Team MVP: Amon-Ra St. Brown (9 rec, 116 yds, 2 TDs, 68 rush yds)
Next: at Vikings
21. Denver Broncos (1-1) Prev: 16
Very rarely does a team fall five spots after a win. But goodness gracious, the Broncos looked terrible against the Texans. It starts with the head coach, who has looked unprepared for both games. If Denver doesn’t pick it up, the only place Broncos country will be riding to is into the sunset.
Team MVP: Dre’Mont Jones (6 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: vs 49ers
20. New York Giants (2-0) Prev: 25
The New York Football Giants are 2-0. I can’t say I expected to type that sentence this year. This team doesn’t win pretty, but they win nonetheless. We’ll see how long the G-men can stay hot.
Team MVP: Julian Love (8 tackles, sack)
Next: vs Cowboys
19. Cleveland Browns (1-1) Prev: 18
Cleveland blew a two-touchdown lead late against the Jets. It started with a deep touchdown and then an onside kick. Joe Flacco then sliced through the Browns’ defense for the game-winning drive. The Browns just need to have a decent enough record when Deshaun Watson comes back from his 11-game suspension to make a playoff push.
Team MVP: Nick Chubb (87 yds, 3 TDs)
Next: vs Steelers
18. Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) Prev: 9
The Raiders don’t look too great through two games of the Josh McDaniels era. They were taken to overtime by the Cardinals after blowing a 20-point lead, the biggest in franchise history. Then they fumbled in overtime, leading to the game-winning fumble return touchdown. The Raiders are nowhere near where they should be with their roster.
Team MVP: Amik Robertson (4 tackles, INT)
Next: at Titans
17. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) Prev: 22
How ’bout them Cowboys? Everyone wrote off Dallas after Dak Prescott’s injury, and Cooper Rush led them past the Bengals. Dallas’ defense could be among the league’s best this year, with Micah Parsons leading the charge. They’ll need more performances like this from Rush and their defense while Dak recovers.
Team MVP: Micah Parsons (4 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 QB hits)
Next: at Giants
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) Prev: 15
In their first game without TJ Watt, the Steelers fell to the Patriots. The offense looked anemic at points, with the crowd in Pittsburgh chanting for rookie Kenny Pickett to come in at quarterback. It remains to be seen how long of a leash Mike Tomlin has on Mitch Trubisky.
Team MVP: Minkah Fitzpatrick (6 tackles, INT)
Next: at Browns
15. New England Patriots (1-1) Prev: 21
The Patriots’ biggest problem may have fixed itself in Pittsburgh. The offensive line looked great, barely getting Mac Jones hit and winning it late with the run game. Now the Patriots need Mac Jones to stop throwing interceptions.
Team MVP: Nelson Agholor (6 rec, 110 yds, TD)
Next: vs Ravens
14. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) Prev: 8
Last year’s AFC champs are showing some concerning signs early on. The offensive line is just as bad as last year, if not worse, but the Bengals can’t seem to get around it like they did last year. If the Bengals want to get back to where they were, they need to protect their franchise quarterback.
Team MVP: Tee Higgins (6 rec 71 yds, TD)
Next: at Jets
13. New Orleans Saints (1-1) Prev: 13
Things were going fine for the Saints until Marshon Lattimore got ejected. After the team’s number one corner got tossed, Tom Brady found a way to get the Bucs on the board, and Jameis did too, throwing a pick-six. Maybe Lasik eye surgery Jameis is the same as the old Jameis.
Team MVP: Michael Thomas (6 rec, 65 yds, TD)
Next: at Panthers
12. Minnesota Vikings (1-1) Prev: 7
One week after beating Aaron Rodgers, the Eagles brought the Vikings back to Earth. Philly shut down Justin Jefferson, and Kirk Cousins looked lost, throwing multiple interceptions. If they want to be the new kings in the north, the Vikings need to forget this game quickly.
Team MVP: Irv Smith Jr. (5 rec, 36 yds, TD)
Next: vs Lions
11. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) Prev: 19
After facing heavy scrutinization all week, Kyler Murray brought the Cardinals back late against the Raiders. Arizona’s defense won the game in overtime with a fumble return for a touchdown, although Byron Murphy nearly threw the ball away before crossing the goal line. We’ll see where this win takes Arizona.
Team MVP: Byron Murphy Jr. (1 tackle, game-winning fumble return TD)
Next: vs Rams
10. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) Prev: 6
The Ravens were crushing Miami through three quarters. Then Baltimore gave up 28 fourth-quarter points and ended up with the loss. Miami’s speed on offense roasted the Ravens, whose pass defense has now given up almost 1,000 yards through two games.
Team MVP: Lamar Jackson (21/29, 318 yds, 3 TDs, 119 rush yds, TD)
Next: at Patriots
9. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) Prev: 3
Los Angeles could not pull out the win over Kansas City, despite a gutsy performance from Justin Herbert. Herbert suffered fractured rib cartilage and was clearly in pain at the end of the game. The Chargers’ status depends on Herbert’s health.
Team MVP: Mike Williams (8 rec, 113 yds, TD)
Next: vs Jaguars
8. San Francisco 49ers (1-1) Prev: 12
The 49ers likely lost Trey Lance for the season with an ankle injury. Lucky for them, they had Jimmy Garoppolo as their backup. The team looked much better with Jimmy G as their quarterback, which is telling where lance was in his development. The Niners are back to their contender status with Garoppolo now back.
Team MVP: Nick Bosa (4 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: at Broncos
7. Green Bay Packers (1-1) Prev: 11
Green Bay is back, though they may need a different approach than they usually do. The Packers may need to lean on the run game rather than their MVP quarterback. Aaron Rodgers’ receivers may not be great, but he’s got two tremendous running backs in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Green Bay may be a ground-and-pound team now.
Team MVP: Aaron Jones (132 yds, TD, 3 rec, 38 yds, TD)
Next: at Buccaneers
6. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) Prev: 10
The Eagles look fantastic through two weeks of the season. Jalen Hurts has taken the next step as a true dual-threat QB. Couple that with a stingy defense, and you’ve got something cooking in Philly.
Team MVP: Jalen Hurts (26/31, 333 yds, TD, INT, 57 rush yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Commanders
5. Miami Dolphins (2-0) Prev: 14
Miami soars into the top five after Tua shredded the Ravens for almost 500 yards. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are the most dangerous wide receiver duo in the NFL right now, and nobody seems to have the answers. The Dolphins are for real.
Team MVP: Tua Tagovailoa (36/50, 469 yds, 6 TDs, 2 INTs)
Next: vs Bills
4. Los Angeles Rams (1-1) Prev: 5
The Super Bowl champs edged out the Falcons at home this week. The Rams have shown some concerning signs, especially with Matt Stafford’s turnover problems. Los Angeles should have the talent to get around it, however.
Team MVP: Cooper Kupp (11 rec, 108 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Cardinals
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) Prev: 4
The Chiefs appear to still run the AFC West after beating the Chargers. The Chargers, Raiders, and Broncos brought in many big names, while the Chiefs retooled under the radar. Kansas City looks leaps and bounds ahead of its competition to this point.
Team MVP: Jaylen Watson (4 tackles, INT, TD)
Next: at Colts
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) Prev: 2
The Bucs stared down their kryptonite and came out with the win against the Saints. It was not a pretty win, as Mike Evans got himself ejected and suspended. The Bucs will be without their star receiver for one game, requiring Tampa’s offense to step up.
Team MVP: Jamel Dean (5 tackles, 2 INTs)
Next: vs Packers
1. Buffalo Bills (2-0) Prev: 1
After crushing the Titans, the Bills remain in the top spot. Buffalo looks head and shoulders above the rest of the league, as they’ve destroyed the Super Bowl champs and last year’s number one seed in their first two games. Who can step up and take down the Bills?
Team MVP: Stefon Diggs (12 rec, 148 yds, 3 TDs)
Next: at Dolphins
