After just two weeks in the NFL season, story lines are starting to (maybe pre-maturely) build.
Is something wrong with Joe Burrow?
Will the Jets finally move on from Zach Wilson?
Was the “Sean Payton Factor” overrated in Denver?
Is this Cowboys team different than the ones of the past?
These are just some of the conversations being had amongst football fans. Like any season, some of these will be put to rest and others will continue throughout the season. These topics of conversation are part of what makes the NFL season so interesting. Here are some of the biggest storylines from week two. Will they continue to be storylines after week three?
Burrow, Bengals Struggles Continue
In hopes of getting the bad taste out of their mouth from week one, the Cincinnati Bengals offense once against struggled in week two. The Bengals lost at home to division rival Baltimore, 27-24.
This game wasn’t as bad as week one against Cleveland, but Joe Burrow still didn’t look like the guy who has earned himself the highest paid contract in NFL history. Burrow was 27 of 41 passing for 222 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Slow starts to the season aren’t a new thing for this Bengals group, but the fact that both losses have come to divisional opponents puts Cincinnati behind the eight ball early.
Maybe even more concerning is the fact that the Ravens were able to post 415 total yards on the Bengals defense, a group that has made large improvements in recent years. The Ravens three headed rushing attack of Lamar Jackson, Justice Hill, and Gus Edwards doubled the Bengals rushing yard output. Baltimore now moves to 2-0 and if they avoid endless injuries like the past two seasons, could be a serious contender in the AFC.
It’s still far too early to hit the panic button for Cincinnati, especially considering Burrow didn’t get a ton of offseason practice after getting injured in training camp. That being said, a home game against a surprisingly competitive Los Angeles Rams team now feels like a must win in week three.
Welcome to the Coaching Hot Seat! Brandon Staley, Come on Down!
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley felt like he was the coach most prone to enter job loss conversations if his team didn’t perform well to open the season. After two weeks and two disappointing losses, here we are. Staley’s coaching seat is without a doubt the hottest in the NFL.
This weekend the Chargers lost on the road to the Tennessee Titans in overtime, 27-24. Los Angeles opened with an 11-0 lead, but allowed the Titans back in the game and traded points with them throughout the majority of the game. The Chargers had just as many yards as Tennessee, no turnovers for the second straight week, were 3 for 3 on fourth downs, and received 305 passing yards and two touchdowns from Justin Herbert, but still ended on the wrong side of the final score. The biggest issue the Chargers had in week two was that they were 2 for 5 in the red zone.
Despite playing well enough to win, this has become a trend for the Chargers during Staley’s tenure. Los Angeles plays most teams, including some of the league’s best, extremely competitively, but often end up with a loss. They have also been victim to late season collapses to teams with rosters far less superior than their own. When this team needs a win, there are few football teams you can make a safer bet that they won’t get that win. Despite Sunday’s great fourth down efficiency and a success two point conversion, Staley has had a history of being unnecessarily aggressive in games, failed on those risks, and points that could’ve been have come around to cost his team.
There is a long season to go. The Chargers have plenty of time to get this right, including facing a team in week three who is also off to a frustrating 0-2 start in the Minnesota Vikings. Brandon Staley may not be a bad coach, but with Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator and a potential replacement, the Chargers better start closing out these winnable games soon.
Cowboys Host a Zach Wilson Interception Party
Consider Zach Wilson the most recent victim of the Dallas Cowboys defense, which has brought terror upon both New York teams in the first two weeks of the season. The Cowboys intercepted Wilson three times on Sunday in route to a 30-10 win. Dallas held the Jets to just 215 yards of total offense as New York was welcomed back to reality without Aaron Rodgers behind center.
The Cowboys are off to an impressive 2-0 start and their identity is built upon defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s defense. The best player on that defense, Micah Parsons, might be the very early season favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
Offensively, the Cowboys broke down the New York defense after dominating the possession time battle by a whopping 42 minutes to 18 minutes! Not to lay it on Zach Wilson anymore, but it appears the best way to break down the Jets defense is to put Wilson at quarterback and force them back on the field for the entire game. Ceedee Lamb was the Cowboys star, collecting 11 receptions for 143 receiving yards from Dak Prescott.
As good as Dallas looks, it’s hard to watch this game and not wonder what this once upon a time captivating Jets season will end up being. It would be surprising to see this team continue to put Wilson out there. The Dallas defense is great, but Wilson was 12-27 passing and often seems like his biggest plays are just prayer throws to Garrett Wilson. I won’t say the guy just doesn’t have it, but at the very least, he needs a change of scenery. Wilson continuing to play in a Jets jersey is not good for any party.
Giants Comeback Prevents (or Delays) Major Concern
It was looking like “misery loves company” and the Giants were well on their way to join the Jets with a miserable two week start to the season for both Big Apple teams. New York was down 20-0 at the half to Arizona and then 28-7 with just under 10 minutes left in the third quarter. The Giants then went on to score 24 consecutive points for a 31-28 win.
Daniel Jones paced the Giants comeback by throwing 321 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Saquon Barkley also provided 63 yards rushing and one touchdown before leaving the game with an ankle injury.
The comeback win over Arizona doesn’t necessarily erase all concern for New York. Considering the Giants are expecting to return to the playoffs this season, a 40-0 loss to Dallas and then needing an unbelievable comeback to defeat a team many people view as a legitimate tanking football team, Brian Daboll’s team still has a lot left to prove they aren’t just one year wonders. With Barkley likely to miss multiple weeks now and a game next week against San Francisco, this season isn’t about to get any easier. Without the star running back, Jones will need to prove he’s worth every bit of that four year, $160 million contract.
Week Two Game Watchability Rankings
16. Bears vs Chiefs: It’s not common to see the defending Super Bowl champions as one half of the lowest ranked game of a week, but this Kansas City team hasn’t looked as high flying as they have in the past. The Chiefs have struggled to find a flow within the offense and although the chances that changes against the Bears are good, it’s been tough to watch so far. It also doesn’t really matter, because this Bears team is bad and Justin Fields ability to play quarterback is seriously being questioned only two games into the season. Even with the Chiefs issues, it’s hard to see Chicago posing much of a challenge.
15. Cowboys vs Cardinals: The Dallas and Arizona matchup has just about the same expectations as the Bears/Chiefs. Arizona looked like they were on their way to a win over the Giants, but they blew a 21 point third quarter lead by giving up 24 consecutive points. Wins will be hard to come by for the Cardinals so letting that one get away will sting. Dallas has been one of the league’s most impressive teams. The Cowboys defense needs a real challenge, but they won’t find it in Arizona.
14. Texans vs Jaguars: An early season AFC matchup between the preseason division favorite Jacksonville and Houston. This season is mostly about development and improvement for the Texans. Hopefully quarterback CJ Stroud and wide receiver Nico Collins can build off of some of the chemistry they had in week two where Collins caught seven catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville will want to put up some points after just settling for three field goals in their week two loss to Kansas City. Houston may be a season or two away from being a factor, but this will be a good test to see how far away the Texans are from the best of the division.
13. Panthers vs Seahawks: The Seattle Seahawks erased the memory of their season opening home loss to the Rams and earned a tough fought overtime win in Detroit. Bryce Young’s career is off to an 0-2 start and heading to the unbelievably loud Lumen Field will be a tough atmosphere for the rookie. Young’s lack of weapons will be a story all season. Hopefully the Panthers can make this competitive.
12. Falcons vs Lions: Atlanta will travel to Detroit with an undefeated record, but it’s hard to imagine the Falcons being a favorite against the Lions. Detroit lost their home opener to the Seahawks in overtime, but the Lions seem to be have a bit more talent than Atlanta, especially at the quarterback position. It’s almost unbelievable the Falcons are 2-0 with Desmond Ridder behind center. If this Detroit team is going to have people take them seriously, they need to avoid going 0-2 at home.
11. Titans vs Browns: Cleveland has been a surprisingly good looking team and although Deshaun Watson doesn’t quite look like his Houston Texan days, he looks much improved to his Browns debut last season. The Titans are essentially the same team that it feels like they’ve been for five years. Good defensive line and an offense that will go as far as Derrick Henry takes them. The most curious thing about this game should be how the Browns offense changes with Nick Chubb likely to be announced out for the season with a serious knee injury.
10. Patriots vs Jets: Defense for defense, this game is an amazing matchup. It’s unfortunate the offenses struggle so much. New England will be favorites as their offense has some form of functionality compared to New York with Zach Wilson, but this game will likely be an offensive slog.
9. Steelers vs Raiders: That was more like the Steelers defense we were expecting. TJ Watt and the guys were flying all over the field on Monday night against the Browns. If this team wants to challenge for the AFC North title and a playoff spot, the Las Vegas Raiders are the type of team they should beat. Traveling to Vegas will be a good test for Pittsburgh as well as another opportunity for Jimmy Garoppolo and the Raiders to show us this isn’t just the same team, but without Derek Carr.
8. Broncos vs Dolphins: Miami is starting out hot this season, much like they did in 2022. When Tua is healthy, the Dolphins can give any team a run for their money. Russell Wilson and Denver are playing better under Sean Payton, but the Broncos don’t have a win to show for it. Denver will need a big road upset if they don’t want their playoff hopes to take a drastic hit.
7. Saints vs Packers: Somewhat of a sneaky good matchup. Jordan Love has looked pretty good in his first two games as the full time starter for the Pack. The Saints haven’t looked great, but they are 2-0 and Carr is starting to get more of a feel for his receivers. The Lambeau crowd will be loud and ready for the home opener and a new era in Green Bay.
6. Chargers vs Vikings: Normally a game between two 0-2 teams wouldn’t be this high in the game rankings, but Los Angeles and Minnesota are also two teams who most view as teams with better rosters compared to the other winless teams. These are also two teams who just have mistake after mistake to find ways to let games slip away. There’s no reason to believe those mistakes will stop in week 3. Let’s see whether the Chargers or Vikings are better at finding ways to lose.
5. Colts vs Ravens: The excitement for this game is base solely on the potential matchup of Anthony Richardson and Lamar Jackson, two of the league’s most exciting quarterbacks who are just as dangerous on their feet, if not more, than through the air. That matchup could be at risk with Anthony Richardson entering concussion protocol this week. Baltimore will be favorites without question, but football fans can expect plenty of exciting plays between both the Colts and Ravens’ quarterbacks.
4. Rams vs Bengals: The biggest surprise in the NFL after two weeks is how bad the Cincinnati Bengals offense has looked, and in particularly, Joe Burrow. The newly made highest paid player in league history has struggled in the opening two weeks. On the other hand, Los Angeles has been far more competitive than many expected, winning in Seattle in week one and hanging with San Francisco for a majority of the game in week two. This rematch of Super Bowl LVI has a chance to be really good if Los Angeles continues to play as they have and more importantly, if the Bengals start playing like they can.
3. Giants vs 49ers: It was looking pretty grim for New York in week two as they were down by over 20 points to Arizona in the third quarter. Maybe the Giants comeback win can rejuvenate this team from their first six quarters of football on the season. Daniel Jones and company will need to be much improved if they intend to last long with San Francisco. The 49ers have been arguably the best team in football in the first two weeks. It won’t be any easier for the Giants as they will be without Saquon Barkley who injured his ankle.
2. Bills vs Commanders: Buffalo and Washington has a chance to be a fun and physical east coast battle. Two teams that have good offensive lines and are coming off week two wins. This game will also feature two quarterbacks who have felt pressure fairly frequently in the first two weeks. Josh Allen has already been sacked seven times while Washington’s Sam Howell has already been caught behind the line of scrimmage ten times. Expect these defenses to have Allen and Howell trying to get rid of the ball quickly on Sunday.
1. Eagles vs Buccaneers: In a week that doesn’t have a single game that feels like a “can’t miss”, this is the top ranked game of the week. This has mostly to do with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay being the only two undefeated teams to play each other in week 3 and the fact that this doesn’t feel like a certainty that Philly wins like it may have before the season started. Tampa Bay may not be a great 2-0 team, but they are gritty.
The Brewball NFL Power Rankings
- San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
- Dallas Cowboys (2-0)
- Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
- Miami Dolphins (2-0)
- Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
- Buffalo Bills (1-1)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
- Washington Commanders (2-0)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
- Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
- Detroit Lions (1-1)
- New Orleans Saints (2-0)
- Atlanta Falcons (2-0)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
- Cleveland Browns (1-1)
- Green Bay Packers (1-1)
- Los Angeles Rams (1-1)
- Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
- New York Jets (1-1)
- New England Patriots (0-2)
- New York Giants (1-1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (0-2)
- Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
- Tennessee Titans (1-1)
- Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
- Denver Broncos (0-2)
- Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
- Carolina Panthers (0-2)
- Chicago Bears (0-2)
- Arizona Cardinals (0-2)
- Houston Texans (0-2)