Congratulations to all NFL fans as we successfully navigated through the first week of the NFL football season, with games scheduled precisely as they should be. Notably, there was no Friday evening game played in another country, which would have required one team to forfeit a home game. The schedule featured two Monday night games without any overlap, with the first matchup between an East Coast team and one from the Central time zone, followed by a second game featuring two teams from the Pacific time zone. Among these was the late game involving the Las Vegas Raiders, providing Tom Brady enough time to fulfill his $375 million broadcasting role before making it to the Raiders’ coaches’ box—an arrangement that raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The only minor hiccup on the schedule was the apparent decision by the NFL to make scoring touchdowns illegal on “Sunday Night Football,” but we can overlook that for now. Now, let’s dive into our third edition of What’s Trending in the NFL.
Typically, we focus on extremes—who has the best chance to win the Super Bowl and who is likely to finish with the worst record in the league. However, this week, we’re examining the teams currently sitting at 1-1 after two weeks of play.
5. The Geno Smith-Sam Darnold–J.J. McCarthy TriangleGeno Smith is undoubtedly an upgrade for the Raiders compared to their previous quarterbacks, Gardner Minshew and Aiden O’Connell, despite a challenging performance in Week 2. On the other hand, Sam Darnold represents a similar profile to what the Seattle Seahawks had in Smith for several seasons. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings are banking on head coach Kevin O’Connell’s ingenuity and Justin Jefferson to elevate J.J. McCarthy, who recently suffered an injury after a promising half of football. For all three teams, this strategy is bold, and only time will tell if it pays off.
4. Fun to WatchThe Dallas Cowboys defense is facing significant challenges, particularly after losing key players like Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, not to mention injuries to stars DaRon Bland and DeMarvion Overshown. However, Dak Prescott is performing well, and the dynamic duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, along with the unexpected emergence of Javonte Williams, promises an entertaining season ahead, regardless of their wins or losses. The Detroit Lions appeared disoriented in Week 1, possibly due to facing the Green Bay Packers while integrating two new coordinators. Nonetheless, it’s exciting to witness Dan Campbell’s fierce rivalry with Ben Johnson, the former Lions offensive coordinator now coaching a division rival.
3. Genuinely MediocreThe New England Patriots failed to secure a win against the Raiders at home and received no credit for their effort against the Miami Dolphins. The Jacksonville Jaguars managed to beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 but faltered against the Jake Browning-led Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos may have secured a win against last year’s worst team but suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Indianapolis Colts in a game they should have clinched. None of these victories was particularly impressive, and the losses were those that serious contenders typically win.
2. Silver Medalist PotentialsThe NFC East still appears to be dominated by the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Washington Commanders stand a solid chance of securing second place in the division, assuming Jayden Daniels recovers quickly from his knee sprain. In the AFC North, Joe Burrow’s injury and the presence of the Cleveland Browns open up opportunities for the Pittsburgh Steelers to potentially finish second. Additionally, with the New Orleans Saints and Panthers seemingly out of the race, the Atlanta Falcons could secure at least a second-place finish in the NFC South, possibly contending with Tampa Bay for the division crown.
1. Honorary 2-0While the Baltimore Ravens sit at 1-1 due to a shocking collapse against the Buffalo Bills, they remain in a league of their own among this group. This roster is one of the most talented in the league, and their quarterback is once again performing at an MVP level. After facing the formidable Bills in Week 1 and the struggling Browns in Week 2, the Ravens’ upcoming matchup against the Lions will provide better insight into their standing among the league's elite.
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The last time the Los Angeles Chargers held sole possession of first place in the AFC West was back in 2009, when Patrick Mahomes was still in high school. The Chargers have made a significant move this season by bumping the 0-2 Kansas City Chiefs out of the top five. Justin Herbert's potential as a franchise quarterback is undeniable, and his continued development under Jim Harbaugh is making many reassess his ceiling.
The most intriguing aspect of the Ravens' recent victory over the Browns was the news that Shedeur Sanders opted out of being drafted by Baltimore, fearing he wouldn’t see the field with Lamar Jackson at the helm. Despite Sanders' valid concerns, it's ironic since he joined a team known for its long-standing struggles with quarterback evaluations.
The Chiefs managed to hold the Eagles to their lowest offensive output since Week 6 of the 2021 season, and they’re eager to remind everyone of that. Nonetheless, securing a road win at Arrowhead despite a lackluster offensive display only enhances the Eagles' terrifying reputation. The core players on this offense have proven their capabilities, and it's unlikely they all declined simultaneously, making Philadelphia one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.
Micah Parsons delivered one of his best performances in five years during a recent game, showcasing his ability to disrupt the opposition. His presence was felt as he drew holding penalties and rushed the passer from various angles. It was a tough debut for Commanders rookie right tackle Josh Conerly, who faced a steep learning curve. Fortunately, he fared better than New York Giants left tackle James Hudson.
During the Patriots’ two-decade dynasty, many noted how easy their schedule was against divisional rivals. Now, the Buffalo Bills find themselves in a similar position within the AFC East, coming off a dominant win over the New York Jets and gearing up to face the Dolphins in prime time. Analyzing the Bills' schedule, they appear to have only four or five challenging games remaining this season, assuming key players maintain their health.
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The Cowboys’ defense made even a struggling Russell Wilson look like his former self. The New York Jets and Carolina Panthers are close behind, but the Jets have two games against the Dolphins while the Panthers face the Saints twice.
Fans of the Titans can find some excitement in Cam Ward’s exhilarating performances, but the team is still in a rebuilding phase following last year's last-place finish. The focus should be on developing young talent and building a solid foundation around Ward.
Spencer Rattler is proving that there may be potential within the Saints’ quarterback room. However, it’s essential to temper expectations, as he might be more suited for a backup role rather than a franchise starter.
It would be fascinating to know what the Browns' management was thinking while watching “Monday Night Football,” especially when Nick Chubb, a second-round pick in 2018, scored a touchdown that helped the Texans take the lead, followed by Mayfield, who was picked first overall by the Browns, leading the Buccaneers to victory.
Despite showing competence in their recent game, the Miami Dolphins now face a challenging matchup against the Bills on a short week. Their performance thus far has been commendable but will be tested against one of the league's strongest teams.
Not ranked: Cincinnati Bengals - Despite various statistics indicating their struggles under Zac Taylor in the first two weeks, the Bengals have not yet cracked the bottom five. However, unless Jake Browning can keep the team afloat and Burrow makes a swift recovery, the Bengals' hopes for a Super Bowl may be dimming once again.
