It might be hard to believe, but after another jam-packed NFL weekend, we are already heading into Week 3 of the regular season. The theme of Week 2 was key injuries that could impact their teams in the long term. With the landscape of the league starting to shake out, we’ll do our best to project each team and how they are shaping up after two weeks, injuries and all.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) Previous Week: 1
Two games and two close wins. The Eagles’ offense hasn’t been overly impressive in either
game, but they just continue to find ways to win. That’s what good teams do. With the NFC East looking pretty ordinary so far, Philly seems poised to repeat as division champions for the first time in over 20 years.
2. Buffalo Bills (2-0) Previous Week: 2
Is there such a thing as “too tough”? If there is, quarterback Josh Allen might deserve that label. Despite him getting injured and missing some time on Sunday, they had no problems handling a Jets team that looked much more competitive in Week 2. I’m still feeling great about Buffalo as my 2025 Super Bowl winner.
3. Green Bay Packers (2-0) Previous Week: 3
Man, the Packers look scary. The offensive production has always been there under head coach Matt LaFleur, but that defense appears to be on another level. Considering what Detroit just did to the Bears on Sunday, it gives even more credibility to how elite this defense has looked through two games. Don’t be surprised if they end up at No. 1 soon.
4. Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) Previous Week: 4
The Chargers felt in control most of Monday night’s game, but they just couldn’t put the game away. Either way, they secured the win and have complete control of the AFC West after two weeks. The defense looks elite, and quarterback Justin Herbert is playing the best football of his career. Good things are happening for both Los Angeles teams.
5. Los Angeles Rams (2-0) Previous Week: 8
It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Rams are (2-0) with no signs of slowing down. The more Matt Stafford gets his feet under him, the better the offense will start to look. It was a slow start against the Titans, but they pulled away in the second half.
6. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) Previous Week: 6
Following a disappointing Week 1 result where they blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, it seemed like there was a bit of a hangover to start against the Browns. Once they figured out they were a considerably better team, they never looked back. I think we’ll begin to see that dominant Baltimore team we’ve seen for years now.
7. Detroit Lions (1-1) Previous Week: 12
For as bad as Week 1 looked against the Packers, it’s easy to argue that Week 2 at home against the Bears looked even more convincing. What started as a close game turned into a second-half blowout. It sure felt like the Lions were determined to prove a point to Ben Johnson, didn’t it? Well, statement made.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) Previous Week: 5
The Chiefs might be (0-2), but they’ve lost two close games to a pair of good teams. Sometimes slow starts happen, but in no way should anyone take this as the downfall of the juggernaut. In reality, it’s a slow start from a team that knows how to not only get into the playoffs but win it all. I’m not sure we’ll see another Super Bowl appearance in 2025, but fans should expect them to figure this thing out starting in Week 3 against the Giants.
9. Arizona Cardinals (2-0) Previous Week: 16
Can Kyler Murray and the Cardinals finally live up to expectations this season? A (2-0) start is a strong step in that direction. It’s been a pair of relatively close games, but we got to see how dominant they could be in the first half against Carolina. At some point, you’d like to see Marvin Harrison Jr. become the dominant receiver everyone thought he would be coming out of Ohio State, though.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) Previous Week: 11
The Cardiac Kids do it again! For a second straight week, the Bucs pulled out a last-second win in a close game. Last week, they barely edged out the Falcons. This week, it took Baker Mayfield turning into Superman for them to beat the Texans on the road in the final six seconds of the game. They are well on their way to yet another NFC South title if this continues.
11. Washington Commanders (1-1) Previous Week: 7
For as miraculous as last season was, there has been quite the reality check through two weeks. Sure, they beat the Giants in Week 1, but this is not the same team (so far). Jayden Daniels had an incredible rookie season, but now that teams have an entire year’s worth of film, things don’t look nearly as easy. With a minor knee injury, we’ll see how much time he misses.
12. San Francisco 49ers (2-0) Previous Week: 15
Somehow, the 49ers are (2-0) despite not being overly impressive in either outing. It took a last-second touchdown in Week 1 and a Mac Jones career game in Week 2, but here we are. I’m still not convinced this team will stay healthy enough to contend for a playoff spot, but it’s been a quality start to the season, especially after last year’s disaster.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) Previous Week: 14
The good news: For the first time in the Zac Taylor era, the Bengals are (2-0). The bad news: Quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to miss at least the next three months with turf toe. Considering how much seems to hinge on this season, Cincinnati is going to be one of the more interesting teams to watch for the remainder of this season. Jake Browning, your table is ready. No pressure.
14. Denver Broncos (1-1) Previous Week: 10
Quarterback Bo Nix has one of the worst games of his career, and they win. He throws for three touchdowns on Sunday, and they lose. If you think you’ve got the Broncos figured out, think again. This team is plenty talented, but they need to take the next step, and a lot of that relies on the offense.
15. Indianapolis Colts (2-0) Previous Week: 21
Imagine this: Daniel Jones is sitting in New York in February, accepting the MVP. Now wake up. Don’t get me wrong – it’s been an impressive start for Jones, but I can’t help but wonder how much longer this Cinderella run can last. The good news for the Colts is that they have a quality roster and have started strong. We’ll see if they can hold as the season drags on. I’m not convinced quite yet.
16. Minnesota Vikings (1-1) Previous Week: 9
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has one good quarter of NFL football to his name, and now is expected to be sidelined for the next two to four weeks due to a high ankle sprain. So, what now? I’m fully expecting Carson Wentz to find his early-career success under Kevin O’Connell and parlay that into one more big payday. In all seriousness, the Vikings look much more vulnerable than last year. McCarthy has a long, long way to go, and this injury doesn’t help that.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) Previous Week: 13
Just one week after Aaron Rodgers looked like his vintage self, he came back down to earth in a big way against Seattle. I mean, I get it. Last week, there was a lot of emotion involved with playing the Jets, but in typical Rodgers fashion, his message came off the wrong way, and it looked even worse this week. More importantly, what the hell is going on with this defense? Back-to-back weeks of giving 30-plus points.
18. Atlanta Falcons (1-1) Previous Week: 19
Week 1: heartbreak. Week 2: Pure dominance. The Falcons completely controlled their Sunday night affair on the road against Minnesota. It was an impressive performance, and one where quarterback Michael Penix looked calm against a dangerous defensive front. The Bucs appear to be the clear favorite for the division, but if the Falcons have their quarterback, they have a chance. So far, so good for Penix.
19. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) Previous Week: 18
For a second straight season, I can’t get a feel for the Seahawks. Their offseason was strange to say the least, and so far, Sam Darnold’s performance has been a mixed bag. Despite winning by 14 points against a top-tier defense, the former Vikings quarterback threw a trio of interceptions, along with three touchdowns. Again, I have no idea what to think of them through the first two weeks.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) Previous Week: 22
The Raiders are much better than they’ve been in previous seasons, but it’s worth wondering what their ceiling is for 2025. Geno Smith is a quality quarterback, and the offense has weapons. Even so, it’s worth wondering if they are just in the wrong division. I’m still projecting an eight- to nine-win season for Las Vegas.
21. Houston Texans (0-2) Previous Week: 17
For a second straight season, the Texans feel “stale” at the start of the season. C.J. Stroud hasn’t really taken the next step, but their offensive line continues to be a disaster. Additionally, their run game has been almost non-existent. This feels like a team that needs to make a big move at the deadline if they are going to be considered a Super Bowl contender in January. Luckily, they are in a winnable division, even with the Colts’ hot start.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) Previous Week: 20
Is it time to have a conversation about Trevor Lawrence yet? I’m not sure we are quite there yet, but through two weeks with new head coach Liam Coen, things have been uneven to say the least. Heading into Monday night, he ranked 27th in completion percentage (58.9%), 24th in QBR, and had thrown three interceptions. These things take time, but this is Year 6. It’s time to see some real progress that lasts.
23. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) Previous Week: 24
Was there a more exciting game on Sunday than the Cowboys and Giants? No. The Cowboys offense continues to look the part. Dak Prescott is playing well, and they finally got George Pickens involved. That defense, though… I don’t know where to start. Week 3 against the Bears could be a shootout.
24. New England Patriots (1-1) Previous Week: 26
I’m not sure there was a better quarterback on the field in Week 2 than Drake Maye. After a so-so performance in the season opener, he was near-perfect in a close game against the Dolphins. He leads all second-year quarterbacks in almost every category so far. Patriots fans should be excited.
25. New York Giants (0-2) Previous Week: 31
The Giants might not be good, but they were fun on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for over 450 yards, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to get the win in overtime. As I’ve felt all along, it’s going to be a long year, but luckily for Russ, he was able to hold off the calls for Jaxson Dart for at least another week after a big-time performance on Sunday.
26. Chicago Bears (0-2) Previous Week: 23
The three-time offseason champions are off to another underwhelming start. Following their Week 1 fourth-quarter letdown, they laid a giant egg on the road in Ben Johnson’s homecoming to Detroit. On the plus side, quarterback Caleb Williams looked considerably better. Outside of that, it was all bad on Sunday afternoon.
27. New York Jets (0-2) Previous Week: 25
The Jets’ Week 1 performance might prove to be one of the bigger anomalies of the young season. They went toe-to-toe with the Steelers and almost won. On Sunday, they looked overmatched in every facet of the game against the Bills. Even more concerning, quarterback Justin Fields posted just a 1.1 QBR before leaving with a concussion. Welcome to the Fields experience, New York.
28. Tennessee Titans (0-2) Previous Week: 27
The bad news is that the Titans are (0-2). The good news is that No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward looked considerably better against the Rams. The Titans are a weird organization, but if they stay the course and afford Ward some stability, he should figure it out. So far, not many surprises in Tennessee.
29. New Orleans Saints (0-2) Previous Week: 29
The Saints aren’t good, but for a second consecutive week, they looked competitive. All things considered, that’s a lot more than I would have expected this early in the season. Quarterback Spencer Rattler looked the part. Maybe Kellen Moore can get things figured out after all?
30. Carolina Panthers (0-2) Previous Week: 28
It looked like the Panthers were going to pick up where they left off in Week 1 with an uninspiring first half against Arizona. Quarterback Bryce Young was able to figure things out, and in the end, they made the game much closer than it should have been. Now we’ll see if they can string together some momentum and get back on track, despite their (0-2) start.
31. Miami Dolphins (0-2) Previous Week: 30
Things looked bad at the start against the Patriots, but in the end, the Dolphins finally showed some fight. The reality is that they aren’t a very good team and have more injuries than I can count. I’m still skeptical that head coach Mike McDaniel can survive the season, but they were at least competitive, which was a step in the right direction.
32. Cleveland Browns (0-2) Previous Week: 32
After hanging tough with the Bengals in Week 1, things got out of hand in Week 2 after a slow start for the Ravens. Third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel saw his first NFL regular-season action, but I wouldn’t expect that to last (at least for a few more weeks). So far, the Browns are precisely who we thought they were, and that’s… Really bad.
