Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season featured no shortage of big games.

The week began with a big AFC East showdown in Miami, where the Dolphins attempted to reverse their recent futility against the rival Buffalo Bills and send an early message in the AFC East. Instead, it was the Bills who sent the message in a blowout, while the Dolphins are reeling after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered yet another concussion.

Sunday's slate wasn't short on drama, either. The New Orleans Saints built on last week's blowout win against much stiffer competition. The Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset NFC heavyweights. And the Kansas City Chiefs edged the Cincinnati Bengals in the latest Patrick Mahomes vs. Joe Burrow chapter.

Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have it covered, with the biggest takeaways from every game from 2024's second week of action.

Week 2 Schedule

Bills vs. Dolphins: Slide 1

Colts vs. Packers: Slide 2

Saints vs. Cowboys: Slide 3

Seahawks vs. Patriots: Slide 4

Chargers vs. Panthers: Slide 5

49ers vs. Vikings: Slide 6

Buccaneers vs. Lions: Slide 7

Browns vs. Jaguars: Slide 8

Titans vs. Jets: Slide 9

Commanders vs. Giants: Slide 10

Ravens vs. Raiders: Slide 11

Cardinals vs. Rams: Slide 12

Steelers vs. Broncos: Slide 13

Chiefs vs. Bengals: Slide 14

Bears vs. Texans: Slide 15

Falcons vs. Eagles: Slide 16

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

The 'Demise' of the Buffalo Bills Was Greatly Exaggerated

There was a lot of hand-wringing about the Buffalo Bills over the summer. There was concern about how the passing game would look without Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis and how the defense would look with longtime safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde gone.

There was more than a little speculation that maybe, just maybe, the Bills weren't the best team in the AFC East anymore.

Yeah. About that.

The New York Jets got pasted by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Had Travis Etienne not fumbled away a Jaguars victory in Week 1, the Dolphins would likely be 0-2 after getting blown out by the Bills on Thursday night.

But Buffalo? Yes, the Bills had to come from behind to beat the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 1. But they did. Thursday in Miami, they dominated every facet of the game to continue their complete and utter dominance of a Dolphins team some have labeled Buffalo's biggest challengers.

The Bills are doing it differently this year—the offense is less explosive and more methodical, although Buffalo running back James Cook tied a franchise record with three first-half touchdowns in Week 2. The defense has been battered with injuries and lost its top remaining linebacker, Terrel Bernard, to a pectoral injury Thursday.

But Buffalo looks the part of a three-time defending division champion. A well-coached team. A team that takes the field expecting to win.

Having a superstar quarterback in Josh Allen doesn't hurt.

Tua Tagovailoa Injury Bigger Disaster for Dolphins than Lopsided Loss to Buffalo

Tua Tagovailoa's night against the Bills was catastrophic. The Miami Dolphins quarterback's numbers were awful—145 passing yards and three interceptions, including a pick-six in the third quarter that never should have been thrown.

But no one will be talking about that putrid effort or the fact that a Dolphins team with aspirations of a deep playoff run lost to the Buffalo Bills for the 12th time in 13 meetings.

The only topic in Miami is Tagovailoa's health. The quarterback suffered yet another concussion while trying for extra yards on a fourth-down play.

It was a terrible decision—the first down had been picked up. And given Tagovailoa's history of concussions (three during the 2022 season alone), a massive dark cloud now hangs over the Dolphins.

Mind you, this is the quarterback the Dolphins just gave a four-year, $212 million contract. A quarterback who reportedly considered retirement due to the concussions he suffered two years ago.

Now, Tagovailoa is out indefinitely—and while Miami does have a "mini-bye" before its Week 3 trip to Seattle, given Tagovailoa's injury history it's not a reach to assume he'll miss multiple games.

Oh, and left tackle Terron Armstead was also forced from Thursday's loss.

Week 2 is awfully early to panic.

But the Dolphins are in real trouble.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers Create Blueprint During Jordan Love's Absence

The Green Bay Packers found another quarterback. Well, sort of.

Malik Willis isn't going to make anyone think the organization should move on from Jordan Love after the starting signal-caller suffered a sprained MCL. Still, the Packers showed they have the pieces to win with the backup.

Green Bay hid Willis' limitations by leaning heavily on the ground game during Sunday's 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Packers signed running back Josh Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million contract this offseason. Jacobs is a former NFL rushing leader. Unsurprisingly, Jacobs carried the ball 32 times for 151 yards. Willis, meanwhile, attempted only 14 passes, though he completed 12 of those and threw a touchdown to Dontayvion Wicks.

The third-year quarterback won't be able to shoulder a pass-dominant scheme, as Love can.

However, Willis can work off the play-action passing game, plus bring added athleticism to the position. The Tennessee Titans are next on the docket, and they have an extremely difficult interior defense to handle. Green Bay can't abandon the run. It'll help create space and opportunities to open up the passing game and make the quarterback's reads and throws easier.

"With Jordan out, we just had to come together," Willis told reporters after the game.

Indianapolis Colts Run Defense Will Plague Squad, Ruin the Team's Potential

On the roller-coaster ride that is Anthony Richardson's play, his Sunday performance was the equivalent of hearing the last click at the top of the biggest hill and plunging as quickly as possible to the low point.

Richardson remains sporadic. But he's not being helped by his surrounding cast, specifically a defense struggling to handle opposing run games. The Packers knew they had to ride Jacobs. At the same time, Green Bay took advantage of a unit that's been soft at the point of attack through Indianapolis' first two contests.

Indianapolis has already allowed 474 rushing yards, which is the fifth-worst output during a two-game stretch in franchise history. To make matters worse, the Colts' best defensive lineman, DeForest Buckner, suffered an ankle injury.

The Colts are already dealing with issues along the back line of their defense. Indianapolis' secondary has injuries to the top cornerback, JuJu Brents (season-ending), and best safety, Julian Blackmon. The defense, thus the entire team, doesn't have a chance if its front seven can't hold up and handle opposing offenses. Richardson and Co. will continually find themselves playing from behind as a result.

New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys

New Orleans Saints Continue to Prove They're No Fluke

Are the New Orleans Saints for real? Like, really real? They sure seem to be.

A dominant victory in Week 1 against the hapless Carolina Panthers is one thing. A manhandling of the Dallas Cowboys in Big D is something altogether different.

A week earlier, the Cowboys made the Cleveland Browns fanbase nearly implode by easily controlling that contest. Dallas is talented on offense and its defensive front can be extremely difficult to handle. Yet the Saints scored 35 points by halftime and finished with a 44-19 spread.

The most surprising thing about New Orleans' play so far is how easy it's all been. The Saints are playing like a cohesive unit at every level.

Quarterback Derek Carr threw darts, averaging 15.2 yards per attempt. Running back Alvin Kamara accumulated 115 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. The offensive line allowed only one sack against Dallas' ferocious front. The Saints' defense proved to be physical and opportunistic.

Nearly everyone on the New Orleans roster is playing well. It's a total team effort. For a squad that didn't have huge expectations entering this season, the Saints have been the NFL's best team through two weeks of play.

Dallas D Doesn't Deliver Down South Against New Orleans Saints

A meeting with the Cleveland Browns provided the Dallas Cowboys with a false sense of security.

Last week, the Browns were dealing with two backup offensive tackles, a rusty quarterback, and an offense transitioning into a new scheme. They were also without its previous standout offensive line coach. Of course, Micah Parsons and company were primed to play well.

The Saints were an entirely different story and it became obvious early. New Orleans scored touchdowns on its first six drives. The game was over by the halfway point.

"Extraordinarily disappointing," owner Jerry Jones said. "We will correct this. We will improve."

Fortunately for Jones, he's likely right, considering the Cowboys' next three opponents include the 0-2 Baltimore Ravens, a struggling New York Giants squad and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are still trying to figure out what they have at quarterback.

Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb received huge contract extensions right before the season began. While Dallas' offense can put up significant numbers, the Cowboys will only reach their potential with a defense flying around and creating havoc. The unit failed to do so against the Saints, which should serve as an eye-opening experience.

Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith Needs Help Even with 2-0 Start

Geno Smith isn't the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He's a legitimate quality starting quarterback and has proved as such over multiple seasons now. Still, the Seattle Seahawks' signal-caller doesn't quite reach elite status, and his surrounding cast needs to show up for the squad to beat opponents who aren't the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots.

To be fair, the Seahawks can only beat the teams in front of them. They did Sunday with a 23-20 overtime victory. Those first two opponents both needed to draft first-round quarterbacks after not making the playoffs last year.

A nine-point spread against lower competition doesn't exactly instill confidence. Still, a win is a win. That's NFL life.

A stronger run game would help the Seahawks offense, though. Kenneth Walker III wasn't in the lineup because of an oblique injury. Zach Charbonnet was on the only back to carry the ball, and he averaged 2.7 yards per tote. The Patriots also sacked or hit Smith on 10 different occasions. DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba played well. After all, the receiving duo caught 22 passes for 246 yards. Although, the team's receivers did drop five balls.

"I thought Geno played a dynamite game," Mike Macdonald said after his quarterback completed 33 of 44 passes.

All in all, it'll be difficult for the Seahawks to win against better competition when their offense remains one-dimensional with only Smith being reliable.

How Long Will the New England Patriots Go Before Starting Drake Maye?

The Patriots wanted a veteran presence behind center to start the season, but Jacoby Brissett's limitations are coming to the forefront sooner than anticipated.

"We definitely have to start getting the ball down the field," head coach Jared Mayo told reporters. "We gotta start pushing the ball down the field to get that shell defense. We gotta be able to run. We gotta be able to pass. We gotta be able to ping-pong between the two."

Brissett is averaging 5.3 yards per attempt through two games. Meanwhile, the Patriots have a big-armed and gunslinging third overall draft pick on the bench ready to play.

Looking ahead, the schedule doesn't lighten up much. The New York Jets (next week) and San Francisco 49ers a week later feature talented and experienced defenses.

The Pats' next contest is the upcoming Thursday Night Football affair. New England can use those extra preparation days to get Maye ready for the Niners and not look back.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Carolina Panthers

J.K. Dobbins Is a Powerhouse for the Chargers' New-Look Offense

When Jim Harbaugh took over the Chargers this offseason, most analysts expected a shift in offensive philosophy. That became clearer when the Chargers parted with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler.

Harbaugh was going to play Har-ball, leaning on the defense, a strong ground game and the occasional clutch throw from quarterback Justin Herbert. It was fair to wonder, though, where L.A. would find its offensive playmakers.

The Chargers added a pair of former Baltimore Ravens running backs in Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins—unsurprising choices with former Ravens OC Greg Roman in as offensive coordinator—as well as using a second-round pick on receiver Ladd McConkey to pair with 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnson.

The rookie found the end zone in Week 1, while Johnston made his presence felt on Sunday with a pair of touchdown grabs. However, Dobbins continues to be the highlight for Los Angeles. He rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown in the opener, showing that the injury woes that have hampered his NFL career are behind him.

The 25-year-old believed that last week was only the beginning.

"I think I can be way better, you know?" Dobbins told reporters on Friday.

Dobbins was again terrific against Carolina, finishing with 130 rushing yards, a touchdown and a 7.6 yards-per-carry average. As long as he stays healthy, Harbaugh's offensive plan will be tough to stop.

It's Officially Time for the Panthers to Worry About Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers weren't expected to be contenders in 2024. However, there was hope that with new offensive pieces like Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette—along with a quarterback-savvy head coach in Dave Canales—second-year quarterback Bryce Young would take some positive steps.

Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, struggled mightily in his first season. He threw 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and finished with a 73.7 quarterback rating. He wasn't any better against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, going 13-of-30 for 161 yards and two interceptions.

However, Week 1 performances can often be misleading. We saw a few teams, units and players struggle in their openers only to rebound this week.

Young's Week 1 performance was not a mirage. The Alabama product did a few good things during the 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, but he again made questionable decisions—like taking a first-half sack he had no business taking.

Simply put, Young (18-of-26, 84 yards, 1 INT) provides no spark to the offense, which is what franchise quarterbacks are supposed to do.

If there's a silver lining for the Panthers, they control their first-round pick in 2025. After yet another decisive loss, Carolina may already be evaluating next year's quarterback class.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Christian McCaffrey Injury Not the 49ers' Only Problem

Late this week, the San Francisco 49ers placed star running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve. The reigning rushing champion has been dealing with a calf/Achilles injury and has not been recovering as hoped.

"Yesterday was his worst day," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "It's on and off, but with yesterday having the most pain."

A trip to IR means that McCaffrey won't return until Week 6 at the earliest. The 49ers were comfortable making the move because Jordan Mason showed he could handle the starting backfield job in Week 1 and again on Sunday.

While Mason isn't as dynamic as McCaffrey or as potent of a receiving threat, he's good enough to keep San Francisco's ground game afloat—thanks in no small part to linemen like Trent Williams and promising rookie Dominick Puni.

Unfortunately, a good ground game won't carry the 49ers to wins on a weekly basis.

While San Francisco's defense was largely effective in its Week 1 win over the New York Jets, it struggled mightily on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings found positive yards on the ground and some huge plays in the passing game. There's no reason to wonder why the 49ers inquired about Patrick Surtain II at last year's trade deadline.

Poor execution and miscues also cost the 49ers on Sunday. Brock Purdy threw an interception deep in San Francisco territory, the 49ers had a punt blocked, and a pair of failed fourth-down conversions cost them in the first half.

The 49ers are a good team, good enough to contend without their best offensive player, but not good enough to beat a scrappy team on the road while playing a sloppy brand of football.

The Vikings Can Go Far with Sam Darnold

Can the Vikings be a serious threat in the NFC? Sunday's 23-17 win over the 49ers suggests that they might.

The Vikings had a dominant 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in Week 1. However, that was easy to write off, given New York's status as one of the worst teams in the NFL last season.

It's much harder to dismiss Sunday's victory as a fluke. The 49ers were on the road and suffered several self-inflicted wounds. However, the Vikings took advantage of virtually every opportunity they could get.

The defense consistently flowed to the football, the Vikings moved the ball on the ground, and they got another strong performance from quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold, a 2018 first-round pick who has failed to establish himself as a franchise quarterback with multiple teams, wasn't perfect against San Francisco. However, he was good enough and made some clutch throws, like on this 97-yard touchdown connection with Justin Jefferson.

While he did throw one interception, Darnold (17-of-26 for 268 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) did plenty to boost Minnesota's offense.

It'll be the Darnold show from here on out because rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy landed on injured reserve before the start of the season. That seemed like a disappointing reality heading into Week 1, but Darnold is good enough in this offense to make Minnesota a playoff threat.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions

Baker Mayfield Continues to Show That He's the Perfect QB for the Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rode a resurgent Mayfield to an NFC South title last season but were largely overlooked heading into 2024.

Thanks in no small part to two strong performances by Mayfield, the Bucs are now 2-0 and tied with the New Orleans Saints at the top of the division. Mayfield, who has repeatedly been counted out since his 2022 exodus from Cleveland, is exactly the sort of gritty underdog leader the Buccaneers need.

A week ago, Mayfield did it through the air, passing for 289 yards and four touchdowns. He was less potent as a passer against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, going 12-of-19 for 185 yards, a touchdown and an interception. However, he repeatedly took hits from the Lions defense, got up and found ways to keep Tampa in the game.

A few times, Mayfield even demoralized the Detroit defense with his legs (5 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD).

It wasn't a clean performance by the Buccaneers overall. Mayfield was the team's leading rusher, while running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving struggled against a stout defensive front. The defense surrendered way too many yards. In a brutally tough environment, though, the Bucs did enough to win.

This could be seen as a bit of a statement game by Tampa, which fell to Detroit in last year's divisional round. The Buccaneers, like Mayfield, won't go away quietly.

The Lions Aren't the Team to Beat in the NFC Just Yet

The Lions did a terrific job of bolstering their defense in the offseason, and after an appearance in last year's NFC title game, it felt like Detroit might be the team to beat in the conference. Sunday's loss, however, showed that the Lions aren't on that level yet.

The Lions had a chance late in Sunday's game. Following a nice punt return by Kalif Raymond, the Lions took over in Buccaneers territory down four with 33 seconds remaining.

Despite making it to the 26-yard line, Detroit ultimately fell short. A turnover on downs sealed a 20-16 victory for the Buccaneers. It was an odd game for the Lions, who tallied 463 yards of offense and got big days from wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

St. Brown was quiet during Detroit's Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Rams, catching just three passes for 13 yards. He had a bounce-back performance against the Bucs, snagging 11 passes for 119 yards.

Hutchinson, meanwhile, spent the entire game harassing Baker Mayfield and ending Tampa Bay drives. He recorded an impressive 4.5 sacks and helped hold Tampa to just two third-down conversions on 10 tries.

It was a great day for St. Brown and fellow wideout Jameson Williams (5 catches, 79 yards) and a historic one for Hutchinson.

Unfortunately for the Lions, it wasn't enough. A pair of Jared Goff interceptions only led to three Buccaneers points, but Detroit failed to make as many timely plays as the Buccaneers.

A 1-1 record is no reason for the Lions to panic. After needing overtime to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 and falling to the Bucs on Sunday, however, it's clear that the race to the top of the conference will be a grind.

Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Browns Can Win with Average Quarterback Play, but Mental Mistakes Can't Continue

The Cleveland Browns got embarrassed in Week 1, losing 33-17 at home to the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Deshaun Watson (24-of-45 for 169 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) was a complete disaster in that game, and the Browns never really had a chance.

That wasn't the performance most expected from Cleveland, which fielded the league's top-ranked defense in yards allowed last season. Sunday's 18-13 win was more in line with what was expected from the Browns.

Cleveland's defense had some letdowns late, allowing Jacksonville to climb back into the game. However, it also provided the Browns with a fourth-quarter cushion when Alex Wright sacked Trevor Lawrence for a safety.

Watson was better, too, and even made a few of the clutch plays that have largely eluded him in Cleveland. His overall performance, though, was markedly average—he finished 22-of-34 for 186 yards with 20 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

The good news is that, for a team with a good defense and a functional rushing attack (125 rushing yards), average quarterback play is enough to deliver wins.

The bad news is that if Cleveland can't stop hurting itself with avoidable mistakes, winning consistently will be difficult. Cleveland was flagged a whopping 13 times for 100 yards against Jacksonville, and penalties nearly cost the team a chance to seal the game late.

Wright's safety came after a wild flag-filled sequence. After a D'Onta Foreman run that would have put Cleveland in the red zone was called back for an offensive facemask, the Browns were flagged two more times to set up 3rd-and-36 with just over two minutes remaining.

The defense ultimately made enough of a stand to bail out the Browns, but this team just can't be viewed as a legitimate contender until Kevin Stefanski has it playing clean, efficient football.

A Week After a Letdown, the Jaguars Fail to Rally

The Jaguars are now sitting at 0-2, but they shouldn't be counted out of the AFC South race. At times over the first two weeks, Jacksonville has looked like a team that can go deep in the postseason.

Last week, Jacksonville built a 17-7 first-half lead over the Dolphins before fumbling away the game in the second half. Against Cleveland, the Jaguars struggled in the first half but rallied in the second.

At the break, Jacksonville had just four first downs, 81 yards of total offense, and a paltry 16 passing yards. Cleveland's 13-3 lead felt nearly insurmountable.

But quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars responded after intermission. Lawrence, who finished with 220 passing yards, finally got into a rhythm, Jacksonville's ground game got going, and the defense held Cleveland to just a second-half field goal.

Jacksonville had its chance to do what Miami did last week and win as time expired. Lawrence moved the offense to Cleveland's 33-yard line with eight seconds remaining but failed to connect on the final play.

The safety took away Jacksonville's chance to tie with a field goal on the final drive, and some fans will undoubtedly point to it as a turning point—and rightfully so. However, the reality is that the Jaguars put themselves in too big of a hole early, and it cost them.

It's another painful loss for the Jags, who could easily be 2-0 if a couple of plays had gone differently over the past eight days. Fortunately, there's plenty of time to rebound. If Jacksonville can play a complete four quarters, it'll be right back in the divisional mix.

Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets

Titans' Will Levis-Led Offense Is Boom or Bust

The Tennessee Titans didn't draft a quarterback this year, giving Will Levis a chance to prove he's a franchise quarterback.

With only 11 starts on his resume, Levis will go through rough patches as he gains experience.

At times, Levis' strong arm will allow him to make big plays. Then again, he will have head-scratching moments that will draw head coach Brian Callahan's ire, as we all saw Sunday.

The Titans offense moved the ball early, but it scored few and far between after a touchdown drive on the team's second possession.

In two games, Levis has two touchdown passes and three interceptions. If he cuts down on turnovers and connects on more of his shorter passes, the Titans offense can hit its stride.

Jets' Two-Man Backfield Aids Offensive Efficiency

Many wondered how Aaron Rodgers and the Jets offense would respond after an underwhelming season-opening performance against the San Francisco 49ers.

Rodgers had a decent outing against the Titans, completing 18 out of 30 passes for 176 yards, but New York's running back duo is the bigger story.

Rodgers threw his touchdown passes to running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. The latter also scored on the ground.

While we knew what Hall can do with the ball as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher, Allen, a rookie fourth-round pick, emerged as a playmaker in Gang Green's 24-17 win over the Titans.

Rodgers is the offensive pilot, but Hall and Allen may be the players who keep the Jets offense steady throughout the season.

Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants

Giants Offense Shows Positive Signs, Remains Far Too Inconsistent Amid Kicking Issues

In a 21-18 loss to the Washington Commanders, Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns and didn't turn the ball over. The New York Giants ran for 129 yards. Devin Singletary scored a touchdown early and finished with 95 yards on the ground. Rookie wideout Malik Nabers caught 10 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown in a breakout performance.

However, after a late second-quarter touchdown, the Giants offense stalled through the third quarter. Big Blue trailed going into the final quarter and regained the lead after Wan'Dale Robinson scored on a seven-yard pass play.

From there, the Commanders offense ate up the clock, and the Giants turned the ball over on downs on their final possession without Graham Gano (hamstring) available to kick a field goal.

While Gano's absence impacted the game, the Giants offense remains limited with Jones under center. Remember, the Commanders came into Week 2 following a poor defensive performance, giving up 37 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Big Blue's defense allows teams to milk the clock on drives, this team has little margin for error with its special teams issues.

Commanders Can Rely on Ground Game as Jayden Daniels Finds His Groove

The Commanders didn't score a touchdown against the Giants, but they pulled off the victory thanks in large part to their ground attack. Washington racked up 215 rushing yards with running back Brian Robinson Jr. and quarterback Jayden Daniels leading the way.

Though Daniels didn't get the ball into the end zone with his arm or on the ground, his dual-threat playmaking ability has certainly aided Washington's rushing attack. Defenders must account for him as a ball-carrier, which may open up lanes for Robinson.

In two games, the Commanders have 353 rushing yards. Though Daniels has yet to throw his first touchdown pass, he's efficient, completing 75 percent of his attempts. Once he finds a rhythm with his pass-catchers, the Commanders offense could make leaps and bounds.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Offense Gets Massive Momentum Swing in Comeback Victory

Coming off a 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders offense struggled through the first half of Sunday's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. The Silver and Black went into halftime with just four rushing yards and 43 total yards, trailing 9-6.

Nonetheless, the defense kept the Raiders in the game, and the offense found success with rookie first-rounder Brock Bowers and wideout Davante Adams.

Bowers and Adams logged 18 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown combined. Bowers hauled in all nine of his targets, and Adams' touchdown tied the game (after the extra point) late in the fourth quarter.

Las Vegas has glaring issues along the offensive line. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II took five sacks, and the team ran for just 27 yards.

While the Raiders offense is a work in progress, the unit got a confidence boost, scoring 20 points in the second half after putting only 10 points on the scoreboard last week.

Ravens Must Lean on Run Game to Hide Struggling Defense and Offensive Line

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson only took two sacks, but he had to keep his head on a swivel for the entire game. Raiders edge-rusher Maxx Crosby lived in the Ravens' backfield, recording six tackles, four for loss and a pass breakup.

Crosby played his part in disrupting the Ravens' passing attack, which resulted in Jackson's errant passes and misfires downfield. He completed 62 percent of his passes.

On a positive note for the Ravens, they ran for 151 yards on 5.6 yards per carry. Perhaps Baltimore should run a ball-control offense to keep its defense off the field.

In two games, the Ravens have allowed an average of 26.5 points. They surrendered 16.5 points per game last season. Baltimore's defense isn't the same without former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who's now the Seattle Seahawks head coach.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams

Injury-Riddled Rams Are Already in Big Trouble at 0-2

Last week, the Los Angeles Rams lost Puka Nacua and multiple offensive linemen because of injuries.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Nacua could miss five to seven weeks with a PCL (knee) injury.

On Sunday, wideout Cooper Kupp exited the game with an ankle injury, which has been a recurring issue for him over the previous few years.

Without their starting wideouts, the Rams don't have the firepower to compensate for a young defense that struggles against the run. In two weeks, Los Angeles has allowed 400 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.

Of course, Aaron Donald's retirement will be the topic of discussion because of the team's weak interior front, but the Rams' injuries on the offensive side of the ball leave them in a tough spot early in the season. Head coach Sean McVay has to be creative in game plans for an offense without two key playmakers.

Cardinals' Balanced Offense Looks Primed for Meteoric Rise

Quarterback Kyler Murray looks like he's in pre-injury form nearly two years removed from a torn ACL, and wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. quelled concerns about his one-catch performance. James Conner is still one of the league's top bruising ball-carriers.

In the Cardinals' 41-10 win over the Rams, Murray threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Harrison hauled in four passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, on the ground, Conner ran for 122 yards and a score.

Arizona can beat its opponents in different ways. Murray has a rookie sensation in Harrison and reliable pass-catching tight end Trey McBride in the aerial attack. He can also use his legs to move the chains. The dynamic signal-caller ran for 59 yards on Sunday.

Last week, the Cardinals scored 28 points (with a kick return for a touchdown), and they dropped 41 points on the Rams defense.

The Cardinals are built to win scoring shootouts if they struggle on defense. Though Harrison didn't have an efficient catch percentage, hauling in four out of eight targets, remember that it's just his second game. Murray's rapport with Harrison and the Cardinals offense as a whole have a lot of room for growth.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers Winning In Spite of QB Justin Fields

Justin Fields isn't the biggest reason the Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0 to start the season. He's also not holding the team back like previous Steelers quarterbacks did. He's doing just enough to keep the job for the moment. Whenever Russell Wilson is ready, he'll almost certainly enter the lineup and finally make his first start with the Steelers.

During Sunday's 13-6 victory over the Denver Broncos, the Steelers' path toward another win didn't hinge on quarterback play. Fields threw three fewer attempts than the previous week, averaged nearly a yard less per attempt and provided fewer rushing attempts.

What did remain the same, though? The offense's reliance on the run game.

Pittsburgh led the NFL in Week 1 by running on 62.1 percent of its offensive snaps. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith utilized the same exact percentage against the Broncos.

The Steelers are taking a throwback approach to success: They're going to grind things out on offense, ask their quarterbacks not to make mistakes and field an attacking defense. It's a tried-and-true method that Pittsburgh had a long history of doing prior to Ben Roethlisberger's ascension to elite status.

Obviously, the Steelers need to clean up 10 penalties. Things could have been better for Fields, at least statistically. However, the organization brought in Wilson with the intention of him leading the offense. He's far more experienced and seasoned. He'll be asked to do a lot of the same things, but the Steelers can do better than 260.5 yards per game—which is what they've averaged so far.

Denver Broncos Must Unlock Vertical Aspect for Offense to Actually Work

Bo Nix started more games at the collegiate level than any other quarterback in FBS history. The book was out on him during the predraft evaluation.

It read as follows:

"Oregon's offense lightened the load on him mentally by spamming screens, run-pass options and simple vertical concepts," former B/R scout Derrik Klassen wrote. "Even a lot of Oregon's more traditional passing concepts were made easier to read out and trigger on by their use of spacing and abusing the college hashes, which won't exist for him in the NFL."

Short, quick passes right around the line of scrimmage are exactly why he set a record last season with a 77.4 completion percentage. It's also a primary reason many thought he'd be an excellent fit for Sean Payton's offense.

Right now, Nix's inability to truly threaten defenses downfield is hindering the entire Broncos offense. Understandably, Payton is reticent for a rookie to take numerous shots. He wants to give him easy reads and throws to build confidence. Also, an opponent like the Steelers can create havoc in the backfield.

Through two games, Nix isn't doing enough to loosen up defenses. He's 6-of-24 passing, with three interceptions, on throws 10-plus yards downfield, according to Sharp Football's Rich Hribar.

The Broncos offense will continue to struggle until Payton trusts his quarterback and the rookie proves he can legitimately threaten opponents in the intermediate-to-deep ranges. Otherwise, defenses can pack everything within 10 yards.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Will Once Again Bounce Back from 0-2 Start

NFL players and coaches don't care much about moral victories, but the Cincinnati Bengals were a pass interference penalty away from beating the Kansas City Chiefs.

In a back-and-forth matchup, the Bengals made one mistake that allowed Kansas City to advance the ball into field-goal range for the game-winning kick.

Despite their winless record, the Bengals haven't completely lost their way. Sure, Cincinnati's loss to the New England Patriots seems alarming, but the Bengals matched up well against the Chiefs in a 26-25 loss. By the way, the Patriots nearly went 2-0 but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime.

The Bengals started the previous two seasons 0-2 and finished both campaigns with a winning record, last year without quarterback Joe Burrow for the final seven weeks. In 2022, they went 12-4 and advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

As long as Burrow stays healthy, the Bengals will be in the playoff mix at the end of the year. Also, Cincinnati's offense will be more potent when wideout Tee Higgins (hamstring) returns to action.

Chiefs Need Close Victories as They Look to Make NFL History

As the Chiefs try to become the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, they need early tests to help them prepare for every club's best effort in a long season.

The Chiefs have won two nail-biters that came down to the final play of the game. The Baltimore Ravens pushed them to the brink, but Isaiah Likely couldn't keep his foot in bounds, and the Bengals' untimely penalty put Harrison Butker in a position to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired.

While one can argue that Kansas City has struggled, both Baltimore and Cincinnati have been in the playoff mix in recent years. The Ravens and Bengals will likely bounce back at some point, and one or both of them could see the Chiefs again in the postseason.

With two razor-thin win margins, Kansas City is reinforcing its championship mettle while chasing history.

Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans

Houston Texans' Nico Collins Stakes Claim as Elite Wide Receiver

The Houston Texans acquired Stefon Diggs this offseason, but the organization already had its WR1 on the roster. Nico Collins is easily a top-10 NFL wide receiver, especially after his start to the 2024 campaign.

During Sunday's 19-13 victory over the Chicago Bears, Collins produced 135 yards on eight receptions, including the Texans' only touchdown.

So far, Collins has 252 receiving yards. While others in the wide receiver room certainly draw a lot of attention, the 25-year-old target is the most consistent of the bunch.

As Diggs continues to find his footing in the offense, the veteran has added 70 yards during his first two appearances. Tank Dell has yet to find his groove with only 37 receiving yards. Running back Joe Mixon is currently the team's third-leading receiver at 44 yards.

For the mathematicians out there, Collins has 101 receiving more yards than the Texans' next three targets. The stat is both a positive and a negative.

Clearly, Collins is a top-shelf talent who can take over games. He's a true X-receiver, with the ability to separate, body off defenders and make spectacular catches.

But for the Texans to reach the standard they want to achieve, his role might dwindle ever-so-slightly as others become more involved within the scheme. Still, Stroud knows exactly where to the go with the ball when needed.

Chicago Bears Quarterback Caleb Williams Struggles, As Many Rookies Do

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud ruined the learning curve for everyone else.

Typically, first-year signal-callers aren't going to look calm, cool and collected from Day 1, on their way to winning a division, a postseason game and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He was an outlier.

The NFL is used to seeing what's happening at the start of this season, where the Bears' Caleb Williams, Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels and Denver Broncos' Bo Nix are adjusting while taking some lumps.

Williams was fortunate, in that the Tennessee Titans basically handed the Bears a victory in Week 1. The Texans didn't do the same on Sunday. Instead, they turned up the heat on this year's No. 1 overall pick, who wilted under the pressure.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Houston blitzed Williams on 41.7 percent of his dropbacks—the highest number since DeMeco Ryans became the team's head coach. The rookie did not fair well against those pressure packages. Williams completed only three of his 12 attempts when blitzed and threw an interception while being sacked in five times.

Defenses will see the Texans tape, and they won't let up on Williams. The opposite should occur. The first-year signal-caller will have everything thrown at him. He needs to adjust and prove capable of handling the blitz. Otherwise, the Bears could be in for another long season, even with a supremely gifted passer now behind center.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Falcons Can Win a Lot of Games With Their Formula

The Atlanta Falcons looked to be grinding out Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles before Kirk Cousins took over and delivered a 22-21 victory.

Cousins' Falcons debut was largely spoiled by a brutal Steelers defense last week. Cousins didn't play well, which raised some concerns about his health following last year's Achilles tear.

As FS1's Chase Daniel pointed out after Week 1, Cousins wasn't using the same pocket stance he did in Minnesota.

While Cousins certainly appeared healthy on Monday night, Atlanta's passing game was still mostly conservative until the final drive. That's when Cousins drove down the field in just over a minute to deliver a go-ahead touchdown to Drake London.

Many fans may have been hoping for a more explosive passing attack with the addition of Cousins and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson—along with the departure of former coach Arthur Smith. We hadn't seen it before Atlanta's eight-play, 70-yard drive to seal the game.

Cousins (20-of-20 for 241 yards, 2 TDs) completed passes to London, Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts on the drive and moved the ball in enough of a hurry that Philadelphia had a shot at a final drive.

However, Jessie Bates III sealed it for Atlanta with an interception.

The Falcons don't need to consistently air it out to find success this season. The plan of leaning on running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, playing tough defense—Atlanta ranked 11th in yards allowed last season— and getting a few timely throws from Cousins can work.

It worked well enough to earn the Falcons a tough road victory over the Eagles.

Defense Is Still a Concern for the Eagles

The talk in Philadelphia this week will likely revolve around Nick Sirianni's decision to pass on 3rd-and-3 from the Falcons' 10-yard line with less than two minutes remaining and Atlanta out of timeouts.

Saquon Barkley dropped Jalen Hurts' pass, which led to a field goal, a six-point lead and an open door for the Falcons.

The truly concerning part of Monday's game, though, was the play of Vic Fangio's defense, specifically against the run early. Granted, the Falcons have a terrific backfield duo in Robinson and Allgeier, but the ease with which Atlanta ripped off big runs—both along the interior and on the perimeter—was alarming.

Robinson rushed for 97 yards and 6.9 yards per carry. Allgeier rushed for 53 yards and 5.9 yards per toe. This came a week after Philadelphia surrendered 163 rushing yards to the Packers.

Fangio was hired this offseason to help improve a defense that ranked 31st in passing yards allowed, 20th in yards per carry allowed, 26th in total yards allowed and 30th in points allowed last season. Improving the pass defense was a significant offseason priority, as the Eagles also added players like safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and rookie corners Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

The new-look secondary was always likely to take time to develop, and aside from on Mooney's long breakaway touchdown reception and the Falcons' final drive, it did look more efficient than it was against Green Bay.

However, poor run defense allowed the Falcons to hang around, and the secondary crumbled at the most inopportune time. Had the defense performed like a playoff-caliber unit, Philly's late questionable decision might not have mattered.

Inconsistent defense is an issue that has clearly carried over into 2024, and it's one that must be addressed if the Eagles hope to be Super Bowl contenders this season.