AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens. B

The Ravens flew into the jungle on Sunday to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens’ QB, Lamar Jackson, had a much better performance than he did in week 1: Jackson threw for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also ran for 54 yards. One of Jackson’s favorite targets is rookie WR Zay Flowers out of Boston College. Flowers had 10 targets in week 1, and completed 9 of them; of the 5 targets in week two, they connected on 4 of them. The Ravens’ defense held Joe Burrow had 2 takeaways on the day that helped them secure the win.

Won 27-24

Record (2-0)

Pittsburgh Steelers. B

The Steelers were home on Monday night versus the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh is coming off a tough week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.  Steelers QB Kenny Pickett and Browns QB Deshaun Watson almost had identical stats – which showed in the score of the game. Pickett threw for 222 yards, including a touchdown to George Pickens and an interception, and still pulled out the win at home.

Pittsburgh’s defense, led by T.J. Watt, had 6 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown, and 1 pick 6, an amazing performance put on by the Steelers‘ defense. RB Najee Harris had an underwhelming Monday night, only putting up 43 yards on 10 carries. The Steelers turned things around in week 2, but their offense has to pick up their own weight because their defense is not going to perform like that had week in and week out.

Won 26-22

Record (1-1)

Cleveland Browns. C-

It was a bad Monday night to be a Browns fan or a Nick Chubb fantasy football owner. In the second quarter, the Browns were in the Redzone and QB Deshaun Watson handed the ball off to RB Nick Chubb, but got tackled shortly after. Chubb was down on the ground in a lot of pain with an apparent knee injury; the injury was so bad, ESPN could not even show a replay of it on TV, but videos were leaked on X (Twitter) and Reddit showing Chubb’s knee go in a 90-degree angle – the opposite way a knee is supposed to go. Unfortunately, this is the same leg on which Chubb tore his MCL, ACL, and LCL in college during a similar incident. Chubb is out for the season, the team stated, and that all fans know at this moment. Chubb’s replacement, Jerome Ford, had a very solid night, rushing for 106 yards on 16 carries. QB Deshaun Watson threw for 235 yards a touchdown and an interception. Even though the Browns lost, they did not allow Chubb’s injury to keep their hopes down.

Loss 26-22

Record (1-1)

Cincinnati Bengals. C-

The Bengals were trying to lift their spirits with a home win in week 2 after a disappointing week 1 loss on the road where it looked like nothing for them was working. Joe Burrow had a much better week than last throwing for 222 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Burrow‘s favorite target of the day was WR Tee Higgins, and they connected on 8 catches for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns which was a big leap from week 1 in which Higgins did not get one catch.

The Cincinnati defense did absolutely nothing for the team, which was a big letdown for the offense. Cincinnati fans should not worry quite yet about their team, however: the Bengals started 0-2 last year and finished 12-4, so maybe they just start off slow and pick things up in week 3.

Loss 27-24

Record (0-2)

AFC SOUTH

Jacksonville Jaguars. C-

The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. The Jaguars’ defense was the only thing keeping them in the game by making the Chiefs punt the ball 4 times and get 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception, but on those 3 takeaways, the Jaguars could not score a touchdown. The Jaguars’ offense was slow all day and couldn’t get started, the only points on the board for the Jaguars were from 3 kicks from the kicker Brandon McManus. WR Calvin Ridley had a down game by only getting 32 yards on 2 receptions but another WR Christian Kirk had a great day by catching 11 passes for 110 yards. The Jaguars’ offense needs to turn around after week 2 which shouldn’t be a hard task since they are playing the Houston Texans in week 3.

Loss 17-9

Record 1-1

Indianapolis Colts. B

The Indianapolis Colts trotted into Houston for a contest against a division rival the Houston Texans. The Colts started off the game amazingly with 2 rushing touchdowns from rookie QB Anthony Richardson, but he took a hit while jumping in the end-zone and knocked the back of his head on the turf; Richardson was then ruled out of the game with a concussion. The Colts’ backup, Gardner Minshew, had an stellar performance, completing 19 of his 23 throws, 171 yards, and a touchdown. The Colts’ defense did a good job, but did let the Texans’ rookie QB, C.J. Stroud, throw for a little under 400 yards and 2 touchdowns. Still, Indianapolis got the Win. The team could be a wild card, but that is only if Richardson can stay healthy and stop taking hits when rushing out of the pocket.

Won 31-20

Record 1-1

Tennessee Titans. B

The Tennessee Titans had a tough loss versus the New Orleans Saints in week 1, so they were trying to pick up a big win in week 2 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The Titans’ offense had a good day on Sunday with QB  Ryan Tannehill only having 4 incompletions. Tannehill threw 246 yards, a rushing touchdown, and a passing touchdown. RB  Derrick Henry had 80 yards, and a touchdown on the ground on 24 carries.

Tennessee’s defense did not have a good day, letting Chargers WR Keenan Allen catch 8 balls for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also, the Titan’s o-line struggled, allowing the Charger’s d-line get to Tannehill and sack him 5 times during the game. But, the Titans still came out on top with an overtime home win on a game-winning field goal by Nick Folk.

Won 27-24

Record (1-1)

Houston Texans. C

The Houston Texans had a tough home matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts. The game started poorly for the Texans, who let Colts Anthony Richardson run for 2 touchdowns in less than 2 minutes of game time, but the Texans came back on the next drive, with a 13 play 68-yard drive that ended in a C.J. Stroud touchdown pass to WR  Nico Collins. Stroud had an amazing game in his second regular season NFL game. Stroud threw for 384 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Houston Texans’ defense needs to step up and play 4 full quarters of football; they cannot have the Colts’ backup QB Gardner Minshew throwing for 171 yards a touchdown, and an 82% completion percentage.

Loss 31-20 

Record (0-2)

AFC EAST

Miami Dolphins. B

The Miami Dolphins went to Foxborough, Massachusetts for a game versus the New England Patriots. The Dolphins came off a great win versus the Los Angeles Chargers in week 1 and were trying to keep the ball rolling into week 2. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa had fewer throwing yards than in week 1, but still had a good game by throwing 249 yards a touchdown and an interception. Also, WR Tyreek Hill did not put up nearly the same stats in week 2 as in week 1. Hill caught 5 balls on 9 targets for 40 yards.

The Dolphins‘ defense had a productive day, sacking the Patriots QB 4 times, getting 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception. The Dolphins’ offense is showing a lot of upside early in the season: Tagovailoa is looking way better than last year after his head injury, and Hill is looking like an early offensive player of the year winner (OPOY).

Won 24-17

Record (2-0)

New York Jets. D

After an exciting win on Monday night football in week 1, hopes were high for the New York Jets coming into week 2 versus the Dallas Cowboys. Sadly, those hopes came crashing down after 3 scoreless quarters. QB Zach Wilson had a pretty bad day, but the Cowboys’ defense is the top 3 defense in the league after week 2. Wilson threw for 17o yards, a touchdown, and 3 interceptions. The Jets lost the game, but also lost the time of possession by a little more than 20 minutes. The Jets playoffs bid went way down when Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles in week 1: they have to find a way to win 9+ wins if they want a chance at the playoffs.

Loss 30-10 

Record (1-1)

Buffalo Bills. A

The Buffalo Bills came back home after a disappointing overtime loss on Monday Night Football in week 1. The Bills faced the Las Vegas Raiders and had the game on lock since the first quarter. Buffalo’s QB,  Josh Allen, had a much better game than in week 1, throwing for 237 yards and 3 touchdowns while only throwing 6 incompletions all game.

Another key factor was the Bills’ rushing attack with James Cook, who ran for 123 yards on 17 carries – but no touchdowns.

The Buffalo defense did not let the Raiders maintain any breathing room: they got 2 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery in the game. This is exactly what the Bills needed in week 2: a good, hard-fought win in which everything went their way.

Won 38-10

Record (1-1)

New England Patriots. C-

The New England Patriots have not started a season 0-2 since 2002, when QB Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury in the middle of the season and Future G.O.A.T Tom Brady came in to lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl win over the then-St. Louis Rams.

In week 2, the Patriots stayed home to welcome the Miami Dolphins to Foxborough. The Patriots almost came back with a possible 21-point 4th quarter, coming literally inches from a first down that would have helped their chances a lot. Patriots QB Mac Jones and Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa had almost identical stat sheets. Jones threw for 231 yards to Tagovailoa‘s 249 yards, and they both threw one touchdown and one interception. If the pass means anything, the Patriots are right where they want to be, but realistically, they need some help on every part of their game.

Loss 24-17

Record (0-2)

AFC WEST

Las Vegas Raiders. D-

Nothing went well for the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday: they only had 1 touchdown on the day, and their defense was nowhere to be found. The Raiders let up 24 unanswered points to the Buffalo Bills. QB Derek Carr had a poor performance, only throwing for 185 yards, a touchdown, and 2 interceptions. The run game was also nonexistent for the Raiders, only rushing for 55 yards between 4 running backs. Also, all-pro WR Davante Adams left the game early with a concussion, but is not under any injury report coming into week 3.

Loss-38-10

Record (1-1)

Kansas City Chiefs. B-

The Kansas City Chiefs were trying to get back in the winners’ category after losing week 1 to the Detroit Lions. In week 2, the Chiefs gained back 2 of their best players in Travis Kelce, who hyperextended his knee before week 1 and did not play, and Chris Jones, who sat out week 1 because he and the Chiefs‘ front office could not agree on a contract (but that stalemate got resolved in the past week).

QB Patrick Mahomes had a nice outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars by throwing for 305 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Mahomes connected with his top choice, Kelce, for a touchdown and 26 yards on 4 receptions. This win for the Chiefs was what they needed, and they will be a playoff contender in late December.

Won 17-9

Record (1-1)

Los Angeles Chargers. C

The Los Angeles Chargers have been at the losing end of two nail biters in the first two weeks. In week 1, they lost to the Miami Dolphins by 2 points, and in week 2, they lost to the Tennessee Titans off an overtime-winning field goal. The Chargers are the best 0-2 in a lot of people’s eyes.

In week 2, QB Justin Herbert had a really nice game, throwing 305 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both touchdowns were caught by Keenan Allen, who went for 111 yards on 8 throws from Herbert. Yet again, the Chargers’ defense did little to compensate for the offense, getting no takeaways and letting Derrick Henry rush for 80 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers’ defense needs to step up early in the season, and not get too far behind.

Loss 27-24 OT

Record (0-2)

Denver Broncos. C

The Denver Broncos almost came back to win after letting up a 21-3 lead to the Washington Commanders that would end up in a 35-33 loss. The Broncos scored 21 points in the first half alone, and thought they could coast to the finish line, but that was not the case. The Commanders returned the fight, leading in the 4th quarter with 2 touchdowns on back-to-back drives. However, the Broncos were not giving up yet: down by 8, with a few seconds left, QB Russell Wilson threw up a Hail Mary and bounced the ball off a couple of people’s hands before it landed in Brandon Johnson’s palms, which make the score 35-33 in the favor of the Commanders. The Broncos went for the 2-point conversion, and could not convert it.

Loss 35-33

Record (0-2)