NFL Overreactions Week 2: Philly wins, Browning steps up for Bengals
Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon overreacts to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 2 slate.
Sports Seriously
The NFL season is still young, with teams having just played two games, but some teams are off to surprisingly good or surprisingly bad starts.
Among the good surprises? Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers have been dominant through two weeks, and the Indianapolis Colts have got off to a 2-0 start with Daniel Jones at QB.
Among the not-so-good surprises? Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are 0-2, and the Chicago Bears, who can’t stop anyone on defense, are 0-2 with 79 points allowed in two games.
Check out our NFL Week 3 power rankings, where we look at the surprising teams early (very early) this season.
Which teams will continue to surprise in the NFL Week 3 schedule? Previous ranking in parentheses.
NFL Week 3 picks: Dolphins at Bills | Falcons at Panthers | Packers at Browns | Texans at Jaguars | Bengals at Vikings | Steelers at Patriots | Rams at Eagles | Jets at Buccaneers | Colts at Titans | Raiders at Commanders | Broncos at Chargers | Saints at Seahawks | Cowboys at Bears | Cardinals at 49ers | Chiefs at Giants | Lions at Ravens | The Republic’s score predictions
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32. Chicago Bears (17)
Too big a drop for Chicago? The Bears have allowed 79 points in two games. They gave up 511 yards to the Lions’ offense. They allowed Jared Goff to throw for five touchdowns. We thought the Bears could surprise in 2025. They have been surprisingly bad so far. The Ben Johnson era in Chicago is off to a very rocky start.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Detroit Lions, 52-21NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Dallas Cowboys (Sept. 21)
The good news? The Browns scored one more point in the loss to the Ravens than they did in their loss to the Bengals. The bad news? They allowed 24 more points against Baltimore. How much longer will Joe Flacco last as Cleveland’s starting QB?
NFL Week 2: Lost to Baltimore Ravens, 41-17NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Green Bay Packers (Sept. 21)
Credit to Carolina for that rally to make it a close game against the Arizona Cardinals, but the Panthers have to stop digging early holes to climb out of. Rookie Tetairoa McMillan had six catches for 100 yards in the loss.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Arizona Cardinals, 27-22NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Atlanta Falcons (Sept. 21)29. Tennessee Titans (28)
Cam Ward has shown some positives for Tennessee, going 19-for-33 for 175 yards and a touchdown pass in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but the Titans have to protect him better. He was sacked five times on Sunday.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Los Angeles Rams, 33-19NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Indianapolis Colts (Sept. 21)
Justin Fields was just 3-for-11 for 27 yards before suffering a concussion against the Bills. Tyrod Taylor went 7-for-11, with a TD, in relief. Who will be New York’s starter in Week 3? Does it even matter?
NFL Week 2: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 30-10NFL Week 3: Sunday at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sept. 21)27. Miami Dolphins (32)
The Dolphins at 0-2 are a surprise to us. We thought they would be able to score. We also thought the defense wouldn’t give up 66 points in two games.
NFL Week 2: Lost to New England Patriots, 33-27NFL Week 3: Thursday Night Football at Buffalo Bills (Sept. 18)
The Giants led the Cowboys 37-34 after scoring a touchdown with 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter. And still lost. This one is going to sting for a while. And they have the 0-2 Kansas City Chiefs up next.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Dallas Cowboys in overtime, 40-37NFL Week 3: Sunday Night Football vs Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 21)
Many thought the Saints could be the worst team in the NFL this season. They haven’t looked like it through two weeks with close losses to the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. We admit, we’re surprised they have looked kind of … decent.
NFL Week 2: Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 26-21NFL Week 3: Sunday at Seattle Seahawks (Sept. 21)24. Houston Texans (18)
The Texans are a disappointing 0-2 and already two games behind the surprise 2-0 Indianapolis Colts. It’s too early to panic in Houston, but it’s not too early to be concerned.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-19NFL Week 3: Sunday at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sept. 21)23. Jacksonville Jaguars (20)
The Jaguars had a great opportunity to be a surprise 2-0 team, but couldn’t hold off a rally from Jake Browning and the Cincinnati Bengals. Jacksonville has shown us that it can be an AFC South contender through two games.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals, 31-27NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Houston Texans (Sept. 21)
22. New England Patriots (25)
The Patriots believe in Drake Maye. Why shouldn’t they? He was an efficient 19-for-23 for 230 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Dolphins.
NFL Week 2: Beat Miami Dolphins, 33-27NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Sept. 21)
Which Geno Smith is going to show up for the Raiders each week? As he goes, so might Las Vegas.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers, 20-9NFL Week 3: Sunday at Washington Commanders (Sept. 21)20. Pittsburgh Steelers (15)
The Steelers had 21 carries for 72 yards in this game. Not ideal. Neither is Aaron Rodgers throwing two interceptions. Pittsburgh came back to earth after its thrilling Week 1 win.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Seattle Seahawks, 31-17NFL Week 3: Sunday at New England Patriots (Sept. 21)19. Minnesota Vikings (11)
J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings were reminded that he is essentially a rookie by the Falcons, with the QB going 11-for-21 for 158 yards and two passes intercepted in the loss to the Falcons. Is that surprising?
NFL Week 2: Lost to Atlanta Falcons, 22-6NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Cincinnati Bengals (Sept. 21)18. Dallas Cowboys (21)
A good kicker can make all the difference in an NFL game. And the Cowboys arguably have the NFL’s best in Brandon Aubrey, who hit a 64-yard field goal to send the game into overtime and hit a 46-yard field goal to win it.
NFL Week 2: Beat New York Giants in overtime, 40-37NFL Week 3:Â Sunday at Chicago Bears (Sept. 21)17. Atlanta Falcons (24)
Just two players rushed the ball for Atlanta in the win over Minnesota (not counting a Michael Penix Jr. kneel down). Bijan Robinson had 22 carries for 143 yards, while Tyler Allgeier had 16 carries for 76 yards. That will do.
NFL Week 2: Beat Minnesota Vikings, 22-6NFL Week 3: Sunday at Carolina Panthers (Sept. 21)16. Seattle Seahawks (23)
What a difference a strong running game can make. Kenneth Walker had 13 carries for 105 yards and a score for Seattle, which outscored Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter, 17-3.
NFL Week 2: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-17NFL Week 3: Sunday vs New Orleans Saints (Sept. 21)15. Denver Broncos (14)
The Broncos are a “leverage” penalty away from being 2-0 on the season. Still, we expected more from Denver’s defense against the Colts. Indianapolis had 473 yards against the Broncos.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Indianapolis Colts, 29-28NFL Week 3: Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers (Sept. 21)14. Kansas City Chiefs (8)
Yes, the Chiefs are a surprising 0-2, but both of their losses were close ones, and they came against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. We wouldn’t write Kansas City off yet.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 20-17NFL Week 3: Sunday Night Football at New York Giants (Sept. 21)13. Arizona Cardinals (16)
Too high a ranking for the Cardinals? Maybe. But this team is 2-0 on the season. Kyler Murray and company would turn heads with a win over the San Francisco 49ers in NFL Week 3.
NFL Week 2: Beat Carolina Panthers, 27-22NFL Week 3: Sunday at San Francisco 49ers (Sept. 21)12. Indianapolis Colts (19)
Too big of a jump for Indianapolis? Perhaps. But we’ve got to reward Daniel Jones and the Colts for being 2-0, the biggest surprise 2-0 team in the league after wins over the Dolphins and Broncos. The Colts haven’t punted yet this season.
NFL Week 2: Beat Denver Broncos, 29-28NFL Week 3: Sunday at Tennessee Titans (Sept. 21)11. Detroit Lions (12)
The Lions regrouped in a major way from their Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers. How about this stat line for Jared Goff? 23-for-28 passing, 334 yards, five touchdowns, no passes intercepted.
NFL Week 2: Beat Chicago Bears, 52-21NFL Week 3: Monday Night Football at Baltimore Ravens (Sept. 22)10. Washington Commanders (5)
Jayden Daniels was just 24-for-42 for 200 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers. Is it cause for concern in Washington or is Green Bay’s defense that good? We’re siding with Green Bay’s defense.
NFL Week 2: Lost to Green Bay Packers, 27-18NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Las Vegas Raiders (Sept. 21)9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13)
The Buccaneers have won their two games by a combined four points, but a win is a win in the NFL and 2-0 is 2-0. Baker Mayfield just seems to make plays when Tampa Bay needs it.
NFL Week 2: Beat Houston Texans, 20-19NFL Week 3: Sunday vs New York Jets (Sept. 21)8. San Francisco 49ers (10)
How important is it to have a good backup QB? Mac Jones was 26-for-39 for 279 yards and three touchdowns playing for an injured Brock Purdy in the win in New Orleans.
NFL Week 2: Beat New Orleans Saints, 26-21NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Arizona Cardinals (Sept. 21)7. Los Angeles Rams (9)
The Davante Adams and Puka Nacua receiving duo is really hard to stop. Just ask the Titans defenders. The two had almost 200 yards receiving combined against Tennessee.
NFL Week 2: Beat Tennessee Titans, 33-19NFL Week 3: Sunday at Philadelphia Eagles (Sept. 21)6. Cincinnati Bengals (7)
Jake Browning went 21-for-32 passing, with two touchdown passes and three passes intercepted in the win over the Jaguars for the Bengals, who now must try to survive without Joe Burrow. Is Browning up to the task?
NFL Week 2: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-27NFL Week 3: Sunday at Minnesota Vikings (Sept. 21)5. Los Angeles Chargers (6)
Justin Herbert has impressed in the first two weeks of the season, but it’s Los Angeles’ defense that could really make the team a contender.
NFL Week 2: Beat Las Vegas Raiders, 20-9NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Denver Broncos (Sept. 21)4. Baltimore Ravens (4)
The Ravens have scored 40 points and 41 points in their two games this season. Good luck trying to stop Lamar Jackson and company. The NFL Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions could be a thriller.
NFL Week 2: Beat Cleveland Browns, 41-17NFL Week 3: Monday Night Football vs Detroit Lions (Sept. 21)3. Green Bay Packers (3)
We thought the Packers would be good this season, but this good through two games? That’s been a surprise. The Micah Parsons trade is looking like a real winner, with Super Bowl dreams now going through some Green Bay fans’ minds.
NFL Week 2: Beat Washington Commanders, 27-18NFL Week 3: Sunday at Cleveland Browns (Sept. 21)2. Buffalo Bills (2)
The Bills have scored 71 points in two games, which is second in the NFL. The only team to score more? The Ravens, whom Buffalo beat in Week 1, 41-40.
NFL Week 2: Beat New York Jets, 30-10NFL Week 3: Thursday Night Football vs Miami Dolphins (Sept. 18)1. Philadelphia Eagles (1)
The tush push might be the most unstoppable play in sports. The only way to stop it? Don’t let Philadelphia get in a position to run it, which is awfully hard to do.
NFL Week 2: Beat Kansas City Chiefs, 20-17NFL Week 3: Sunday vs Los Angeles Rams (Sept. 21)
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