The debut of the new overtime rules from the Giants and Cowboys, a 52 point bomb from the Lions and a MNF doubleheader, what more could you have asked from week two? 

Russell Wilson looked somewhat like his vintage self against the Cowboys but Brandon Aubrey took the game to OT with a 64 yard field goal and eventually won it with a 46 yard field goal. The Lions did not hold back in Ben Johnson’s return, putting the first 50-bomb of the season. 

In week three, the games covered feature an AFC South Showdown and a NFC Divisional Round rematch that could have a major playoff impact later in the season. 

*All stats and standings are pulled from https://www.espn.com/nfl/standings, https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats, https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-playoff-predictor or https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/.*

Texans and Jaguars, desperate for a bounce back win, meet in Jacksonville

In a game the Jaguars had no business losing, they fell 27-24 to the Bengals in a messy back and forth affair. In the second quarter of the game, Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow exited due to an injury suffered from a sack by Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead. Burrow has since been ruled out for at least three months due to turf toe surgery. 

Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning played in relief of Burrow and threw three interceptions. The Jaguars offense only capitalized off of one of those, scoring a touchdown late in the third quarter. A lot of the blame can go to the passing game, more specifically quarterback Trevor Lawrence. 

Lawrence had his fair share of dumb moments including both of the interceptions he threw in the first half of the game. The first one came when the Jaguars were in the Bengals redzone and Lawrence threw a bad pass towards rookie wide receiver Travis Hunter; cornerback Dax Hill took advantage of the poor throw and subsequently picked it off. The second interception came off another poorly placed throw intended for wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.. However, it landed in the hands of safety Jordan Battle. Both times the Bengals scored off those interceptions–a touchdown from the first and a field from the second. 

To make things worse, late in the game Lawrence sailed a pass over wide receiver Dyami Brown. The Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was visibly frustrated and yelled at Lawrence–banging his chest to show Lawrence where he needed to hit. In response, Lawrence was seen waving Coen off before returning to the huddle. Since then both Coen and Lawrence have said it was in the heat of the moment and nothing needed to be overblown. The Jaguars desperately need a bounce back win this week for the morale of this team. 

Speaking of morale, the Jaguars will also be wearing their throwback uniforms for this game. “Look good, feel good, play good,” said Hall of Fame cornerback and former MLB star Deion Sanders. 

For the second time in the C.J. Stroud and Demeco Ryans era, the Texans have started 0-2. The first time was in Stroud’s rookie year and was somewhat excusable, “oh well, he is a rookie, it is going to take time.” Now we are in year three and Stroud and the offense have struggled badly. 

Similar to the Jaguars, the Texans came down to a nail-biter of a game only losing by one point to the Buccaneers. Overall, many argue that this Texans defense is playing great, elite even. Through two weeks, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. has put together a defensive player of the year campaign with incredible stats–eight solo tackles, two sacks, 13 pressures (second), 10 hurries (tied for first), five run stops and a 31.7% pass rush win rate (second). The secondary has played fine as well being ranked 17th passing yards allowed. On top the defense is just plain elite, having allowed just four total touchdowns so far. 

Again, everything comes back to if this offense is doing enough. Through two games, only two total touchdowns scored, two turnovers and four for 18 on third down. Beyond horrible offensive play. While Stroud is to blame, injuries have not helped this team either.

Their starting running back Joe Mixon suffered a foot and ankle injury during the offseason which sent him to the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. He missed the first two games and will miss at least the next two. His return is currently unknown. Their starting slot wide receiver Tank Dell got injured late in the 2024 season where he suffered a dislocated kneecap, a torn ACL, a torn MCL, a torn LCL and meniscus damage. Very quickly, Dell was marked out for the remainder of the 2024 season and the 2025 season. The team looked for his “replacement” in Christian Kirk, who has missed the first two games of the season due to a hamstring injury; he is expected to return this week.  

In what seems like a must-win for both teams, the Texans will come out on top thanks to another impressive game by Anderson Jr..

Final Score: Texans 20 – Jaguars 17 

Rams travel from west to east coast looking for revenge against the Eagles in Philadelphia

Wow, the Rams have been elite so far. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is officially “back.” The back injury he battled all offseason has had zero effect on his play. Through two weeks, Stafford is ranked first among quarterbacks with a 91.5 grade via PFF (Pro Football Focus). The Rams offense is just moving and grooving.

Wide receiver Puka Nacua is on pace for a career-year. In week one Nacua hauled in 10 catches on 11 targets and 130 yards. In week two Nacua again had an impressive day through the air with eight catches on nine targets and 91-yards while adding another 45 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown off a jet sweep. Nacua is on pace for 1,879 receiving yards–which would rank third all time for single season receiving yards, only behind former Ram and current Seahawk receiver Cooper Kupp (1,947) in 2021 and former Lions wide receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson (1,964) in 2012. 

Nacua’s partner in crime, Davante Adams, has also found a good stride. Having started game one with just four catches and 51 yards, Adams really showed up in game two with six catches, 103 yards and a touchdown. Nacua and Adams are quickly pushing to be the best wide receiver duo in football. Running back Kyren Williams has also helped balance out the offense with a steady rushing rate of 3.8 yards a carry on 35 carries, 132 yards and a touchdown. 

Defensively the young squad has picked up right where they left off in 2024. Defensive end Byron Young is leading the way with three sacks, three TFLs (tackles for loss) and a forced fumble. The Rams also have five other defenders with one sack and at least one TFL. On the back end of things, Cobie Durant has had a great season with two pass deflections, one interception, three catches on seven targets allowed and 33 yards allowed per PFF. 

What a team the Eagles have. The Eagles are the type of team that can even match it out with the best of the best on their worst days. The Eagles offense has been one-dimensional through the first two games but that does not matter. The team’s offense ranks seventh in rushing yards per game and second in rushing touchdowns. On the other side of things, the offense ranks second to last in passing yards per game and is the only team this season to not record a passing touchdown.

Where do these “struggles” come from? To kick things off, the Eagles have always been a run first team in quarterback Jalen Hurts tenure. It has not mattered who the offensive coordinator is or who the running back is, the team is going to run the ball. That being said when you have A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith as your wide receiver one and two, the low passing total is inexcusable. At the end of the day though, it does not matter, if you are winning ball games and avoiding offensive turnovers–currently zero on the year. That is exactly what the Eagles are doing.

Easily the biggest part of this team’s great play is their defense led by legendary defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The defense has ranked ninth in total yards allowed and 12th in points allowed while also forcing two turnovers. 

Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba is off to a great start to the year. In two games he has eight solo tackles, half a sack, a TFL, a pass deflection and a game-changing interception. That interception came late in their week two win against the Chiefs where the Chiefs were in scoring range inside the 10 yard line. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw to Travis Kelce; the ball was bobbled out of the Chiefs tight end’s hands and Mukuba came up with the interception–returning it to the Eagles 41 yard line which led to a long scoring drive by their offense. 

In what should be a great matchup of defensive play, the better and more balanced offense comes out on the team. 

Final Score: Rams 24 – Eagles 14

Remaining Games:

TNF Dolphins at Bills: The Bills blowout a fellow AFC East opponent for the second straight week. Final Score: Dolphins 13 – Bills 34

Bengals at Vikings: In the battle of backup quarterbacks, the former Eagle picks up the win. Final Score: Bengals 21 – Vikings 24

Colts at Titans: Once again, when will Indiana Jones finally be stopped? Final Score: Colts 27 – Titans 17

Raiders at Commanders: Ashton Jeanty shows the world who should have won the heisman in his “breakout game.” Final Score: Raiders 24 – Commanders 14

Falcons at Panthers: The Falcons defense continues to show out with another six sack performance. Final Score: Falcons 20 – Panthers 10

Steelers at Patriots: In an old AFC rivalry of the 2010s, the Patriots come out on top in style with their “Pat Patriots” uniforms. Final Score: Steelers 17 – Patriots 24

Packers at Browns: The Browns debut their “Alpha Dawg” helmets, but it is clear who wins this matchup. Final Score: Packers 33 – Browns 13

Jets at Buccaneers: The Buccaneers debut their 1976 white creamsicle throwback uniforms in amazing style. Final Score: Jets 17 – Buccaneers 27

Broncos at Chargers: The Chargers get a massive lead over their division with a third straight win to start the season. Final Score: Broncos 18 – Chargers 30

Saints at Seahawks: To no surprise the Seahawks defense has a field day recording multiple sacks and turnovers. Final Score: Saints 9 – Seahawks 27

Cowboys at Bears: The highest scoring game of the week comes down to our second OT of the season. Final Score: Cowboys 36 – Bears 43

Cardinals at 49ers: The Cardinals take advantage of a beaten down 49ers team for an early division win, but at least the 49ers lose in style with their all-white 1994 throwbacks. Final Score: Cardinals 21 – 49ers 10

SNF Chiefs at Giants: The Giants pull off the biggest upset of the week sending the Chiefs to 0-3 for the first time since 1983. Final Score: Chiefs 14 – Giants 20

MNF Lions at Ravens: After scoring 52 the previous week, the Lions come back down-to-earth in a close loss. Final Score: Lions 24 – Ravens 31

Standings after Week Two: Conference Standing | Overall Record | Division Record

AFC South

1 Colts 2-0 | 0-0

10 Jaguars 1-1 | 0-0

11 Texans 0-2 | 0-0

15 Titans 0-2 | 0-0

AFC West

2 Chargers 2-0 | 2-0

5 Raiders 1-1 | 0-1

6 Broncos 1-1 | 0-0

12 Chiefs 0-2 | 0-0

AFC East

3 Bills 2-0 | 1-0

9 Patriots 1-1 | 1-0

13 Jets 0-2 | 0-1

16 Dolphins 0-2 | 0-1

AFC North

4 Bengals 2-0 | 1-0

7 Ravens 1-1 | 1-0

8 Steelers 1-1 | 0-0

14 Browns 0-2 | 0-2

NFC South

4 Buccaneers 2-0 | 1-0

7 Falcons 1-1 | 0-1

13 Saints 0-2 | 0-0

14 Panthers 0-2 | 0-0

NFC West

2 49ers 2-0 | 1-0

5 Cardinals 2-0 | 0-0

6 Rams 2-0 | 0-0

12 Seahawks 1-1 | 0-1

NFC East

3 Eagles 2-0 | 1-0

8 Commanders 1-1 | 1-0

9 Cowboys 1-1 | 1-1

16 Giants 0-2 | 0-2

NFC North

1 Packers 2-0 | 1-0

10 Vikings 1-1 | 1-0

11 Lions 1-1 | 1-1

15 Bears 0-2 | 0-2

Power Rankings after Week Two:

*Updated to include all 32. Only teams who were in the top 10 last will have updated movement as of this week. All 32 teams will have updated movement going forward after this week.*

1. Bills | N/C            9. Colts                        17. Seahawks         25. Jets
2. Eagles | +3         10. Chiefs | -1               18. Patriots            26. Steelers
3. Rams | +4           11. Commanders | -1  19. Texans              27. Panthers
4. Chargers | N/C  12. Falcons                   20. Broncos           28. Giants
5. Ravens | -2         13. Cardinals                21. Cowboys          29. Titans
6. Packers | -4        14. Vikings | -6            22. Raiders            30. Saints
7. Buccaneers | -1  15. 49ers                       23. Bears                31. Browns
8. Lions                    16. Jaguars                  24. Bengals            32. Dolphins

N/C: No Change

Biggest riser: Rams 7 → 3

Biggest faller: Vikings 8 → 14