Two weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the takes are getting hotter than a mid-September turf subject.
Throughout the league, early outcomes are fueling daring declarations from Yardbarker NFL writers — from crowning Tremendous Bowl champs in Buffalo and Inexperienced Bay to demanding QB modifications in Cleveland and Minnesota.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS
(1-1) | Imagine it or not: The Cowboys are good | The Cowboys will not be as shaky as some suspected. Via two video games, QB Dak Prescott has a mean QB score of 88.8, however the Cowboys have performed competitively. The Prescott-to-CeeDee Lamb connection (16 catches for 222 yards) is heating up, and the offense must be ok to maintain Dallas within the playoff combine.
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2) | Russell Wilson is the undisputed QB No. 1 | After a career-worst efficiency in Week 1, Wilson responded with a career-best efficiency by throwing for 450 yards (264 yards approaching deep passes) and throwing for 3 touchdowns in a Week 2 loss to Dallas. Wilson tied for the fourth-highest passing yards in a sport in crew historical past. Jaxson Dart, who?
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) | Who wants a passing assault? | The reigning Tremendous Bowl champs haven’t regarded flashy, however they’ve managed each video games with a mixed time of possession of 67 minutes, 26 seconds. Jalen Hurts hasn’t thrown for a touchdown, but he has rushed for three. The Eagles’ relentless ground game is working, and it’s why they’ll contend for the Lombardi Trophy again in February.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1) | Not an NFC Championship Recreation contender | The truth for the Commanders is that they’re halfway by a rebuild and dealing with a skinny roster. The crew was outmatched by the Packers in a 27-18 loss in Week 2. In that sport, Jayden Daniels bought sacked 4 instances and Austin Ekeler was misplaced for the season to an Achilles damage, eradicating a key menace in Washington’s operating sport. The Commanders made a shock deep playoff run final season, however do not count on a repeat. — Conor Killmurray
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-0) | Incapacity to shut out video games will doom Cardinals | The Cardinals have struggled to shut each video games. They wanted a fourth-down cease within the crimson zone to forestall the New Orleans Saints from rallying from a 10-point second-half deficit in Week 1 and almost blew a 27-9 result in the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Except for a 52-yard run from operating again Trey Benson in Week 1, the Cardinals have not persistently bought something occurring the bottom (common 3.6 yards per carry).
LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-0) | Signing of Davante Adams was large | One of many extra intriguing signings of the offseason was the Rams including Adams after the discharge of former star wideout Cooper Kupp. After a comparatively quiet opener (4 catches for 51 yards) in opposition to the Houston Texans, Adams bounced again with six receptions for 106 yards and a TD in a Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans, giving QB Matthew Stafford a robust 1-2 punch with Puka Nacua.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
(2-0) | The 49ers have fastened particular groups points | Regardless of bringing in a brand new particular groups coordinator in 14-year NFL veteran Brant Boyer, particular groups points seemed to be an issue as soon as once more for the 49ers. Jake Moody, who has since been launched, missed a 27-yard subject aim and had a 36-yard try blocked in Week 1. One week later, Eddy Pineiro hit from 44 and 46 yards in a 26-21 win over the New Orleans Saints, and all is nicely.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
(1-1) | Dominant protection carry crew | After making two interceptions in opposition to 49ers QB Brock Purdy in a Week 1 loss, the Seahawks adopted that up by sacking Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers thrice and forcing two extra interceptions. The Seahawks lead the NFL with a 49.4% stress price (h/t NextGen Stats), making them a tough unit to match up with. — Colby Colwell
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (0-2) | Not even Ben Johnson can repair this mess | Johnson picked the Bears after turning down engaging head-coaching alternatives over the previous few years, and it’s potential he’s already regretting that call. QB Caleb Williams hasn’t improved from his rookie season, the protection is a catastrophe and GM Ryan Poles’ draft picks aren’t panning out. It’s going to be one other lengthy, irritating season in Chicago.
DETROIT LIONS (1-1) | The inside offensive line will maintain the Lions again | The Lions used to have the ability to rip off 5 yards per carry behind their elite offensive line, however this group isn’t the identical with out middle Frank Ragnow, who retired. Jahmyr Gibbs had a 42-yard run in Week 2, however he has averaged solely 3.5 yards per carry exterior of that, and David Montgomery has averaged solely 3.7. Detroit gave up 12 pressures, 4 sacks and 9 tackles for loss in a Week 1 loss in opposition to the Packers.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-0) | The Packers must be favored to win the Tremendous Bowl | The Packers (+700 at FanDuel) are the third option to win the Tremendous Bowl, behind the Baltimore Ravens (+500) and the Buffalo Payments (+600), however they need to be the favorites after blowing out the Lions and Commanders. Inexperienced Bay ranks fourth in offensive EPA per play (0.160), first in yards allowed per play (3.7) and fifth in pressures (19), and DE Micah Parsons isn’t even taking part in a full workload but.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
(1-1) | J.J. McCarthy is just not the reply | It’s far too early to label McCarthy a bust, however the outcomes have been discouraging by his first two NFL begins. The 22-year-old ranks final amongst certified QBs in EPA per play (-0.354) and thirtieth in success price (41.7 p.c). McCarthy had one nice quarter in opposition to the struggling Bears, however his different seven quarters have been dismal. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (1-1) | GM Terry Fontenot will get final chuckle | For the previous two years, many have mocked Fontenot’s NFL Draft strategy. In 2024, he used the No. 8 total decide on QB Michael Penix Jr., two months after signing Kirk Cousins to an enormous free-agent contract. Then he traded a 2026 first-rounder to pick out a second edge-rusher within the first-round of April’s draft. However Fontenot is the one laughing following Penix’s promising profession begin and the protection coming off a six-sack efficiency in opposition to the Vikings, its most sacks in a street sport since 2019 (h/t Stathead).
CAROLINA PANTHERS
(0-2) | Staff blew it on run protection | The Panthers are doubtless ruing what may have been throughout free company, when for a quick second it appeared they’d signed Tremendous Bowl LIX-champion defensive deal with Milton Williams, who ultimately landed with the New England Patriots after a last-second change of heart. Via two video games, Carolina is permitting 5.2 yards per carry, the identical as final season, whereas the Patriots rank first in stuff price (35.9 p.c)— speeding performs that end in no achieve or a loss. (h/t NFL Pro).
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-2) | Head coach Kellen Moore has Saints headed in proper path | New Orleans lacks the expertise essential to compete with potential playoff groups, however that’s not Moore’s fault. The Saints have misplaced their first two video games by a mixed 12 factors and had a chance to win every late within the fourth quarter, exhibiting spectacular struggle for a crew with the percentages stacked in opposition to it.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
(2-0) | Baker Mayfield is within the dialog for the NFL’s most clutch QB | Two video games, two last-minute profitable landing drives orchestrated by Mayfield. The 2018 No. 1 total decide has already added two memorable chapters to his profession of late-game heroics, together with his 25-yard landing cross to Emeka Egbuka in Week 1 and his 15-yard scramble on 4th-and-10 in opposition to the Vikings to increase the sport, proving there are few QBs higher with the sport on the road. — Eric Smithling
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS
(2-0) | That is Buffalo’s 12 months | Buffalo followers ought to plan on attending Tremendous Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California to observe final 12 months’s AFC East champions cap an undefeated season with their first Lombardi Trophy. With a league-high 900 yards of offense and 71 factors in two wins, the mighty Payments and reigning MVP Josh Allen, who needed just 14 completions to beat the New York Jets in Week 2, have no match.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
(0-2) | Commerce Tyreek Hill now | With a players-only meeting already in the books, the dysfunctional Dolphins are going nowhere fast. Hill had six catches for 109 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 2 and could net the team a second-round pick in a trade. With no guaranteed money beyond 2025 and a $51M cap hit for 2026, the 31-year-old receiver should already have his bags packed.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1) | Who’s Tom Brady? | Second-year QB Drake Maye completed 65.2 percent of passes in a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 but connected on 82.6 percent throws of in a 33-27 win against the Dolphins in Week 2. Book him a ticket to Canton.
NEW YORK JETS (0-2)| The Jets ought to have saved Aaron Rodgers | Rodgers regarded nice in opposition to his outdated crew in Week 1 (4 TD passes, no interceptions), much less so in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 (one TD pass, two interceptions). But no QB looked worse than New York’s Justin Fields, who completed three passes for 27 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 loss to the Bills because of a concussion. Meanwhile, Rodgers’ five touchdown passes are tied with Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield and Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert for second most in the NFL. — Bruce Ewing
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (1-1) | The massive free-agent signees appear like flops | This offseason, the Broncos signed TE Evan Engram and LB Dre Greenlaw, however neither has bolstered the roster. The TE has simply 4 receptions for 33 yards, and the LB hasn’t performed due to a quadriceps subject.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-2) | The Chief would stink with out QB Patrick Mahomes | Mahomes — who ranks fourth within the league QBR (81.4) by two video games — is without doubt one of the few causes the Chiefs are nonetheless thought of a Tremendous Bowl contender. Kansas Metropolis ranks twenty fourth within the NFL in factors (19 PPG) and is tied for nineteenth in factors allowed (23.5).
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1) | RB Ashton Jeanty is now not an Offensive Rookie of the Yr candidate| Jeanty (decide No. 6) has 30 carries for 81 yards (2.7 yards per carry) and one TD in two video games. After a Week 2 loss to the Chargers, new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said they’re bringing the previous Boise State star alongside slowly. Except he begins rolling quickly, the 2024 Heisman finalist has no prayer within the OROY race.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-0) | QB Justin Herbert is an MVP contender | Via two begins, he has accomplished a career-high 72.1 p.c of his passes for 560 yards and 5 TDs and logged an excellent 81.6 QBR. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1) | Lamar Jackson is a grasp of effectivity | In the event you’re not respecting Jackson’s means to cross, you’re not paying consideration. For the reason that begin of the 2024 season, Jackson has the NFL’s finest landing/interception ratio (47 TD passes to solely 4 interceptions).
CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-0) | The Bengals have wasted Joe Burrow | The Bengals acquired a present from the soccer gods after they landed Burrow with the 2020 No. 1 total decide. However they’ve squandered that reward, making the playoffs twice with him and taking part in him behind a persistently poor offensive line. He has already missed 15 video games in his profession and goes so as to add many extra to that complete after struggling a toe damage in Week 2.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-2) | It’s time to begin one of many younger QBs | Joe Flacco, 40, is only a waste of time for Cleveland. It’s clear the Browns are a catastrophe and Flacco (three picks, two TD passes) must be a backup. Whether or not it’s Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders, the Browns should give one in every of their rookie QBs significant snaps…and which means beginning one in every of them.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-2) | The protection stinks | Earlier than the season, HC Mike Tomlin and the Steelers talked an enormous sport about what their protection could be able to, with Tomlin utilizing the phrase “historic” to explain its upside. However the protection has been something however historic. As an alternative, it’s getting pushed round once more within the operating sport (permitting 149.5 yards per sport and 4.4 yards per carry). — Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) | The offense is damaged | Joe Mixon was the point of interest of the offense in 2024 with 1,325 complete yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns, however the operating again has a foot damage and no timetable for a return. The Texans have struggled to run with Nick Chubb as their lead again, which has put extra stress on QB C.J. Stroud. Houston’s 14 factors per sport by the primary two weeks ranks final within the NFL.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
(2-0) | Daniel Jones is a playoff QB | The Colts are essentially the most stunning crew within the NFL, and Jones is a worthy starter after a dismal finish to his profession with the New York Giants. He has accounted for 5 complete touchdowns and ranks second within the NFL with 588 passing yards. Jones seems like he has renewed confidence taking part in below HC Shane Steichen.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1) | Trevor Lawrence won’t ever reside as much as his contract | Lawrence signed a five-year, $275M contract extension earlier than final season after which struggled by an injury-riddled 12 months. The No. 1 total decide within the 2021 NFL Draft continues to have a problem with turnovers (three interceptions in two video games). Lawrence has loads of weapons round him and a QB whisperer of a coach in Liam Coen, so he has no excuse to look common.
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-2) | HC Brian Callahan received’t survive the season | NFL groups haven’t been affected person with struggling head coaches lately, and Callahan could be the following to obtain a pink slip earlier than anticipated. The Titans went 3-14 in Callahan’s first season final 12 months and are winless in 2025. Callahan is navigating a troublesome set of circumstances with a rookie beginning QB in Cam Ward, who has accomplished simply 50.8 p.c of his passes by his first two video games, however which may not matter. — Steve DelVecchio
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