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So...Week 2 was something! That was one of the most bizarre NFL slates in recent memory, and trying to make sense of it is a fool's task. Luckily for all of you, I am that fool and I will do my best to paint a clear-ish picture of what we all just witnessed.
Week 2 Power Rankings
This week's rankings will be a bit different. I'd ignore the numerical rankings if I were you, but they're here in case you're interested. I have also included a tier list that explains my reasoning a bit more effectively for where teams are ranked. We'll briefly chat through the tiers and why some teams are ranked where they are.
Great
Self explanatory; the Chiefs are great - and even when Mahomes plays poorly, they still find ways to win.
Good
These are teams I can see competing for the Super Bowl if they can stay healthy and play how they have been playing through two weeks. Call it a fluke, but Malik Willis finally looked like a competent QB in place of Jordan Love. Situations like that just show that coaching and schemes can go a looong way.
Good, Below Expectations
These are the teams that I think have dealt with significant roster turnover from a year ago, unfortunate injuries, and tough matchups out the gate. In the case of the Jaguars, it looks like it'll be another year of drops and poor playcalling that will cost them games.
Mystery Box
The teams in this tier are a mix of being loaded on one side of the ball, have played against easy defenses, have had close games against teams they should easily beat, or subpar rosters with superb coaching. the biggest surprise in this group is the Saints, who are about to hit a wall of tough matchups.
Carried by Defense
Another self-explanatory category; these teams had their offensive miscues masked by their stalwart defenses. If their QB play doesn't improve, these teams will skid sooner rather than later.
QB???
Simply put, Deshaun sucks and Tua's battling calls for early retirement.
Bad
These are teams that, even with good QB play, still won't win many games. For those saying Jayden Daniels has been good, he's been asked to do little as a passer, as he has the 2nd lowest average depth of target of all starters in the league through two weeks.
Somehow Worse
The Giants will be bad regardless of who starts. The Panthers, on the other hand, are going to find out over the next few weeks what kind of team they are. Bryce Young, who has regressed from piss-poor to dumpster fire through two games, has been benched after just 18 career starts. I think this is more to see if the supporting cast is as bad as advertised, or if Bryce really is the problem.
Week 2 Awards
Awards | AFC | NFC |
Offensive MVP | James Cook | Kyler Murray |
Defensive MVP | Kamari Lassiter | Aidan Hutchison |
Special Teams MVP | Ka'imi Fairbairn | Austin Seibert |
Trench Tyrant | Creed Humphrey | Lucas Patrick |
Relentless Rookie | Brock Bowers | Malik Nabers |
Winners to Note
Kyler Murray
Kyler looked possessed against a good Rams team. He fed the ball to MHJ and was rewarded plentifully for it. He also was showed masterful navigation of murky pockets, and made multiple tight window throws. Per PFF, he recorded 6 big time throws on 21 attempts, which comes out to a ridiculous 28.57% BTT rate.
Kamari Lassiter
I normally won't put rookies in non-rookie categories, but Kamari was unhinged Sunday Night. He virtually shut down Chicago receivers, as he allowed just 2 receptions on 7 targets, while hauling in an interception. Specifically, he had Rome Odunze in a vice grip, as Rome tallied just 1 catch for 6 yards against him on 3 targets.
Lucas Patrick
The Saints OL has played lights out through two games, and although I believe this has more so to do with Clint Kubiak's scheme, this unit has stepped up with it. Lucas was lockdown in the run and pass game, as 119 of the Saints 183 rush yards came into his area, and he allowed 0 pressures against a solid pass rushing front.
Photo: Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images
Fantasy Football
Week 2 Recap
Points | QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex |
Player | Justin Herbert | Bucky Irving | Demarcus Robinson | Mike Gesicki | Alexander Mattison |
Projected | 16.4 | 6.4 | 10.4 | 4.9 | 7.6 |
Actual | 11.0 | 2.2 | 7.0 | 16.1 | 6.1 |
Difference | -5.4 | -4.2 | -3.4 | +11.2 | -1.5 |
Result | Bust | Bust | Push | Boom | Push |
Season Totals: 1 Booms / 5 Pushes / 4 Busts
Week 3 Prediction
QB: Gardner Minshew II vs Carolina Panthers (proj. 14.4 points)
While I missed with Herbo last week, Minshew is destined to hit this week. The Panthers may be more competitive, and the Raiders will have to pass if that's the case. With Davante Adams and Brock Bowers getting unlocked last week, I expect a big day for Gardner.
RB: Jaylen Warren vs Los Angeles Chargers (proj. 8.6 points)
Jaylen saw his snap count increase from 22 to 32 from Week 1 to 2, and he was asked to block at a 25.00% rate compared to 40.91% rate a week ago. He looked more explosive as a rusher and more reliable in the pass game; two things Arthur Smith values in his backs.
WR: Quentin Johnston vs Pittsburgh Steelers (proj. 9.3 points)
Last week wasn't a fluke; QJ has arrived. He showed off his YAC ability in Week 1, and he finally used his massive from in Week 2 en route to a 22.1 point performance. I doubt people will target him on waivers due to his history, but he looks much better through two games than he ever did in 2023.
TE: Colby Parkinson vs San Francisco 49ers (proj. 7.7 points)
This is more of an opportunity pick than anything else. Puka and Kupp are out, making Colby the top target in this offense. With the 49ers missing key players as well, the Rams should be able to develop their offense much more organically than they did last week, which will lead to Colby getting plenty of targets.
Flex: Ja'Lynn Polk vs New york Jets (proj. 6.0 points)
Ja'Lynn has been one of the best separators in the league through two games, and the Pats know they need to target him more. If the Pats can steal a win from the Jets, they'll be in great shape, and Polk will be the key to making that happen.
Week 3 Game Predictions
AFC Games
Patriots vs Jets (TNF)
Chargers vs Steelers
Jaguars vs Bills (MNF)
NFC Games
Eagles vs Saints
49ers vs Rams
Lions vs Cardinals
Cross Over Games
Giants vs Browns
Bears vs Colts
Texans vs Vikings
Broncos vs Buccaneers
Packers vs Titans
Panthers vs Raiders
Dolphins vs Seahawks
Ravens vs Cowboys
Chiefs vs Falcons (SNF)
Commanders vs Bengals (MNF)
Record from Week 2: 6-10
Season Record: 17-15
Photo: Rob Carr/GettyImages
Final Notes
Here's to a more normal week ahead. The football gods know we all need it.
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