Who is the top team in the league two weeks into the NFL season?
After two weeks of play the NFL season is starting to take shape. While there is still much to be decided, some trends are becoming visible to football fans, and Week 3 will serve as a testing ground for theories on the new year.
Have the Falcons really shaken off the most unimaginable loss in football history to remain a force in the NFC? Are the Seahawks as shaky as they look after years of dominance? Is Gronk still Gronk after catching his 69th career touchdown?
Below we take a look at all 32 teams and where they stack up heading into Week 3.
32. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to Texans, 13-9
This week: at Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: Two weeks into the NFL season the Bengals are yet to score a touchdown, have already fired their offensive coordinator, and some players reportedly want to replace Andy Dalton with Colin Kaepernick.
31. New York Jets
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Raiders 45-20
This week: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: While the Jets still would probably prefer to lose out the entire year to secure the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, there are a few players on the field who look like they really want to win a football game. Josh McCown made some nice throws against the Raiders, and Jermaine Kearse is a good pick up for anyone looking for wide receiver depth in fantasy.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Seahawks, 12-9
This week: vs. Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: Brian Hoyer didn't complete a pass beyond eight yards past the line of scrimmage in Week 2. The 49ers may soon find themselves scouting college quarterbacks for the 2018 draft.
29. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Cardinals 16-13
This week: vs. Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: The Colts are so bad that the Browns are now road favorites in Indianapolis, the first time Cleveland has been favored to win outside their home town since 2012. Indy is off to their fourth straight 0-2 start, but in that time they've never gone down 0-3. With Andrew Luck still on the sidelines, it will be up to Jacoby Brissett to secure the win.
28. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Ravens, 24-10
This week: at Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: In August, Joe Thomas — who celebrated his 10,000th consecutive snap with the Browns — named all 18 quarterbacks he's blocked for while on the Browns. With rookie DeShone Kizer starting for the Browns now, the number is up to 19.
27. Chicago Bears
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Buccaneers 29-7
This week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: After two losses to start the season, Bears fans have to be wondering when it will be time to start rookie Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. If Mike Glennon gets off to another slow start against the Steelers, could we potentially get our first glimpse at the future of the franchise?
26. Buffalo Bills
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Panthers, 9-3
This week: vs. Denver Broncos
One thing to know: If the Bills could not muster more than a field goal against the Panthers, things might get very ugly against the Broncos in Week 3.
25. New Orleans Saints
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Patriots 36-20
This week: at Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: The Saints have started the past two seasons 0-3, and look like they might make it three straight on Sunday. The Panthers have won four of their last five contests against the Saints, so it will be up to Sean Payton and Drew Brees to dial up some magic and buck the trend.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 1-1
Last week: Lost to the Titans, 37-16
This week: vs. Baltimore Ravens (London)
One thing to know: Prior to two late, garbage-time touchdowns, the Jaguars offensive possessions went: field goal, punt, punt, fumble, interception, interception, punt, punt, punt. Perhaps the run-based offense still needs some work.
23. New York Giants
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Lions 24-10
This week: at Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: While Odell Beckham Jr. was back in the lineup on Monday against the Lions, the Giants offense still sputtered to a measly 10 points. Head coach Ben McAdoo had some harsh words for Eli Manning after the game — we'll see if they hurt or help the quarterback against a division rival.
22. Houston Texans
Record: 1-1
Last week: Beat the Bengals, 13-9
This week: at New England Patriots
One thing to know: The Texans offense didn't fair much better under the helmsmanship of Deshaun Watson in Week 2, but his 49-yard scramble for their lone touchdown showed one area he has a clear advantage over Tom Savage.
21. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 1-1
Last week: Lost to the Redskins 27-20
This week: at San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: This week's "Thursday Night Football" game will feature Brian Hoyer and Jared Goff as the starting quarterbacks. This won't dispel the poor reputation for Thursday night games.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 1-1
Last week: Beat the Colts, 16-13
This week: vs. Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: The Cardinals escaped with a win in Week 2, but Bruce Arians hasn't been shy about calling out Carson Palmer, saying he has to be much better going forward. Palmer has two touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 65 passer rating this season.
19. Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 0-2
Last week: Lost to the Dolphins 19-17
This week: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: Despite what their 0-2 record might have you think, the Chargers are just two converted kicks away from being 2-0 and driving a completely different conversation around the team. A win against the newfound world-beating Kansas City Chiefs would give Chargers fans a lot of hope that this season isn't over yet.
18. Washington Redskins
Record: 1-1
Last week: Beat the Rams, 27-20
This week: vs. Oakland Raiders
One thing to know: Fantasy owners may be frustrated with Washington's running back committee of Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, and Samaje Perine. After finding success with all three backs in Week 2, Washington may continue to deploy the three-man attack.
17. Miami Dolphins
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Chargers 19-17
This week: at New York Jets
One thing to know: Jay Cutler is undefeated against the Jets in his career and undefeated as a Miami Dolphin.
16. Carolina Panthers
Record: 1-1
Last week: Beat the Bills, 9-3
This week: vs. New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: After struggling against Buffalo, a visit from the Saints, the NFL's second-worst pass defense, may be a welcome opportunity for Cam Newton, who has looked rusty to start the season.
15. Tennessee Titans
Record: 1-1
Last week: Beat the Jaguars 37-16
This week: vs. Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: The Titans got off to a slow start against the Jaguars, heading to halftime with just a 6-3 lead. While the Seahawks have not been the juggernaut we've seen in years past, their defense is stifling enough that the Titans will want to hit the ground running if they're to defend their home turf on Sunday.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 1-1
Last week: Lost to the Chiefs, 27-20
This week: vs. New York Giants
One thing to know: Eagles defensive end Chris Long announced on Tuesday that he will donate his first six game checks to fund scholarships in his hometown of Charlottesville.
13. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 1-1
Last week: Lost to the Steelers 26-9
This week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: Sam Bradford is injured and questionable to start on Sunday. Head coach Mike Zimmer has been vague about the details, saying Bradford could start this week, but also might not take the field for over a month.
12. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat the Browns, 24-10
This week: at Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
One thing to know: After losing Pro Bowl guard Marshall Yonda, the Ravens now have a league-high 15 players on the IR.
11. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 1-1
Last week: Beat the 49ers 12-9
This week: at Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: While the poor offensive play of the Bengals and Giants have gotten more attention, the Seahawks have managed just 21 points and one touchdown in their first two games of the season. If they are to remain considered a team-to-beat in the NFC, Russell Wilson and company will have to show a bit of something soon.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Bears, 29-7
This week: at Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: The Bucs' hype train figures to get rolling after an impressive, dominant win over the Bears. We'll see if it can continue against a tougher opponent in Minnesota on less rest.
9. Detroit Lions
Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat the Giants 24-10
This week: vs. Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: It's easy to be skeptical of the 2-0 Lions, but against the Giants on Monday night Matthew Stafford and his squad looked like they could hang with most teams in the league. A solid performance against the Falcons would go a long way to make that case.
8. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 1-1
Last week: Lost to the Broncos, 42-17
This week: at Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: Ezekiel Elliott didn't win many people over when he quit on a play and decided not to chase down a Broncos defender after an interception. Some, like Sports Illustrated's Peter King, believe Elliott should be disciplined for the play.
7. Green Bay Packers
Record: 1-1
Last week: Lost to the Falcons 34-23
This week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: The Packers woes in Atlanta continued last week as their effort to comeback fell short on Sunday night. This week they have the chance to beat up on the Bengals at Lambeau field, but with a plethora of injuries plaguing the team, this game might be tougher than expected.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat the Vikings, 26-9
This week: at Chicago Bears
One thing to know: The Steelers are 2-0 despite up-and-down play from big offensive players like Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and Martavis Bryant. When they all click at once, the team may look very scary if the defense can keep up the performance.
5. Denver Broncos
Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat the Cowboys 42-17
This week: at Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: After two weeks, Trevor Siemian sits with Matthew Stafford atop the league with six touchdown passes thrown. If his play stays as good as it has been to start the season, the Broncos have the potential to go a long way this year.
4. New England Patriots
Record: 1-1
Last week: Beat the Saints, 36-20
This week: vs. Houston Texans
One thing to know: While the Patriots got back on track after a disappointing Week 1, the injuries are racking up on offense. Rob Gronkowski, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, and Phillip Dorsett are all banged up.
3. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat the Packers 34-23
This week: at Detroit Lions
One thing to know: The last time the Lions played the Falcons was in 2014 when the teams met in London and Detroit came back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to win 22-21. Matt Ryan seems to have a short memory when it comes to heartbreaking losses, but if the Falcons start to pour it on against the Lions, don't be surprised.
2. Oakland Raiders
Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat the Jets, 45-20
This week: at Washington Redskins
One thing to know: As Marshawn Lynch's sideline dance indicated in Week 2, the party may just be beginning in Oakland.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat the Eagles 27-20
This week: at Los Angeles Chargers
One thing to know: The Chiefs have beaten the Chargers in six straight meetings since 2014. If they can do it again on Sunday, Kansas City will be 3-0 for the first time since they started 9-0 in 2013.
Now check out which 0-2 teams have the best shot to save their season.
It's rare for 0-2 NFL teams to make the playoffs — here's who has the best chance to pull it off this year
Who is the top team in the league two weeks into the NFL season? Read Full Story
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