It’s no easy task to assemble the teams of the NFL from one to 32 in the early stages of a season. You should see the state of my workings-outs in my notebook! It looks like the scribbling of a complete maniac! Moving one team can affect another… and how much do we really know right now?
The challenge is trying to decipher the truths and lies from week to week, because a lot changed in the NFL from opening weekend to the second round of games. That said, I’ve been able to keep things simple at the very top with the Buffalo Bills holding off the Seattle Seahawks. After that, the rises and falls are quite dramatic!
- Buffalo Bills --
The Bills are scoring for fun and they have looked very dangerous in putting 36 on the Houston Texans and 41 on the Detroit Lions. Josh Allen has been spectacular, accounting for nine offensive touchdowns. His improved supporting cast has also played very well.
- Seattle Seahawks --
The Seahawks lost starting quarterback Sam Darnold to injury on the first drive of the new season, but there has been no disaster. Seattle dug deep in Week 1 and cruised in Week 2. The result is a 2-0 record powered by team depth and star WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
- San Francisco 49ers +4
After much was written in the offseason about their Super Bowl window being closed, the 49ers are reminding us why they reached the playoffs last year with a raft of injuries. They are a brilliantly-coached club and Brock Purdy remains an unsung hero at quarterback.
- Kansas City Chiefs +6
It’s only a small sample size, but it certainly feels like the Chiefs have placed themselves firmly back in the Super Bowl conversation. And it’s not just Patrick Mahomes. Kenneth Walker has slotted right in at running back and Travis Kelce still has miles on his clock.
- Los Angeles Rams --
The Rams got back on track in Week 2 as Matthew Stafford threw for more than 300 yards and four touchdowns even without Puka Nacua at receiver. There was no drop-off at that position with Davante Adams reminding all of football that he is special in his own right.
- Baltimore Ravens -3
The Ravens were one of the bigger disappointments of Week 2. Coming off a huge offensive showing and a win in Indianapolis, they were in control with a 14-3 lead at home against New Orleans. But not for the first time, Baltimore blew a big advantage and lost.
- Denver Broncos +4
Denver needed to have a statement performance after getting their backsides handed to them by the Chiefs in Week 1. And they looked much better in beating Jacksonville, particularly in the second half as Bo Nix woke up and the pass rush bared its teeth.
- Jacksonville Jaguars -2
The Jaguars remain firmly in the AFC playoff picture, even following their loss at Denver on Sunday. The defense played very well and will be sturdy the rest of the way. And I have total belief in the Liam Coen-Trevor Lawrence partnership. The Jags are going to be fine.
- Cincinnati Bengals +5
The Bengals got Ja’Marr Chase going on Sunday as he scored twice in a solid road win at Houston. Encouragingly, Cincinnati are offering up more than Joe Burrow and his receivers. The defense – one of the league’s worst in 2025 – has been very promising.
- Philadelphia Eagles -1
The offensive inconsistencies are still there and running the football is a mystifying problem considering Saquon Barkley is in the backfield. But this team – and their quarterback Jalen Hurts – just find ways to win a lot more football games than they lose.
- Chicago Bears -7
The Bears are left with more questions than answers following their 9-3 loss to Minnesota. The most pressing being, ‘When will Caleb Williams return from his hamstring injury?’ Ben Johnson has rarely worked with a backup QB but now it’s Tyson Bagent time.
- New England Patriots --
The Patriots have displayed plenty of grit in the first two weeks and the defense powered Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh with four sacks and an interception. That’s just as well because QB Drake Maye has made a slow start to the year with four picks of his own.
- Houston Texans -5
There were lots of summer questions about CJ Stroud at quarterback and whether he would be the one holding back a Super Bowl contender. Through two weeks, Stroud has thrown for 627 yards – third-most in the NFL. But the wins simply have not been coming.
- Detroit Lions --
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Detroit attack. Jared Goff threw for 327 yards, four touchdowns and no picks in Buffalo in Week 2, leading the Lions to 31 points. And Detroit still lost by 10. That’s the problem in a nutshell. The defense is a serious issue.
- Minnesota Vikings +2
The Vikings reminded us that there are many ways to win a game, confounding Chicago’s high-octane attack with a succession of Brian Flores-inspired blitzes. Working with a reserve QB in Carson Wentz and opening with wins over Green Bay and the Bears is impressive.
- Dallas Cowboys --
The Cowboys got back on track in Week 2 with a home win over Washington. That game was a reminder that Dak Prescott has to be the driving force without a top-notch running attack or a dominant D. He has thrown for six touchdowns in the first two weeks of 2026.
- Green Bay Packers -2
It’s been a bumpy first two weeks for the Packers. They finished poorly in a loss to Minnesota and were slow out of the gates before beating the New York Jets in overtime. Protecting Jordan Love better would make a difference. He has been hit far too often.
- New Orleans Saints +3
The Saints are a physically and mentally tough team who are being energised by second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. The fact that this squad can fight back from deficits in consecutive weeks is encouraging. New Orleans might just make a run in the NFC South.
- Las Vegas Raiders +8
For the first time in what feels like an age, the Raiders are enjoying stability. Kirk Cousins has been solid at quarterback and two wins out of two have come without Brock Bowers at tight end. The future will be Fernando Mendoza, but the present belongs to Cousins.
- Pittsburgh Steelers -1
The Steelers are always going to be a tough outfit and that shows up on the defensive side of the ball. But there are genuine concerns about an offense that has scored one touchdown in two games. The play-calling seems to be on Aaron Rodgers’ radar.
- Carolina Panthers +5
The Panthers rolled to a comfortable win in Atlanta in Week 2 and it was a game that provided further evidence that quarterback Bryce Young is playing with confidence. He is teaming well with Tet McMillan and the growing force that is Jalen Coker.
- Indianapolis Colts +1
The Colts were well led by Jonathan Taylor on the ground against Kansas City on Monday night. But it feels like they are going to be involved in shootouts all year. Indy have shipped 1,029 yards already – second-most in NFL history through the opening two weeks.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -1
The mood in Tampa must be really low right now. The Bucs have just lost at home to the lowly Cleveland Browns and they have now dropped nine of their past 11. Baker Mayfield is currently not managing to inspire those around him and Todd Bowles is feeling the heat.
- New York Jets +4
The Jets seem to be a tougher proposition in 2026. They easily handled Tennessee in Week 1 and came close to seeing off the Packers on Sunday. Geno Smith is taking care of the ball, but I still have questions about Aaron Glenn’s tactical nous as the head coach.
- Los Angeles Chargers -5
The Chargers are one of the biggest disappointments of this young season. And the offense has been a real problem considering it was supposed to be a unit with an extra injection of juice with Mike McDaniel coming on board as offensive coordinator.
- New York Giants -8
The Jaxson Dart knee injury news is absolutely devastating. He brings such energy to the position that this team will just not be the same without him. John Harbaugh will keep demanding a high standard of play, but how much success can now be expected?
- Arizona Cardinals -3
The Cardinals had a reality check in Week 2 as they were hammered by the Seattle Seahawks at home. We already know that Jacoby Brissett is not the long-term answer at QB. But are Arizona also finding out that Marvin Harrison Jr might not be the answer at WR?
- Washington Commanders -3
The Commanders slow-played the Jayden Daniels injury news because they want to explore every option. The alternative is too painful to comprehend at the moment. If he is gone for an extended period of time again, it raises questions for 2026 and beyond.
- Cleveland Browns +3
Deshaun Watson doesn’t seem to have the confidence (or is it skill?) to attack downfield. He is playing things very close to the vest right now. But if he can avoid mistakes as he did in Tampa on Sunday, Cleveland’s talented young players have a chance to impact games.
- Tennessee Titans --
The Titans surprised me by playing so tough against the Philadelphia Eagles. But this remains a limited team. There is much more that needs to be seen out of Cam Ward, but that was an encouraging Sunday, even with the close loss. That’s something to build on.
- Atlanta Falcons -2
The wheels are not far away from falling off the Falcons and they need one of either Michael Penix Jr or Tua Tagovailoa to get into the lineup at quarterback as soon as this week. The lack of an answer at that vital position has this franchise on its knees.
- Miami Dolphins -1
Miami have a young roster, they are playing their rookies a lot and they are sacrificing this season for a brighter future. While that renders them irrelevant in this current campaign, I don’t think Miami will apologise for that approach. Something has to change after years of ineffectiveness.