Let’s consider some intrigue involving limited data: The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at the bottom of the AFC West standings.
While it’s early, the Chiefs’ record stands at 0-1 following a Week 1 defeat against the Chargers. The Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders each boast a 1-0 record, contributing to the Chiefs’ current predicament.
The AFC West is unlikely to mirror the AFC East of past decades, when the Patriots dominated while the rest of the division struggled. The Chargers and Broncos, both playoff contenders last season, are expected to perform well again and pose considerable threats to the Chiefs’ nine-year reign as division champions.
The Chiefs face challenges. The game’s initial moments took a concerning turn when Xavier Worthy left the field due to a shoulder injury, highlighting a recurring issue. Patrick Mahomes was forced to carry the offensive burden, nearly succeeding against the Chargers. Looking ahead, the absence of Worthy (the duration of his injury remains unclear) coupled with Rashee Rice’s September suspension poses an obstacle for the offense. In Week 1, Hollywood Brown received 16 targets but managed only 99 yards, a suboptimal outcome for the Chiefs. Furthermore, this weakened offense faces upcoming matchups against the Eagles, Ravens, Jaguars, and Lions before Rice returns from his six-game suspension.
Last season, the Chiefs suffered only one loss in their first 16 games. This season, they could surpass that number by mid-October. The rest of the AFC West likely recognizes the Chiefs’ increased vulnerability. Kansas City’s performance in the next five games will significantly influence the NFL playoff landscape.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid are in the rare position of playing from behind in the AFC West. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Here’s a look at the NFL team evaluations as Week 2 approaches:
The Saints showed determination and nearly scored late, potentially forcing overtime or attempting a two-point conversion for the win. However, relying on Spencer Rattler to throw 46 passes is not ideal. A better balance is needed.
The Colts achieved a rare feat, scoring on every possession in a game, a first since 1978. This means the Dolphins allowed this to happen for the first time in 47 years. If the Dolphins struggled this much against a mediocre Colts team, significant improvements are necessary.
Brian Callahan’s failure to challenge an incomplete pass due to misunderstanding the rule — incorrectly believing the receiver needed a foot down in addition to his elbow — is a critical mistake. Losing a close game in Denver isn’t shameful, but Callahan’s second season as Titans head coach is off to a difficult start.
The Browns arguably deserved the win, outgaining the Bengals 327-141 and securing twice as many first downs (22-11). If the Browns’ defense maintains this level of performance throughout the season, they will be a formidable opponent. However, they need a reliable kicker, and Joe Flacco throwing 45 times compared to 24 team runs is not a sustainable strategy.
Bryce Young’s 49 passer rating, inflated by a late, inconsequential touchdown, tempers the preseason excitement surrounding him. His performance in Week 2 against Arizona will be closely watched.
This point will be frequently emphasized until a change occurs: There’s no advantage to starting Russell Wilson over Jaxson Dart. While playing behind an offensive line without tackle Andrew Thomas may hinder Dart’s development, it’s evident the Giants wouldn’t be in a worse position with Dart at quarterback.
New England may not find a single positive takeaway from Week 1. Its defense conceded numerous big plays. Drake Maye appeared uncomfortable against a likely struggling Raiders defense, partly due to a weak offensive line. The run game was also ineffective. It was a concerning performance.
The offense featuring Justin Fields performed well against the formidable Steelers defense. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson were particularly impressive. If New York’s offense continues to perform at this level, its defense will likely improve. The Jets won’t be an easy opponent this season.
One of Jerry Jones’ repeated justifications for trading Micah Parsons was to improve Dallas’ run defense. The Eagles ran for 158 yards against the Cowboys in Week 1. In contrast, Green Bay’s run defense was outstanding in Week 1, especially with Parsons on the field.
Excluding Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle’s players had seven catches for 26 yards. Is this a Sam Darnold issue, or was Darnold hampered by a lack of receiving options besides JSN? Regardless, the Seahawks will struggle to compete without a functional passing game.
Michael Penix Jr. has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to perform well in late-game situations, even in limited starts. Atlanta’s defense and special teams squandered Sunday’s game after Penix positioned them to win. The Falcons still have considerable room for improvement. Their quarterback shows promise.
Ben Johnson’s decision not to kick the ball out of bounds with 2:02 remaining, allowing the Vikings to run the clock down before the two-minute warning on the return, was a strategic error that cost the Bears 40 crucial seconds. Being a head coach differs significantly from being an offensive coordinator.
The Colts’ decision to start Daniel Jones at quarterback appeared correct on Sunday. Whether this reflects the Dolphins’ defensive struggles remains to be seen, but Jones had a strong game. Recall that the Colts finished 8-9 last season despite poor quarterback play.
Geno Smith excelled in Week 1, throwing for 362 yards and completing an impressive nine passes of 20 or more yards. The Raiders brought in Pete Carroll and Smith to enhance the franchise’s competitiveness, and early signs suggest they are succeeding.
Budda Baker remains one of the NFL’s premier safeties. On Sunday, he recorded 10 tackles, including one for a loss, and broke up a pass on New Orleans’ second-to-last play, preventing a potential game-tying touchdown. The seven-time Pro Bowler continues to perform at his peak.
The Texans’ struggles are unsurprising, given their weak offensive line and limited skill position talent beyond Nico Collins. Houston’s defense is strong, but its impact may be limited if the offense can’t block or generate passing plays.
Aaron Rodgers threw for 244 yards, 4 touchdowns, and posted a passer rating of 136.7, a reminder that he performed reasonably well in the final 10 games of last season. While skepticism about Rodgers’ age is warranted, his Steelers debut was impressive.
Much of the discussion has focused on head coach Liam Coen’s influence on Trevor Lawrence. However, Coen’s potential to improve the Jags’ run game may be even more significant. Jacksonville rushed for 200 yards at 6.3 yards per carry in a dominant win over the Panthers, alleviating the offensive burden on Lawrence.
The Bengals gained only 7 yards in the second half on Sunday. Cincinnati secured a victory, a rare occurrence for the Bengals in September under head coach Zac Taylor, but the familiar early-season sluggishness was evident. Cincinnati was fortunate to win, but a win is preferable to a loss, as experienced in last season’s opener against New England.
George Kittle and Jauan Jennings exited Sunday’s game due to injuries. The 49ers secured a hard-fought win in Seattle, but their path may be challenging — especially if Brock Purdy is sidelined for an extended period — until they regain full health, if that’s even possible this season.
Nate Landman has already become a fan favorite after just one game. The linebacker recorded 10 tackles and forced a crucial fumble in the final two minutes to secure the win. The Rams acquired Landman on a one-year, $1.1 million deal, potentially making him the best value acquisition in the NFL this season.
Deebo Samuel resembled his prime 49ers form, catching seven passes for 77 yards and scoring on a 19-yard run. The Commanders need playmakers beyond Terry McLaurin, and Samuel provides that. Rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, who rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown, could also contribute.
The Buccaneers were outplayed in Week 1, but when Baker Mayfield needed to make a play, he delivered a precise touchdown pass to rookie Emeka Egbuka. Tampa Bay needs to improve its overall performance, but it’s 1-0 while the rest of the NFC South is 0-1.
Bo Nix was rescued by his defense, committing three careless and sloppy turnovers. Denver’s strong defensive performance and Tennessee’s struggles mitigated the impact of Nix’s poor outing, giving him a reprieve. He should perform better in future games.
Many quarterbacks would have faltered in their first start after a performance like J.J. McCarthy’s first three quarters. McCarthy persevered and threw two passing touchdowns and ran for a score in the fourth quarter of a comeback victory, demonstrating resilience.
While Week 2 isn’t typically a must-win in the NFL, Eagles at Chiefs feels significant for Kansas City. The Super Bowl rematch adds intrigue, but starting 0-2 with challenging games ahead and injury concerns would be detrimental. The Chiefs face unusual September urgency.
Justin Herbert resembled a genuine MVP candidate. The addition of Keenan Allen late in the offseason was a shrewd move. Defeating the Chiefs was an excellent way to begin the season, positioning L.A. as a significant Week 1 winner.
The Lions’ primary concern is the performance of their offensive line. Center Frank Ragnow’s potential retirement could pose a significant problem, as the Lions struggled to block effectively. This may be an isolated incident, but if anything derails Detroit’s season, it could be the O-line.
If the Ravens ultimately travel to Buffalo in January, it will be a consequence of squandering Sunday night’s game. On a positive note, Baltimore’s offense demonstrated its potential for three quarters. The challenge will be preventing that devastating loss from affecting them in the coming weeks.
No team displayed more comprehensive performance against a quality opponent in Week 1. The Packers’ defense made the Lions look subpar, even with Micah Parsons playing limited snaps, and their offense was remarkably efficient. Could they be the NFL’s best team?
Their comeback was remarkable, and the win over the Ravens will have significant implications for the AFC playoff picture. However, the Bills’ defense struggled, surrendering 40 points and 8.6 yards per play. While this is likely an aberration, it warrants attention.
Re-signing Zack Baun was a key offseason priority, and it’s proving to be a smart decision. Baun, an All-Pro last season, had a standout game, including chasing down Miles Sanders on a long run to prevent a touchdown. Sanders fumbled later in that drive, a pivotal moment in the Eagles’ victory. Baun’s success story continues.
