Category: SPORTS

After two weeks of NFL motion, the 1972 Miami Dolphins nonetheless have the champagne on ice.

Ten groups have but to lose, and enter Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season with a 2-0 file.

However how a lot can we belief these undefeated groups? Not all 2-0 data are created equal.

Right here is how we rank the ten 2-0 groups as we look forward to Week 3.

There may be nothing convincing concerning the Cincinnati Bengals this season. Kudos to them for getting the job accomplished and attending to 2-0, however barely squeaking previous the Browns and Jaguars isn’t a vote of confidence — and that’s earlier than we get to the damage to Joe Burrow.

Ignored amid their begin is how godawful the offense has been outdoors of Ja’Marr Chase. The staff ranks twenty third within the NFL in web yards-per try, regardless of having essentially the most proficient talent place group within the NFL, they’re the worst speeding staff within the league, and have a twenty eighth ranked cross protection.

The autumn is coming in a short time and with out Burrow it wouldn’t be shocking if the majority of the Bengals wins this season have already occurred.

It comes all the way down to how a lot you imagine in Daniel Jones long run — and that’s why the Colts are ninth on this listing. It’s been a enjoyable Cinderella story, however there’s nothing about this that actually feels sustainable. Learn our story on how Jones’ improved play has helped the Colts’ shocking begin.

There’s some particular hype round Arizona this season, however that ignores the apparent actuality that no one has had a softer begin to the season than the Cardinals. Dealing with the Saints and Panthers is like skydiving from a airplane that already landed, and to their credit score they’ve received — however solely by a single rating in every outing, they usually virtually fell right into a complacency lure in opposition to Carolina who virtually mounted a comeback.

Defensively the staff appears to be like fairly good, however on offense issues are nonetheless questionable. Kyler Murray and Co. haven’t accomplished sufficient in opposition to two mushy cross defenses to have a number of religion in them to carry out in opposition to the higher groups within the league, and the NFC West is shaping as much as be brutal.

The damage bug has hit the San Francisco 49ers arduous already this season, significantly on the offensive aspect of the soccer. Brock Purdy missed Week 2 as he offers with a toe and shoulder damage, George Kittle was positioned on Injured Reserve with a hamstring damage, and Brandon Aiyuk continues to work his means again from final season’s knee damage.

Then this week Kyle Juszczyk was positioned within the concussion protocol, Jauan Jennings suffered an ankle damage, Ben Bartch was hit with a excessive ankle sprain and “will probably be out for some time” based on Kyle Shanahan, and Spencer Burford suffered a knee damage.

They is likely to be undefeated, however the accidents are beginning to pile up.

The Los Angeles Rams are 2-0, due to a hard-fought win over the Houston Texans and Sunday’s victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Whereas a pair of wins over two groups but to win a recreation may not encourage confidence, given how good the Texans protection appears to be like, that first win is notable.

However there are some potential cracks beneath the floor. By two video games the Rams offense appears to be like fairly one-dimensional, significantly within the low crimson zone. Towards the Titans, the Rams had 4 possessions the place they acquired contained in the Tennessee 10-yard line, and settled for a area aim on two of these drives. Over their two video games, the Rams have struggled to run the ball within the low crimson zone, choosing up simply 12 yards on 9 speeding makes an attempt in that space of the sphere.

Having the ability to end off drives will give us extra confidence on this staff going ahead.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-0, having received each video games in dramatic style. They survived in Week 1 when Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard area aim within the closing seconds that may have despatched the sport to time beyond regulation. Then on Monday night time Baker Mayfield engineered a game-winning drive within the closing minutes in opposition to the Houston Texans, because the Buccaneers received by a closing rating of 20-19.

Both the Buccaneers are actually fortunate, or actually good.

Proper now we’re leaning towards the latter, however not by a lot.

The Chargers are a darkish horse this season they usually’re solely being held again because of the damage to Rashawn Slater. It’s a testomony to their teaching and chemistry that they’re 2-0 at this level and racked up two vital division wins.

Justin Herbert is routinely overlooked of the “greatest QB” dialogue as a result of he hasn’t confirmed a lot when it issues, however these excuses are typically a little bit of east coast bias and the actual fact individuals haven’t actually paid consideration to how the Chargers are taking part in. This isn’t an ideal staff by any stretch of the creativeness, however Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen are simply adequate to be components, and the protection has quietly grow to be top-of-the-line within the NFL in relation to factors allowed.

This staff is an embodiment of Jim Harbaugh. They’re powerful, decided, and discover methods to win. That’s what it requires to be a playoff staff.

There’s a case to be made that the Inexperienced Bay Packers must be on the high of the listing. They dismantled the Detroit Lions in Week 1, and rotated on a brief week to stifle Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in Week 2. Two spectacular wins over groups that made the playoffs a season in the past.

Jordan Love is off to a sizzling begin. Tight finish Tucker Kraft appears to be like like he will probably be an issue for opposing defenses. And talking of issues, Micah Parsons appears to be like like he was price the whole lot the Packers gave as much as purchase him the commerce with the Dallas Cowboys.

So why aren’t the Packers ranked greater? That comes all the way down to the truth that there are two groups which have made deeper playoff runs earlier than, ranked forward of them.

A dramatic comeback win in Week 1 over a Tremendous Bowl contender, after which a dominant efficiency in Week 2 in opposition to a division rival

Not a nasty method to begin the season for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments. And now they get the 0-2 Miami Dolphins on a brief week, a recreation in opposition to a staff that’s headed within the actual wrong way.

We’re simply two video games in however the Payments appear like the category of the AFC.

They’re the Philadelphia Eagles. You win the Tremendous Bowl you earn the best for lots of advantage of the doubt. Most would admit the run recreation isn’t almost as potent as final 12 months, and the offensive line isn’t as dominant — however none of that issues as a result of your complete NFL has seemingly taken a step backwards this season.

Philly continues to be an unimaginable staff with out many weaknesses, they usually’ve crushed two groups who might very properly make the playoffs when it’s all stated and accomplished. It’s going to be a giant season for the Eagles as soon as extra, and the perfect staff within the NFC isn’t slowing down any time quickly.

You need to hand it to Mac Jones. He is aware of no stop.

Drafted fifteenth general by the New England Patriots in 2021, he was tasked with filling the largest footwear in NFL historical past. Regardless of some promise early on, he did not develop as hoped and after his third season was shipped to Jacksonville to again up Trevor Lawrence.

A 12 months later, Jones was on the transfer once more; this time, he was signed by the 49ers to function QB2 behind $265 million man Brock Purdy. It didn’t take lengthy for him to see the sphere.

With Purdy struggling toe and shoulder accidents in San Francisco’s season opener and reportedly being set to overlook as much as 5 weeks, it was Jones’ flip to steer the 49ers offense in Week 2. And lead he did: the previous first-round decide accomplished 26 of 36 move makes an attempt for 279 yards and a trio of touchdowns en path to a 26-21 win over the Saints. Sure, he did lose a fumble as properly, however Sunday was nonetheless his greatest sport since his early Patriots tenure.

Jones is just not the one backup quarterback within the highlight, although.

Joe Burrow harm opens door for Jake Browning

With Joe Burrow struggling a critical turf toe harm that’s anticipated to knock him out not less than three months, the Cincinnati Bengals’ season outlook took a drastic activate Sunday. The NFL doesn’t cease for anyone, although, and so the workforce should discover a alternative.

That alternative already took 48 snaps instead of the injured Burrow in Week 2 in opposition to the Jaguars. Seven-year veteran Jake Browning went 7-for-13 for 76 yards with a landing, and likewise scored the game-winning factors when he leapt over the purpose line from one yard out.

Browning will get the primary crack at main the Bengals into what’s an unsure future. That’s acquainted territory for the 29-year-old, who already began seven video games instead of an injured Burrow throughout the 2023 season.

Again then, he helped Cincinnati to a 4-3 file. The same success fee could be welcome information to the workforce, and after its 2-0 begin may even be sufficient to problem for a playoff spot.

The Justin Fields resurgence is on maintain

The New York Jets’ newest try at discovering some stability at quarterback noticed them signal former Bears first-round draft decide Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in March. Two begins into his tenure with the workforce, the query marks are already right here.

Not solely did Fields look considerably worse in his second sport in opposition to Buffalo, he additionally left the eventual 30-10 loss early within the fourth quarter and was later identified with a concussion. His standing for Week 3 and past is now unclear, that means that the Jets are already susceptible to seeing one more season slip out of their fingers: at 0-2, they might insert veteran backup Tyrod Taylor into the beginning lineup.

With a sport in opposition to a potent-looking Buccaneers squad arising, the Jets are in a tough if not fully unfamiliar spot.

Jayden Daniels MRI raises questions

Week 2 was not form to the Washington Commanders. Apart from shedding 27-18 to the Packers on Thursday evening, there at the moment are additionally questions on quarterback and reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr Jayden Daniels. In keeping with a report from Friday, Daniels underwent an MRI on his knee after the sport.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn will deal with the media on Monday, and presumably give an replace about his workforce’s QB1. For sure, any harm announcement could be a priority given how essential Daniels is to the workforce’s offensive operation.

If he’s pressured to overlook time, both in apply or an precise sport, the Commanders have former first-round draft decide Marcus Mariota and profession journeyman Josh Johnson as backup choices on their roster.

Dillon Gabriel period loading?

The 0-2 Cleveland Browns are very a lot in quarterback purgatory in the mean time. Joe Flacco and the workforce’s offense, in spite of everything, appeared abysmal in a 41-17 shellacking by the hands of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday — a lot in order that changing the veteran with rookie Dillon Gabriel could possibly be on the desk.

For now, head coach Kevin Stefanski has not expressed any intentions of constructing a change. Nonetheless, if the unhealthy performances and the losses begin piling up, his hand could be pressured.

Whether or not Gabriel, broadly thought-about a attain within the third spherical of this 12 months’s draft, would make issues higher stays to be seen. After all, Cleveland additionally has one other rookie quarterback ready within the wings, however Shedeur Sanders enjoying significant snaps in 2025 would imply that the Browns’ season has gone utterly off the rails — if it hasn’t already.

Jaxson Dart momentum taking successful

Their uninspiring 21-6 loss to the Commanders on opening day instantly led to some questions on their quarterback place, however Giants head coach Brian Daboll held onto Russell Wilson heading into Week 2. As an alternative of inserting first-round rookie Jaxson Dart, the veteran obtained one other shot at operating New York’s offense.

He did so in spectacular trend. Wilson went 30-for-41 for 450 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. The issue is that his heroics, together with a late landing to Malik Nabers, have been for naught: the Giants nonetheless ended up dropping to 0-2 in opposition to the Cowboys on Sunday, getting crushed 40-37 in extra time on a subject purpose arrange by Wilson’s lone decide of the day.

Regardless of the disappointing consequence, the requires Dart to be elevated to QB1 ought to die down a bit this week. Nonetheless, the state of affairs is much like the Browns’: Wilson is neither a long-term resolution on the place for the workforce, nor immune from being demoted if the Giants’ season retains trending downward.

If a training job must be saved, drastic measures could be warranted.

Hassle brewing in Miami?

Talking of drastic measures, the Dolphins are some of the disappointing groups within the NFL two weeks into the season. Whereas there are points throughout the board, beginning QB Tua Tagovailoa has additionally not been as much as the duty as Miami’s beginning QB: his mixed stats in losses to the Colts and Patriots don’t essentially look bench-worthy — 40-for-55, 429 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs — however his EPA per play (-0.121; thirty first) is tough and the Dolphins struggled with their offensive operation late in opposition to New England on Sunday.

For the time being, plainly head coach Mike McDaniel is prepared to go down with the ship and maintain onto Tagovailoa so long as potential. Nonetheless, as his seat retains getting hotter, so may Tagovailoa’s as Miami’s QB1.

And if that’s the case, say hiya to Miami Dolphins beginning QB… Zach Wilson?! Oh, my.

In the course of the System 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Williams driver Carlos Sainz Jr. was given a ten-second penalty and handed two penalty factors on his FIA Tremendous License for inflicting a collision with Liam Lawson. When he was notified of the choice, Sainz predictably voiced his displeasure with the ruling.

In a choice launched on Saturday, Sainz’s frustration proved fruitful.

Williams filed a petition requesting a Proper of Overview beneath Article 14 of the FIA Sporting Code. Following a pair of hearings on Friday, race stewards in the end held that the collision in query was a racing incident, eradicating the 2 penalty factors from Sainz’s FIA Tremendous License.

You’ll be able to see the collision in query right here, in addition to Sainz’s rapid response:

When knowledgeable of the penalty in the course of the race, Sainz requested his crew “[w]ho will get a penalty? Me? Are you joking? You’re joking. I imply, it’s essentially the most ridiculous factor I’ve heard in my life.”

As a matter of process beneath Article 14 of the FIA Sporting Rules, the primary level to be determined was whether or not Williams had produced any “new” proof that was not accessible to race officers on the time of their preliminary willpower. Particularly, Article 14.1.1. requires that the crew requesting the Proper of Overview submit proof that was “vital,” “related,” “new,” and “unavailable to the celebration in search of the evaluation [Williams] on the time of the unique resolution.”

Williams submitted three items of latest proof: Footage from the 360-degree digicam on each Sainz’s automotive and Lawson’s automotive, and testimony from Sainz himself.

As outlined within the preliminary resolution, race stewards reviewed “video, timing, telemetry, crew radio and in-car video proof” when handing the penalties to Sainz on the Dutch Grand Prix. That proof didn’t embrace the 360-degree digicam views from each Sainz’s automotive and Lawson’s automotive, nor did they embrace Sainz’s testimony.

Race stewards famous of their resolution on Saturday that whereas that they had reservations relating to Sainz’s testimony — and whether or not that was “vital” beneath the rules outlined in Article 14.1.1 — they held that the 360-degree digicam footage from each vehicles glad “the entire Overview Standards.”

Subsequently, the stewards determined to “re-examine the Choice.”

On the conclusion of the preliminary listening to, the race officers commenced a second listening to to re-examine the preliminary resolution. Williams “referred to the accessible video proof which appeared to indicate [Sainz] making an attempt to overhaul [Lawson] on the skin of the lengthy radius flip 1 and the collision between the 2 vehicles occuring between the apex and the exit.”

In response to Williams, Sainz “was entitled to aim to race alongside [Lawson] via flip 1,” and the crew described the collision as a “racing incident.”

Moreover, Williams was not in search of any penalty for Lawson, simply to overturn the penalty handed right down to Sainz. As famous within the resolution, Williams “had been at pains to clarify that they weren’t suggestion that [Lawson] ought to be penalized, solely that the penalty to [Sainz] was unjustified.”

Sainz “acknowledged that he was not strictly entitled to house on the skin of flip 1 and that [Lawson] may have used the entire of the monitor on the exit forcing [Sainz] to yield or take evasive motion and go off monitor.” The Williams driver testified that he would have been required to offer a place again if the went off the monitor and rejoined in entrance of Lawson, however that what he was not prepared for was Lawson “having a second mid nook and colliding along with his automotive.”

A crew consultant from Visa Money App Racing Bulls, counting on the Driving Requirements, argued that Sainz “had no proper to house on the skin” however that Lawson “had nonetheless left vital house for [Sainz].” Lawson testified as properly, denying that he misplaced management of his automotive mid nook and mentioned solely that he incurred a “slight snap of the kind which occurred shouldn’t be uncommon when vehicles are racing intently facet by facet.”

Finally, race officers agreed with Williams’ description of the collision as a “racing incident.” Discovering that the collision was “brought on by a momentary lack of management by [Lawson,” stewards found that “no driver was wholly or predominantly to blame for that collision.”

Regarding the penalties handed down to Sainz — a ten-second time penalty and two points on his FIA Super License — officials noted that the Williams driver had already served the time penalty. Noting that they have “no power to remedy that served time penalty by amending” the race finishing order, the stewards pointed to the fact that the gap from Sainz to the car that finished ahead of him in the final race classification (Lawson, as luck would have it) was 17 seconds.

However, regarding the two penalty points, the race officials determined that those would be removed.

That drops Sainz’s total number of penalty points down to two. Those were handed out at the Bahrain Grand Prix this season when race officials judged that the Williams driver forced Oliver Bearman off the track.

Those two penalty points will expire next April.