{"id":147580,"date":"2025-09-16T14:28:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T14:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/147580\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T14:28:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T14:28:20","slug":"nfl-week-3-power-rankings-2025-how-all-32-teams-stack-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/147580\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Week 3 Power Rankings 2025: How all 32 teams stack up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032888_434_espn_generic_m.jpg&#038;h=80&#038;w=80&#038;scale=crop.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\"\/><\/p>\n<p>NFL NationSep 16, 2025, 09:00 PM<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"icon-font-after icon-close-solid-after\" href=\"#\">Close<\/a>NFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.<\/p>\n<p>After a weekend filled with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46258571\/2025-nfl-week-2-barnwell-comeback-wins-cowboys-bengals-colts-giants-jaguars-broncos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">last-minute wins<\/a> by the Cowboys, Colts and Bengals, Week 2 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/scoreboard\/_\/week\/1\/year\/2025\/seasontype\/2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2025 NFL season<\/a> concluded with two exciting &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/schedule\/mnf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Monday Night Football<\/a>&#8221; showdowns. How did wins for the Buccaneers and Chargers shake up our Power Rankings? We stacked all 32 teams heading into Week 3.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to our rankings, NFL Nation reporters named the No. 1 thing they&#8217;ve learned from the starting quarterback &#8212; or QB situation in general &#8212; this season. Some of those starters will change in the coming weeks as five quarterbacks deal with injuries: the 49ers&#8217; <a data-player-guid=\"d2e39a38-732d-5a24-f242-a4f9de87dabe\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4361741\/brock-purdy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brock Purdy<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46236923\/49ers-qb-brock-purdy-ruled-mac-jones-start-vs-saints\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">toe and left shoulder<\/a>), the Bengals&#8217; <a data-player-guid=\"e6957db5-5b2e-a82d-c788-d889115d9772\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3915511\/joe-burrow\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Burrow<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46268673\/sources-bengals-joe-burrow-needs-toe-surgery-3-months\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">toe surgery<\/a>), the Commanders&#8217; <a data-player-guid=\"f03f3238-b035-6f0e-5844-1529ca021c3a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426348\/jayden-daniels\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jayden Daniels<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46272322\/sources-commanders-jayden-daniels-knee-injury-status-iffy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">knee<\/a>), the Jets&#8217; <a data-player-guid=\"7e9fbd60-951e-2d9a-8d8c-b3f1ab6c4a4d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4362887\/justin-fields\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Fields<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46262504\/jets-justin-fields-suffers-concussion-jets-fall-flat-vs-bills\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">concussion<\/a>) and the Vikings&#8217; <a data-player-guid=\"460fbf74-c64d-3862-b942-852d104e94dd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4433970\/jj-mccarthy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">J.J. McCarthy<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46272477\/vikings-qb-jj-mccarthy-likely-week-3-ankle-injury\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ankle<\/a>). Can the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46271838\/top-nfl-backup-quarterback-rankings-2025-season-jake-browning\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">backups<\/a> keep their teams on track? And how have veteran QBs such as <a data-player-guid=\"5ad1bcc2-57bc-bb72-bcd0-0cdd0d945444\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3917792\/daniel-jones\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Daniel Jones<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"593e3c58-2b92-e0f1-f4a8-84215e27f023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/15864\/geno-smith\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Geno Smith<\/a> looked with their new squads so far?<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s get right into it with our No. 1-ranked team. (Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32.)<\/p>\n<p>See previous rankings: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45985977\/nfl-preseason-power-rankings-offseason-poll-2025-hot-seat-pressure\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Preseason<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/41193988\/nfl-power-rankings-week-2-poll-2024-best-newcomer-performance-coaches-players\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Week 2<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">Jump to a team:<br \/><a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#ARI\">ARI<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#atl\">ATL<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#bal\">BAL<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#buf\">BUF<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#car\">CAR<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#chi\">CHI<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#cin\">CIN<\/a><br \/><a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#cle\">CLE<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#dal\">DAL<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#den\">DEN<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#det\">DET<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#gb\">GB<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#hou\">HOU<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#ind\">IND<\/a><br \/><a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#jax\">JAX<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#kc\">KC<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#lac\">LAC<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#lar\">LAR<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#lv\">LV<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#mia\">MIA<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#min\">MIN<\/a><br \/><a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#ne\">NE<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#no\">NO<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#nyg\">NYG<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#nyj\">NYJ<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#phi\">PHI<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#pit\">PIT<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#sf\">SF<\/a><br \/><a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#sea\">SEA<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#tb\">TB<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#ten\">TEN<\/a> | <a href=\" https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46273770\/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-poll-32-teams-2025-quarterback-takeaways#wsh\">WSH<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757152208_410__end_rule.png\" width=\"100%\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032889_240_buf.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Jets <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772727\/bills-jets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">30-10<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 1<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"237b9f2a-4701-8fc3-60eb-250978af9893\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3918298\/josh-allen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Allen<\/a> continues to embrace he doesn&#8217;t have to be Superman<\/p>\n<p>Although it&#8217;s sometimes necessary for Allen to put the Bills on his back, he had issues early in his career of trying to do too much on his own. That still comes up sometimes, but the Bills have shown that they don&#8217;t have to rely solely on Allen&#8217;s arm and legs. That was on display versus the Jets, as Buffalo&#8217;s dominant rushing attack led the way. <a data-player-guid=\"cdce4094-c5b8-d8ee-8849-810e285a6323\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4379399\/james-cook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Cook<\/a> finished with 132 yards and two touchdowns, and Allen didn&#8217;t score in a start for just the eighth time in his NFL career. &#8212; Alaina Getzenberg<\/p>\n<p>Editor&#8217;s Picks<\/p>\n<p>2 Related<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032890_962_phi.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Chiefs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772837\/eagles-chiefs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">20-17<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 2<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"caceb80c-6350-a107-9fcf-7c7bd1b4edd8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4040715\/jalen-hurts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Hurts<\/a> continues to do what it takes to win<\/p>\n<p>His passing stats are far from gaudy, as he finished with 101 passing yards Sunday and completed just one pass of 10-plus yards. But Hurts played mostly mistake-free football and again came up with a clutch play when he needed to, this time a deep ball to <a data-player-guid=\"79fe15c5-5f05-f939-c4f5-c55466521a50\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4241478\/devonta-smith\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DeVonta Smith<\/a> to set up a critical touchdown. He also converted four first downs and scored a touchdown on a tush push. With the win over Kansas City, he improved to 48-20 as a starter during the regular season. &#8212; Tim McManus<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032890_879_gb.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Commanders <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772936\/commanders-packers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">27-18<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 4<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"f19ea9a5-ca4d-79b9-3e49-543e438cd336\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4036378\/jordan-love\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jordan Love<\/a> hasn&#8217;t found a No. 1 receiver yet<\/p>\n<p>Losing <a data-player-guid=\"3e2ffc6d-de98-dfd9-ce4d-bce3b6d9eebe\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4362249\/jayden-reed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jayden Reed<\/a> to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46229728\/packers-jayden-reed-exits-shoulder-injury-ruled-out\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">broken collarbone<\/a> early in the Week 2 win won&#8217;t help Love identify a go-to guy. Through two games, tight end <a data-player-guid=\"c7de446c-056d-5255-ba6e-47b061c83c98\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4572680\/tucker-kraft\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tucker Kraft<\/a> leads the Packers with eight catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Among the receivers, <a data-player-guid=\"323bc065-b098-29fc-a946-25c0c2752929\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4428850\/dontayvion-wicks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dontayvion Wicks<\/a> leads in catches (six), and <a data-player-guid=\"931aa964-f11a-a6ef-f449-c1649f193837\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4361432\/romeo-doubs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Romeo Doubs<\/a> leads in yards (96). Rookie first-round pick <a data-player-guid=\"c5e38ead-375e-3df1-8989-1d7b334915a7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4701936\/matthew-golden\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Matthew Golden<\/a> has just two catches for 16 yards, but Love missed him twice on what could have been big plays against Washington. &#8212; Rob Demovsky<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032891_278_bal.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Browns <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772726\/browns-ravens\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">41-17<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 3<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"7d76fbb1-1c5e-d9f4-954f-cad43f720ae2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3916387\/lamar-jackson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lamar Jackson<\/a> is still a favorite for NFL MVP<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/39488311\/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-wins-2nd-career-nfl-mvp-award\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">two-time MVP<\/a> has already put himself in position to win a third award by totaling seven touchdowns and no turnovers. This is the fifth time in the past 20 years that a quarterback reached that mark in the first two weeks. The previous four quarterbacks to achieve it &#8212; Peyton Manning (2013), <a data-player-guid=\"37d87523-280a-9d4a-0adb-22cfc6d3619c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3139477\/patrick-mahomes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a> (2018 and 2022) and Jackson (2019) &#8212; all went on to win NFL MVP. Now, can Jackson keep it up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772812\/lions-ravens\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">against a Lions defense<\/a> that has allowed four touchdown passes and made one interception this season? &#8212; Jamison Hensley<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032891_190_det.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Bears <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772835\/bears-lions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">52-21<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 8<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"987f4f39-ed6f-5915-57eb-ec7dc356171c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3046779\/jared-goff\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jared Goff<\/a> can still produce at an elite level<\/p>\n<p>It goes without saying that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46192910\/lions-falter-opener-campbell-calls-issues-correctable\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lions struggled at Green Bay<\/a> in the season opener, but Week 2 reminded the world that Goff and the Lions can still be dominant. Goff became the first quarterback in Lions history with an 80% completion percentage and five passing touchdowns in a game, while also passing Bobby Layne (118) for the second-most passing touchdowns in franchise history. If he receives solid protection from an offensive line that&#8217;s still adjusting to new players, there shouldn&#8217;t be a drop-off for Goff in his 10th NFL season. &#8212; Eric Woodyard<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>2:12<\/p>\n<p>Was Week 1 or 2 a fantasy overreaction for the Lions?<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Field Yates, Daniel Dopp and Stephania Bell examine the fantasy performances of the Lions in Week 2.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032892_137_lar.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Titans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772724\/rams-titans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">33-19<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 7<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"20c41c33-a33f-6dc2-7e1f-0771e39ce49a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/12483\/matthew-stafford\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Matthew Stafford<\/a>&#8216;s back doesn&#8217;t appear to be affecting his play<\/p>\n<p>Despite missing a significant portion of training camp with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46008932\/rams-matthew-stafford-practices-first-training-camp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">aggravated disk in his back<\/a>, Stafford has played well to start the season. Coach Sean McVay said Stafford was &#8220;in total command&#8221; in the second half of the Rams&#8217; victory over the Titans. And although Stafford didn&#8217;t get as much training camp practice time as he had hoped with new wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"d287bc03-47c2-c7f6-6160-e4280c80d2e2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/16800\/davante-adams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Davante Adams<\/a>, the pair showed the chemistry they have built Sunday, connecting six times for 106 yards and a touchdown. &#8212; Sarah Barshop<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032892_867_lac.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Raiders <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/boxscore\/_\/gameId\/401772811\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">20-9<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 9<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: Last season was an aberration for <a data-player-guid=\"ec880cbc-1490-cdae-548f-f844104974ae\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4038941\/justin-herbert\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Herbert<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Herbert began last season with uncharacteristically low passing numbers in his first season with Jim Harbaugh. It wasn&#8217;t until Week 6 that he had a game with at least 200 passing yards. Some of his slow start can be attributed to the various injuries he played through. But he threw four interceptions in the Chargers&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401671878\/chargers-texans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">playoff loss<\/a> to the Texans, more than he had during the entire regular season. In Week 1, Herbert had one of the best games of his career against the Chiefs, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns, and he threw two more TD passes in Week 2 against the Raiders. With an upgraded offense, he looks poised for a dominant year. &#8212; Kris Rhim<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032892_214_kc.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Eagles <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772837\/eagles-chiefs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">20-17<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 5<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"37d87523-280a-9d4a-0adb-22cfc6d3619c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3139477\/patrick-mahomes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a> might have to do it all again<\/p>\n<p>The Chiefs&#8217; support surrounding Mahomes is not ideal, especially at the running back position. Consider this statistic from ESPN Research: Mahomes joined Cam Newton (2020) as the only QBs since 1950 to record twice as many rushing yards as any other player on their team in each of the first two games. Without receiver <a data-player-guid=\"48cfbe28-2b59-e0df-3ce3-2e981cd56c7e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4428331\/rashee-rice\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rashee Rice<\/a> for four more games (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46087680\/sources-nfl-wants-rashee-rice-suspension-least-6-games\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">suspension<\/a>), Mahomes has essentially had to be a superhero to lead the Chiefs down the field on their four touchdown drives this season. &#8212; Nate Taylor<\/p>\n<p>All of ESPN. All in one place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plus.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"imageLoaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/r1531432_1296x729_16-9.jpg\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/plus.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sign Up Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032893_882_wsh.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Packers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772936\/commanders-packers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">27-18<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 6<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"f03f3238-b035-6f0e-5844-1529ca021c3a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426348\/jayden-daniels\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jayden Daniels<\/a> needs to find his rhythm<\/p>\n<p>Daniels has completed 59.7% of his passes in 2025 after completing 69% all of last season. The Packers were unsurprisingly a tough challenge by pressuring him on 46% of his dropbacks, but the Commanders&#8217; pass game has been noticeably out of sync in both games &#8212; especially the connection between Daniels and receiver <a data-player-guid=\"04454e17-9294-6271-f951-c0339528e97e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3121422\/terry-mclaurin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terry McLaurin<\/a>. The latter missed most of the spring and all of camp because of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46071301\/sources-commanders-wr-terry-mclaurin-agree-3-year-deal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">contract situation<\/a>, costing the duo valuable reps. The second-year QB has a passer rating of only 48.4 and a 53.8% completion percentage when targeting McLaurin, compared with 89.4 and 67.3%, respectively, last season. And Daniels is now dealing with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46272322\/sources-commanders-jayden-daniels-knee-injury-status-iffy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">knee injury<\/a>, which could keep him out Sunday and prevent him from finding his rhythm sooner. &#8212; John Keim<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032894_443_tb.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Texans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/boxscore\/_\/gameId\/401772715\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">20-19<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 10<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"5bb4376a-d089-e3e4-e49a-44f1d709a012\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3052587\/baker-mayfield\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Baker Mayfield<\/a> is a gamer<\/p>\n<p>Mayfield&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772830\/buccaneers-falcons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Week 1 performance<\/a> was shaky, as he completed 53.1% of his passes against the Falcons. But he made plays with his legs when it mattered most, rushing four times on third down for 39 yards. Then, in the two-minute drill, he found rookie wideout <a data-player-guid=\"48fb595b-ecda-3de2-9c05-fcc8090c4b84\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4567750\/emeka-egbuka\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Emeka Egbuka<\/a> on a 25-yard touchdown pass to grab the final advantage. He did the same in Week 2, leading an 11-play, game-winning drive in the final two minutes. There was no panic. This is what you want from a franchise quarterback and was a trademark of his predecessor, Tom Brady. &#8212; Jenna Laine<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032894_468_sf.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Saints <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772833\/49ers-saints\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">26-21<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 14<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: The 49ers can win with <a data-player-guid=\"1b10c3ae-12ed-7035-5b1e-4512832b6efc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4241464\/mac-jones\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mac Jones<\/a> under center<\/p>\n<p>When <a data-player-guid=\"d2e39a38-732d-5a24-f242-a4f9de87dabe\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4361741\/brock-purdy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brock Purdy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/42549080\/san-francisco-49ers-qb-brandon-allen-start-vs-packers-brock-purdy-injured\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">missed two games<\/a> with injury in 2024, backups <a data-player-guid=\"2ea2fede-1220-6125-2acf-b4ce3713c7f1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2574511\/brandon-allen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brandon Allen<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"84563f7d-e787-f55c-e634-8beffea80a7b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3044720\/joshua-dobbs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joshua Dobbs<\/a> posted QBRs of 33.2 and 23.4, respectively, and the 49ers lost both games by a combined 51 points. Before Sunday, a quarterback other than Purdy hadn&#8217;t started and won with the 49ers since <a data-player-guid=\"1d58c054-8e0e-1f6e-7267-02ec9679f43f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/16760\/jimmy-garoppolo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a> in December 2022. But Jones stepped in against the Saints and posted a 67.2 QBR with three touchdown passes. San Francisco hopes to have Purdy back soon from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46236923\/49ers-qb-brock-purdy-ruled-mac-jones-start-vs-saints\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">toe and left shoulder injuries<\/a>, but its confidence in Jones is for real if Purdy has to miss more time. &#8212; Nick Wagoner<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032894_565_cin.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Jaguars <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772725\/jaguars-bengals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">31-27<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 12<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"9b5cc348-8b21-7070-a660-a5a7e059b1a5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3886812\/jake-browning\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jake Browning<\/a> is good enough to lead the Bengals to the playoffs<\/p>\n<p>In his own words, Browning was &#8220;delusional&#8221; Sunday. Despite throwing three interceptions, he was unfazed as he led the Bengals on a game-winning drive that was capped by a leap over the goal line. Even though <a data-player-guid=\"e6957db5-5b2e-a82d-c788-d889115d9772\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3915511\/joe-burrow\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Burrow<\/a> is expected to be out for at least three months with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46264761\/nfl-turf-toe-cincinnati-bengals-joe-burrow\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">turf toe injury<\/a>, there is immense confidence that Browning can lead the team moving forward. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said there is still a lot of optimism on the team that the offense can be efficient and effective behind Browning, who helped Cincinnati win four games in 2023 while Burrow was out with a wrist injury. &#8212; Ben Baby<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>1:25<\/p>\n<p>Why Stephen A. thinks Bengals can succeed without Joe Burrow<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Stephen A. Smith says the Bengals could still be competitive if Joe Burrow returns later this season.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032894_0_den.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Colts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772729\/broncos-colts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">29-28<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 11<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: Defenses might have found a trouble spot for <a data-player-guid=\"f9de7512-a950-3317-816b-abe094068409\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426338\/bo-nix\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bo Nix<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In polling defensive coaches and personnel executives around the league about what challenges awaited Nix in Year 2, some said teams would try to force Nix to work outside the numbers more and keep him away from his most comfortable throws in the middle of the field. On throws outside the numbers this season, Nix has thrown three interceptions and had another possible pick-six that was dropped. Multiple times there has been a safety lurking behind the receiver in bracketed coverage as well. &#8212; Jeff Legwold<\/p>\n<p>Your League, Your Rules<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fantasy.espn.com\/football\/welcome?addata=ffl_2025_in_line_bethecommish\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755515950_269_ffl-1320x528_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100%\" class=\"imageLoaded\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Create a league and customize league size, scoring and rules to play in the league you want to play in.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fantasy.espn.com\/football\/welcome?addata=ffl_2025_in_line_bethecommish\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Create a league today!<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032896_753_ind.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Broncos <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772729\/broncos-colts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">29-28<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 23<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"5ad1bcc2-57bc-bb72-bcd0-0cdd0d945444\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3917792\/daniel-jones\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Daniel Jones<\/a> is playing with extreme efficiency<\/p>\n<p>No QB is averaging more yards per pass attempt than Jones&#8217; 9.3. That was unexpected for a player who had never averaged more than 6.8 through a single season in his career. He&#8217;s doing it in two ways. First, Jones is giving players the ball in position to run after the catch, which they are doing at a high rate (5.5 YAC per reception). Second, Jones was more aggressive Sunday, delivering more intermediate and deep throws despite a heavy blitz rate from Denver. &#8212; Stephen Holder<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032896_406_atl.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Vikings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772919\/falcons-vikings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">22-6<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 17<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"28022fa1-9050-eee1-5160-c77a6a379ec2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4360423\/michael-penix-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Penix Jr<\/a>. will, at the least, keep the Falcons in games<\/p>\n<p>Penix would have been the star in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772830\/buccaneers-falcons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Week 1<\/a> with two fearless, fourth-quarter scrambles on fourth down, the second of which resulted in a go-ahead touchdown. But the Falcons coughed up the lead on defense, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46246402\/falcons-bench-kicker-koo-elevate-parker-romo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">missed field goal<\/a> cost them the game. Penix&#8217;s stats didn&#8217;t light the world on fire in Week 2, but he didn&#8217;t turn the ball over and made key third-down completions when they were needed most in front of a hostile Vikings crowd. The second-year quarterback is ninth in the league in success rate (48.6%). &#8212; Marc Raimondi<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032896_93_hou.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Buccaneers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/boxscore\/_\/gameId\/401772715\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">20-19<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 16<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"147e6862-2ac0-3a97-8f36-e3b1c0147320\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4432577\/cj-stroud\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">C.J. Stroud<\/a> has had growing pains in new OC Nick Caley&#8217;s offense<\/p>\n<p>After Week 1, Stroud said his goal through the first few weeks has been to play with more urgency in the new system, which includes getting them set up quicker out of the huddle. In Week 1, the offense had five pre-snap penalties and that contributed to Stroud&#8217;s inability to throw a touchdown or lead the offense to the end zone. They got into the end zone (twice) in Week 2, but the offense failed to put up over 270 yards and Stroud admitted &#8220;we need more confidence as an offense.&#8221; Expect growing pains through the first half of the season. &#8212; DJ Bien-Aime<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032896_101_ari.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Panthers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772730\/panthers-cardinals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">27-22<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 18<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"9bef707d-d33f-266b-3020-81900d735915\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3917315\/kyler-murray\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kyler Murray<\/a>&#8216;s legs will be a big part of the Cardinals&#8217; offensive approach<\/p>\n<p>The question has come up every year Murray has been in the NFL: How much will he run? Through two games, he has shown his legs are still a necessary part of both his game and Arizona&#8217;s attack. He has 14 carries for 70 rushing yards this season, just 3 yards shy of running back <a data-player-guid=\"19743ecc-58ac-c2a3-2a66-c99701051510\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3045147\/james-conner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Conner<\/a> and 13 yards behind the team&#8217;s leading rusher, <a data-player-guid=\"9c97df19-6b49-3379-ae1d-628b38d52995\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4429275\/trey-benson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trey Benson<\/a>. Murray&#8217;s ability to create electric runs and flip the field helps set up the passing game, too. &#8212; Josh Weinfuss<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032896_289_sea.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Steelers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772836\/seahawks-steelers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">31-17<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 20<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"938f19a1-ef9b-618c-2365-d55291e0fcc6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3912547\/sam-darnold\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sam Darnold<\/a> is capable of playing fast<\/p>\n<p>That figured to be one of the biggest keys for Darnold given his propensity to hold on to the ball. He acknowledged as much upon <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44194464\/sam-darnold-seahawks-3-year-1005m-deal-sources-say\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">signing with Seattle<\/a>, saying a lesson he learned from the disappointing end to his Pro Bowl season with Minnesota was that he has to get the ball out of his hands more quickly. Through two games, Darnold&#8217;s average time before throw of 2.66 seconds is 11th fastest in the league, which has contributed to him being sacked only three times. He ranked 34th last season at 3.08 seconds, and over his first four NFL seasons, he was also 34th at 2.92 seconds. &#8212; Brady Henderson<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032897_180_dal.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Giants <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772834\/giants-cowboys\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">40-37<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 19<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"5f09781b-6b0b-7325-049b-a91e60d794e6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2577417\/dak-prescott\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dak Prescott<\/a> can still move around<\/p>\n<p>Prescott doesn&#8217;t run the way he did his first few years or certainly before he suffered a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/32350400\/what-dak-prescott-gruesome-injury-was-cowboys-giants-were-there-just-was-surreal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">dislocated and fractured ankle<\/a> in 2020, but he has shown he can move around this season. He might not look to run when escaping harm, but he does enough to get the ball to his playmakers. Prescott did not do much of that last season, and when he tried to do more, he suffered a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/42291367\/dak-prescott-planning-season-ending-surgery-sources-say\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">season-ending hamstring avulsion<\/a>. &#8220;Last year, not running took a toll and honestly why I got hurt,&#8221; he said. &#8220;From this whole offseason recovery process, it was about getting back to who I am, my game, and understanding how much my legs are a part of my game.&#8221; &#8212; Todd Archer<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032897_104_min.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Falcons <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772919\/falcons-vikings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">22-6<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 13<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"460fbf74-c64d-3862-b942-852d104e94dd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4433970\/jj-mccarthy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">J.J. McCarthy<\/a> has a long way to go<\/p>\n<p>McCarthy accounted for three touchdowns in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46203851\/in-nfl-debut-qb-jj-mccarthy-rallies-vikings-bears\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fourth-quarter comeback<\/a> during Week 1, but the other seven quarters of his first two starts have been rough. Overall, his QBR (20.1) ranks second worst in the league, and there have been times when he has struggled to make basic plays. He has held the ball an average of 3.15 seconds before throwing, second highest in the NFL, and is tied for second in the league with four turnovers. Coach Kevin O&#8217;Connell said McCarthy&#8217;s development will be a &#8220;process.&#8221; But at the outset, at least, it has been a struggle. And it won&#8217;t be fixed soon since McCarthy could miss the next two to four weeks with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46272477\/vikings-qb-jj-mccarthy-likely-week-3-ankle-injury\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">high ankle sprain<\/a>. &#8212; Kevin Seifert<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>1:44<\/p>\n<p>Schefter: McCarthy not expected to play against Bengals<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Adam Schefter says J.J. McCarthy is not expected to play against the Bengals due to an ankle injury and will likely be replaced by Carson Wentz.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032897_137_pit.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Seahawks <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772836\/seahawks-steelers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">31-17<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 15<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"5fbab03e-2816-55ab-ae10-83b132803d9e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/8439\/aaron-rodgers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aaron Rodgers<\/a> needs better protection from the offensive line<\/p>\n<p>Rodgers has been sacked seven times this season, and although he placed some of the blame for the four in Week 1 on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46218482\/steelers-rodgers-use-legs-better-4-sack-opener\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">tight back<\/a>, the 41-year-old undoubtedly needs to take fewer hits to make it through the remaining slate. Rodgers&#8217; 2.66 seconds is the ninth-quickest time to throw among qualified QBs (minimum of 20 passes). That means he&#8217;s either not hanging in the pocket long, and\/or the pocket isn&#8217;t holding up. Recent first-round picks <a data-player-guid=\"17994147-f9eb-3c8a-bf8b-97aa32aff0b5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4428990\/broderick-jones\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Broderick Jones<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"91893b7e-db5e-d0fa-5191-37e6df06b823\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4427170\/troy-fautanu\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Troy Fautanu<\/a> &#8212; along with veteran guard <a data-player-guid=\"71862095-3e69-26e4-04eb-5ecab7099791\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2978247\/isaac-seumalo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Isaac Seumalo<\/a> &#8212; need to play up to their billing to help Rodgers and the offense get back on track. &#8212; Brooke Pryor<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032897_777_lv.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Chargers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/boxscore\/_\/gameId\/401772811\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">20-9<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 21<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"593e3c58-2b92-e0f1-f4a8-84215e27f023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/15864\/geno-smith\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Geno Smith<\/a> doesn&#8217;t have enough support from the offensive line<\/p>\n<p>Yes, Smith has to improve on his decision-making. He had three interceptions in Week 2&#8217;s loss to the Chargers, largely due to him forcing the ball into double coverage. But the Raiders&#8217; first loss also exposed issues within the team&#8217;s offensive line. Las Vegas struggled to provide protection, allowing 16 pressures and three sacks. In two games, the Raiders have given up 32 pressures and seven sacks. &#8212; Ryan McFadden<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032897_221_jax.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Bengals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772725\/jaguars-bengals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">31-27<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 22<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46096920\/jacksonville-jaguars-quarterback-trevor-lawrence-travis-hunter-coach-liam-coen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Liam Coen&#8217;s offense<\/a> seems to fit <a data-player-guid=\"76111495-d1d9-2333-170d-4206eebe673f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4360310\/trevor-lawrence\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trevor Lawrence<\/a> pretty well<\/p>\n<p>Lawrence has been far from perfect &#8212; he&#8217;s completing only 58.9% of his passes and has thrown three interceptions this season. But Coen has said after each game that Lawrence has run the offense efficiently, changed plays correctly when needed and made throws into tight windows. He has also been hurt by a league-high five drops from his receiving corps. Coen wants to see more consistency from his starting QB, but he also said, &#8220;We can win with [Lawrence] playing like that.&#8221; &#8212; Mike DiRocco<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032898_181_ne.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Beat the Dolphins <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772728\/patriots-dolphins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">33-27<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 27<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"2fbd2f9e-624d-3e63-9bb5-9bb965782b68\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4431452\/drake-maye\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Drake Maye<\/a> went back into the lab to improve accuracy<\/p>\n<p>After an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46237447\/Message\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">up-and-down opener<\/a> in which he was 30-of-46 passing (65.2%) and lamented missing several open receivers, Maye was sharp in Week 2 with a 19-of-23 performance (82.6%). &#8220;[He&#8217;s] growing up. I feel like he made a jump from last week, just settling in,&#8221; wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"d6ba7023-458c-f59a-4af2-638770067518\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2976212\/stefon-diggs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stefon Diggs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46262947\/patriots-qb-drake-maye-improvement-win-dolphins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">said after the Dolphins game<\/a>. That foreshadows the possibility of bigger numbers ahead, as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772732\/steelers-patriots\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Steelers come to town Sunday<\/a> and have surrendered 30 points in each of the first two games for the first time since 2002. &#8212; Mike Reiss<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032898_272_nyj.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Bills <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772727\/bills-jets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">30-10<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 25<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"7e9fbd60-951e-2d9a-8d8c-b3f1ab6c4a4d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4362887\/justin-fields\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Fields<\/a> is wildly inconsistent with his accuracy<\/p>\n<p>Against the Steelers in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772721\/steelers-jets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Week 1<\/a>, Fields played <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46191018\/despite-loss-justin-fields-gives-jets-hope-strong-game\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">one of the best games of his career<\/a>, recording an 8.3% completion percentage above expected and a 0% off-target mark, per NFL Next Gen Stats. In Week 2, those numbers went the wrong way to minus-41.7% and 63.6%, respectively. The shocking disparity confirms what many believe about Fields: His accuracy is volatile and he needs the support of a strong running game to be effective. Fields&#8217; status for this week is uncertain because of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46262504\/jets-justin-fields-suffers-concussion-jets-fall-flat-vs-bills\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">concussion<\/a>. But he can stabilize his accuracy from Weeks 4 through 8, when the Jets face some of the lightly regarded defenses. &#8212; Rich Cimini<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>0:31<\/p>\n<p>Schefter: Justin Fields is in concussion protocol<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Adam Schefter reports on Justin Fields as the QB enters the concussion protocol following the Jets&#8217; loss to the Bills.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032898_255_chi.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Lions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772835\/bears-lions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">52-21<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 24<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"dd15176c-3004-333f-beaa-149216c42968\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4431611\/caleb-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Caleb Williams<\/a> is a work in progress<\/p>\n<p>Williams was better against the Lions (19-of-30, 207 yards, 2 TDs, INT) after second-half accuracy issues plagued him <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46203931\/caleb-williams-chicago-bears-see-lead-evaporate-mnf-loss\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">versus the Vikings<\/a>. His development in the pocket is an encouraging sign, as is his chemistry with receiver <a data-player-guid=\"774cc71b-e83e-340d-bcda-4a8558265bb5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4431299\/rome-odunze\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rome Odunze<\/a> (3 TDs in two games), but Williams&#8217; decision-making could still improve. There was a play against Detroit on which he needed to throw the ball away but threw an interception instead. Coach Ben Johnson said the Bears would not look like a finished product in the first month. That holds true for Williams and his mastery of playing quarterback in this system. &#8212; Courtney Cronin<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032898_755_ten.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Rams <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772724\/rams-titans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">33-19<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 28<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"9f4e87b5-5da8-38c0-9951-e3496b55b3c8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4688380\/cam-ward\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cam Ward<\/a>&#8216;s game will translate to the NFL<\/p>\n<p>Any doubts that Ward would be an effective NFL quarterback are gradually being put to rest. Although the numbers haven&#8217;t been earth-shattering, he has shown the ability to extend plays and make good things happen. His first touchdown pass was an excellent example. Ward scrambled 36 yards before finding <a data-player-guid=\"17a0a30b-a7c2-3380-a7a7-dc3364929570\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4883647\/elic-ayomanor\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Elic Ayomanor<\/a> for the score. Coach Brian Callahan has been most impressed by the mental aspect of Ward&#8217;s game. Callahan said the rookie has handled the operational part of the job, from getting in and out of the huddle to changing protection and routes. Ward&#8217;s volume of passes will increase as the season goes on and Callahan expands his role. &#8212; Turron Davenport<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032898_867_mia.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost the Patriots <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772728\/patriots-dolphins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">33-27<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 26<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"3858bbe0-6348-e3ef-5d9f-2dd2acb46f44\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4241479\/tua-tagovailoa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> can succeed only with a sound run game<\/p>\n<p>Tagovailoa was <a href=\"http:\/\/Week 2\" rel=\"nofollow\">bad in Week 1<\/a> and markedly improved in Week 2, but the one constant in both games was Miami&#8217;s lack of a rushing attack. The Dolphins have averaged 69.5 rushing yards per game this season, the fourth fewest in the NFL. Considering Tagovailoa is not a threat to run, defenses can key in on the Dolphins&#8217; passing game and drop seven or more defenders into coverage &#8212; the Patriots did that on 97% of his dropbacks. If Miami&#8217;s run game can get going, its offense will be less predictable, which won&#8217;t force Tagovailoa to create outside of structure. &#8212; Marcel Louis-Jacques<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032899_37_nyg.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Cowboys <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772834\/giants-cowboys\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">40-37<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 31<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"f0610946-ceb6-9a99-3bcc-cf110b2078b5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/14881\/russell-wilson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Russell Wilson<\/a>&#8216;s job security is tenuous<\/p>\n<p>After Wilson completed less than 50% of his passes and the Giants didn&#8217;t score a touchdown in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772827\/giants-commanders\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Week 1<\/a>, there were plenty of public calls for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46198776\/giants-sticking-russell-wilson-qb1-cowboys\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Wilson&#8217;s job<\/a>. This became the Giants&#8217; reality once they drafted <a data-player-guid=\"13e97d3e-2171-371b-9a7a-2c44670b5a62\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4689114\/jaxson-dart\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaxson Dart<\/a> and then made him the backup. It instantly put pressure on Wilson. The way the veteran keeps his job is &#8212; at a minimum &#8212; by throwing the deep ball like he did on Sunday. On passes of 20-plus air yards, he went 7-of-11 for 264 yards and three touchdowns. &#8212; Jordan Raanan<\/p>\n<p>Look ahead to the 2026 NFL draft<img decoding=\"async\" data-lazyload=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/nfl_reid-too-early_16x9_608x342.jpg\" class=\"round lazyload\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Early mock drafts: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/46008146\/2026-nfl-mock-draft-field-yates-preseason-first-round-predictions-32-picks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Yates<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/45585366\/2026-nfl-mock-draft-miller-early-first-round-predictions-quarterbacks-32-picks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Miller<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/44925346\/2026-nfl-mock-draft-early-first-round-predictions-quarterbacks-trades-32-picks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Reid<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/45531306\/2026-nfl-draft-notebook-questions-latest-updates-risers-cfb-prospects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Draft notes, risers from CFB games<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/46149416\/2026-nfl-draft-rankings-top-prospects-position\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Top five by position<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/45453107\/2026-nfl-draft-quarterback-class-top-prospects-klubnik-sellers-manning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Top QBs to know<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/45719770\/2026-nfl-draft-top-pick-predictions-early-chances-tj-parker-garrett-nussmeier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Race to No. 1<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/45485614\/2026-nfl-draft-sleepers-scouts-pick-radar-prospects-risers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">10 sleepers<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft\/news\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032900_180_cle.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Ravens <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772726\/browns-ravens\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">41-17<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 29<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"cfd567df-191e-29cf-0dc6-0bcf84085135\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/11252\/joe-flacco\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Flacco<\/a> can&#8217;t mask fundamental issues with the offense<\/p>\n<p>Flacco&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44628548\/qb-joe-flacco-browns-reuniting-one-year-deal-agent-says\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">second stint in Cleveland<\/a> is off to a rough start, as he has turned the ball over four times. However, the Browns&#8217; offense has issues across the board, including a nonexistent running game (tied for 26th in yards per carry), poor pass protection (23rd in pass block win rate) and plenty of drops (tied for the league high with five). It&#8217;s part of the reason that coach Kevin Stefanski said he is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46261767\/coach-browns-not-mulling-qb-change-joe-flacco-struggles\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">not considering a QB change<\/a> at this point. &#8212; Daniel Oyefusi<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032900_579_car.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the Cardinals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772730\/panthers-cardinals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">27-22<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 30<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"975cc6da-01e5-3dcc-8a1a-1c9ecdb27d58\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4685720\/bryce-young\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bryce Young<\/a> is still growing<\/p>\n<p>The top pick of the 2023 draft had five turnovers in his first five quarters this season. Two in the first quarter of Sunday&#8217;s loss led to a 10-0 deficit after only 11 offensive plays. Still, Young managed to bounce back for career highs in yards (328), completions (35) and attempts (55); he had Carolina in position to win at the end. But his mistakes, mostly made under intense pressure, continue to haunt the team like they did last season, when he was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/41288868\/sources-andy-dalton-replacing-bryce-young-panthers-qb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">benched<\/a> after an 0-2 start. &#8212; David Newton<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758032900_50_no.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Week 2 result: Lost to the 49ers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772833\/49ers-saints\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">26-21<\/a><br \/>Week 2 ranking: 32<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Biggest QB takeaway: <a data-player-guid=\"8a3a5113-e81b-582c-e5a2-e097ed7a1813\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426339\/spencer-rattler\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Spencer Rattler<\/a> is trending up<\/p>\n<p>Rattler&#8217;s 0-8 career record as a starter doesn&#8217;t reflect it, but his first two games this season have already shown improvement after a difficult rookie season as a temporary starter. Coach Kellen Moore assessed Rattler&#8217;s performance against the 49ers and noted it took him a bit to settle in. But when he did, he had a lot of good moments, throwing a career-high three TD passes. That doesn&#8217;t mean things will be easy for Rattler or the Saints in the coming weeks, but it is a positive sign to see week-to-week growth. &#8212; Katherine Terrell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NFL NationSep 16, 2025, 09:00 PM CloseNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":147581,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":["post-147580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147580"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147580\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}