Outside of the Saints, no one is surprised that the Chiefs and Bills are both 2-0. Same for the Texans. But what about the rest of the league’s undefeated teams? That’s where it gets interesting.
Let’s start with the Steelers. They named Russell Wilson their starting quarterback in late August and have won two straight seasons without him since. Justin Fields hasn’t been great. It’s TJ Watt and the defense that are carrying the team right now. But it doesn’t matter. This is Pittsburgh’s best start in four years. The Steelers are atop the AFC North, so it’s getting harder to make a quarterback change if Wilson is healthy.
The Vikings have won two straight games to start the season without their rookie first-round draft pick, JJ McCarthy, who is out for the season. Minnesota’s 23-17 upset of the 49ers on Sunday spoke volumes about the potential Sam Darnold has had since entering the league as the No. 3 pick in 2018. Of course, we can’t forget the job Kevin O’Connell has done to keep the Vikings competitive. Darnold’s 97-yard touchdown throw to Justin Jefferson was one of the best plays of the week.
The Buccaneers were nearly eight-point underdogs on Sunday at Detroit but rallied for a 20-16 victory in a rematch of last year’s division playoff game. Tampa Bay has started all three seasons under coach Todd Bowles with a 2-0 record.
Jim Harbaugh made a noteworthy statement last spring, asserting that the Chargers still view their offensive linemen as “weapons” in a league dominated by quarterbacks, receivers and pass-catching tight ends. After two games, the Chargers look reborn, reflecting Harbaugh’s old-school football DNA. After a comfortable 26-3 win over the Panthers on Sunday, Harbaugh’s team is 2-0 for the first time in 12 years. The dominance up front has made the difference. Running back J.K. Dobbins, the biggest beneficiary so far, rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He became the first Charger in eight years to rush for 100 or more yards in two consecutive games.
Before Sunday, no coach in Seahawks history, not even Mike Holmgren or Pete Carroll, had started his career 2-0. Mike McDonald became the first after Seattle beat the Patriots 23-20 in overtime. Geno Smith was a stellar passer on the day, passing for 327 yards and leading two late drives with field goals to scupper Jerrod Mayo’s attempt to start his career 2-0 in New England.
Going further
NFL Week 2 lessons: Saints need to rethink, Ravens self-destruct