NFL Week 2 grades from around the league

Surrounding Tua Tagovailoa with weaponry and a greater O-line outlined the non-scandal portion of the Dolphins’ offseason. For a wonderful quarter, that imaginative and prescient fell into place. Miami’s pace overwhelmed Baltimore’s protection, serving to Tagovailoa assemble a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are the primary Tremendous Bowl-era teammates to every eclipse 170 yards and two TDs in a sport. Be it on tunnel screens or straight sprints, the Dolphin burners took over the sport and helped Tua (462 passing yards) tie Dan Marino and Bob Griese with a franchise-record six-TD day. It’s too early to rule on Tua or the 2-0 Dolphins’ playoff viability, however this explosive outing stands out amongst current comebacks.

DOLPHINS GRADE: A-minus | NEXT: vs. Payments (Solar.)

Lamar Jackson’s eleventh 100-yard speeding sport handed Michael Vick for essentially the most in QB historical past; this was solely Jackson’s 51st begin. The Ravens (1-1) had been with out their Nos. 3 and 4 cornerbacks, and accidents restricted starters, Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. Baltimore’s protection regarded just like the malady-ridden unit that gave Joe Burrow monster field scores and led DC Don Martindale out of city. The Dolphins attacked fourth-round rookie Jalyn Armour-Davis, although Peters couldn’t stick with ex-Chiefs teammate Hill on the latter’s first TD. Humphrey lacking Miami’s last drive damage, however excuses can not fully justify permitting 28 fourth-stanza factors — particularly not by a workforce that used its prime offseason assets on safeties. 

RAVENS GRADE: D-plus | NEXT: at Patriots (Solar.)

Flacco has largely performed out the string post-Baltimore, however in a stadium that has padded his win whole, the previous Tremendous Bowl MVP offered his defining late-career sequence. The Jets (1-1) carried a 0.3% win likelihood after Nick Chubb‘s third landing, however their 37-year-old backup authored two scoring drives to shut out a sport with 307 passing yards and 4 TD tosses. Wanting misplaced throughout a lot of his three-season Jets keep, Flacco did his greatest work after Braden Mann’s onside kick providing. Flacco’s game-closing strike to Garrett Wilson gave the maligned QB his first win as a Jet, moved his file towards the Browns to 18-3, and offered an important response after final week’s Jets no-show.

JETS GRADE: A | NEXT: vs. Bengals (Solar.)

No sport on the Browns’ pre-Deshaun Watson schedule offered a friendlier spot than a Jets workforce that includes an growing old backup quarterback. As an alternative, these Browns (1-1) grew to become the primary workforce since a significantly much less gifted 2001 Browns squad to blow a 13-point lead within the last two minutes ( shoutout Mike Brown ). Flacco’s 66-yard strike to Corey Davis featured the Jets wideout open by 10 yards, and a protection flush with first- and second-round picks permitting the Jets to complete the hassle a drive later is a tough search for the Browns’ possibilities to be within the playoff race when Watson resurfaces. Blaming Kareem Hunt or Nick Chubb for not operating extra clock misses the mark. Cleveland’s protection letting a rebuilding workforce craft this comeback is inexcusable.

BROWNS GRADE: D | NEXT: vs. Steelers (Thu.)

This sport provided a microcosm of why the Cardinals (1-1) had been justified in doing what it took to lock down Kyler Murray. After an ankle damage sapped his scrambling capability for a lot of final season, Murray confirmed how harmful he’s when totally outfitted. The 5-foot-10 passer took over the league’s first desert duel, and his two two-point conversions confirmed the problems his arm and legs create. The Cardinals (1-1) might have saved their season with this 20-point comeback, one which required two two-pointers — the primary a 21-second , 85-yard navigation and the second a laser to a not-open A.J. Inexperienced. This rally coming with out DeAndre Hopkins, introduced a change of tempo after the Professional Bowler’s absence crushed final yr’s passing assault.

CARDINALS GRADE: A | NEXT: vs. Rams (Solar.)

A Cardinals workforce with questionable pass-defending items gave up 33 first downs towards the Chiefs. These cogs shut down the Raiders (0-2) in Sunday’s second half. Derek Carr (42 second-half passing yards) and the Davante Adams-Hunter Renfrow-Darren Waller crew couldn’t maintain Murray on the sidelines, with the Playing cards operating 59 second-half performs to erase a 20-0 deficit. After his 17-target Raiders debut, Adams caught two passes for 12 yards. Arizona’s secondary profitable this matchup, the Renfrow fumble/Byron Murphy walk-off being a powerful closing assertion, places the revamped Raiders on skinny ice in a deep AFC. 

RAIDERS GRADE: D | NEXT: at Titans (Solar.)

Whereas the Bengals didn’t signal one of the best O-line free brokers, those they did add (Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, La’el Collins) introduced expertise and a few upside. The returns from Cincinnati’s O-line augmentation effort have produced 13 sacks in two video games. Solely 4 QBs have been dropped extra by way of two video games for the reason that 1970 merger. It’s too early to grade the signings themselves, however the Bengals (0-2) wanted to win a minimum of one in every of these first two video games. Blocking points and Joe Burrow‘s struggles have stonewalled one of many NFL’s most gifted offenses. Micah Parsons made Collins look dangerous throughout his two-sack, five-QB-hit day, and the Bengals doubtlessly whiffing on second-round guard Jackson Carman (nonetheless benched) paints a foul image of this O-line’s standing. The AFC champions are in hassle.

BENGALS GRADE: D-plus | NEXT: at Jets (Solar.)

The Cowboys misplaced their first 4 video games with out Dak Prescott two years in the past, sinking their season even in a historically terrible NFC East . As Prescott eyes an earlier-than-expected return timetable, his substitute led the workforce to an important upset. Cooper Rush is now 2-0 as Prescott’s backup, including this outing (235 yards, one TD go) to the 2021 win in Minnesota. Rush had the Cowboys (1-1) shifting higher than they had been in Week 1, and fellow sixth-year backup Noah Brown (5 catches, 91 yards) rode sidecar. Rush’s stat line may have been higher had a Dalton Schultz fumble not killed a drive. The Cowboys’ accidents and personnel strikes may be an excessive amount of to beat, however Rush’s outing presents hope it could possibly occur in a murky NFC.

COWBOYS GRADE: A | NEXT: at Giants (Mon.)

Since Geno Smith‘s stunning first-half salvo within the Russell Wilson revenge sport, the Seahawks’ offense has not generated any factors. The 49ers rendered Wilson’s successor a non-threat in Week 2 and benefited from two gaffes in a three-minute span. Deejay Dallas’ halfback-pass interception preceded a Tyler Lockett (feat. Xavier Crawford) punt-return fumble, resulting in a 20-0 49ers halftime lead. Not like among the different underdogs to fireside off a three-score comeback, the Seahawks (1-1) confirmed no comparable capabilities. The Seahawks rushed for simply 36 yards. Publish-Wilson that’s not a components that can maintain Seattle in lots of video games.

SEAHAWKS GRADE: D-minus | NEXT: vs. Falcons (Solar.)

Whereas it’s unsure what the 49ers had been prepared to take and what different groups had been providing — each in commerce compensation and contractually — San Francisco’s Garoppolo reunion now defines the workforce’s 2022 offseason. An in-season commerce nonetheless loomed as a faint risk. Now not. Trey Lance‘s damaged ankle will result in a first-round QB with a traditionally gentle post-high faculty workload (420 passes) lacking one other yr. Whereas unlucky, Lance’s damage would be the uncommon QB1 setback to enhance a contending workforce’s possibilities. Questions on Lance’s readiness shall be tabled to 2023, because the outdated Garoppolo offense returns. Garoppolo helped the 49ers (1-1) rebound Sunday, and whereas his damage historical past leaves the workforce weak, he makes extra sense for a Tremendous Bowl-caliber roster.

49ERS GRADE: A-minus | NEXT: at Broncos (Solar.)

As the opposite receiver-DB matchup devolved into on-brand insanity, the Bucs’ skilled secondary didn’t let the new-look Saints receiving corps maintain an NFC South pattern going. After profitable 4 straight regular-season video games on this sequence to start out the “Tompa Bay” period, the Saints didn’t see their Michael Thomas-Jarvis Landry-Chris Olave group assist Winston prefer it did in Week 1. The primary of two Jamel Dean fourth-quarter INTs set this sport on a foul path for the hosts, with Mike Edwards’ third pick-six in two seasons and Olave’s late-game fumble punctuating a sport that gave the Bucs (2-0) the higher hand after a run of one-sided Saints encounters throughout Brady’s run.

BUCCANEERS GRADE: B | NEXT: vs. Packers (Solar.)

The Marshon Lattimore-Mike Evans feud is now an inescapable legacy element. It was not troublesome to guess the 2 gamers on the coronary heart of Sunday’s brouhaha, one which began as Lattimore trash-talked Brady and an oddly still-sideline-stationed Bruce Arians. The rivals’ previous ( headlined by the 2017 fracas , which price Evans a sport) may price them video games. Lattimore leaving actually helped Brady, who discovered Breshad Perriman for what grew to become the game-winning landing minutes later. Not both workforce’s most interesting hour, however the Saints (1-1) — who’ve much less margin for error than the Bucs, given the Brady-Winston disparity — bought the worst of it.

SAINTS GRADE: D | NEXT: at Panthers (Solar.)

The Broncos misplaced Tim Patrick to a coaching camp ACL tear, had been with out Okay.J. Hamler (2021 ACL tear), and noticed Jerry Jeudy go down within the first half. The workforce included three-year tight finish starter Noah Fant within the Russell Wilson commerce. This left Courtland Sutton alone because the final man standing. Regardless of taking Derek Stingley No. 3 general (tied for the earliest cornerback choose this century), the Texans (0-1-1) couldn’t cease Denver’s lone aerial weapon. Sutton (seven receptions, 122 yards) carried a Broncos offense tripping over its personal toes. A protection bust led to a 36-yard Sutton acquire on third-and-15, organising a Broncos go-ahead TD to forestall an in-play Texans upset.

TEXANS GRADE: C-plus | NEXT: at Bears (Solar.)

Nathaniel Hackett’s father, Paul, was a Bill Walsh assistant, a Marty Schottenheimer OC, and USC head coach. Nathaniel’s expertise round soccer has not translated to game-managerial savvy. After his stupefying Seattle scene, Hackett oversaw an effort during which Broncos followers started counting down the play clock in a derisive (however useful?) method. The Broncos (1-1) dedicated two extra delay-of-game penalties, operating their season depend to 4 (greater than their 2021 season total) , and are actually 0-for-6 in purple zone TDs. Denver’s 25 penalties by way of two video games are a workforce file. Hackett and Russell Wilson had been shorthanded, and Denver’s protection performed effectively regardless of prime gamers Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain II out. However the brand new coach’s early struggles are the workforce’s lead story.

BRONCOS GRADE: C | NEXT: vs. 49ers (Solar.)

This yr’s first-coach-fired favourite is shifting into place. The Panthers are 0-2 and have misplaced 9 straight, representing the league’s longest lively skid. This additionally marks back-to-back losses to the rebuilding Giants, who routed Carolina final season to start setting off Rhule alarm bells. The Panthers completed 2-for-12 on third downs, making for a troublesome Meadowlands return for ex-Giants HC Ben McAdoo, and noticed their big-ticket deal with funding (Ikem Ekwonu) permit a 3rd sack this season. The Giants had been additionally lacking each their beginning edge rushers. The Panthers dropping on 58- and 56-yard area objectives might purchase Rhule extra time, however his seven-year, $60M contract seems to be like a sunk price.

PANTHERS GRADE: C-minus | NEXT: vs. Saints (Solar.)

The Odell Beckham Jr.-Josh Norman battle and the Derrick Ward-Brandon Jacobs game are notable Giants-Panthers timeline moments, however Graham Gano has develop into one of many central figures on this hardly ever mentioned sequence. 4 years after making a 63-yard area objective to elevate the then-Ron Rivera-led Panthers previous the then-Pat Shurmur-coached Giants, Gano ripped a 56-yarder to present Brian Daboll a 2-0 begin. Gano, a Big for the reason that Panthers reduce him in 2020, made 4 area objectives in Sunday’s low-wattage matchup and has now hit three 50-plus-yarders towards his outdated workforce since 2021. Because the Panthers maintain biking by way of kickers, Gano has stabilized his profession.

GIANTS GRADE: B | NEXT: vs. Cowboys (Mon.)

The Patriots’ 2021 free company splurge has produced hits and misses. Agholor checks in squarely within the latter class. However he helped a workforce navigating intensive offensive points Sunday, producing a six-catch, 110-yard day. That efficiency peaked with the previous first-round choose’s “Mossing” of Ahkello Witherspoon on a 44-yard second-quarter landing. This was Agholor’s first 100-yard sport as a Patriot, successfully complementing the steadier Jakobi Meyers’ 9-95 afternoon. Agholor’s two-year, $22M contract was ill-advised, however the ex-Eagle however aided a Patriots workforce (1-1) adjusting to a different ill-advised concept — an OC-less season — towards a top quality protection.

PATRIOTS GRADE: B | NEXT: vs. Ravens (Solar.)

Mitch Trubisky‘s $7M-per-year contract suggests the Steelers (1-1) shouldn’t be too shocked with how their offense is functioning. However this makes two video games of Trubisky minimalism. With out T.J. Watt, Trubisky 168-yard days shall be troublesome foundations for victories. Trubisky taking part in it secure (15 passes at or behind the road of scrimmage) by way of two video games performs to the Steelers’ strengths (go protection, maybe their run sport), however this components is not going to be sufficient. Nos. 2 and three wideouts Chase Claypool and George Pickens are every 0-for-2 in 30-yard video games. Particularly with Watt out, this workforce is caught till Pickett is able to take over. 

STEELERS GRADE: C | NEXT: vs. Browns (Thu.)

The Colts going winless by way of a Houston-Jacksonville begin issues, however the workforce was a Carson Wentz collapse from a playoff berth after a 1-4 begin final season. Indianapolis’ handpicked Wentz successor fared worse in Florida than the extremely scrutinized 2021 starter. Though Matt Ryan had a superb excuse (no Michael Pittman Jr. or Alec Pierce), the motionless veteran throwing three INTs and being unable to guide any scoring drives — together with on two goal-to-go sequences — was eye-opening. The Colts (0-1-1) have a veteran-laden workforce whose rosters influence gamers (Pittman, Jonathan Taylor) on rookie contracts. The workforce can not afford to burn this season. 

COLTS GRADE: F | NEXT: vs. Chiefs (Solar.)

By means of Blake Bortles, Gardner Minshew, and City Meyer’s leftovers, the Jaguars have now received 9  straight over the Colts in Florida. The mixture of Meyer-, Dave Caldwell- and Doug Pederson-acquired defenders mowed down their favored rivals. Josh Allen posted two of the workforce’s 5 sacks, and security Rayshawn Jenkins (4 passes defensed) patrolled the tip zone on one of many Jags’ greatest defensive days in a few years. Preying primarily on the 2 Colts O-linemen with out Professional Bowl accolades (Matt Pryor, Danny Pinter), the Jags hit the stationary Ryan 11 instances. Trevor Lawrence’s efficiency on the opposite facet retains a worst-to-first door open right here, in what could possibly be the NFL’s worst division.

JAGUARS GRADE: A-plus | NEXT: at Chargers (Solar.)

One of many NFL’s better-kept secrets and techniques within the 2020s: Washington’s strong offensive line play. Professional Soccer Focus ranked each Washington Soccer Staff O-lines sixth general. This got here because the franchise moved on from Trent Williams and battled accidents. This yr’s entrance 5 didn’t maintain up effectively, seeing the Lions hit Carson Wentz 11 instances and sack him on 5 events (a type of a security). Lions DC Aaron Glenn despatched 18 blitzes, and No. 2 general choose Aidan Hutchinson — after a Week 1 dud — bought dwelling 3 times. This helped Detroit mount a 22-0 lead throughout a primary half during which Washington (1-1) mustered simply 56 yards. Including to the post-Brandon Scherff O-line’s early points: middle Chase Roullier left Ford Area on crutches.

COMMANDERS GRADE: D-plus | NEXT: vs. Eagles (Solar.)

The Lions’ Jared Goff bridge years are beginning to reveal some foundational items. D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown will virtually actually be round when this rebuild progresses towards playoff-caliber squads. The latter is an even bigger win for the Brad Holmes entrance workplace, which made the youthful of the NFL’s two St. Browns final yr’s seventeenth receiver taken. Detroit’s slot participant is exhibiting his late-2021 surge was not a byproduct of mediocre wideout depth. St. Brown (11 touches, 184 scrimmage yards) each helped the Lions (1-1) create their lead and defend it, scoring within the first and second halves. Seeing how he pairs with Jameson Williams shall be a enjoyable plotline for Lions followers/receiver buffs to comply with.

LIONS GRADE: A | NEXT: at Vikings (Solar.)

Huge-market standing however, Cris Collinsworth has not referred to as a Jets sport for the reason that “Butt Fumble.” Frequent NBC fodder, the Bears have now misplaced their previous six “Sunday Evening Soccer” video games by double digits. The Packers are solely accountable for three of these. Chicago (1-1) might have deserved a landing on Justin Fields’ shotgun draw, however the second-year QB was 7-for-11 in passing for 70 yards. This workforce, as this space declared last year, doesn’t belong on SNF schedules. If something, it will assist a Bears squad making an attempt to place items again collectively to be hidden in 1 p.m. slots (save for the obligatory Thursday tilt) for the foreseeable future.

BEARS GRADE: C-minus | NEXT: vs. Texans (Solar.)

To the delight of fantasy GMs aggravated by Inexperienced Bay’s inconsistent Jones utilization, the Packers (1-1) unleashed their sixth-year weapon in Week 2. A Bears protection lacking lots of its veteran items from previous SNF tilts couldn’t comprise the Packers run sport, which went off for 203 yards. (The Bears almost matched that, however Aaron Rodgers coated a bit extra territory than Fields.) Draft classmates Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Prepare dinner have led to Jones (170 scrimmage yards) being a bit underrated. However the one-time Professional Bowler continues to be an important piece for one of many NFL’s greatest groups. As defenses regulate to Inexperienced Bay’s unusually comprised receiving corps, Jones might tackle an even bigger position.

PACKERS GRADE: B-plus | NEXT: at Buccaneers (Solar.)

The Falcons intercepted Matthew Stafford twice, stripped Cooper Kupp and returned a blocked punt for a landing. The ultimate three turnovers almost allowed the Los Angeles guests to erase a 28-3 deficit. That will have been a rally-themed Sunday’s prime margin erased. Mykal Walker’s INT, Troy Andersen’s block and Darren Corridor’s Kupp strip moved the Falcons (0-2) inside six. Whereas Jalen Ramsey’s theft of Marcus Mariota ended the upset bid, Arthur Smith’s workforce has put forth high quality efforts towards two far superior rosters to date. Not a foul begin to the season for a workforce carrying an NFL-record dead-money sum ( Matt Ryan‘s $40M). 

FALCONS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: at Seahawks (Solar.)

As ought to be anticipated towards a Falcons workforce far much less outfitted than the Payments, the Rams performed a lot better in Week 2. They ran out to a 25-point lead in a sport the place a few of Kupp’s supporting solid confirmed up. However the Rams (1-1) have now dedicated six turnovers in two video games (plus the blocked-punt sequence). Stafford’s 5 interceptions are the main trigger right here. Postseason heroics apart, Stafford led the NFL with 17 INTs final season and has handled elbow hassle for months. As L.A.’s O-line accidents proceed to mount — Tremayne Anchrum, the workforce’s third proper guard possibility, left Sunday’s sport as effectively — Stafford’s INT propensity bears watching.

RAMS GRADE: C-plus | NEXT: at Cardinals (Solar.)

The long-running theme of Chargers summer time optimism resulting in fall-winter letdowns has concerned vital damage troubles. The Bolts (1-1) in all probability hit their offseason-praise apex this yr, however Justin Herbert’s rib cartilage fracture offers an early blow to the workforce’s hopes. The physician overseeing Herbert can be being sued by predecessor Tyrod Taylor, including one other injury-related Chargers storyline into this equation. Herbert missed Keenan Allen dearly in Kansas Metropolis as effectively, but the workforce almost upended the Chiefs. The Herbert visuals weren’t good Thursday, making it troublesome to imagine he’ll transfer previous this subject simply.

CHARGERS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: vs. Jaguars (Solar.)

The Steve Spagnuolo period has produced late-blooming Chiefs defenses. Shaky begins in 2019 and 2021 required shootout victories — or losses — early. Week 2 of final yr introduced a Lamar Jackson showcase towards a bewildered Kansas Metropolis protection. Though Herbert and Allen’s accidents affected the Chargers, the Chiefs (2-0) turned the tide after halftime. Kyler Murray shredding the Raiders per week after the Chiefs contained him additionally displays effectively on this post-Tyrann Mathieu unit, which was taking part in with out first-round choose Trent McDuffie in Week 2. This defensive begin is somewhat vital. Kansas Metropolis’s schedule turns into a gauntlet quickly. 

CHIEFS GRADE: A-minus | NEXT: at Colts (Solar.)