Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season is officially in the books. Sixteen teams logged wins. Sixteen others fell short. But what did we learn about each of the 32 after one game of action? We're so glad you asked. As Week 3 draws near, here's a look at one thing we took away from each team thanks to the opening weekend of football:
Arizona Cardinals
After reeling off one highlight-reel shot after another in a shootout win over Minnesota, Kyler Murray is an early MVP candidate. And if he keeps it up, the Cardinals will be in the playoff race.
Atlanta Falcons
Despite a listless debut, Matt Ryan isn't completely cooked. He is, however, stuck on a team that's bound to get a good draft pick in 2022.
Baltimore Ravens
Despite the Week 1 loss to Las Vegas, they're still top contenders. John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson and a slew of defensive youngsters all stepped up in prime time to upset the Chiefs.
Buffalo Bills
One thing's for certain: They absolutely own the Dolphins. Brian Flores can't figure out Sean McDermott, and that bodes pretty well for Buffalo's chances of repeating in the AFC East.
Carolina Panthers
It's still early, but it sure looks like Sam Darnold just needed to leave the Jets to realize his potential. The young man has looked calm and in charge during Carolina's 2-0 start.
Chicago Bears
Strictly because of Andy Dalton's knee injury, Justin Fields is primed for a permanent takeover as the club's starting QB. The Bears insist Dalton is still atop the depth chart, but Fields will likely get a full chance to showcase his talent in Week 3.
Cincinnati Bengals
While Joe Burrow's picks didn't help things in Week 2, Zac Taylor still can't be trusted to guide a steady winner in Cincy. Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase alluded to poor play-calling after Sunday's loss, and Taylor's offenses have stumbled since he arrived.
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Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield is the real deal. Browns fans have probably been saying it since 2020's playoff run, but boy has he come on as the efficient torch-bearer of Kevin Stefanski's offense.
Dallas Cowboys
Even with Ezekiel Elliott posting solid numbers in their win, Tony Pollard is clearly the team's most explosive back. Imagine if Dallas keeps feeding him as their top option out of the backfield.
Denver Broncos
Teddy Bridgewater is really feeling it as the Broncos' QB1. He's played the Giants and Jaguars, yes, but no one is sending it downfield more regularly through two weeks than the veteran journeyman.
Detroit Lions
Despite putting up a fight against the 49ers and Packers, they've still got a long way to go. Jared Goff, for example, was sharp for much of Monday's game, but they still ended up losing by multiple scores.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is just fine. The Week 1 showing was awful, but how's this for a rebound: 22 of 27, 255 yards, four TDs and no picks? Aaron Jones helped a ton, but No. 12 is still very much himself.
Houston Texans
With Tyrod Taylor now sidelined for up to a month, they're in for a big slide. That's not to say Davis Mills can't surprise at QB, but this scrappy assortment of spare parts was glued together by the veteran signal-caller.
Indianapolis Colts
It's still really early, but their division-title hopes seem dim. How else can we quantify an 0-2 start, with the Titans on deck and Carson Wentz now battling injuries to both ankles? This isn't pretty right now.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Contrary to external expectations, Urban Meyer seems genuinely surprised they aren't good. The coach literally released a statement telling fans to "hang in there" after their second straight loss. Rebuilds take time!
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes will bail them out of almost any situation, but their defense is cause for concern. Outside of Tyrann Mathieu, who's making plays here? Few teams have surrendered so many yards through two weeks.
Las Vegas Raiders
Their Week 1 win might not have been a fluke. An upset of the Ravens, followed by a road win over the Steelers? Is Derek Carr really onto something, or is he just teasing us again? Right now, their stock is up.
Los Angeles Chargers
For all the talent they have at key spots, growing pains are inevitable under first-year coach Brandon Staley, whose frustrations were apparent on the sidelines against Dallas. They're still on an upward trajectory.
Los Angeles Rams
More like a reminder, but still: Cooper Kupp is an animal. Nine catches for 163 yards and two scores, and it's clear Matthew Stafford's going to have a ball throwing his way throughout the season.
Miami Dolphins
Again, it's early, but they might not be playoff-caliber. Throw in Tua Tagovailoa's injury, and there's just not a whole lot of juice with this team a year after Ryan Fitzpatrick helped them play spoiler down the stretch.
Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins is still slinging it, and they have the firepower to stay competitive, but patience is growing thin with Mike Zimmer. Maybe more with fans than management, but no one is happy with the defense or play-calling so far.
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick still owns rookie QBs. Zach Wilson out here seeing ghosts!
New Orleans Saints
So maybe, just maybe, we jumped on the Jameis Winston bandwagon too early. The reality of Winston's value probably lies somewhere between his first and second performance, but this is kind of who he's been: boom or bust.
New York Giants
Daniel Jones was fine this time around, but his team was not. In fact, they look like one of the worst in the NFL, at least from a coaching perspective. Joe Judge's club has the makings of a future implosion.
New York Jets
For all the arm talent he boasts, Zach Wilson needs to play it safer when that's what's required of him. Just chucking it up because you're down big doesn't really work against an NFL defense.
Philadelphia Eagles
He may have brought energy in a big Week 1 win, but Nick Sirianni needs to be smarter with key play calls. One red-zone sequence, in particular, may have cost Philly a winnable game against the 49ers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
With Ben Roethlisberger physically and/or schematically confined to a short-area approach, they need their defense to carry them. This was kind of apparent before, but it keeps getting reinforced.
San Francisco 49ers
While he finished strong against the Eagles, Jimmy Garoppolo might be on a shorter leash than most realize. He struggled quite a bit for a good chunk of Week 2, to the point that a Trey Lance appearance wouldn't have been crazy.
Seattle Seahawks
Say what you will about their defense, which remains problematic, but Russell Wilson is as good as he's ever been. The guy just continues to show out with those beautiful bombs to Tyler Lockett.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They have to be considered NFC favorites. Tom Brady is throwing it like he's 25. Their defense is back to making splash plays. Yes, a lot can happen between now and the playoffs, but they look explosive.
Tennessee Titans
Despite the dud of an opener, their rough-and-tumble style still works. They matched Seattle's physicality and got huge performances from Derrick Henry and Julio Jones to capture a big win.
Washington Football Team
Taylor Heinicke probably offers as much as Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB. That's not saying a whole lot, considering Fitzpatrick entered as a 38-year-old journeyman. But it's notable considering he'll be sidelined for so long.
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