32 Thoughts Ahead of NFL Week 3
Each Friday throughout the 2024 NFL season, we're performing something of a leaguewide check-in, with quick-hit takes from all 32 NFL squads based on news, fodder, trends and/or results.
At this stage, the season is no longer a baby.
Let's jump into what's dominating the national football conversation this week.
AFC East
1 of 8
Buffalo Bills: They're doing their typical early-season damage, and there's little reason to expect the Jaguars to get in the way Monday night at Orchard Park. The Bills have become my leading Super Bowl pick, so I'm looking for a prime-time statement.
Miami Dolphins: Should they inquire with the Panthers about Bryce Young? *Ducks*
New England Patriots: I still think the ingredients could be there, but for 2025 and beyond. For now, they can't afford to risk playing Drake Maye because the pass protection is comical.
New York Jets: I still don't believe in Aaron Rodgers. Not one bit. Check with me again on this following an October stretch against Minnesota, Buffalo and Pittsburgh.
AFC North
2 of 8
Baltimore Ravens: I think they're in big trouble. Not only are they in a tough spot with an inspired Cowboys team on the road Sunday, but then it's also the Bills followed by a trip to Cincinnati. That's not good for a vulnerable pass defense. This season could go down the drain by Canadian Thanksgiving (go ahead and Google it).
Cincinnati Bengals: I wouldn't panic if I were the Bengals. They are resilient and have been here before. They nearly took down the two-time defending Super Bowl champions on the road, and at least the Ravens are also 0-2. Expect a statement Monday night against Washington.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson has been the most pressured quarterback in the league and his receivers lead the NFL in drops. I'm not excusing him entirely, but the Browns have to be better across the board or they could fall to the Giants on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Undefeated so far despite encouraging-but-not-special play from Justin Fields and an offense that isn't fully executing. Imagine if they had Brandon Aiyuk? Just sayin'...
AFC South
3 of 8
Houston Texans: Don't overlook Cam Akers if Joe Mixon has to miss time. He's got the ability to be just fine, and there could be times when the Texans offense doesn't miss a beat. Houston should be smart and patient with the veteran Mixon. They signed Akers this summer for a reason.
Indianapolis Colts: It's becoming increasingly obvious that this will be a season marked by growing pains in Indianapolis. The team played above its head last year and nothing is going right with Chicago on deck.
Jacksonville Jaguars: I raised an eyebrow when they prematurely threw a bunch of money at a consistently underachieving Trevor Lawrence this offseason, and right now, the only quarterbacks with higher bad-throw rates are Bryce Young and Caleb Williams (yes, that's the last three No. 1 overall picks at the position).
Tennessee Titans: I'm becoming convinced they'll take a quarterback early in the 2025 draft.
.jpg?w=256 "Chiefs Giants Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Browns Monken Football")
AFC West
4 of 8
Denver Broncos: It's not ideal that Bo Nix has led the team in rushing yards in both games thus far. They simply have to find ways to get more from Javonte Williams and/or Jaleel McLaughlin.
Kansas City Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco wasn't off to a particularly hot start and the Chiefs are still 2-0. I don't think his absence will convert any wins to losses.
Las Vegas Raiders: Might they have something in Davante Adams and Brock Bowers? Soon we'll see them with big tests against both the Browns and Steelers.
Los Angeles Chargers: They avoided slipping up against inferior opponents to kick off the season, both at home and on the road. Now we get to find out what this new-look squad is made of against the Steelers and Chiefs to close out September. I'm still a little pessimistic.
NFC East
5 of 8
Dallas Cowboys: Too much is being made of Dallas having defensive meltdowns in back-to-back home games...over the course of an eight-month span. This team has always been prone to weird blips (see double-digit losses to Arizona, San Francisco and Buffalo last year). Once again, the question is whether one of those blips will come in January (or February).
New York Giants: Love that we're getting a good look at Malik Nabers, but he has received nearly 40 percent of the offense's targets thus far. That's a recipe for disaster in terms of predictability.
Philadelphia Eagles: I know it's cliche, but I've been feeling it for awhile and sometimes these things can't be quantified: The Eagles lack "it."
Washington Commanders: We're seeing them slowly open up Kliff Kingsbury's offense, which is all we can ask for in what's unlikely to be a competitive season despite the Week 2 win over the hapless Giants. They're in trouble in Cincinnati and Arizona to close out September.
NFC North
6 of 8
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams is averaging just 1.3 completed air yards per attempt, which is by far the worst rate among qualifiers early on. It's disappointing, especially because he ranks in the middle of the pack in intended air yards per attempt, which means this isn't just about the offense being conservative out of the gate.
Detroit Lions: Jared Goff has just one touchdown pass to three interceptions and is one of just eight qualified passers with a sub-70 passer rating, while the Lions have found the end zone on just three of 11 trips inside the red zone. Few expected such a rough start, and now they have trips to Arizona and Dallas. They'll need to be better, quickly.
Green Bay Packers: That Week 2 win over Indy gives them a little breathing room if they want to buy Jordan Love some time. The Packers can certainly beat Tennessee with Malik Willis, but an L in this spot doesn't sink Green Bay anyway.
Minnesota Vikings: Last year, there were some growing pains and distractions, but we're now seeing why Brian Flores was a great hire in Minnesota. Of course, the 49ers are a little off right now, and a different challenge is coming Sunday against the Texans. But this team is playing like it has nothing to lose and I like it.
NFC South
7 of 8
Atlanta Falcons: The victory in Philadelphia is the type of thing that can save a season, if not act as a springboard. Imagine what a home win over the Chiefs would do on top of that? Talk about a pivotal September stretch for a team that has a lot of hype to live up to...
Carolina Panthers: This is about a team that has been outscored 108-13 in its last four games. You can't put that entirely on a 23-year-old quarterback who has received limited support and oodles of change early in his career. Bryce Young's story isn't complete yet.
New Orleans Saints: It's still hard to envision this patched-up offensive line holding up all season, but it's entirely possible they remain legit contenders. It helps that the 49ers, Eagles, Lions, Cowboys, Falcons and Rams haven't exactly shined, either. Is anyone in the NFC truly great?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Great start but they can't overlook the Broncos. Easy to do with their schedule beyond what is supposed to be a gimme. Weeks 4 through 10 for Tampa? Eagles, Falcons, Saints, Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs and 49ers. There's nothing close to another easy out for them until late-November.
NFC West
8 of 8
Arizona Cardinals: I took a preseason shot at Kyler Murray to win Offensive Player of the Year at +10000. I believe that's still available. Just a tip if you feel like something other than a lottery ticket this week.
Los Angeles Rams: Injuries would be destroying their season quickly if not for the fact that it's also happening to their primary division rival while the rest of the conference's prime contenders struggle. They play the 49ers Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers: Injuries would be destroying their season quickly if not for the fact that it's also happening to their primary division rival while the rest of the conference's prime contenders struggle. They play the Rams Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith has a 124.2 rating in the fourth quarter of one-score games and has completed 14 of 20 attempts on third down. Was 2022 the anomaly for him, or was it 2023? We should get a strong indication soon with Miami and Detroit up next.
.jpg?w=480 "Chiefs Giants Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Browns Monken Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Jahmyr Gibbs' Back Tattoo 🎨")