Buying or Selling Every 2-0 Team's Playoff Chances

Only six teams are 2-0 in the NFL, the fewest amount of teams undefeated through two weeks since 1997. 

Parity, anyone?

Based on what we've seen after two games from these teams—what they've done right and what they've done wrong—let's project how they'll perform throughout the remainder of the season in a "buy or sell" format. 

Philadelphia Eagles: BUY

Yeah, yeah, yeah...the Eagles have turned the ball over nine times in two games. They've also found a way to win both of those contests. 

Turnovers were an early season-killer in 2011 and were the main reason Philadelphia got off to a stunningly bad 1-4 start.

The physicality of the defensive front seven was clear against the Browns in Week 1. It drove Brandon Weeden nuts—well, actually it drove him to four interceptions and held Trent Richardson to 39 yards rushing. 

Although Ray Rice averaged 6.2 yards per carry, quarterback Joe Flacco was flustered all afternoon and completed only 22-of-42 passes with one touchdown and an interception. 

If Jeremy Maclin's hip pointer continues to nag him, Philadelphia won't be as dynamic in the future, but LeSean McCoy is one of the league's premier backs and would then be in line for more touches—always a good thing for the Eagles. 

Michael Vick hasn't been spectacular, but he has shown a never-before-seen mettle, one that's appeared when the Eagles needed it most in the fourth quarter. He's taken far too many shots but has yet to be injured. 

Based on a defensive front that's for real, explosive tendencies in the passing game, a quarterback that's shown encouraging fortitude and an All-Pro running back, you have to buy the Eagles' playoff chances right now. 

Atlanta Falcons: BUY

The Falcons held off a fourth-quarter comeback effort from the one and only Peyton Manning en route to their second win of the young 2012 season. 

Matt Ryan turned in another sound performance, and he now has 518 passing yards, six total touchdowns and no interceptions on the year. 

Elite? 

Eh, getting there. 

The receiving corps is living up to expectations, and the offensive line is exceeding rather low expectations set before the regular season kicked off. 

Atlanta's defense is loaded with athletes, but as the season progresses, they'll miss Brent Grimes on occasion. However, Dunta Robinson and Asante Samuel are still viable cover corners with solid ball skills. 

One major issue that could haunt the Falcons—their running game. Michael Turner is clearly near the end of his career, and Jason Snelling doesn't provide much of a spark. Jacquizz Rodgers has a decent burst but is limited due to his small stature. 

I'm nitpicking here with the Falcons, because I believe they do have the overall roster talent to compete for a Super Bowl, but they need to become a more balanced club on offense if they want to assure themselves a spot in the postseason and plan to get Ryan his first playoff win.  

Arizona Cardinals: Reluctantly Sell

A month ago, everyone was ready to carve "R.I.P." into the Arizona Cardinals' 2012 season.

The quarterback situation was perceived to be arguably the worst in the league, the offensive line was in shambles, the running backs were hurt, and outside of Larry Fitzgerald, the pass-catching threats were the definition of nonthreatening. 

The Cardinals were primed to be an NFL laughing stock this year. 

Who's laughing now?

OK, Arizona has gotten it done with gadget plays on offense—in short, they've been far from encouraging when they've had the football.

What has been encouraging is the way Kevin Kolb's played in relief efforts for John Skelton. 

Even more encouraging—the defense. 

That unit is legitimate. 

Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett are underrated disruptors, and it's time we all get familiar with linebacker Daryl Washington. He's one of the most explosive inside linebackers in football. No joke. The secondary is sound, and Patrick Peterson will only get better in coverage. 

Can the Cardinals keep this up? 

On defense, yes. But their offense won't be able to do enough to get them into the NFC playoffs unless the quarterback play continues to develop. 

Just don't sleep on that defense.

It has elite potential. 

Houston Texans: BUY

When you're looking to project how a team will play the rest of the season after a mere two games, balance is key. 

The Houston Texans have balance.

On offense and defense. 

Arian Foster and Ben Tate make up the best running back tandem in the AFC, and a lot of that has to do with the punishing zone-blocking scheme in place. 

The defensive line has recorded six sacks in two games, and the defense as a whole has given up 392 yards, the least in the NFL. 

OK, playing the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars to start the season may have helped those numbers. Even so, the talent is there on defense, and after completing a fine season a year ago, there's no reason to believe it won't be one of the league's best units in 2012. 

Matt Schaub has elite tools, but in all likelihood, he won't be asked to be a gunslinger throwing the football 45 times this season. 

The Texans are a proven commodity, having advanced to the second round of the postseason a year ago.

Undoubtedly, you must "buy" them after a no-nonsense 2-0 start. 

San Diego Chargers: Reluctantly Buy

The Chargers are 2-0 for the first time in Norv Turner's six seasons, so all's well, right? 

Not exactly. 

Well, first, I'll give them credit where the credit is due—they beat two teams with less talent, and they did so rather handily. 

We can't blame them for the weakness of their schedule to start the year. 

The core of the defensive line, starting with Corey Liuget and Antwan Barnes, has been solid. Melvin Ingram and Shaun Phillips should provide ample pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The secondary is adequate, but it's led by an elite ballhawk in Eric Weddle. 

Against the Raiders, they struggled mightily in the red zone, and if it wasn't for Oakland's special teams woes, they may have lost that game. 

They bounced back nicely against the youthful Titans, but this looks like a similar San Diego team with sporadic tendencies. 

Because the Raiders look out of sorts, the Chiefs have been uninspired and the fact that we may have to ease up on what to expect from Peyton Manning every week, I have to buy the Chargers right now. 

San Francisco 49ers: BUY

No team is more balanced than the San Francisco 49ers. 

It's not even close. 

The defense is playing as ferociously and fundamentally sound as it did all of last year. The linebacking corps of Ahmad Brooks, Aldon Smith, NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis is easily the best and most impactful in the league. 

The defensive line is anchored by Justin Smith, who draws frequent double teams that help other San Francisco pass-rushers get to the quarterback. The defensive backfield is filled with sure tacklers who don't allow many yards after the catch. 

On offense, Alex Smith is no longer a game-managing liability under center. He's sharp pre-snap and is making all the correct decisions. I'll call him Mr. Efficient, an on-field extension of Jim Harbaugh's excellent offensive mind. 

Oh yeah, and the running game is nasty. 

Frank Gore runs decisively behind an agile yet powerful offensive front, and Kendall Hunter is the ideal complementary back. 

San Francisco can simply dominate you in every phase of the game.