Chris Simms' Team-by-Team Ratings for NFL Week 2
Surprised by some of the results in Week 2?
Don't be. NFL talent evaluators can't handicap a team after four weeks, let alone two.
These NFL ratings are like a "progress report" instead of a set-in-stone report card for teams. It's a quick snapshot into their Week 2 performances and nothing more.
These aren't power rankings. Last week doesn't matter, last season doesn't matter and even the worst teams in the league can earn an "A." I'm factoring much more than the final score into these—stats, game tape, toughness and team style all are weighed before I grade.
Let's see how your team stacks up.
Buffalo Bills
1 of 32
Week 2: Jets 37, Bills 31
Offense: Can't blame Sammy Watkins for looking frustrated after a few snaps Thursday night. The guy is out on the field competing despite injury problems. His reward? Two catches, 20 yards. He's not healthy enough to go deep, and the Bills passing game isn't healthy enough to find him.
Defense: Raise a red flag when Ryan Fitzpatrick is taking your defense deep. Raise two red flags when the opponent tallied 28 total first downs. Raise all the red flags when your head coach's supposed specialty is getting after opposing quarterbacks.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
2 of 32
Week 2: Patriots 31, Dolphins 24
Offense: Jarvis Landry told the Miami Herald's Adam H. Beasley he doesn't want his Dolphins to be an "almost" team. That's exactly the kind of offense he's playing on, though. Ryan Tannehill can almost play like a top-tier quarterback. They can almost run the ball against New England's front. They almost got a first down before 9:43 left in the second quarter. Almost.
Defense: This is how they follow up their Seattle performance? A defense as talented and expensive as Miami's shouldn't drop games to backups and backup-backups. It shouldn't be gashed by LeGarrette Blount with Ndamukong Suh in the middle either.
Grade: C
New York Jets
3 of 32
Week 2: Jets 37, Bills 31
Offense: Why bother signing a 30-year-old running back? They always lose a step. They can't carry an offense and they never…oh wait. Matt Forte did all of that Thursday night, posting 30-plus touches and three scores. He's their missing piece.
Defense: Let's all overreact again because Darrelle Revis got burned. Do you know who Marquise Goodwin is? Do you know he's a world-class sprinter? Now you do. Count No. 24 out at your own peril.
Grade: A-
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New England Patriots
4 of 32
Week 2: Patriots 31, Dolphins 24
Offense: The Patriots' well-oiled machine keeps humming no matter who's under center. Miami stacked the box against Jacoby Brissett, thinking he'd hand if off. They were right, and the Patriots O-line drove them off the ball anyway.
Defense: Here's something to keep in mind the next time New England jumps out to a four-touchdown lead: prevent prevents good defense. They're more talented and aggressive than their second half shows.
Grade: A
Washington Redskins
5 of 32
Week 2: Cowboys 27, Redskins 23
Offense: Dallas' defense is as vanilla as they come. Kirk Cousins and this offense still couldn't beat it. That's a big old red flag. Here's another: Matt Jones isn't the answer at running back. He just brings size to the table. I bet they wish they had Alfred Morris. Oh, wait...
Defense: Still not covering their best receiver with your best cover corner? Then Washington should still expect to lose games like this—even if the opposing quarterback is a rookie.
Grade: C+
New York Giants
6 of 32
Week 2: Giants 16, Saints 13
Offense: Blocking. Blocking. Blocking. The right side of this line is a question mark. Cameron Jordan looked every bit a Pro Bowler against Marshall Newhouse. I like John Jerry, but he can't hold his blocks long at right guard. Combined, they surrendered some pressures that forced quick throws and an Eli Manning fumble.
Defense: Thirteen points? Against Sean Payton and Drew Brees? They'll take it. But talented as he is, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie might need to move out of the slot. He was smoked on a deep throw because he's so used to looking at the quarterback's eyes.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles
7 of 32
Week 2: Eagles 29, Bears 14
Offense: There's a little Andrew Luck in Carson Wentz's game. Both can fit 25- to 30-yard passes in tight windows on the regular. Both are more mobile than you give them credit for. And both need to learn to slide instead of lowering the shoulder or fighting for extra yards. Get on that, Doug Pederson.
Defense: Jim Schwartz is already working his magic. He's drawn the most out of guys named Ndamukong Suh, Albert Haynesworth and Marcell Dareus. His current group? Just ask Jay Cutler how scary they can be. He couldn't make it through a full start against 'em.
Grade: A+
Dallas Cowboys
8 of 32
Week 2: Cowboys 27, Redskins 23
Offense: High and tight, Zeke. The Cowboys' run game never really got going against an inferior run defense. It might be because two of Ezekiel Elliott's carries hit the turf. I'll promise you this: Alfred Morris can't wait for the next time he coughs it up. He looked good when Elliott rode the pine.
Defense: Washington hit the jackpot on three big plays. Yet an onside kick, a fumble recovery in Dallas territory and a deep toss to Josh Doctson only netted six points. Blame the Redskins but also credit the Cowboys.
Grade: B-
Cincinnati Bengals
9 of 32
Week 2: Steelers 24, Bengals 16
Offense: This offense misses Tyler Eifert. Without him, the Steelers defense keyed on A.J. Green. There's nothing but youth after that—young receivers, new right tackle, etc. Experience is good, but execution in the red zone (three field goals) is better.
Defense: Coverage-wise, I liked what I saw from Adam Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick. Not so much with Darqueze Dennard. But any time you can make Antonio Brown a non-factor, it's a win.
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens
10 of 32
Week 2: Ravens 25, Browns 20
Offense: Could they run the ball better (3.1 yards per carry)? Yes. Do they need to look downfield earlier? You bet. But Joe Flacco and Co. were in a 20-point hole before they could say "Baltimore." Credit them for not giving up.
Defense: They showed Cleveland the only defensive look they could win against. Josh McCown tore them up in single coverage and on third down (9-of-12). This unit still needs to find its identity.
Grade: B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
11 of 32
Week 2: Steelers 24, Bengals 16
Offense: The Bengals were good enough to take Antonio Brown away. They weren't good enough to take away everyone else—Sammie Coates, Jesse James and so on. In fact, I'm not sure anyone in the league is good enough to do that.
Defense: This unit looked right at home in the rain and the mud. Cameron Heyward is a force against the run. Get by him, and you'll see the top linebacker tandem in football in Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons. On the back end, rookies Artie Burns and Sean Davis got it done against A.J. Green. They're playing like a title contender.
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
12 of 32
Week 2: Ravens 25, Browns 20
Offense: They weren't better than the Ravens offense. But they were better with Josh McCown behind center. They sprung a few big plays (Corey Coleman's two scores, a big Isaiah Crowell run) that were exciting. Consistent production requires a healthy quarterback, though.
Defense: I threw a little heat at Joe Haden this time last week. He responded with a two-interception afternoon. One glaring issue? Defending the tight end down the seam.
Grade: B-
Green Bay Packers
13 of 32
Week 2: Vikings 17, Packers 14
Offense: Aaron Rodgers will usually do his thing. The offensive line will open up a few huge holes for Eddie Lacy to squeeze through. After that, they can't do much. The Vikings ransacked their offense at times.
Defense: Really good overall…until it came to stopping Stefon Diggs.
Grade: C+
Detroit Lions
14 of 32
Week 2: Titans 16, Lions 15
Offense: Marvin Jones is electric after the catch. Eric Ebron is an end-zone threat (when healthy). But none of that matters if Matt Stafford's passes end up nullified by penalties. Losses are much tougher to swallow when you're the better team.
Defense: There's a tight end problem in the Motor City. No team allowed more scores than Detroit did to opposing tight ends in 2015. In 2016? Jack Doyle caught two scores, and Delanie Walker went for 83 yards and a touchdown on six catches. Get well soon, DeAndre Levy.
Grade: C+
Minnesota Vikings
15 of 32
Week 2: Vikings 17, Packers 14
Offense: Minnesota got its draft picks' worth. Sam Bradford was simply outstanding, given the time he had to digest Norv Turner's monster playbook. He looks comfortable throwing to Kyle Rudolph and Stefon Diggs already.
Defense: They allowed tons of pass interference yardage. But they never allowed the game-breaking Aaron Rodgers play. That's a win, folks.
Grade: A
Chicago Bears
16 of 32
Week 2: Eagles 29, Bears 14
Offense: Maybe the Bears overestimated their backfield when they let Matt Forte walk. Maybe they should turn to rookie ball-carrier Jordan Howard. Either way, Jay Cutler needs help moving the ball that he's not currently getting.
Defense: Guess whose job it was to get Carson Wentz off his spot? Not Danny Trevathan's or Jerrell Freeman's. When a defense's best players can't make a rookie quarterback look bad, there's an issue.
Grade: D
Tennessee Titans
17 of 32
Week 2: Titans 16, Lions 15
Offense: Power left. Power right. Power middle. Marcus Mariota attempted just 33 passes but found Andre Johnson (Andre Johnson!) to edge the Lions, 16-15. This unit is a throwback, all right.
Defense: I've shredded the Titans secondary in articles like this. Matt Stafford shredded them a bit Sunday. But hey, Perrish Cox made a crucial interception when it counted. Rookie Kevin Dodd and Brian Orakpo both tallied sacks.
Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts
18 of 32
Week 2: Broncos 34, Colts 20
Offense: I can rant again about the line or the lack of a running game. But it's simple: When Andrew Luck is human, this team can't win. The Denver defense will humanize you in a hurry.
Defense: Best way to describe this defense? Darius Butler caught an interception and had nothing but open field in front of him...but came up limping. No health, no big plays, no chance.
Grade: C
Houston Texans
19 of 32
Week 2: Texans 19, Chiefs 12
Offense: Half of Brock Osweiler's throws are just plain pretty. The other half look totally forced and ill-advised. So it's no wonder his team was 0-of-4 in the red zone with an interception and three field goals. I have a feeling Brock makes up his mind about where to throw a ball instead of, you know, finding the open guy.
Defense: Let's peek at the stats, shall we? The Texans defense recovered three fumbles. It held the Chiefs to four field goals and sacked Alex Smith four times. Oh, and J.J. Watt looks healthy.
Grade: B
Jacksonville Jaguars
20 of 32
Week 2: Chargers 38, Jaguars 14
Offense: What a Blake Bortles kind of game. He commits three first-half turnovers that sink his team. Then, when the game's out of reach, he throws two garbage-time scores. No teams like that kind of execution except fantasy ones.
Defense: Jacksonville got Rivers'd. There's no other way to put it—Philip Rivers ripped this defense apart. I hate to say I told you about Seattle-style defenses, but I told you so about Seattle-style defenses.
Grade: D
Carolina Panthers
21 of 32
Week 2: Panthers 46, 49ers 27
Offense: It's all about the Benjamin. Cam Newton doesn't have to be perfect when he throws it up to his top receiver. Kelvin used his 6'5" frame to create separation when there wasn't any against San Francisco.
Defense: They're not the group that Denver pushed around two weeks ago. They're more like the team that surrendered 34 yards to Carlos Hyde and had five tackles for loss. Put those questions about their run defense to bed for good.
Grade: A-
New Orleans Saints
22 of 32
Week 2: Giants 16, Saints 13
Offense: Drew Brees and Sean Payton drew up the perfect second-half adjustment to counter New York's defensive line—short, quick passes. Then, without any solid reasoning, they started looking for the big pass instead. That just led to pressure.
Defense: Cameron Jordan dialed up some heat. The defensive backfield didn't melt every time Odell Beckham took it deep. Sixteen points allowed? It held up its end of the bargain.
Grade: A-
Atlanta Falcons
23 of 32
Week 2: Falcons 35, Raiders 28
Offense: Fake it till you make it. Atlanta finally got its power running game going—and everything else opened up. Oakland's linebackers couldn't handle all those play fakes and gave up tons of over-the-middle yardage. What a great plan by Kyle Shanahan.
Defense: It'll be shootout after shootout until this defense locates a consistent pass-rusher. You can pick on Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford until then all you'd like.
Grade: B+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24 of 32
Week 2: Cardinals 40, Buccaneers 7
Offense: Jameis Winston's final stat line: 27-of-52, 243 yards and only one touchdown. That alone isn't spectacular; then you mix in five turnovers and plenty of other head-shaking throws.
Defense: The Buccaneers chose to keep starting Chris Conte. The Buccaneers surrendered 40 points. Coincidence? Not at all.
Grade: F+
Kansas City Chiefs
25 of 32
Week 2: Texans 19, Chiefs 12
Offense: Alex Smith lost two fumbles. Spencer Ware lost a fumble—for the first time. Guess what? Andy Reid's conservative offense doesn't work from the sidelines. It also doesn't work when free blitzers are bum-rushing Smith before he can step into a throw. The Chiefs need healthy guards again.
Defense: Marcus Peters is the ultimate boom-or-bust cornerback. He'll either wow you on an interception or guess wrong and chase his cover into the end zone. A little of both happened Sunday at NRG Stadium. Also: Can someone not named Justin Houston rush the passer? Anyone?
Grade: B-
Oakland Raiders
26 of 32
Week 2: Falcons 35, Raiders 28
Offense: Follow this logic. Oakland signs the nastiest interior lineman in the game. The Raiders enter a showdown where they can manhandle an opponent inside. And...their most productive runner had eight carries. Seems like a misuse of Kelechi Osemele to me.
Defense: Some of you Raiders fans didn't want to listen to me when I said this defense had problems. Now, look in the NFL history books: They've allowed 1,035 yards through two games.
Grade: C+
Denver Broncos
27 of 32
Week 2: Broncos 34, Colts 20
Offense: Thus far, Trevor Siemian is a great between-the-30s quarterback. He's yet to inspire confidence when his team gets in scoring range. His team attacked a depleted secondary with a conservative, don't-screw-this-up approach. Demaryius Thomas is right—they must be better.
Defense: Tough to knock a unit that scores twice and wins the game itself. These are the 2015 Broncos, but a year later. They don't just create turnovers; they feast on them.
Grade: A
San Diego Chargers
28 of 32
Week 2: Chargers 38, Jaguars 14
Offense: Philip Rivers wasn't exactly looking at a dynamic, active defense all game. The Jags sat back in Cover 3 and forced quick throws. And now, No. 17 doesn't have to do it alone. He's got an emerging Melvin Gordon, and teams should be scared.
Defense: Jacksonville likes to throw it up and hope Allen Robinson comes down with it. Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers and Casey Hayward were having none of that.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Rams
29 of 32
Week 2: Rams 9, Seahawks 3
Offense: L.A.'s offense is whatever the opposite of Hollywood is. It's not exactly the Greatest Show on Turf. But hey—I saw a few completions from Case Keenum that impressed me. With Todd Gurley struggling, it's nice to know Keenum can move the ball.
Defense: I said it earlier this week—the Rams out-Seahawked the Seahawks. They were the more physical team. Aaron Donald and that defensive front got more penetration. Credit them for carrying the day in this team's regular-season Coliseum debut.
Grade: B
San Francisco 49ers
30 of 32
Week 2: Panthers 46, 49ers 27
Offense: What happened to Carlos Hyde? Fresh off a strong performance, he dropped the ball—literally. Shaq Thompson ran it back for six. Blaine Gabbert can't consistently drive the length of the field without a strong running game.
Defense: When the Panthers didn't gift them a turnover, they were in trouble. Kelvin Benjamin bullied their secondary. Greg Olsen ran straight through it. This defense couldn't even slow Fozzy Whittaker down.
Grade: C-
Arizona Cardinals
31 of 32
Week 2: Cardinals 40, Buccaneers 7
Offense: Boy, did the Cardinals wake up. Carson Palmer is back throwing deep to Larry Fitzgerald and Jaron Brown. And David Johnson might be my favorite running back to watch on film. He'll freeze two or three people a game with moves.
Defense: It didn't take long for the Cards to find a new CB2. Marcus Cooper staked his claim opposite Patrick Peterson. His two-pick performance should seat Brandon Williams for a while.
Grade: A+
Seattle Seahawks
32 of 32
Week 2: Rams 9, Seahawks 3
Offense: Russell Wilson's ankle can heal. Thomas Rawls might heat up. Hell, even Jimmy Graham might find his old form. It'll be much easier to fix those issues than the ones Seattle's facing on its O-line, though. Los Angeles just pointed them out to everyone.
Defense: Even weirder than the one offensive touchdown they've scored? The zero turnovers they've created. They really can't force Case Keenum into turning the football over? Very un-Seahawks-like.
Grade: D
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