Wardy's NFL Wordy - Week 2 Preview

By Rob Ward

For NFL fans who have wandered the desert of the long off season from February to August, Week One of the regular season appears as a nourishing oasis. Football is back, excitement is palpable, defenses celebrate in the endzone en masse after making a tackle as complete no-marks catch touchdowns.

But there are things we see in Week One, from dominant offenses to leaky defenses and vice versa, that leave us asking another question. Is this replenishing water hole we discovered for real, or is it a mirage?

When we react to Week One events, are we overreacting, underreacting or appropriately reacting?

Ahead of the Week Two slate, let’s explore some of the most popular reactions to Week One…

CAROLINA PANTHERS @ ATLANTA FALCONS

After three years in Carolina where improvements have been marginal at best, the Panthers have shown no signs of committing to Bryce Young long term. That all changes now the former first overall pick torched the Bears defense for 361 yards and 3 TDs. Jalen Coker fit and healthy is a massive bonus. Up next he has the Falcons, so expect this midnight train to Georgia to keep rolling.

Verdict: OVERRACTION

It was the Bears D. I’m quietly confident I could have chucked 100 yards on them. Whilst Young has every chance to continue his hot start against a lame opponent this week, I expect we’re having the same conversation about his long-term viability by the end of the year.

 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS

When Kellen Moore was appointed Saints head coach, shortly after coordinating the Eagles to a Super Bowl, the assumption was that the 2nd round draft pick of Tyler Shough that year was a stopgap. Fast forward 18 months and after a brilliant nearly comeback against the Lions in Week One, the Saints have found their quarterback!

Verdict: OVERREACTION

Much as I like the cut of Shough’s jib and appreciate the fight shown in the comeback, we can’t overlook how bad he looked in a scoreless first half for the Saints in Detroit. Despite the good numbers, he still threw two picks and lost a fumble against what looks one of the poorer defenses two games in.

 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ DENVER BRONCOS

With a lot of external interest in Denver’s passing game coordinator/quarterback coach David Webb back in January, Sean Payton made an uncharacteristically selfless move. To keep Webb in the Mile High city, Payton promoted his prodigy to offensive coordinator and handing playcalling over to him. After a rough debut in Kansas City on Monday night, Payton is already counting down the weeks until he can take those duties back.

Verdict: UNDER-REACTION

This is Sean Payton we’re talking about. Webb will be lucky to make it to the end of the Jags game, never mind another week, if things go south early. Webb said there are five play-calls from MNF he’d like to have back. If he has a sixth on Sunday, it may be his last.

 

GREEN PAY PACKERS @ NEW YORK JETS

The bloom is off Le Fleur. The Packers have lost six straight dating back to December 2025. This includes last week’s loss in Minneapolis having led 22-10 late in the 3rd, defeat in Denver having led 23-14 in the 3rd and two defeats in Chicago, having led 16-6 and 27-16 in the 4th, in the regular season and Wildcard games respectively.

Verdict: APPROPRIATE REACTION

I think they’re in trouble. The running game couldn’t run and the defense, having lost its coordinator Jeff Hafley, was shredded by Carson Wentz in Week One. Never a good look. Now they face a buoyant Jets team who’ve gone 1-0 for the first time since the 19th century.

 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

These are troubling times in New England. A disheartening opening night defeat to a backup quarterback, with their own quarterback chucking interceptions around like they were going out of fashion. On top of that, their big offseason acquisition A.J. Brown lands on IR, whilst last year’s sort-of-breakout running back Treyveon Henderson is nowhere to be seen.

Verdict: APPROPRIATE REACTION

I had the Pats going 9-8 and missing the playoffs in my ‘Road To The Superbowl’ column last week, and it’s the one prediction I’m most confident about.  Doubling down, the Steelers are my Ballsy Callsy for Week 2. Still, it’s not all bad, Robert Kraft has spared the people of Massachusetts an Ed Sheeran concert.  

MIAMI DOLPHINS @ SAN FRANCSICO 49ERS

Well now, who saw that coming? The 49ers flew Down Under and, at least in Kyle Shanahan’s head, back to the future to roll back the clock and give the Rams the sort of spanking they dished out with regularity 2019-2023. That win, combined with the Seahawks quarterback woes and Myles Garrett going on IR for the Rams, makes the 9ers the favourites in the NFC West.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

Steady on. Impressive though the 9ers looked, the Rams threw the game by deciding to fly 24 hours earlier and wake up just in time for kick off. The Darnold-less Seahawks have the defense to make up for any offensive slack. I’d still expect the 9ers to be 3rd of the 3 come January. Though in Week 2 they should make it 2 from 2 to start the year.

 

NEW YORK GIANTS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS

All the talk of a transitional season, allowing John Harbaugh’s process to settle in, six wins would be progress… forget it! The Giants just destroyed the Cowboys, Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo picked up where they left off during that golden month of 2025 and the Giants will be making noise this season.

Verdict: APPROPRIATE REACTION

Sod it, let’s have some fun. Though I think the Rams win this one, I’d expect the Giants offense to keep humming against a Garrett-less front. But look at the G-Men’s schedule after that. Titans, Cardinals, Commanders, Saints. All winnable games. Potentially 5-1 with momentum and, from there, who knows?

 

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS @ DALLAS COWBOYS

Despite the return of a fully healthy Jayden Daniels and the offseason hype about the Cowboys offense getting even better, both teams are very “meh”. This match doesn’t really matter because it’ll only be one to chalk up in a W column that won’t exceed 9 this season.

Verdict: APPROPRIATE REACTION

The Cowboys defense doesn’t appear to have improved, which was the biggest possible differential for their season, meaning any underperformance by the offense kills them. The Commanders did look better, particularly the defensive front, but I think the inconsistent offense is here for the year. There was an obvious Laremy Tunsil sized hold on that O Line.

 

CLEVELAND BROWNS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

For as long as the Browns stick with the clearly incapable DeShaun Watson, not only will they not win a game, but they won’t even come close. Last year they at least had a fierce Myles Garrett led defense to stay vaguely competitive. This year’s product is an embarrassment to the league and an insult to their incredible fanbase.

Verdict: UNDER-REACTION

It’s even worse than that. The only question that remains; how long does Watson keep the gig? It makes a mockery of the competition, but it gives the Browns the best shot of the number one overall pick in 2027. The Bucs to romp to victory here.

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ HOUSTON TEXANS

The Bengals defense has turned a corner, as shown by their Week 1 swarming of Baker Mayfield. Cincy’s D recovered four Bucs’ fumbles, returning one for a score. Meanwhile in Houston, the defense everyone has talked up as generational is overrated, giving up big play after big play in defeat to Buffalo.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

The Bengals looked much improved, but they played Baker and his frequently fumbling small hands. When the Bucs did keep hold of possession, they were able to move down the field for nearly 300 yards and 27 points. As for the Texans, they ran into an inspired Josh Allen, who would have gashed the ’85 Bears. I’m expecting a tight defensive game in Week 2, both offenses kept under 20.

TENNESSEE TITANS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Playing what we expect to be one of the worst teams in football, the Titans were non-competitive in their week one opener against the Jets. Everything we feared in preseason looked true. The offense is a mess and the defense can’t keep up. Most concerning of all, Cam Ward looks a bust.

Verdict: OVERREACTION (Just)

I’m kinda on the fence with this one, because to do that against the lowly Jets gives huge cause for concern, but let’s apply the brakes. It was Saleh and Daboll’s first match in charge, and this was never a quick fix. Ward improved as the season went on last year and is being held back by a woeful O Line. Perhaps I’m trying to convince myself.

 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The Chargers looked bad. Very bad. Unusually for a Mike McDaniel side, they couldn’t run the ball. They couldn’t do much of anything. This is the year we finally realise Justin Herbert is totally overrated and we’re all still holding on to that rookie season when he was padding stats. Watch the wheels completely come off this week.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

It was a bad day at the office and Week 1 always throws up a freak result. I may have foreseen that one in my Ballsy Callsy. +9.5 spread. Unlikely to be topped this season. Just saying. Anyway, I think the Chargers will have a disappointing year, the Mike McDaniel thing might not work, but I don’t think Armageddon is nigh. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous though. I took Omarion Hampton in Round 2 of my fantasy draft.

 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS

Armed with Drew Lock against the defending AFC Champions, the Seahawks proved why Sam Darnold is the modern-day Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Mark Rypien. In other words, an average quarterback at best elevated by an elite defense. If the Hawks can win with Drew Lock, they can win with anyone.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

I do think Darnold belongs on the list of ‘that guy won a Lombadi, huh?’, but I don’t think Drew Lock is a viable long-term option. That said, they should beat Arizona and then they have Washington in Week 3 and the Chargers in Week 4. They could still be unbeaten by the time their main signal caller returns.

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

We were far too quick to write off the Chiefs. We were sick of them. Fed up of the refs helping them out every week. Done with Travis and Taylor. Even Andy Reid’s moustache was starting to wind us up. But they are back, as demonstrated by their dismantling of the Broncos in Week 1, and we just need to get used to it.

Verdict:  APPROPRIATE REACTION

Give Kenneth Walker the ball and good things happen. It’s the perfect recipe for further Chiefs success. The running game can help ease Mahomes back from injury and wily old Steve Spagnuolo continues to prove one of the biggest difference makers at coordinator in the NFL. Another boring Chiefs win. Why is this match on the telly? If it’s any consolation, this is likely Travis Kelce’s last season.

 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ CHICAGO BEARS

All the talk of the offseason was confirmed in Week One. The Bears are going for this ‘highest scoring offense in a single season’ record. 59 points in one game is over 20 points more than they need per game. Plus, they did all their scoring on the ground, imagine what happens when they bring Colston Loveland, Luther Burden and Rome Odunze into the game. Piece of piss. 

Verdict: UNDER-REACTION

Ben Johnson is a confirmed psychopath who sits in his wife’s basement coming up with play calls morning, noon and night. You thought 59 points was impressive? Just you wait Henry Higgins, just you wait. Did you see the Packers and Lions play defense? They could wrap up the record in division games alone. Their toughest test will be vs Brian Flores’s Vikes, but did you see them try and defend Christian Watson in Week 1?

ROB WARD

NFL/Fantasy Football Enthusiast

ROB IS A LOVER OF ALL THINGS 49ERS AND HOST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST IN WHICH HE, SIMON CARROLL AND SAM AKROYD BUTT-FUMBLE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE WORLD OF THE NFL. AWAY FROM SPORT, ROB IS A PROFESSIONAL WRITER AND PERFORMER. HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @TDWARDY!

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