NFL · 1 year ago

5 NFL Teams That Should Be Worried After Week 2

Grant White

Host · Writer

Baltimore Ravens
The defending AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens suffered one of the most stunning defeats in Week 2, dropping them to 0-2. Installed as -8.5 chalk, the Ravens lost to the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on a last-minute field goal.

The most concerning aspect of the loss was the manner of defeat. Baltimore gave up 13 unanswered points over the final ten minutes of the AFC showdown. Daniel Carlson kicked two field goals, and Davante Adams added a touchdown, sealing the victory for the Raiders.

The Ravens' offense couldn't sustain drives, holding onto the football for six minutes in the final frame. But it was their defense that caused the most concern. Baltimore allowed the Raiders to march into the red zone on three straight possessions, giving up 144 yards of total offense.

All the characteristics that made the Ravens a top-tier team in 2023 have abandoned them early this season. While they're still priced as -132 chalk to make the playoffs and +1400 in Super Bowl betting, the Ravens can't waste more time correcting their shortcomings.
Dallas Cowboys
After Week 2 of the NFL season, no team has more to worry about than the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys were obliterated at home, dropping a massive 44-19 loss at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. Throwing two interceptions in defeat, Dak Prescott came up short in the passing game; however, his offensive line did him no favors in the contest. More concerningly, the defense had no answer for Derek Carr and the Saints' attack. Three Saints' pass-catchers had at least 65 receiving yards and game-long catch-and-runs of at least 39 yards.

Dallas' betting odds shifted drastically through the season's first two weeks. Bettors were high on the Cowboys after a decisive win in Week 1, installing them near the top of the Super Bowl futures board at +700. Since then, they've fallen back into mid-range +2000 options at most shops.
Indianapolis Colts
Two losses to open the 2024 season prove that the Indianapolis Colts aren't as dangerous as many expected.

We want to afford Anthony Richardson some leeway, but he's proving to be an unreliable quarterback. Through two starts, the former first-round pick has a disastrous 49.1% completion rating, completing 50.0% of his 34 pass attempts in a loss to the Green Bay Packers. Worse, Richardson threw three interceptions to one touchdown while fumbling the ball twice.

Those issues were compounded by ineffective defensive play. The Colts allowed an astounding 261 rushing yards at Lambeau Field, making it two straight games of at least 213 rushing yards allowed.

Some sharp bettors expected Indianapolis to have an outside shot of dethroning the Houston Texans as AFC South Champions. But as their +850 odds imply, the Colts have too many issues to address.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are another AFC South team that performed poorly in Week 2. New Head Coach Brian Callahan has failed to transform the Titans' offense, underscoring the concerns that resulted in Mike Vrabel's termination.

While some blame falls on Will Levis's shoulders, Tennessee's brass has failed to protect their young quarterback. The second-year pivot has been sacked seven times this season, soaking four of those in Week 2's loss to the New York Jets.

Their defense has effectively limited opponents, but the Titans have blown second-half leads in each of the first two weeks. Callahan needs to be better at game-planning; otherwise, his tenure as head coach will be brief and unfulfilled.
Denver Broncos
Mile High Stadium used to be an unrivaled advantage for the Denver Broncos, but now it's an afterthought for any visiting team. Six points is all the AFC West also-rans could manage in their home opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sean Payton seems entirely out of his element as head coach of the Broncos. Down 13-0 in the fourth quarter, Payton elected to kick two field goals while inside the red zone. With less than ten minutes to play and on 4th & 6, the Broncos sent Will Lutz out for a 35-yard field goal attempt. Subsequently, they were 4th & 5 on the Steelers' 11-yard line with less than two minutes to go and still went for a field goal. If the Broncos would have gone for it on both plays and succeeded, they could have walked away 14-13 victors.

The modern game has passed Payton by. If not for crappy decision-making and play-calling in each of the first two weeks, the Broncos could easily be 2-0.
Baltimore Ravens
The defending AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens suffered one of the most stunning defeats in Week 2, dropping them to 0-2. Installed as -8.5 chalk, the Ravens lost to the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on a last-minute field goal.

The most concerning aspect of the loss was the manner of defeat. Baltimore gave up 13 unanswered points over the final ten minutes of the AFC showdown. Daniel Carlson kicked two field goals, and Davante Adams added a touchdown, sealing the victory for the Raiders.

The Ravens' offense couldn't sustain drives, holding onto the football for six minutes in the final frame. But it was their defense that caused the most concern. Baltimore allowed the Raiders to march into the red zone on three straight possessions, giving up 144 yards of total offense.

All the characteristics that made the Ravens a top-tier team in 2023 have abandoned them early this season. While they're still priced as -132 chalk to make the playoffs and +1400 in Super Bowl betting, the Ravens can't waste more time correcting their shortcomings.
Dallas Cowboys
After Week 2 of the NFL season, no team has more to worry about than the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys were obliterated at home, dropping a massive 44-19 loss at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. Throwing two interceptions in defeat, Dak Prescott came up short in the passing game; however, his offensive line did him no favors in the contest. More concerningly, the defense had no answer for Derek Carr and the Saints' attack. Three Saints' pass-catchers had at least 65 receiving yards and game-long catch-and-runs of at least 39 yards.

Dallas' betting odds shifted drastically through the season's first two weeks. Bettors were high on the Cowboys after a decisive win in Week 1, installing them near the top of the Super Bowl futures board at +700. Since then, they've fallen back into mid-range +2000 options at most shops.

5 NFL Teams That Should Be Worried After Week 2

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