1. Kansas City Chiefs– People expected them to be a playoff team heading into the year. They’re off to a 2-0 start and the performance of Kareem Hunt has their fans thinking they can do so much more than just get to the playoffs. In his first two games, the rookie has five touchdowns from scrimmage, the second most ever by a player in his first two games. Alex Smith is taking care of the football as usual and the defense isn’t letting up either. They’re in a very competitive and exciting division in the AFC West where two other teams are also 2-0.
2. Atlanta Falcons– After how they demolished the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, they showed that they are still the team to beat in the NFC and they’re playing with a serious chip on their shoulder after being the subject of all jokes this entire off-season. Coming into that game, I stated that game speed would simply play a determining factor in that game and compared to week one in Chicago, the Falcons looked more comfortable at home on their turf. All the concerns about Steve Sarkisian running the offense can be thrown out the window. They are the second-ranked offense in the league right now and Matt Ryan is averaging ten yards per pass attempt. The Falcons became the second Super Bowl runner-up to start the following season 2-0.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers– Le’Veon Bell is rusty as expected from missing training camp so these first few weeks of the season are his “preseason” games. The other “B”s have stepped it up in his place. Antonio Brown is doing what Antonio Brown does, but it’s been Martavis Bryant who’s really stepped it up and shown how important he really is to that Steelers offense. Just wait until Le’Veon gets back and gets his head in the game. The defense is still one of the best in the league and right now, they’re the second-best defense in the AFC behind the Denver Broncos. The Steelers are 2-0 for the second straight season.
4. Oakland Raiders– They’re exactly who we thought they were (RIP Coach Dennis Green). That one was for you. Derek Carr is picking up where he left off in 2016, the Raiders have won their first two games, they’ve yet to turn the football over and have the best point differential (+35) through the first two games. Last week against the New York Jets was a scrimmage. Carr connected with Crabtree for three touchdown passes and Marshawn Lynch played his first home game in his hometown and was dancing on the sidelines. It’s a good time to be a Raider fan. The Silver and Black are back and are back for a while. They’ll make an east coast trip to D.C to face the Redskins next.
5. Detroit Lions– Through two games, they’ve impressed me. Stafford is clutch and has shown that he was deserving of that contract extension and he’s given the Detroit Lions great stability at the quarterback position. Stafford is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with six and has the Lions at 2-0 and in first place in the NFC North. I loved what I saw from their defense on Monday night in East Rutherford. A very underrated unit that can dominate the line of scrimmage, tackle in space and stick to their receivers in coverage down the sidelines. There’s some serious excitement on both sides of the football in Motown.
