While several perennial strugglers like the Jets, Browns, and Panthers find themselves in a familiar 0-2 hole, they are surprisingly joined by the Kansas City Chiefs. The reigning dynasty’s winless start is its first since 2014, a time when Patrick Mahomes was still a college backup. For a team that has claimed three Lombardi Trophies in five Super Bowl appearances during the Mahomes era, these are uncharted waters.
1. Assessing the Chiefs’ Unexpected 0-2 Start
While an 0-2 record is far from a death sentence—especially compared to the Cincinnati Bengals, who just lost quarterback Joe Burrow for months to a significant toe injury—there are legitimate concerns in Kansas City. The Chiefs’ historic 17-game winning streak in one-score contests has been replaced by two narrow losses, a regression to the mean that felt inevitable but is jarring nonetheless.
Mahomes is scrambling more than twice as often as he has in the past, a sign he feels compelled to create plays that aren’t developing within the offensive structure. Yet, even his heroics haven’t been enough. Much like Tom Brady struggled in New England without his top weapons, Mahomes is navigating an offense with a declining Travis Kelce and without the injured Xavier Worthy and suspended Rashee Rice. Even so, simple execution has been an issue; Kelce failed to convert key goal-line opportunities in both games, and Mahomes overthrew a wide-open Tyquan Thornton for what would have been a go-ahead touchdown Sunday.
An opposing team’s coach suggested the Chiefs’ offensive timing looks off, questioning if they had their typically rigorous training camp. The statistics support this observation. According to TruMedia, Mahomes was previously 41-2 when releasing the ball in under 2.6 seconds. This season, he is 0-2 in such games, indicating that even when he gets the ball out quickly, the offense is not in rhythm.
Although historical data is grim for 0-2 teams since the playoff field expanded in 2020—with 38 of 43 missing the postseason—those numbers lack context. None of those teams were led by Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. Still, the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Eagles revealed uncharacteristic flaws, including questionable late-game management and a poorly executed onside kick. While the team will likely improve as key players return, for the first time in years, it is easy to envision another AFC team representing the conference in the Super Bowl.
2. New Rule Spurs Record Kicks, Shifting NFL Strategy
Brandon Aubrey’s 64-yard field goal for the Dallas Cowboys was just the latest example of a league-wide surge in long-range kicking. Through two weeks, kickers have made five field goals of 55+ yards each week, a rate that matches the second-highest weekly total since 2000.
The explosion in kicking proficiency is being attributed to a new NFL rule. Previously, teams received special kicking footballs on game day with limited time to break them in. This season, teams were given 60 game balls before training camp, allowing kickers to work with them for months to achieve the desired feel and flight. “The fact you get to kick with the ball in practice is a huge difference,” one coach noted, adding that it’s nearly impossible for the league to monitor how teams are treating the balls at their own facilities.
This enhanced accuracy is already altering game strategy. In end-of-half and end-of-game situations, the calculus for defensive coordinators has changed. “It used to be defending the 37-yard line, which was a 55-yarder,” the coach explained. “What are you defending now? The 42. That is a 60-yarder. There is a little shift there.” Teams can no longer afford to play soft zone coverage near midfield, as what was once considered safe territory is now well within a kicker’s range.
3. Bears’ Defensive Collapse Overshadows Williams’ Play in 0-2 Start
In Chicago, the early tenure of new head coach Ben Johnson is off to a rocky start. The Bears surrendered 52 points to the Lions in Week 2, the most they’ve allowed since before former coach Matt Eberflus was hired, and the 31-point margin of defeat matched Eberflus’s worst.
While much of the focus has been on quarterback Caleb Williams, the team’s most significant regression has been on defense and special teams. A statistical comparison of the first two games of this season to last year shows Williams has been more efficient, with a higher completion percentage, more yards, a better touchdown-to-interception ratio, and a dramatically improved EPA (Expected Points Added). In contrast, the team’s defensive and special teams EPA has plummeted from a major positive to a deep negative.
Concerns were also raised when Johnson pulled Williams from the blowout loss with nearly eight minutes remaining—an unusually early exit for a starting quarterback. However, historical data shows this was likely a move to protect the franchise player rather than a signal of lost confidence, as backup Tyson Bagent attempted only three passes in relief. For the Bears, the primary issue through two games is not their developing quarterback but the alarming performance of their other units.
4. McDaniel’s Dolphins Face Critical Stretch After 0-2 Start
After spending heavily to build a contender, the Miami Dolphins are 0-2, and pressure is mounting on head coach Mike McDaniel. The team’s on-field results have not matched its financial investment, and a downward trend has put McDaniel on shaky ground.
The season began with a 33-8 loss to Indianapolis, in which the defense allowed the Colts to score on every possession. A Week 2 loss to New England followed, and now the Dolphins face a formidable 2-0 Buffalo Bills team on a short week. This upcoming stretch could be a critical inflection point for ownership’s faith in the coaching staff.
The Dolphins’ defense, which ranked 10th in EPA per play since the start of last season, is currently last in the league. Miami became the first team since at least 2000 to allow points on its opponent’s first 10 possessions to start a season. For McDaniel, who was hired to bring a more player-friendly culture, the challenge will be to instill the discipline needed for a turnaround—a notoriously difficult task for a coach who has already established a lighter approach.
5. 49ers’ Kicker Gamble Backfires, Highlighting Draft Misstep
In San Francisco, backup Mac Jones stepped in and delivered a three-touchdown, no-interception performance, proving once again that coach Kyle Shanahan’s system can produce efficient quarterback play. The victory, however, was soured by a reminder of a significant roster-building blunder.
After cutting their 2023 third-round draft pick, kicker Jake Moody, the 49ers watched his replacement, Eddy Piñeiro, miss an extra point. The decision to use the 99th overall pick on Moody looks even worse in retrospect. At the time, Shanahan justified the selection by claiming no available offensive linemen projected as immediate starters. Yet three of the five linemen drafted in the 10 picks after Moody started more than half of their rookie seasons, and two are currently starting tackles for their respective teams.
The situation underscores the risk of using high draft capital on kickers. Their performance is often volatile, and with only one on the roster, a slump typically leads to the player being released rather than benched. For the 49ers, the opportunity cost of the Moody pick is now glaringly apparent.
Two-Minute Drill
Lions Rebound: After a concerning Week 1 loss in which both their new offensive and defensive play-callers struggled, the Detroit Lions bounced back emphatically. Against Chicago, the offense produced its third-best EPA performance since 2022, while the defense delivered a top-15 effort, quelling fears about the post-Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn era.
Packers Going Deep: Through two dominant home victories, the Green Bay Packers have established a clear offensive identity centered on aggressive downfield passing. Quarterback Jordan Love has been relentless in pushing the ball deep, attempting seven first-half passes that traveled at least 30 yards past the line of scrimmage—the most by any team in its first two games since 2008. This willingness to challenge defenses vertically makes Green Bay a formidable opponent.
Colts’ Sizzling Start: The Indianapolis Colts are the only team since at least 2000 to score on their first 10 offensive drives of a season. The 2-0 start is powered by a remarkably efficient offense under quarterback Daniel Jones, who dismantled a stout Denver defense that had stifled the Colts last year. Jones’ performance against the Broncos’ elite unit puts him in the company of players like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, signaling he is firmly in command of the offense.
Seahawks Find Balance: After employing an extremely run-heavy game plan in a Week 1 loss, the Seattle Seahawks opened up their offense in a 31-17 victory at Pittsburgh. The more balanced attack featured key third-down conversions through the air from quarterback Sam Darnold and showcased the potential of a passing game that was largely hidden in the season opener.
