There may be a lot of excitement around the opening week of the NFL regular season, but Week 2 is far more important. This is the week we get to see how players react to the successes and failures of the previous week and how coaching staffs change their approach to incorporate new aspects into their offense and defense. There's a world of difference between starting the year 0-1 and falling 0-2, which means this is a crucial week.
What we saw in Week 1 was a surprising amount of mediocre play, especially from the quarterback position. While it's true that NFL defenses have become adept at using creative fronts and exotic blitz packages, there were passing downs seen across the league in Week 1. Because of this, many quarterbacks are on the list of players who need to improve.
These six players will need to play better in Week 2 for the team to move forward.
1st: Deshaun Watson
of Browns They should be in position to make the playoffs this season, but Cleveland looked anything but in Week 1. This starts and ends with Deshaun Watson, who, for lack of a better word, barely plays football and is overpaid. This is more about resource allocation than anything else, and as it stands, the Browns would be just as good, if not better, than any other quarterback in the league.
The saving grace for Watson and the Browns in Week 2 is that they'll be playing the Giants, who Carolina Panthers The worst team in the NFL. There's no reason why Watson won't be successful, but if he struggles again or, by God's grace, the Browns fall to 0-2, things will get ugly.
No. 2: Aaron Rodgers
It's a very similar situation to Watson's, but less pronounced. The Jets, another playoff contender, struggled in Week 1 as their defense couldn't keep up. 49ers'In the ground game, Rodgers just wasn't good enough to lead his team to victory.
Rodgers and the Jets offense really need to get going on Sunday against the Titans. This team is out of excuses. In the past, they could scapegoat Zach Wilson and the poor play of the QB for their lack of performance, but with Rodgers under center, that can't continue. This is another game the Jets must win. If the Jets fall to 0-2, it could very well be the end of head coach Robert Saleh's tenure.
3. Bryce Young
No team saw their fanbase implode as quickly as the Carolina Panthers did in Week 1. Panthers fans weren't expecting the glow of a big win in 2024, they were hoping for improvement, and instead got a 47-10 blowout loss to the Saints.
Young wasn't the Panthers' only problem, but he was a big one. His two mediocre interceptions did nothing to ease concerns that this was “business as usual,” and rumors are already circulating on social media that Carolina trading him is one of the worst trades of all time.
That has to change ChargersIt's less about winning games and more about showing drive and potential in the losses. Young needs to show he can take command of the offense and take a step forward, or we could be witnessing a new ugly era of Panthers football.
No. 4 and No. 5: Kayvon Thibodeau and Brian Burns
On paper, the Giants looked to boast the best pass-rush duo in the NFC this year, but both defensive ends were absolutely awful in Week 1. The Vikings have a strong offensive line, but there's no excuse for having two elite pass rushers like Thibodeau and Barnes and then getting so little done.
Thibodeau was held scoreless against Minnesota and didn't contribute anything to the game, and his lackluster performance was coupled with Barnes, who also recorded four tackles but only one pressure.
They play the Browns this week, and while their offensive line was very shaky against Dallas, there's no excuse for a weak performance from these top pass rushers. If they can't pull off an upset, it's going to be a long season in New York.
6th place: Kirk Cousins
The Falcons signed Kirk Cousins as their highest-paid free agent quarterback, believing he would lead the team to victory and secure the NFC South crown, but one week later the team is tied for last place in the division with the Panthers.
Admittedly, it's only been a week, but Cousins' first performance in black and red was nothing to write home about: He failed to spread the field, couldn't find Drake London with any regularity and didn't attempt a single pass of more than 20 yards.
Cousins was signed to make the pass where Desmond Ridder couldn't, but that didn't show in Week 1. He'll need to perform better against the Eagles to regain some credibility.
