We are two weeks into the NFL season and some teams are off to hot starts while others are off to very poor starts to say the least. A Super Bowl champion is now crowned after two weeks of course – but with their only being 17 games – every game in the NFL means that much more. Especially when there’s already two games separating teams from the number one seed – and being entirely out of the playoffs. And that’s why starting the year on the right note is such a big deal. And it’s time we have a conversation about 4 teams in particular. Not all 4 teams in today’s video are 0-2 – but they all envisioned a better start to the year than what it’s been through the first two weeks. The expectations of the teams in today’s video we’re vastly different – as not all 4 teams were expected to compete for a Super Bowl this year – but it’s been a tough start for these 4 teams in particular. I don’t expect an overnight fix for a couple of these teams – but I do want to see more than what we’ve seen through the first two games – because it’s been very concerning. And with that preface out of the way – let’s dive right in
And we are starting today’s video by discussing the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are 0-2 with losses to the Raiders and Chiefs and full transparency – I am completely fine with the loss in Kansas City and when you lose to a team that’s won the Super Bowl 3 times in the past 5 years in their stadium – there’s no shame in that. Especially when you were a foot away from going for two to go for the win. Yes it’s a tough loss, but it’s not the end of the world. But after having a couple of extra days off to prepare for the Raiders and to really digest the 0-1 start – I didn’t think the Raiders had a chance in week 2. I didn’t think the Raiders would be able to go into Baltimore and beat this team – knowing what an 0-2 start represents. But they did. And we’re at a point with John Harbaugh where I’m not calling for him to be fired – as they’re coming off of a 13 win season and there’s a reason this franchise has been so successful over the past 15 years – but there are a couple of things that are concerning for the Ravens. And the biggest concern – to me – without a doubt is how this team has lost games over the past few years. From 2008 to 2021 – the Ravens were 79-0 when leading by double digits in the 4th quarter. But since then – the Ravens have the most losses in the NFL when leading by double digits in the 4th. They have 9 losses in the past few years – in which they’ve blown a double digit lead. And this of course excludes normal losses in which it’s a close game all throughout. And that’s a big problem because I don’t know what the solution is moving forward.
I really think John Harbaugh is a great coach and a great CEO type leader of this organization and there’s been very few teams to have the type of consistent success the Ravens have had since Harbaugh took over. And what’s particularly frustrating about the double digit loss to the Raiders is – the Ravens had them where they wanted them – and they let them off the hook. Baltimore wants to have teams down in the 4th quarter so they can run at you with the two headed monster in Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. After Las Vegas made it a 23-16 game – the Ravens went 3 and out and when it was 3rd and 5 – the Raiders had a neutral zone infraction to make it 3rd and inches – and then Derrick Henry had a false start to put it back to 3rd and 5. Lamar threw an incomplete pass and the Raiders got the ball and scored a touchdown on their ensuing drive. With 4 minutes to play – Lamar took a sack and the Ravens basically gave up. They called a draw on 2nd and 19 which gained nothing, and when you have 3rd and 19 in a tie game with 3 minutes to play – you don’t really want to force a pass into double coverage which would subsequently give the game away. So the Ravens again – went 3 and out and gave Vegas the opportunity to take the lead and win the game – which they did. And winning in the AFC and having the number one seed is obviously crucial – because you don’t have to play 3 road games just to get to the Super Bowl. But Baltimore’s next 3 games are at Dallas, home against Buffalo, and at Cincinnati. I do not think they’ll be 0-5, – but the outlook for this team is concerning. I would argue – the Raiders game in week 2 was an absolute must win – and the Ravens let a game they should won – slip away. 
The Colts on the other hand have looked disappointing through the first two weeks – relative to the expectations they had just two weeks ago. I know a lot of people have opinions on Anthony Richardson and he hasn’t been perfect – which was to be expected from a project quarterback. I thought the two interceptions he threw against Green Bay were bad – and I don’t think there’s an excuse for those plays. And he technically threw 3 interceptions, but I’m willing to excuse a Hail Mary interception at the end of the game. But this is a lot more than an Anthony Richardson problem. Sure you can make the argument that completing just 26 of 53 passes in the first two games of the year while throwing 3 touchdowns to 4 interceptions is a hinderance to the team – and you would be right. But AR is such an anomaly and the plays he has the capability of making – that you are okay with those results – knowing touchdowns like the ones to Alec Pierce in the season opener – can happen on any single play. But there’s been dropped passes – which obviously makes Anthony’s completion percentage look a lot worse than it should be – and the bigger problem with the Colts – is – they have been absolutely embarrassed in the run game – defensively that is. I included this in the week 2 recap with full intention of diving into this in a later video this week – but the Texans and Packers in the two games they’ve played Indy – have combined for 474 rushing yards on 93 rushing attempts.
And whether your quarterback is Anthony Richardson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes – whoever – you are not going to win games like that. Period. This is a major problem because the Colts rushing defense in 2023 – finished 10th in yards per carry allowed as they allowed just 4.1 yards per attempt. But through two games in 2024 – they’re allowing an average of 5.1 yards per carry which is a full yard difference. And obviously that adds up over the course of a game. I am willing to dismiss the week 1 Texans loss because everyone expected the Texans to take a step – and they’re 2-0 and they already have a two game division lead – so I would be surprised if they don’t win the division – but week two against the Packers is an entirely different thing. Malik Willis was the teams starting quarterback and this was the first start of Malik’s career where he threw for more than 100 yards.
Obviously Malik didn’t the turn the football over in this game and that was going to be critical for the Packers to have a chance at winning with a backup quarterback – but knowing what their gameplan is heading into the week and still not being able to stop it – is something else. Sure Anthony Richardson has struggled at times throughout the first two games of the year – but when you’ve lost the time of possession battle 40 to 20 in both games – not one – but both – you’re going to be in for a long year. And the way the Colts have lost both games so far – is how I expected them to win games. It’s been frustrating on both sides of the ball. The Colts also aren’t using motion pre snap as much as you’d like to help out their young 22 year old quarterback either. The results aren’t great for Indy right now – but they’re also not helping themselves offensively in situations they should. The Colts defense is a major problem – and they have been absolutely dominated in the trenches through the first two games of the year.
Denver is another team I have concerns about and it’s more so due to the situation around their young quarterback. Bo Nix hasn’t played well in the first few games of his career – but I think there needs to be context. I don’t like when people dunk on young players for the sake of dunking and thinking they’re going to fail 120 minutes into their NFL career. Now there’s been very bad plays by Bo – and the interception to Cory Trice during the Steelers game was bad – and Bo didn’t see him and the play speaks for itself. But I think it’s a combination of a lot of bad things all into one. Bo isn’t playing well, and I don’t think think he’s confident either. And it shows. If you’ve watched the Broncos games through the first few weeks – Bo is doing a lot of what he did during his time at Oregon – which is either throw the ball behind the line of scrimmage – or within a few yards of the line of scrimmage. Bo’s raw stats through 2 games is bad – as he’s completed just 46/77 passes for 384 yards no touchdowns and 4 interceptions. The final interception in the Steelers game wasn’t a typical Hail Mary and it wasn’t a good play – obviously – but I don’t think that one play should persuade your opinion of a player trying to make a play in a 13-6 game on the final play of the game.
I think the other 76 passes he’s thrown – and more importantly – some of the reads he hasn’t made – should. What I also think is frustrating for Bo – is – his offensive line hasn’t played well and what’s even more frustrating about that – is – Denver has poured a lot of assets into their offensive line. They really have. Whether it’s paying Left Tackle Garret Bolles, or right tackle Mike McGlinchey, or even this offseason paying Quinn Meinerz – Denver’s offensive line should not be as bad as it is. I think we live in an era where people want to see results immediately – and if they don’t – they’re quick to write a guy off. And while Bo hasn’t been good – he has been the leading rusher in each of the first two games of the year for Denver. Bo Nix was the 6th quarterback taken in the 2024 draft – and unfortunately through two games – he’s played like it. Of his 77 passes – he is just 11/36 for 212 yards with 4 interceptions on passes thrown more than 5 yards down the field. His 30.6% completion percentage on those passes is the lowest in the league by 6 percent and the worst figure in weeks 1 and 2 in the last 10 years – and this is per Austin Gayle. 
Now Bo’s NFL debut was against one of the best defensive minds in the league in Mike Macdonald and I wouldn’t want a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut against that defense – of all defenses. But within that game – in a game where Bo threw 2 interceptions – he could have easily thrown 2 or 3 more. And to complete just 30% of your passes 5 or more yards down the field – to me – is nothing short of concerning moving forward. Yes you can say the run game hasn’t been good, and you can say the offensive line has let him down at times – but there’s plays and reads Bo has made through his first two games – that are incredibly concerning. I’m not saying he’s already doomed by any means – but even when he’s had time to sit back and make a play – a lot of the time he hasn’t. And the drops hurt in week 2 – but there’s also a handful of plays that a 24 year old quarterback shouldn’t be making. And because of all of this – I think this is a combination of a poor run game, an unconfident quarterback, and a coach who may be way in over his head all in one situation.
The Chicago Bears are in a tough situation for a few reasons. Their rookie quarterback hasn’t played well and everything regarding the Bears can be found here https://youtu.be/-Gvk6oS9_MA
