What's the NFL without storylines? The 2024 NFL season has kicked off with an all-out blitz after a wild Week 2 that shook up the league. Joe Burrow, once seen as the man who dethroned Mahomes, is under fire after a rocky start. The Cowboys are crumbling under pressure—again. Tua Tagovailoa’s latest injury has reignited retirement talks, and rookie Caleb Williams is already being slapped with the “bust” label. Even Bryce Young's career seemed to have hit a brick wall with the Panthers.
Are these early-season overreactions or signs of deeper trouble? Let's find out.
NFC West is looking like the Cardinals division
The Arizona Cardinals might be gearing up to surprise the NFL and take the NFC West in 2024. With the San Francisco 49ers losing a game in Week 2 and Christian McCaffrey dealing with injuries, they may not be as dominant as everyone predicted. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams are falling apart with Cooper Kupp re-injuring himself and Puka Nacua on IR, and their defense isn’t the same without Aaron Donald leading the charge. The window is wide open for the Cardinals.
Kyler Murray, fresh off a stellar Week 2 performance, posted a perfect passer rating and has hit his stride, showing command over the offense. The addition of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has given the team a true No. 1 target, helping to unlock Arizona's offensive potential. In their 41-10 victory over the Rams, Murray threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Harrison.
With an offense that’s clicking and a defense that shut down the Rams, the Cardinals could be the team to watch in the NFC West. If they continue at this pace and avoid injuries, they could take advantage of a weakened division and shock everyone by finishing at the top.
Joe Burrow hasn’t been the same since beating Mahomes
Remember when Joe Burrow was hailed as the quarterback who dethroned Mahomes, with fans even dubbing Arrowhead Stadium as "Burrowhead"? Well, Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season saw another Bengals vs. Chiefs showdown, and once again, Patrick Mahomes got the last laugh. In a thrilling game, the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Bengals 26-25 with a game-winning field goal from Harrison Butker. The loss dropped Cincinnati to 0-2, raising serious questions about Joe Burrow.
Burrow managed a solid performance, throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough. Meanwhile, Mahomes struggled with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but his team showed they owned the Bengals.
There’s no doubt that fans are beginning to wonder if Burrow’s best days are behind him. Whether it’s the pressure from his massive contract extension or lingering injuries, the Bengals are looking vulnerable. Two games into the 2024 season, people are questioning if beating Mahomes in the 2023 AFC Championship was Burrow’s peak. Could this be the beginning of his downfall? After all, the media labels wins as quarterback stats (when convenient) and Burrow is 5-7 in his last 12 starts. Is it time to sound the alarm? Probably not, but we know how this goes.
The Cowboys are a disappointment (Again)
What can go wrong will go wrong? We all know this famous Stephen A Smith line… Let’s face it, the Cowboys can't seem to avoid drama. After their Week 2 matchup against the Saints, one would likely argue that the wheels have officially come off in Dallas. Dak Prescott threw two costly interceptions, including one where Jalen Brooks slipped, leading to a Paulson Adebo pick. It felt like every mistake was magnified as the Saints, led by Alvin Kamara, dismantled the Cowboys’ defense. Kamara’s four-touchdown performance, including a 57-yard score on a screen pass, was the final dagger.
Dallas, who came into the game with a 16-game home win streak in the regular season, couldn't stop the Saints from marching in and owning the house that Jerry Jones built. Derek Carr sliced up the defense, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns, while Kamara tallied 180 scrimmage yards. The Cowboys' defense, hyped as one of the best in the league, gave up 432 yards and was gashed repeatedly, especially on big plays.
Fans expected the Cowboys to be "all in" this year, but after a 44-19 loss, things aren’t looking so hot. Micah Parsons and the defense need to figure things out fast, or this "Super Bowl contender" talk is going to evaporate quicker than Dallas's playoff hopes. The real question is: how much longer can Cowboys Nation hold out hope?
Tua should have retired
Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and the "Tua should retire" hot takes are in full force. After taking a brutal hit while scrambling for a first down against the Buffalo Bills, the noise about his future has only gotten louder. The irony? The man who unintentionally knocked Tua Tagovailoa out of the game was none other than Damar Hamlin—a player who famously came back from a life-threatening injury himself.
Tua's performance against the Bills wasn't stellar, as he struggled to find rhythm behind a shaky offensive line, which failed to protect him. Miami’s offense looked out of sync without their franchise quarterback. Despite the whispers of retirement due to concerns about Tua's health, it’s clear he has no plans of stepping away from the game.
The Dolphins need Tua healthy to remain competitive, but it’s the same old story—every time he gets hit, especially hard, the media speculates about his longevity in the league. This latest injury scare only adds fuel to the debate, but the Fins are hoping for a quick recovery and bounce-back performance from their QB. For now, Tua is staying put, much to the relief of Miami fans. Or is it?
Caleb Williams is Overrated
Two weeks into Caleb Williams’ rookie season and the media hot takes are already piling up, with the “bust” label being thrown around. Why? Because the No. 1 pick hasn’t set the league on fire just yet. After a rough Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans, where Williams was sacked seven times and threw two interceptions, critics are already starting to question his potential.
Williams' stat line from the first two weeks is not what you'd expect from a top pick. In Week 1, he only passed for 93 yards, largely relying on his defense and special teams for a win. Week 2 was worse, with Williams constantly pressured by Houston's defense, leading to two costly turnovers. Naturally, some in the media are quick to jump on this, disregarding the fact that he's playing behind a struggling offensive line.
More than likely, media outlets are gearing up to label him “overrated” despite his undeniable talent. But is it fair to call him a bust after just two games? Adjusting to the NFL takes time, and while Williams’ start has been rocky, writing him off this early seems like an overreaction. The real question is whether the Bears will give him the tools to succeed long-term.
Bryce Young biggest bust since JaMarcus Russell
Will the Panthers win a game? Two games into the 2024 NFL season, and guess what? The hot takes are rolling in, and Bryce Young has officially been slapped with the "biggest bust since JaMarcus Russell" label. That’s a bit much. Sure, the Panthers are 0-2, but let’s pump the brakes before we make this a full-on disaster movie. It’s not like Young threw three interceptions and only managed 245 passing yards because he’s bad—he’s on a team that’s a full-on dumpster fire.
The Panthers benched him for Andy Dalton. Yes, that Andy Dalton, the NFL’s favorite “emergency QB” at 36 years old. So, is Bryce doomed already? Hardly. His situation is just as much about a crumbling franchise as it is about rookie struggles. When you’ve got an offensive line with more holes than a Swiss cheese factory and a front office that’s throwing things at the wall to see what sticks, it’s no wonder Young hasn’t looked like the savior they were hoping for.
Sure, calling him a bust might make for some spicy headlines, but let’s not forget the real issue—Carolina’s house is on fire. The real question should be: is there enough left to save before the whole thing burns down?
Ravens are stuck in transition
The Ravens might be in a transition year, and it’s showing early. After their shocking 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, questions are flying about Baltimore’s ability to compete in the stacked AFC North. Lamar Jackson had another turnover, fumbling in the fourth quarter, and the defense, which is supposed to be their strength, allowed four consecutive scoring drives to a Raiders team that nobody expected to win.
The recent passing of their offensive line coach is undoubtedly weighing on the team, but the issues seem to run deeper. The offensive line is struggling to protect Jackson, and the Ravens' inability to close out games is becoming a troubling pattern. After starting the season 0-2, this feels like a critical year for the Ravens, who are staring down the barrel of a brutal upcoming schedule. With games against the Cowboys, Bills, and division rivals Bengals looming, the Ravens must figure things out quickly.
Are the Ravens in a transition period or is it just a rough start? Either way, the clock is ticking, and Lamar will need to be better at protecting the ball if they have any hope of salvaging the season.