As NFL Week 2 comes to a close, several teams are struggling more than expected.

The Baltimore Ravens, who were the top seed in the AFC last year, are surprisingly starting the season at 0-2. Other playoff hopefuls like the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Rams are also in this unfortunate category, all eager to avoid a glaring 0-3 record as Week 3 approaches.

The Carolina Panthers are another team facing challenges with an 0-2 record. Their offense has been particularly lackluster, managing to score just 13 points in their first two games. Should they consider benching Bryce Young at this point?

Quarterback concerns aren’t unique to the Panthers. The Miami Dolphins are facing uncertainty as Tua Tagovailoa is set for an indefinite absence. With only Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle available, will the Dolphins’ season falter, or can coach Mike McDaniel keep them competitive until Tua returns?

And what about the New Orleans Saints? After a dominant win against the Dallas Cowboys, improving their record to 2-0, their potential as a key player in the NFC is being questioned. Could they really be the top team in their division?

Let’s dive into the biggest overreactions from Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season:

The Dolphins Face Disaster Without Tua Tagovailoa

It’s understandable if Dolphins fans left their 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills feeling dejected. Not only did they lose the game by 21 points, but they also lost their starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to another concussion.

Tagovailoa has endured three confirmed concussions since the 2022 season began, casting doubt on his playing future. While he reportedly wishes to continue playing, some experts suggest he should retire for the sake of his long-term health.

Regardless of his decision, it looks like Tua will be sidelined for an indefinite period, which is not great for the Dolphins. Miami holds a 1-4 record during his absence in Mike McDaniel’s tenure as head coach.

However, it’s too early to count Miami out. With playmakers like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane at McDaniel’s disposal, they could still find ways to keep the offense going, even with Thompson at quarterback. If Tagovailoa’s recovery is sooner than expected, Miami might still be in contention for an AFC wild-card spot.

Ravens Struggling After an 0-2 Start

Fans of the Ravens likely felt frustrated after narrowly losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, but the disappointment only grew after they allowed a 10-point lead slip away against the Las Vegas Raiders, dropping them to 0-2.

Despite these setbacks, there’s no need for panic just yet. While they’ve come up short in both games, Baltimore outgained their opponents significantly—by 99 and 123 yards, respectively—in both losses. Their defense has performed well, and the offense is getting better, even as they integrate three new starters on the offensive line.

As the line continues to improve its cohesion, the Ravens should be better equipped to close out tight games. They have some challenging matchups ahead against the Cowboys, Bills, and Bengals, but there’s still time to turn things around in a tightly contested AFC North division.

Saints Emerging as the Best Team in the NFC South

The Saints made an impression in Week 1 with a solid victory over the Panthers, but few expected them to continue their dominance against the Cowboys in Week 2.

New Orleans won the game 44-19, with Alvin Kamara scoring four touchdowns, and Derek Carr hitting 11 of 16 passes for 243 yards, including two touchdowns and an interception. The Saints’ revamped offense under Klint Kubiak appears to complement both Carr and Kamara, fueling optimism in New Orleans. With the NFC being quite open this year, the Saints could very well become strong contenders if their offensive momentum continues.

That said, declaring them the undisputed best team in their division may be hasty. The three-time division champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently defeated the Detroit Lions 20-16, improving to 2-0 for the fifth straight season. They are not ready to give up their title easily. Moreover, the Atlanta Falcons, with their revamped team, are not out of contention as Kirk Cousins adapts to his surgically repaired Achilles and Zac Robinson’s offensive strategy.

Time to Bench Bryce Young?

If performance alone dictated decisions, then it may be wise for the Panthers to bench Bryce Young. His season so far has been underwhelming—he is yet to throw a touchdown and has three interceptions, looking quite uncomfortable in the pocket.

However, considering the Panthers are in a rebuilding phase, and their backup quarterback is the 36-year-old Andy Dalton, benching Young may not yield significant benefits. The franchise has invested in Young and hired coach Dave Canales to boost his progress.

While Young’s initial performance might not be encouraging, it’s unlikely they’ll give up on him so soon, especially since he was the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. If his struggles continue, Carolina may reconsider their options later in the season.

Injuries Striking the Rams and Sidetracking Their Chances

The Rams suffered a severe setback with Aaron Donald’s retirement, but he’s not the only key player missing. The squad is facing numerous injuries, worsening after their Week 2 game.

Cooper Kupp had to leave Los Angeles’ 41-10 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals due to an ankle injury and was spotted in a walking boot post-game. He is just one of several injured Rams players, including WR Puka Nacua (knee), G Steve Avila (knee), backup LT Joe Noteboom (ankle), and TE Tyler Higbee (ACL).

With so many gaps in their roster, the protection around Matthew Stafford and offensive options are severely limited. Overcoming defensive weaknesses with strong offensive performance, as they managed during last season’s playoff run, has become increasingly difficult.

As long as the injury list remains long, the Rams could find themselves at the bottom of the NFC West, especially if teams like the Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks keep exceeding early-season expectations.