Breaking down the NFL standings coming out of Week 2

The second week of the 2023 NFL season is underway and that means we get the always pivotal 2-0 and 0-2 start stats. Teams that start 2-0 are that much more likely to earn a playoff berth, while an 0-2 start drops your chances near 40% for making the playoffs.

The Eagles opened the week on Thursday with a wild shootout win over the Vikings. Philly improved to 2-0 while Minnesota dropped to 0-2. The Bucs and Falcons are both unexpectedly 2-0, while the Bengals and Chargers both are an unexpected 0-2. Nothing is guaranteed for any of those four teams, but those starts give us something to think about in the early going this season.

Below are the eight divisional standings, along with some quick thoughts about each division after two weeks of football. We’ll update with remaining records as the league moves toward Week 3.

AFC East

The Bills bounced back at home from last week’s struggles to thump the Raiders. The Jets lost 30-10 to the Cowboys. The Dolphins beat the Patriots 24-17 in Foxboro.

1. Miami Dolphins, 2-0
2. New York Jets, 1-1
3. Buffalo Bills, 1-1
4. New England Patriots, 0-2

AFC North

The Ravens went into Cincinnati and held off the Bengals. Cincinnati cut the lead to a field goal, but couldn’t get the ball back and lost 27-24. The Steelers defeated the Browns on MNF.

1. Baltimore Ravens, 2-0
2. Cleveland Browns, 1-1
3. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1-1
4. Cincinnati Bengals, 0-2

AFC South

The Colts had little trouble with the Texans, but did lose Anthony Richardson to a concussion. C.J. Stroud had some solid moments for Houston, but it was just not enough. The Titans struggled early but came back late and won 27-24 over the Chargers in overtime. The Jaguars lost a tough one to the Chiefs 17-9.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-1
2. Indianapolis Colts, 1-1
3. Tennessee Titans, 1-1
4. Houston Texans, 0-2

AFC West

The Raiders went into Buffalo and after taking a 7-0 lead never really did anything else in losing. The Chargers lost in overtime to the Titans 27-24. The Chiefs won an ugly one 17-9 over the Jaguars. The Broncos nearly pulled off a miracle as time expired, but couldn’t convert a two-point conversion after a hail mary and lost to the Commanders.

1. Las Vegas Raiders, 1-1
2. Kansas City Chiefs, 1-1
3. Denver Broncos, 0-2
4. Los Angeles Chargers, 0-2

NFC East

The Eagles got a big second win in a row to start the season, beating the Vikings on Thursday Night Football. The Giants came back from a 28-7 deficit to win 31-28 on a late field goal. The Cowboys thumped the Jets while the Commanders held off the Broncos after a late hail-mary attempt.

1. Philadelphia Eagles, 2-0
2. Dallas Cowboys, 2-0
3. Washington Commanders, 2-0
4. New York Giants, 1-1

NFC North

The Vikings lost a wild one to the Eagles 34-28 on Thursday Night Football. The Bears lost to the Bucs and just can’t get on track. The Lions lost in overtime to the Seahawks while the Packers lost to the Falcons on a last-second field goal.

1. Detroit Lions, 1-1
2. Green Bay Packers, 1-1
3. Chicago Bears, 0-2
4. Minnesota Vikings, 0-2

NFC South

The Bucs beat the Bears on another solid Baker Mayfield performance. The Falcons beat the Packers with a last-second field goal. The Saints beat the Panthers on MNF.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2-0
2. Atlanta Falcons, 2-0
3. New Orleans Saints, 2-0
4. Carolina Panthers, 0-2

NFC West

The Seahawks beat the Lions in overtime to get their first win. The 49ers beat the Rams 30-20. The Cardinals had the Giants down 28-7 and managed to blow it, losing 31-28.

1. San Francisco 49ers, 2-0
2. Los Angeles Rams, 1-1
3. Seattle Seahawks, 1-1
4. Arizona Cardinals, 0-2