• The Saints’ offense dominates Dallas: The New Orleans Saints dismantled the Dallas Cowboys, 44-19, with Alvin Kamara scoring 4 touchdowns.
• The Raiders shock the Ravens: The Raiders leaned on their stars to defeat the Ravens, 26-23.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all of our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
We’re now two weeks into the 2024 NFL season and studying extra every week. We’ll undergo the vital information factors from the weekend’s motion and dissect what went proper, or what went improper.
Buffalo Bills 31, Miami Dolphins 10
Why the Bills gained: The Bills strengthened their need to run the ball extra, and so they did it with nice success. James Cook stole the present, dashing for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries whereas incomes an 85.7 PFF dashing grade. Buffalo leaned into gap-scheme rushes, attacking the Dolphins up the center, which allowed Cook to interrupt off a 49-yard rush.
Highest-Graded Running Backs | 2024 NFL Season
Why the Dolphins misplaced: The Dolphins’ often rhythmic and on-time passing recreation by no means fairly clicked, even earlier than Tua Tagovailoa’s exit within the third quarter. Tagovailoa was held to only 5.8 yards per try, his lowest within the common season since a Week 9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs final season, and threw three interceptions. His 42.2 PFF passing grade was emblematic of his struggles on high of two turnover-worthy performs within the recreation.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Detroit Lions 16
Why the Buccaneers gained: The Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin connection was wholly on time for the second straight week. Godwin caught seven of his eight targets for 117 yards and a landing and successfully moved the chains, with 5 of his catches leading to first downs. Godwin leads all receivers in PFF receiving grade by two weeks (91.1).
Why the Lions misplaced: The Lions almost doubled the Buccaneers’ variety of offensive performs (83-47) and naturally racked up offensive yards, however they couldn’t make their alternatives rely. Jared Goff threw two interceptions, whereas the offense scored only one landing on seven red-zone journeys. The often efficient offense was extremely inefficient when it mattered most.
Green Bay Packers 16, Indianapolis Colts 10
Why the Packers gained: The Packers leaned into the bottom recreation with out Jordan Love underneath middle and churned up the Colts. Josh Jacobs recorded 32 carries for 151 yards, and Green Bay recorded properly over 200 dashing yards as a group. The Packers averaged simply -0.172 anticipated factors added per rush, however they ripped off 10 explosive runs and tallied 158 yards on these explosive runs.
Why the Colts misplaced: Anthony Richardson struggled in his second begin of the season, going 17-of-34 for 204 yards whereas throwing three interceptions and incomes a forty five.6 PFF passing grade. He wasn’t helped by three drops from his receivers, however the Packers’ protection stifled the passing recreation and people errors price the Colts in a decent recreation.
Las Vegas Raiders 26, Baltimore Ravens 23
Why the Raiders gained: The Raiders deserved their victory, and it stemmed from Minshew’s skill to get the ball to his finest targets. Davante Adams and Brock Bowers mixed for 18 catches, 208 yards and a landing, in addition to 10 first-down receptions. Bowers, the rookie tight finish, earned an 84.6 PFF receiving grade and flashed his skill after the catch, racking up 46 yards.
Why the Ravens misplaced: Mistakes price the Ravens, who surprisingly fell to 0-2. Baltimore dedicated 11 penalties, costing them 109 yards, and struggled to transform on third down, doing so on simply three of their 11 alternatives.
Los Angeles Chargers 26, Carolina Panthers 3
Why the Chargers gained: The dashing revolution continues underneath Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. The Chargers carved up the Panthers’ protection on the bottom, dashing for 219 yards on 44 makes an attempt and averaging 5.0 per carry as a group. J.Ok. Dobbins continued his wonderful begin to the season, too, main the group with 131 yards and a 64.5 PFF dashing grade.
Why the Panthers misplaced: 2023 No. 1 choose Bryce Young continues to look misplaced. He accomplished 69.2% of his move makes an attempt however averaged simply 3.2 yards per try and earned a 39.4 PFF passing grade. Young simply isn’t seeing the sphere in the way in which the Panthers would hope, and he tried zero passes of 20-plus air yards and simply three passes between 10-19 air yards.
Washington Commanders 21, New York Giants 18
Why the Commanders gained: The Commanders tacked on 425 offensive yards, however their win got here right down to the efficiency of their kicker, Austin Seibert. Seibert knocked down all seven of his discipline aim makes an attempt, incomes a 74.2 discipline aim grade. Four of his kicks have been from brief vary, however Seibert nonetheless needed to be on the cash when it mattered most.
Why the Giants misplaced: The Giants have been gashed within the run recreation by the Commanders, with Washington racking up 215 yards at 6.1 yards per try. Running again Brian Robinson took 17 carries for 133 yards and earned a 70.5 PFF dashing grade.
Cleveland Browns 18, Jacksonville Jaguars 13
Why the Browns gained: The Browns’ move rush was electrical in opposition to the Jaguars, producing 17 pressures and sacking Trevor Lawrence 4 instances. Myles Garrett earned an 89.8 PFF pass-rush grade whereas including three pressures and a strip-sack halfway by the third quarter.
Highest-Graded Pass-Rushers | 2024 NFL Season
Why the Jaguars misplaced: The Jaguars’ passing recreation didn’t totally perform, as Trevor Lawrence accomplished 46.7% of his passes for 220 yards. Three drops contributed to a lackluster offensive day for the offense, as did a poor red-zone efficiency, the place the offense completed 1-for-4.
Seattle Seahawks 23, New England Patriots 20
Why the Seahawks gained: The Seahawks’ passing recreation was at full capability within the win over New England. Geno Smith accomplished 33 of his 44 move makes an attempt for 327 yards and a landing whereas accessing all ranges of the sphere and incomes an 83.1 PFF general grade. Smith was positively dialed in in opposition to the constant Patriots blitz, too, finishing 17 of his 21 makes an attempt for 203 yards and a landing whereas incomes an 85.1 PFF general grade.
Why the Patriots misplaced: The protection struggled to comprise the Seahawks’ passing recreation and allowed six explosive passes. Those throws accounted for 146 yards, with D.Ok. Metcalf capitalizing and catching a 56-yard landing.
New Orleans Saints 44, Dallas Cowboys 19
Why the Saints gained: The Saints’ offense continues to look environment friendly and explosive. Derek Carr tried solely 16 passes however threw two landing passes, incomes a 91.0 PFF general grade and averaging 15.2 yards per try. It was working again Alvin Kamara who stole the present, although, carrying the ball 20 instances for 115 yards and three touchdowns — and catching a fourth.
Why the Cowboys misplaced: The Cowboys have been enjoying from behind early and needed to chase the sport. The group’s 34.9 run-defense grade represented what we noticed on the sphere, because the protection missed six tackles within the run recreation and their common depth of sort out was 5.13 yards — two yards greater than the Saints’ protection.
New York Jets 24, Tennessee Titans 17
Why the Jets gained: The new-look Jets offensive line was wonderful in opposition to the Titans’ stout defensive entrance in move safety. The beginning unit performed 100% of the group’s offensive snaps and allowed only one stress, and Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses and John Simpson all earned 80.0-plus pass-blocking grades.
Why the Titans misplaced: The Titans are 0-2 after shedding one other one-score recreation, and turnovers killed the group as soon as once more in massive spots. Will Levis’ unwillingness to surrender on a play is admirable, however a misplaced fumble within the crimson zone, whereas the Titans led 7-0, was pricey, as was a later interception. His 65.9 PFF general grade is suitable, however the Titans may very well be 2-0 if not for self-sabotage.
Minnesota Vikings 23, San Francisco 49ers 17
Why the Vikings gained: The Vikings created massive performs off play motion in Week 2. Sam Darnold accomplished 4 of his seven move makes an attempt out of play motion for 138 yards and two touchdowns. A bit of these yards got here on a 97-yard Justin Jefferson landing, however the Vikings knew when to point out their hand. Darnold earned an 89.4 PFF passing grade on play-action dropbacks, with all 4 completions leading to first downs.
Why the 49ers misplaced: The 49ers struggled to carry off a superb Vikings protection that racked up 24 pressures within the recreation. Right sort out Colton McKivitz allowed a team-high 5 pressures on true move units and earned a 59.8 PFF pass-blocking grade, whereas proper guard Dominick Puni earned a 55.3 pass-blocking grade.
Arizona Cardinals 41, Los Angeles Rams 10
Why the Cardinals gained: The Cardinals’ offense was buzzing from the primary whistle, and quarterback Kyler Murray was electrical. Murray earned a 96.9 PFF general grade whereas going 17-of-21 passing for 266 yards and three touchdowns. He additionally added 59 dashing yards. The Cardinals quarterback was wonderful on 10-plus-yard throws, finishing seven of his 9 makes an attempt for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Why the Rams misplaced: The Rams had avenues again into the sport, however the offensive line isn’t working at a useful stage proper now. Matthew Stafford was sacked 5 instances and was pressured on 34.4% of his dropbacks, incomes a 33.8 PFF grade when pressured. The accidents are mounting up for Los Angeles, too, with Cooper Kupp now set to overlook time.
Kansas City Chiefs 26, Cincinnati Bengals 25
Why the Chiefs gained: This wasn’t Patrick Mahomes‘ finest recreation, as he earned only a 58.7 PFF general grade, however the Chiefs’ offensive line stored him just about clear all recreation. The unit allowed simply six complete pressures, and Mahomes was stored clear on 75% of his dropbacks. Kansas City dominated on the bottom, too, racking up 149 dashing yards.
Why the Bengals misplaced: The Bengals have been as much as the duty of taking over the Chiefs, nevertheless it wasn’t to be. An absence of effectivity on the bottom meant {that a} struggling passing offense with out Tee Higgins needed to shoulder much more of the load. The Bengals’ offense averaged simply 3.4 yards per keep it up the bottom, and beginning working again Zack Moss averaged 2.8 yards per carry whereas incomes a 58.6 PFF dashing grade.
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Denver Broncos 6
Why the Steelers gained: The Steelers’ protection led the cost once more, racking up 20 quarterback pressures, together with two sacks. Defensive stars T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Alex Highsmith mixed for 13 complete pressures and made life hell for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
Why the Broncos misplaced: The Denver offense stays a piece in progress. Nix was extra prepared to push the ball downfield however nonetheless earned a 47.8 PFF passing grade after throwing two interceptions. He was additionally pressured on 43.6% of his dropbacks.
Houston Texans 19, Chicago Bears 13
Why the Texans gained: C.J. Stroud’s reference to Nico Collins is blossoming into among the best within the NFL. Collins caught eight of his 10 targets on Sunday Night Football for 135 yards and a landing, incomes an 88.1 PFF receiving grade. He additionally hauled in 5 of a doable six targets on passes of 10-plus yards.
Why the Bears misplaced: Growing pains are evident for Caleb Williams, who threw two interceptions and had one other turnover-worthy play. The No. 1 choose averaged simply 4.7 yards per passing try however wasn’t afforded a lot assist up entrance, as he was pressured on 42.6% of his dropbacks.
Atlanta Falcons 22, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Why the Falcons gained: We noticed a way more scientific model of Kirk Cousins in comparison with his Week 1 efficiency, because the Falcons quarterback rebounded with a 74.7 PFF passing grade whereas going 20-of-29 passing for 242 yards and two touchdowns and navigating a game-winning drive. Cousins was pressured on 45.2% of his dropbacks however was calm and picked up, incomes a 69.4 PFF passing grade when pressured.
Why the Eagles misplaced: The Eagles’ passing recreation was already affected by the lack of A.J. Brown, who may miss a number of weeks on account of damage, and yards have been laborious to come back by for quarterback Jalen Hurts, who averaged simply 6.1 yards per try. Hurts’ 67.1 PFF passing grade was significantly higher than his 33.3 PFF grade in Week 1, however a 3rd interception in two weeks, and a drop by Saquon Barkley late within the recreation, damage the Eagles’ momentum.