The NFL season is in full swing, which means questions, concerns and storylines have already begun to take shape.
Philadelphia sits at 2-0, Dallas and New York at 1-1, while Washington remains winless, with a very, very daunting schedule ahead.
In addition, it seems the injury bug has plagued each team in one way or another, at some capacity. Not good.
Let’s dive into the highs, lows and some questions that need to be asked after two games.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
The Eagles are 2-0, but somehow we’re preaching the same sentiment: “a win is a win.”
And in recent seasons, that’s ultimately the kind of football that’s been produced in Philly. It may not look pretty, struggling mightily at times, but hey, they walk off the field with a win.
Most fans expected Philly to handle the Commanders and Titans with ease, but that was far from the case, taking a two-point conversion stand at home and then a game-winning drive in Nashville.
This squad just doesn’t pass the eye test at this point in time, and for me, I figured as much in the early months of the season.
Sean Manion’s offense will take some getting used to, and a defense that is less talented than in years past will have some nicks in its armor.
That’s football.
Reasons to be Optimistic
The talent and potential this team holds can certainly make it a playoff-winning squad.
Jalen Hurts, leading a game-winning drive, made throws that fans have wanted to see from him throughout his career, with Dontayvion Wicks being an impressive addition so far.
Particularly, what caught my eye this past Sunday was Hurts’ performance on third down, going 11-for-18. But whether he stood in the pocket, driving a pass down the middle of the field, or rolled to his right and lofted a pass to DeVonta Smith for six points, he played well for the most part.
If Hurts can remain on the path of growth, this team should win ball games despite some concerns in other areas.
And don’t get me wrong, there are areas he needs to clean up, but for now, fans can be optimistic.
Cause for Concern?
The most obvious concern is the offensive line, which people are finally starting to realize as the season has begun.
Who would’ve thought a unit that struggled in 2025, fighting through injuries through and through and learning a new system, would have concerns?
Granted, they’ve played against the likes of Jeffrey Simmons and Javon Kinlaw, but overall, they look unprepared, weak, and the effort is lacking.
If those issues do not get cleaned up, Philly could be in for a long season because if they cannot get the running attack moving, forcing Hurts to constantly move the ball through the air, bad things likely will follow.
Outside of the offensive line, the defense has not looked elite as it has in past seasons.
Currently allowing 127 rushing yards per game, the Eagles rank in the bottom 10 across the league and have not generated a single turnover.
Biggest Question: Will the Eagles be able to put it all together when facing quality opponents?
New York Giants (1-1)
The best ability is availability.
Not everyone might agree with that sentiment, but in the Big Apple, having Jaxson Dart on the field is better than not.
A team I predicted to be 7-10 and competing in each game suffered the loss of its franchise second-year quarterback on Monday Night Football, with a sprained MCL on the first drive of the game.
My biggest point of emphasis on the Giants this season was the big three, Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Malik Nabers, staying healthy.
Now, all three have missed serious time in their first two and three seasons. Unlucky.
The Rams were the better team last night, but they did handle the Cowboys in Week 1 in an impressive victory. But does any of that matter anymore?
With the recent news, dark clouds cover the Empire State.
Reasons to be Optimistic
Little to my optimistic about at this point in time.
There should probably be an asterisk next to it, but the Giants moved the ball with ease in Week 1.
Dart threw for three touchdowns, Skattebo ran for 81 yards and a score, while Isaiah Likely got in the end zone twice. The offense can be electric when they’re on the field.
The additions at the second level with Arvell Reese and Tremaine Edmunds are already proving to be an elite duo.
The talent is there for this team to make some noise, but Jameis Winston is not at the point in his career to lead a young, fiery team to a bunch of wins.
Will Harbaugh try to trade for another quarterback or rock with the former Heisman Trophy winner?
Cause for Concern?
Now, there definitely is.
MCL injuries can range from one to eight weeks in recovery time, but now, with breaking news as I’m writing this, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Dart is now facing the possibility of season-ending knee surgery.
Wow.
Another unfortunate injury for yet another young, up-and-coming quarterback.
Prior to this news, Jameis Winston could have forged out a couple of wins while stepping in for Dart.
Next three weeks? Home against the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals before traveling to face the Jayden Daniels-less Washington Commanders.
But now, likely starting the next 15 games, barring a big trade, which I don’t see happening, the Giants are in trouble.
Winston looked BAD last night, completing just 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception.
My 7-10 prediction may be out the window now.
Biggest Question: Will the Giants add a quarterback or stick with Jameis Winston?
Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Cowboys fans were promised an improved defense coming off 2025 with record-breaking levels of bad defense.
But through two games, it does not look like anything has changed.
Christian Parker’s unit is in the bottom four in yards allowed, giving up 391.5 yards per game, and even more concerning is that 173 of those yards are coming on the ground.
Paying Quinnen Williams, adding Kenny Clark, and Rashan Gary were supposed to improve the run defense, but that is yet to be seen.
As for the offense, we’re getting what we expected: an elite offense led by MVP-candidate Dak Prescott.
The Week 1 loss to New York was concerning, when they are the better team, but they showed some promise of what is to come against Washington
Reasons to be Optimistic
It’s early.
Similar to Philadelphia learning Sean Manion’s offense, the Cowboys’ defense is learning under Christian Parker. It’s going to take time.
Guys like Jaishawn Barham (84.8) and Caleb Downs (75.9) are ranked first and third among defensive rookies, according to PFF.com.
The talent across the board is there, and as each game passes, the players should get more comfortable in the system.
Offensively, they can compete with anyone in the league. Prescott breaking the Cowboys’ franchise record for passing touchdowns (249) was a hell of a milestone to watch for a former fourth-round selection.
CeeDee Lamb continues to show he’s a top-five receiver, while we haven’t even had GP3’s breakout game in 2026.
If the defense can be average, this team can reach some heights that many doubt.
Cause for Concern?
I stated last week that I won’t overreact to the defensive shortcomings yet, but I will say it’s not encouraging so far.
Jaxson Dart had his way through the air in Week 1 under the Sunday night lights at MetLife. The offense had just two possessions in the second half because the defense couldn’t get a stop and get off the field.
Then, against Jayden Daniels in the first half, he was scrambling around with ease.
It’s an issue that has plagued Dallas in recent memory.
Even when Marcus Mariota entered, there were opportunities for huge game-changing plays that he overthrew. If Daniels was available all game, we could be having a very different conversation on the optimism surrounding Dallas.
Last week, the run game was non-existent. Thirty yards from Javonte Williams won’t get it done.
The Cowboys CANNOT go back to the days where they strictly rely on Dak to be perfect for 60 minutes.
It’s evident they are missing Tyler Smith, but regardless, they have to be better and get the running attack going somehow, someway.
Biggest Question: Can Christian Parker’s defense improve throughout the season to help an elite offense?
Washington Commanders (0-2)
It seems like history is repeating itself in Washington.
Disappointing, to say the least, but it does not seem like Jayden Daniels will be able to stay healthy throughout his career.
Robert Griffin III all over again, the dual-threat playmaking ability and all the intangibles to be a top-10 quarterback, just for injuries to put a halt to those plans.
The playoffs are already out of the question. The biggest variable right now is whether Dan Quinn can salvage his job with a .500 record while dealing with Daniels’ absence.
Reasons to be Optimistic
Daniels was en route to a 100-yard rushing game against Dallas, which may not say much, but he was playing well.
Were there some misses? For sure, but there is a genuine connection with Stefon Diggs on the outside.
It’s just his ability to stay on the field, which is the issue, but when he’s available, the Commanders can compete against anyone.
The defensive line held Cowboys’ Javonte Williams to just 30 yards on 12 carries (2.5 yards per rush).
But outside of that, the optimism in D.C. is decreasing at a rapid rate, same as 2025.
Cause for Concern?
Yes.
Simple as that, this team just is not good.
The defense is abysmal, JD5 cannot stay on the field, and when you mix those two variables, losses will pile up.
Washington’s secondary allowed Dak Prescott to dice them up, left and right.
When the pass rush does not generate any pressure, the Commanders rank 29th in EPA per attempt (+0.55).
A top-five pick for Washington is looming, with Dan Quinn’s seat getting hotter and hotter by the quarter.
Biggest Question: Can Jayden Daniels get healthy and give his team a fighting chance?
For more NFL content, follow me on Twitter @MontaltoJared, on TikTok @JarSportsTakes, and on YouTube @PickSwapMedia.
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