Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 2 free-agent forecast

Which players are the hottest waiver wire adds after Week 1?

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) RB Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers: After rookie Trey Sermon was inactive and starter Raheem Mostert left early with a knee injury, Mitchell’s debut couldn’t have gone much better. He rushed 19 times for 104 yards, including a 38-yard score. While pass pro was a liability, as can be expected, he is a must-own in an offense that lives for pounding the rock. Keep tabs on Mostert’s situation as the news develops, because it will dictate Mitchell’s long-term utility. That said, the oft-injured veteran could find himself losing serious touches anyway. Mitchell will be tough to bid on … it’s early, so people will not be afraid to drop huge numbers on him, even in the face of uncertainty over just how long he will be relevant. Also, will we see Sermon get heavily involved now? The situation is fluid, and hopefully we know more before waivers process.

Availability: 93%
FAAB:
$20-22

2) WR Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts: A pair of touchdowns grab one’s attention, although Pascal’s role should be just as important. He’s the No. 2 receiver with T.Y. Hilton (neck) out indefinitely. Michael Pittman Jr. may not be ready for the top cornerbacks this league will throw at him, and Pascal stands to benefit from it. There will be clunkers along the way, so be optimistically guarded when rostering him. He led all actual wideouts on the team with five targets (4-43-2).

Availability: 99%
FAAB:
$8-9

3) WR Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals: Basically a forgotten man in fantasy drafts, Kirk proved he doesn’t yet have a fork protruding from his back. The free-agent addition of WR A.J. Green (6 targets) proved fruitless one week into the experiment, and it was the fourth-year Kirk who thrived in the opener (5-70-2, 5 targets). It won’t be like that every week, and Kirk comes with durability concerns over the long haul, but gamers should play him with tasty matchups ahead vs. Minnesota (Week 2), Jacksonville (Week 3), and San Francisco (Week 5). Someone in your league may overspend.

Availability: 87%
FAAB:
$7-8

4) QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: Looking poised and in command of the offense, the former Tampa Bay starter was efficient in his dismantling of the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Winston toss five touchdowns and missed only six throws on his 20 attempts. Given such low volume, it’s tough to discern his favorite target at this point. It seemed as though Marquez Callaway was on track to be that guy, but a date with Packers CB Jaire Alexander forced Winston to target him just twice (1-14-0). The turnover-prone quarterback leaned on tight end Adam Trautman (6 targets) and Alvin Kamara (4). Touchdown grabs from the likes of WR Chris Hogan, TE Juwan Johnson and WR Deonte Harris highlight Sean Payton’s ability to get blood out of a rock. Winston is a matchup play for now (tough schedule) but belongs on all rosters.

Availability: 57%
FAAB:
$6-7

5) WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants: It is kind of surprising Shepard isn’t more universally owned after having a strong camp. We’ll blame it on the Daniel Jones effect. It didn’t detract from the veteran receiver in Week 1 as he saw a game-high nine targets, generating 113 yards and a score on seven grabs. Working in Shepard’s favor: He is a proven producer playing for a team with major question marks around him in the passing game. For as lame as it may sound, this is all about a good opportunity on a bad team.

Availability: 61%
FAAB:
$4-5

6) WR Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles: An unmemorable rookie season can be put behind him after a 6-49-1 line to open 2021. The Eagles still have some question marks on defense, which will create added passing opportunities. More importantly, quarterback Jalen Hurts fits the new offense and creates plays. The upcoming two weeks feature matchups with San Francisco — a defense in big trouble on the back end — and Dallas in Week 3.

Availability: 65%
FAAB:
$4-5

7) RB Mark Ingram, Houston Texans: Simply put, any running back with this pedigree and rushing 26 times to dominate his backfield’s touch split belongs on a roster. Ingram struggled (3.3 YPC) his way to 85 yards and a touchdown behind a shoddy offensive line and vs. a feeble defense, so don’t get overly excited. The workload says more about Phillip Lindsay (9 utilizations) and David Johnson (7 utilizations) than it may about Ingram.

Availability: 80%
FAAB:
$10-12

8) RB Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars: Last year’s rookie darling, James Robinson’s relationship with the new regime has to be in doubt. They tried to replace him with first-rounder Travis Etienne, whose season ended with an injury before it began. When it seemed like Robinson was ready to pick up where he left off in Week 1 with a strong matchup, he carried the ball only five times and added just three catches in a game lost nearly from the onset. Hyde, a former Ohio State back under Jags head coach Urban Meyer, paced the backfield with nine carries and 11 touches. While we don’t see this as a full role swap, alarm bells should be a ringing.

Availability: 84%
FAAB:
$5-6

9) Arizona Cardinals defense: A trio of takeaways and six sacks vs. Tennessee, highlighted by five belong all to Chandler Jones … yikes. In the next two weeks, Arizona faces Minnesota and Jacksonville — both teams with offensive line questions. While there is definitely reason to be skeptical about the cornerbacks on this defense, a fierce pass rush hides plenty of deficiencies.

Availability: 94%
FAAB:
$1-2

10) WR Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots: He was utilized properly, something the Las Vegas Raiders understood last year that Philadelphia didn’t seem to ever truly figure out. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones looks like the real deal in the smallest of sample sizes, and Agholor’s seven targets checked in second among Patriots wide receivers. Look at the veteran receiver for roster depth.

Availability: 67%
FAAB:
$3-4

One-week plays

QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers: Poor defenses give up points, and giving up points leads to come-from-behind football … #No$#*!Sherlock. There aren’t too many times with a full set of slate in which Goff is an advisable play, but after we saw a blueprint from New Orleans as to how a team should attack, be sure former Saints assistant and current Lions head coach Dan Campbell took notice. An angry Green Bay offense should create plenty of garbage time, if nothing else.

Availability: 100%
FAAB: $0-1

Seattle Seahawks defense vs. Tennessee Titans: Can we expect Tennessee to give up six sacks and turn it over three times again? Of course not, but that doesn’t mean this offensive line — specifically a rusty Taylor Lewan — will get all of its ills cured early on. Seattle recorded three sacks and a takeaway vs. a talented but banged-up Colts line in Week 1. There could be hope here after the ‘Hawks played relatively well in the secondary.

Availability: 91%
FAAB:
$0-1

New York Giants defense at Washington Football Team: No Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) leaves Taylor Heinicke as the starter after he replaced the 38-year-old in Week 1. New York had a tough defensive matchup vs. Denver in the opener, facing a quarterback known for his cautious, protective ways. The Giants have a quality secondary and can focus on stopping the running game, which may lead to a low-scoring affair for those in leagues that reward such a feat. Expect a few sacks and up to two takeaways on the measured side of being optimistic.

Availability: 95%
FAAB:
$0

PK Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers: A year after tying for the most fantasy points at his position, Carlson became a forgotten man among gamers. He hardly was drafted and has the duties of booting for an offense that should be only marginally better at finding the end zone. Pittsburgh allowed three field goal attempts (all made) and a PAT vs. Buffalo in the opener.

Availability: 69%
FAAB:
$0

Grab & stash

WR Trent Sherfield, San Francisco 49ers: Playing in 49 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 1, Sherfield found the end zone and wound up posting a normally forgettable two catches for 23 yards on three looks. The importance here is two-fold: Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t targeted at all in this game, and his head coach didn’t seem too excited to get the second-year wideout onto the field. Aiyuk played 47 percent of the snaps as Deebo Samuel took over the game. The playing time situation certainly could be a blip — or even the product of something internally the public isn’t privy to just yet — so just be aware this situation may morph in the coming days and weeks.

Availability: 99%
FAAB:
$3-4

RB JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers: Fantasy owners 0, Kyle Shanahan 2. Mostert’s injury paves the way for one of the reserve backs to see a few touches each week. Hasty (1-3-1 rushing, 1-15-0 receiving) was the next man up with Sermon inactive in Week 1. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said in the most vague of coach speak that Sermon simply wasn’t even the team’s third-best running back entering Week 1, contrary to media reports all summer. With that in mind, Hasty may be the better pickup of the two, but neither player is likely to see huge volume spelling a productive Mitchell, and especially not if Mostert comes back soon. This is a fluid situation, so stay light on your fantasy feet here.

Availability: 99%
FAAB
: $2-3

RB Keith Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles: The rookie saw 12 plays come his way, producing 43 total yards (2-6-0 receiving) and a rushing touchdown. The backfield runs through Miles Sanders, and the matchup was vs. a cake defense, so don’t get too carried away with expectations. Gainwell is depth and injury insurance with the occasional matchup utility.

Availability: 92%
FAAB
: $2-3

TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints: Two touchdowns is bound to get him noticed, but there’s that whole three targets thing, which is difficult to ignore. Johnson, a second-year player and former collegiate wide receiver, wasn’t even the most utilized player at his position on this team, so be cautious when looking to invest. Someone will buy in, however, meaning you’ll likely have to spend more than he is worth to get him. It’s not all skepticism, since he and Jameis Winston had time to build chemistry when TE Adam Trautman was out with an injury late in the summer. If you’re desperate for a possible spark after one game or just want to stash him, Johnson is worthy of a few bucks.

Availability: 99%
FAAB:
$3-4

WR Quintez Cephus, Detroit Lions: Garbage time will be a regular theme in the 2021 Detroit season. Cephus flashed a few times in 2020 as a rookie, and then there’s that whole seven targets in Week 1 thing worth noting. He caught only three balls for just 12 yards, salvaging a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Availability: 99%
FAAB:
$1-2

RB Larry Rountree, Los Angeles Chargers: This clearly is Austin Ekeler’s backfield as he out-touched the rookie nearly 2-to-1, but Rountree’s eight handles are worthy of attention. Given Ekeler’s durability concerns, add his primary backup for insurance.

Availability: 44%
FAAB:
$1-2

Keep your eye on ’em

WR K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings: Nine targets for a 7-76-0 line shouldn’t be totally written off. Yes, Minnesota was trying to play comeback football, but that might be the case most weeks vs. a competent offense with the way Minny’s defense is playing. As the WR3 on a team without a viable tight end, Osborn could have an erratic but productive role with the right matchup.

Availability: 100%

TE Pharaoh Brown: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is known for his management skills and part of that is taking the easy plays. Brown saw five targets, converting four for 67 yards. Keep tabs on what’s next for this tandem.

Availability: 100%

Report: Bill O’Brien lost the team after Texans’ 33-16 loss to the Ravens

Former Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien may have lost the team after the club’s 33-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

Former Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien may have lost the team after the club’s 33-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the offense was frustrated with the lack of production through the first two weeks, even resulting in what Russini referred to as a “verbal blowup” in practice.

In the Ravens game, the Texans’ offense managed 304 yards of total offense. Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 25-of-36 for 275 yards, but the production wasn’t there in terms of points with just one touchdown and an interception. The run game was anemic with 11 carries for 34 yards from running back David Johnson, and just five carries for 17 yards from Watson.

One of the more puzzling decisions from the loss that sent Houston to 0-2 on the season for the third time in the O’Brien era was his decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Houston 34-yard line with two seconds left in the first quarter. Instead of punting, O’Brien wanted to steal a possession. Instead, Watson threw an incomplete pass off the heels of tight end Darren Fells.

“We had a 4-and-one early in the game and then the game was changed a little bit,” O’Brien explained. “We punted that one and then they went down and kicked a field goal, but they possessed the ball. So again, we felt like we needed possessions in the game, so we decided to go for it. We put a play out there, they called timeout, we changed the play. The play didn’t work and so we didn’t convert it. But that’s just the way it works. They did a better job than us on that and we just need to work hard to improve.”

The Texans will have to find a way to improve their 0-4 record as O’Brien was dismissed Monday following 100 regular season games with the club, compiling a 52-48 record along with a 2-4 mark in the playoffs.

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Texans S Justin Reid calls DT Ross Blacklock’s ejection ‘dumb rookie mistake’

Houston Texans defensive tackle Ross Blacklock was ejected in Week 2, and safety Justin Reid calls it just “a dumb rookie mistake.”

Houston Texans defensive tackle Ross Blacklock didn’t have the home opener he would have liked.

In Week 2’s 33-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium, Blacklock allegedly threw a punch with 4:47 to go in the game. The second-rounder from TCU was flagged for unnecessary roughness and disqualified after recording one tackle in the game.

While defensive end J.J. Watt proscribed Blacklock’s infraction as selfish, third-year safety Justin Reid took a gentler approach when discussing the ejection with the media on Thursday.

“We’re just going to chalk it up to it being a dumb rookie mistake,” Reid said. “He’s learned from it and we’re going to move on from it. Guys have already told him about it. He knows what he did wasn’t the right decision to make and we’re just going to move forward and him not make that decision again.”

The Texans take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 at Heinz Field. Sunday’s 12:00 p.m. CT tilt with a 2-0 team should give Blacklock an excellent opportunity to bury his dumb rookie mistake underneath a strata of good play.

Wyatt Teller, Terrance Mitchell tabbed as ‘secret superstars’ from Week 2

Teller and Mitchell got recognized for being great while under the radar in Week 2

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Everyone knows about the stars studding the Cleveland Browns roster. And while Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Nick Chubb and Odell Beckham Jr. all had strong performances in Cleveland’s Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, two unheralded Browns also stood out enough to earn spots on the Week 2 “secret superstars” list from Touchdown Wire.

Right guard Wyatt Teller and cornerback Terrance Mitchell both made the list, which honors the under-the-radar performers who played above their pay and recognition scale.

Teller was an easy choice. He dominated Cincinnati, helping pave the way for big nights from Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Playing right guard, Teller has allowed no sacks, no quarterback hits, and just one quarterback hurry in 72 pass-blocking snaps this season, and he’s a big reason the Browns were able to run all over the Bengals with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt last Thursday night.

The NFL’s Secret Superstars of Week 2

As for Mitchell, he was money in the bank in coverage despite the Bengals throwing the ball an incredible 61 times.

One of the reasons Burrow was unsuccessful on all but one of his seven deep passes against the Browns last Thursday night was the efforts of cornerback Terrance Mitchell. Burrow targeted Mitchell 10 times, and Mitchell allowed just two catches for 19 yards and an opponent passer rating of 39.6. Mitchell, who has played for four different teams and is in the last year of a three-year, $12 million contract, busted up deep attempts to both John Ross and A.J. Green. It was as good a performance from a boundary cornerback as you’ll see from Week 2.

Getting these unheralded performances from the role players like Teller and Mitchell is a great way to bolster the big-name players on the Browns. When Cleveland gets performances like that from their non-marquee players, they’re tough to beat. Week 2 proved that.

Chargers DT Jerry Tillery among NFL Secret Superstars of Week 2

Chargers defensive tackle Jerry Tillery has had back-to-back dominant performances.

Following a great showing in Week 1, Chargers defensive tackle Jerry Tillery had another fantastic outing in last Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs.

When you look at the box score, it may not be eyebrow-raising, but it doesn’t replicate the impact he actually made.

Tillery was consistently winning his matchups, finding his way into the face of Kansas City’s quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Among the notable plays, he blocked the Chiefs’ first PAT attempt of the game.

For his efforts, Tillery was among Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar’s “NFL’s Secret Superstars of Week 2.”

Here’s what Farrar had to say about his performance:

Against the Chiefs last Sunday, Tillery looked every bit the first-round talent the Chargers expected him to be. He had three quarterback hits, two quarterback hurries, a blocked field goal, and he was able to harass Patrick Mahomes from multiple gaps, and using multiple games.

Through the first two weeks of the season, Tillery is tied for sixth among defensive tackles in ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate at 22%. He joins elite company among other top interior defenders like Chris Jones, Cameron Hayward and Grady Jarrett.

After changing his body, getting stronger and working on his technique this offseason, Tillery has erased the label of “bust” and has shown to be a big part of Los Angeles’ defense. At such a young age, the best has yet to come for the 2019 first-round pick.

Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly: 2020 Week 3 Preview

Derek Okrie delivers his latest installment of Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly of 2020, previewing the next week of the regular season.

The unpredictability of fantasy football is just amazing from week to week. In just seven short days you never really know who is going to do well, how injuries will impact players, how coaches are doing to delegate rushing attempts or receiving targets, and just how your fantasy team will do as a whole from one week to another.

In Week 2, did anyone see Dak Prescott (QB Cowboys) throwing for 450 passing yards, yet rushing for 3 touchdowns? Did anyone have Julian Edelman (WR Patriots) at the top of the receiving charts with 179 yards in Week 2? Did anyone anticipate Mike Gesicki (TE Dolphins) to have 130 yards and a touchdown in a close game against the Buffalo Bills? Coaches often say it is a week to week league. You just never know what might happen in the NFL and the same goes for fantasy football.

Here is the Fantasy Football Weekly where we give you an overview of Week 3 in both fantasy football and the National Football League.

Lions at Cardinals fantasy focus

The Lions defense is giving up a ton of passing yards and touchdowns once again. Aaron Jones had a field day running the ball against them last week, so start Keyan Drake (RB Cardinals), DeAndre Hopkins (WR Cardinals), Christian Kirk (WR Cardinals), and Dan Arnold (TE Cardinals) this week against the Lions.

In addition to trying to find a way to stop the Cardinals offense, the Lions offense also needs to have a great day offensively in Arizona if they want to have a chance in this game. Kenny Golladay is expected to be back in uniform for the Lions and Matthew Stafford is due for a big game, so this Sunday would be the perfect time to play out of his mind. Put all the Lions skill players in your lineup this week, expect more from D’Andre Swift each week– in the passing game especially — and this looks like a game where seventy-plus points could go up on the scoreboard.

Start/Sit

Start
Gardner Minshew (QB Jaguars)
Austin Ekeler (RB Chargers)
Curtis Samuel (WR Panthers)
Jonnu Smith (TE Titans)

Sit
Sam Darnold (QB Jets)
David Johnson (RB Texans)
Mike Williams (WR Chargers)
Chris Herndon (TE Jets)

Top-3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Russell Wilson, Seahawks

Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
Miles Sanders, Eagles
Dalvin Cook, Vikings

Wide Receivers
DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
Julio Jones, Falcons
Davante Adams, Packers

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Mark Andrews, Ravens
Darren Waller, Raiders

Team Defenses
Steelers
Buccaneers
Browns

Kickers
Justin Tucker, Ravens
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Will Lutz, Saints

Waiver wire options

Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB Dolphins)
Jerick McKinnon (RB 49ers)
Mike Davis (RB Panthers)
DeSean Jackson (WR Eagles)
Curtis Samuel (WR Panthers)
Dan Arnold (TE Cardinals)
Jordan Akins (TE Texans)

Intriguing games and players in Week 3

LA Rams at Buffalo, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

LAR: Cam Akers (RB), Cooper Kupp (WR)
BUF: Stefon Diggs (WR), Zach Moss (RB)

Las Vegas at New England, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

LVR: Henry Ruggs (WR), Derek Carr (WR)
NE: Sony Michel (RB), K’Neal Harry (WR)

Cincinnati at Philadelphia, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

CIN: Joe Mixon (RB), Joe Burrow (QB)
PHI: DeSean Jackson (WR), Miles Sanders (RB)

Houston at Pittsburgh, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

HOU: Will Fuller (WR), Randall Cobb (WR)
PIT: Juju Smith-Schuster (WR), James Connor (RB)

Detroit at Arizona, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

DET: D’Andre Swift (RB), Adrian Peterson (RB)
AZ: Kenyan Drake (RB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR)

Dallas at Seattle, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

DAL: CeeDee Lamb (WR), Amari Cooper (WR)
SEA: Chris Carson (RB), D.K. Metcalf (WR)

Green Bay at New Orleans, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

GB: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Allen Lazard (WR)
NO: Drew Brees (QB), Alvin Kamara (RB)

Kansas City at Baltimore, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

KC: Patrick Mahomes (QB), Mecole Hardman (WR)
BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), Marquise Brown (WR)

Bottom Line

Being unpredictable is the name of the game when it comes to fantasy football. Last week the NFL saw more injuries than most weeks and some star players were significantly hurt. Check those injury reports, and make sure you have a healthy lineup in before the Thursday game this week.

We will see if the Detroit Lions can rebound, hopefully, if your fantasy team lost last week they will rebound too. The game of football can be a very unpredicatable, competitive, and inconsistent one at times, and that parallels fantasy football as well. These are also the same factors that make it so fun to watch and why we love it so much.

ESPN says Texans RT Tytus Howard was 2nd-best tackle in run blocking from Week 2

Houston Texans right tackle Tytus Howard won 89% of his run block engagements in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Houston Texans right tackle Tytus Howard may be the best option for the run game to get yards.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, the former 2019 first-round pick from Alabama State won 89% of his run block engagements, the second-best in the NFL from Week 2.

The Texans didn’t a chance to run the ball much in Week 2 as their 33-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens was hallmarked with turnovers and playing catch-up the entire game. However, when the run game did go to Howard’s side, they had decent success.

Howard missed eight games last due to complications from a sprained MCL in Week 6 that lingered throughout the year. The member of the 2019 Pro Football Writers of America all-rookie team has started two games and finished both of them at right tackle this season.

WATCH: Wisconsin NFL players week two highlights

Tuesday night, Wisconsin Football tweeted highlights from former Wisconsin players in the NFL during week two, and it does not disappoint…

Tuesday night, Wisconsin Football tweeted highlights from former Wisconsin players in the NFL during week two, and it does not disappoint. It was an exciting week for many Badger fans as Jonathan Taylor got his first 100-yard rushing game, Quintez Cephus got his first start, Alec Ingold scored the first touchdown in Allegiant Stadium, and the Watt brothers had massive impacts for their teams. The video includes a game highlight from J.J. Watt, Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon, Russell Wilson, Alec Ingold, T.J. Watt, and Derek Watt.

Wisconsin has proven that it can make players NFL ready, and this video of former Wisconsin players serves as a reminder that Badgers are performing at a high level all over the league. Hopefully, we will get to see more highlights of some other Wisconsin rookies like Zack Baun and Tyler Biadasz as the season goes on.

Texans drop to No. 22 in USA TODAY Week 2 NFL power rankings

The Houston Texans fell three spots to No. 22 in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings at the end of Week 2.

The Houston Texans weren’t able to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens and slipped to 0-2 on the season with a 33-16 loss Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

According to Nate Davis from USA TODAY, the Texans’ loss to the Ravens was enough to drop them from No. 19 to No. 22 in the latest NFL power rankings at the end of Week 2.

22. Texans (19): If you thought Houston’s O-line had been tightened … welp. QB Deshaun Watson suffered a career-high 13 hits Sunday. That can’t happen.

Throw in Watson’s seven quarterback hits from Week 1, and the two-time Pro Bowler has taken 20 quarterback hits through the first two weeks. The beatings, both on the scoreboard and to Watson, have to subside if the Texans are to even have a shot at being a wild-card team in 2020, let alone advance beyond the divisional round for the first time in franchise history.

The Tennessee Titans moved up just one spot from No. 9 to No. 8. Davis doesn’t like the fact last year’s wild-card team won their first two games by the skin of their teeth. The Jacksonville Jaguars jumped from No. 26 to No. 17, even though they lost to the Titans in Week 2. The Indianapolis Colts improved two spots to No. 18.

Ravens pass Chiefs in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings, leading to big Week 3 matchup

After yet another dominant win in Week 2, the Baltimore Ravens supplant the Kansas City Chiefs in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings

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For those that care about the Baltimore Ravens’ standing in the pubic’s perception, Week 3’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs is set to be the defining matchup of the season.

Though both the Ravens and Chiefs won in Week 2, Baltimore bumped the defending Super Bowl champions from their perch. In USA TODAY Sports’ latest power rankings, the Ravens are in No. 1 while the Chiefs move down to No. 2.

Writer Nate Davis is likely to receive quite a bit of flak for his decision but he backs it up with sound reasoning. Davis pointed to Baltimore’s 14-game winning streak in the regular season and their decisive lead in the NFL with an average margin of victory of 24.5 points. He also notes that the perceived slight can be corrected in Week 3 when the top-two teams square off on “Monday Night Football.”

For those that have been keeping up, the Ravens have been firmly behind the Chiefs in nearly every reputable power rankings list since the end of last season. While Baltimore had plenty of questions heading into the 2020 season, they’ve done a great job of answering just about all of them thus far, looking like the best team in the league while Kansas City has struggled at times during their two wins.

This is easily the toughest test on the schedule for both the Ravens and Chiefs this season. And the winner of this game could very well put themselves in a position to run the table and earn one of the rarest feats in sports: an undefeated season.

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