We’re now through two weeks of the regular season (with Monday Night Football still to come), and already there appears to be a narrowing race to the bottom of the standings. Of course, that means a race to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft too.
The Carolina Panthers and New York Giants are each 0-2 and look like that isn’t an injury-impacted fluke or a better team getting off to a slow start. Bad quarterback play is a prime component, with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young continuing to struggle massively in Carolina and Daniel Jones unable to avoid mistakes for the Giants.
Carolina’s defense make them the front-runner. No team has allowed more points than the 73 the Panthers have surrendered in the first two weeks.
Also in early contention
Tennessee Titans – 0-2 thanks to inexcusable mistakes from QB Will Levis, though the Tennessee defense is highly competitive
Los Angeles Rams – the second-worst point differential to the Panthers at -37, the 2023 playoff team is already decimated with injuries to several key players
Denver Broncos – 0-2 and only the Panthers and Giants have scored fewer points through Week 2 (again, Monday night to come)