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NFL Week 2 Overreactions: The Houston Texans Are In Trouble

W.G. Ramirez September 22, 2026 Fact checked by: Matt Moreno No Comments

We know more about the NFL in Week 2 of the season, but what should be believed and what is an overreaction early in the schedule? TeamFB7 examines the top 10 snap judgements following the second round of games.

Two weeks into an NFL season, perception moves faster than proof. One impressive victory can produce Super Bowl declarations, while one ugly loss can create calls for sweeping changes. Week 2 poured fuel on both extremes. Eight teams remain unbeaten, but several reached 2-0 through narrow escapes, comeback victories or dominant performances against struggling opponents.

Meanwhile, contenders Baltimore and Houston are suddenly facing uncomfortable questions, Indianapolis owns a misleading 0-2 record, and the Rams required one explosive Monday night to erase much of the concern created by their opener.

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles during the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts on December 22, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

That is what makes separating warning signs from overreactions so difficult.

10 Overreactions Following Week 2 of the NFL Season

Brock Purdy produced a historic performance, Kansas City survived an overtime classic and Seattle extended its winning streak behind another Jaxon Smith-Njigba eruption. Then Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams closed the week by dismantling New York — after Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart departed with a knee injury. Every result tells us something, but none tells us everything.

With that distinction in mind, here are the 10 biggest NFL overreactions after Week 2, ranked from intriguing exaggeration to full-scale September hysteria.

10. The Saints Have Arrived Ahead of Schedule

The overreaction: Coming back from 14-3 down to beat Baltimore makes New Orleans an immediate NFC South contender.

The reality: The 24-17 victory demonstrated toughness, defensive resilience and belief against a perennial contender. But one inspired comeback does not erase every roster concern. New Orleans must prove it can create offense consistently without requiring a second-half rescue.

Previous game: New Orleans lost its season opener to Detroit, 31-30, in overtime after scoring a touchdown on its answering possession but failing on the decisive two-point conversion.

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9. Minnesota Can Win With Defense Alone

The overreaction: After holding Chicago to three points, the Vikings no longer need substantial quarterback production.

The reality: Minnesota’s defense appears capable of carrying the team through difficult stretches, but winning 9-3 is not a sustainable championship formula. Holding Chicago to 163 passing yards and no touchdowns was exceptional; scoring only nine points leaves virtually no margin for error.

Previous game: Minnesota opened the season with a convincing 39-22 victory over Green Bay, highlighted by two Justin Jefferson touchdown receptions.

8. The Raiders Are Completing the NFL’s Next Miracle Turnaround

The overreaction: Las Vegas is going directly from three victories to the postseason.

The reality: The Raiders have earned attention. They are the first team since the 2014 Texans to start 2-0 after winning three or fewer games the previous season. That reflects genuine improvement, but two September victories cannot yet answer questions concerning depth, consistency and performance against the AFC’s strongest teams.

Previous game: Las Vegas opened the season with a 27-13 road victory over Miami before defeating the Chargers in Week 2.

7. Cincinnati Finally Has a Championship Defense

The overreaction: Holding Houston to six points means the Bengals now possess the defense necessary to win the Super Bowl.

The reality: Cincinnati’s front controlled the game and prevented Houston from scoring a touchdown, helping the Bengals reach 2-0. But the Texans contributed with only 18 rushing yards, poor protection and repeated offensive mistakes. Cincinnati must duplicate that dominance against a more functional offense.

Previous game: Cincinnati began the season with a 33-27 victory over Tampa Bay before holding Houston to six points in Week 2.

Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.
Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images

6. The Rams’ Week 1 Disaster Meant Absolutely Nothing

The overreaction: Monday’s 28-6 demolition of the New York Giants proves Los Angeles remains an unquestioned NFC heavyweight.

The reality: The Rams’ response was emphatic. Matthew Stafford threw for 327 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Davante Adams produced 8 catches for 195 yards and 2 scores despite Puka Nacua’s absence. Stafford also moved into sixth place in NFL history with 427 career touchdown passes. However, New York lost Jaxson Dart on its opening possession, radically changing the game. Los Angeles restored confidence — not conference supremacy.

Previous game: Los Angeles opened the season with a humbling 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, producing fewer than 300 yards in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.

5. Seattle is Already a Super Bowl Team

The overreaction: Twelve consecutive victories and a 2-0 start make the Seahawks the NFC favorite.

The reality: Seattle has a legitimate case as one of the conference’s most complete teams. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 9 receptions, 155 yards and 3 touchdowns powered a 31-7 rout of the Arizona Cardinals, while Drew Lock threw 3 scores without committing a turnover. The Seahawks are contenders, but Arizona did not provide the measuring stick necessary to crown them.

Previous game: Seattle opened the season with a 13-10 comeback victory over New England, scoring its only touchdown on Smith-Njigba’s 45-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter.

4. The Ravens’ Championship Window Has Closed

The overreaction: Blowing an 11-point lead against New Orleans proves Baltimore’s veteran core has run its course.

The reality: The 24-17 loss deserves concern because the Ravens again failed to protect a double-digit advantage. That speaks to execution, game management and an inability to finish — not necessarily the end of an era. Baltimore remains talented enough to recover, but repeated collapses have advanced beyond coincidence.

Previous game: Baltimore began the season with a 41-23 victory over Indianapolis as Derrick Henry rushed for three touchdowns.

3. Brock Purdy is Now the NFL’s MVP Favorite

The overreaction: Brock Purdy’s historic afternoon placed him at the front of the award race.

The reality: Completing 20 of 22 passes for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding a rushing score was extraordinary. Purdy became the first quarterback ever to complete at least 90% of his passes with 285 passing yards, 2 touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown. He belongs in the early NFL MVP conversation, but San Francisco’s system, Christian McCaffrey and an elite supporting cast provided ideal conditions. Two games cannot produce an MVP favorite.

Previous game: Purdy threw for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns in San Francisco’s season-opening 27-7 rout of the Rams in Melbourne.

2. The Chiefs Are Completely Back

The overreaction: Patrick Mahomes is healthy, the offense has returned and Kansas City is again the AFC’s unquestioned team to beat.

The reality: Mahomes looked like Mahomes while throwing for 382 yards and 3 touchdowns in Kansas City’s 33-30 overtime victory over Indianapolis. Travis Kelce surpassed Marshall Faulk for the most career yards after the catch, and the Chiefs improved to 2-0. Nevertheless, Indianapolis pushed them to the final possession and came agonizingly close to winning. Kansas City has rejoined the contenders — it has not separated from them.

Previous game: Kansas City opened the season by overpowering Denver, 31-10, behind three total touchdowns from Mahomes and 173 rushing yards with 2 scores from Kenneth Walker III.

Head Coach DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans reacts with Woody Marks #4 during warm ups prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

1. The Texans’ Season is Already Over

The overreaction: An 0-2 start and six-point performance against Cincinnati means Houston is headed for a total collapse.

The reality: This is the most understandable overreaction because Houston’s offense looks broken. The Texans failed to score a touchdown, rushed for only 18 yards and repeatedly undermined themselves with protection problems, penalties and poor execution. Still, C.J. Stroud threw for 353 yards, showing there’s enough passing talent to build around. Houston is in legitimate trouble, but Week 2 is too early to declare the season dead. The Texans need immediate repairs — not an obituary.

Previous game: Houston opened the season with a 36-31 loss to Buffalo despite David Montgomery producing three touchdowns and the Texans holding a late lead.

W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Writer at TeamFB7.com. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.

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