There's a huge tendency to jump to conclusions after any season opener, and the NFL is no different.
So if last week was Overreaction Tuesday across the league, this week we examine five things that are clearer. Yes, they have played only two weeks, but that's more than 12 percent of the season. And two weeks can determine trends - maybe not habits, but certainly tendencies to notice
1. The Colts and the Eagles are not who we thought they are.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) scrambles under pressure from New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Kasim Edebali (91) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman) Each of those teams was a trendy Super Bowl pick, and each is 0-2. There are nine winless teams: Colts, Eagles, Ravens, Texans, Giants, Lions, Bears, Saints and Seahawks. History tells us that of all the teams that started 0-2 in the current playoff model of the NFL, less than 12 percent make the playoffs. Put another way, right at 1 out of 8.5 teams ever to start 0-2 have rebounded to reach the postseason. (Only three of the 49 Super Bowl champs started 0-2 - the 1993 Dallas Cowboys, and they started 0-2 because Emmitt Smith was a holdout; the 2001 New England Patriots; and the 2007 New York Giants.)
Of the current group that is 0-2, we think the Seahawks have the best roster and have eerie similarities to the 1993 Cowboys with the holdout of Kam Chancellor. Of that group, though, we still think the Colts have the best hope of making the playoffs because their division is so easy. A similar argument can be made for the Eagles - and to a lesser degree the Giants - since the Redskins are not going to do anything and the Cowboys are about to lean on Brandon Weeden for two months.
2. Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston are exactly who we thought they would be. Each is talented and can make plays and offers hope for franchises that had little in the last couple of years. But each is a rookie quarterback, and with those growing pains come the mistakes of youth and emotional swings of unpredictable success. Mariota has the best efficiency rating after two games of any QB in league history, and Winston just led the Buccaneers into New Orleans for a win.
3. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the best offense in the league. Yes, the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots have scored more points, but here are the Steelers' offensive rankings:
Total offense - first with 458.5 yards per game (New England is second at 434);
Passing offense - second at 349.5 per game (New England is first at 366);
Rushing offense - 18th at 109 per game (Washington is first at 171.5);
Scoring - third at 32.0 points per game (Arizona at 39.5 and New England at 34 are the top two).
Impressive, right? Now know that the Steelers get the best running back in football back from a suspension this week when Le'Veon Bell returns, plus they are halfway to the return of starting wideout Martavious Bryant, who was suspended for the first four games.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) scores a touchdown against the defense of San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright) Those numbers above are even more impressive considering they were posted without your starting tailback and your No. 2 wide receiver and best deep threat, never mind All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey.
4. I predicted before the season that Rex Ryan would be coach of the year. I'm not ready to deviate from that, but after two games Dan Quinn certainly has transformed the look and the attitude of the Atlanta Falcons, who have rallied in the second half of each game to start 2-0.
5. J.J. Watt is a monster and drawing comparisons to the best ever. In fact, the two fastest NFL players to 60 sacks are Watt (did it in 67 games) and Reggie White (47 games), and we know this: If you are on a defensive list with Reggie, that's a good thing.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343. Follow him on Twitter at @jgreesontfp and read his "5-at-10" column at timesfreepress.com every Monday through Friday starting at 10 a.m.