Season-opening results either become trends or one-time occurrences, for better or worse. In the Cincinnati Bengals' case, it was for the better. The defensive improvements they showed in their first game carried over into an overwhelming performance against the Houston Texans in which they surrendered just six points on the road.
For the Chicago Bears, however, it was for the worse. They scored 56 fewer points in Week 2 than they did seven days prior, and they lost their quarterback in the process. Those teams are among the biggest winners and losers from the second week of the campaign.
Below are the others that came out on top and the ones that left a lot to be desired. The hope for the Bengals entering the year was that their retooled defense would inch closer to the level of their elite offense. Through two weeks, everything appears to be coming together for what might be a dark-horse Super Bowl contender.
Nearly all of the new faces on the defense delivered impact plays in Week 1, and Dexter Lawrence announced his arrival in Week 2. His stout play on a fourth-and-inches situation turned the Texans over on downs, which marked the only time the Bengals took the ball away from the home team in a 20-6 win at Reliant Stadium. The rest of the defensive front was formidable, too, as it got home on C.J.
Stroud for five sacks, including two in the final three plays. The best part of Cincinnati's defensive renaissance through two games is that it has not come at the cost of the offense. Ja'Marr Chase bounced back on Sunday from a quiet season opener with two touchdowns.
The first was an early contender for the NFL's Catch of the Year. Regression was always going to come for the Bears' offense. It would have been impossible to keep pace with the 59 points they racked up in Week 1.
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