The Bengals’ 2-0 surge amid Joe Burrow’s turf-toe setback highlights a cramped club: teams that begin 2-0 still reach the playoffs far more often after leagues expanded. From 1990-2020, 160 of 255 2-0 squads (62.7%) advanced, with 21 of 31 champions fitting the trend. Since 2021, 24 of 31 2-0 clubs made the postseason (77.4%), averaging 10.4 wins. Cincinnati sits 2-0 for the first time since 2018, keeping playoff chatter alive despite the chaos around them.

The piece stacks up QB upheaval as a common thread for 2-0 teams: Saints, Seahawks, Browns, Commanders, Falcons, Broncos, Panthers all navigated injuries or rotation yet clawed toward or away from the playoffs. For fantasy managers, the takeaways are clear: backfield depth and adaptability matter when an early-season surge collides with quarterback volatility.

Detroit's Week 2 eruption, posting 500+ total yards, five passing TDs and two rushing scores, showcased Jared Goff attached to a dominant line and sharper play-calling. Now Monday night in Baltimore looms as a true litmus test, with Lamar Jackson and a powerful Ravens attack waiting. The line tags Detroit as 4.5-point underdogs, a reflection of the challenge but also a potential upset spark for fantasy managers eyeing a high-variance, high-reward showdown.

The Ravens’ offense, balanced by Derrick Henry’s big-volume backfield, presents a stern test for Detroit’s improvement. This game doubles as a benchmark for both teams’ Super Bowl aspirations and fantasy upside, where efficient Lions drive contrasts with Baltimore’s爆 explosive, multi-dimensional attack in primetime.

Detroit travels to Baltimore for Monday Night Football after Week 2's surge, facing a Ravens offense led by Lamar Jackson with Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and De'Andre Hopkins. Baltimore's run game and Jackson's mobility keep it dangerous, while Detroit's improved line and tackling try to slow them and force mistakes.

Key questions hinge on pass protection and edge pressure. If Detroit can disrupt Jackson and win upfront, this stays tight; Baltimore must protect Jackson and carve out long drives. For fantasy, lean Jackson and Flowers, with Hopkins as a value in deeper formats; the line sits Ravens -5.5 in a likely close one.