Bengals sit 2-0 for the first time under Zac Taylor, but the win over Jacksonville came at a price: Joe Burrow exited with a toe injury that could threaten his 2025 season. Jake Browning relieved him and kept Cincinnati rolling, yet the question lingered: can the offense survive long-term without its quarterback?

The discussion turns to the return timeline, Browning’s playoff viability, and what the trenches and an opportunistic defense must do to sustain the run. Sam Hubbard’s recent interview adds a veteran lens on leadership as Cincinnati seeks answers and elevation while Burrow remains in doubt.

Kansas City’s 0-2 start jolts the Mahomes era with uncharted territory after a Super Bowl run. Historical odds since 1990 place playoff probability around 12% for 0-2 teams, a figure not improved by the 2020 14-team expansion. KC’s path hinges on rediscovering balance: Mahomes with a thinner receiving corps, notably Rashee Rice suspended six games and Xavier Worthy sidelined, must lean on Travis Kelce while the defense tightens. The schedule lightens in the second half, but wins must come soon, starting with the Giants and a stretch that tests the Chiefs’ resilience and rotation depth.

Kept afloat by a favorable home slate against Ravens, Lions and Commanders, Kansas City still needs three wins in four against Ravens, Lions, Commanders, and Bills to keep realistic playoff odds. The week-to-week calculus matters more than ever, as KC navigates back from a rough early phase with a tighter offense and a hopeful return of top pass catchers. The long runway remains daunting, but the door isn’t closed yet.

Brian Thomas Jr. opened Week 2 in Cincinnati with a wrist issue that likely affected his hands and timing, turning 12 targets into only 4 catches for 49 yards as Jacksonville fell 31-27. The struggle came on a day when a few tight-window opportunities slipped away, and coaching staff pledged to dig for the root cause rather than panic.

Thomas’ rookie breakout last year raised expectations, but the early funk, drops, and an off-chemistry feel with Trevor Lawrence put the fantasy ceiling under a microscope. With the wrist in play, the Jaguars will need Thomas healthy and reconnected with Lawrence to reclaim the high-end target volume they envisioned.

Fantasy managers should monitor practice reports closely; if Thomas shows progress in the next week, he remains a high-upside volume option, though the near-term risk warrants a cautious stance until health and rhythm return.