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.