NFL Duress List - Week 2

Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books, and what a return it was! The action kicked off with an epic showdown at Arrowhead, where Isaiah Likely's toe prevented the Ravens from scoring a game-tying touchdown against the Chiefs. It all wrapped up on Monday Night Football with the 49ers steamrolling the New York Jets.

Now, as we look ahead to Week 2, I have the three people who I believe are feeling the heat. Let’s dive into who’s under the most pressure heading into the weekend, starting with…

1. Deshaun Watson

Week 1 was a nightmare for the Cleveland Browns and their $230 million quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Watson struggled mightily, throwing for just 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while being sacked six times. His inability to connect on deep throws, despite having weapons like Amari Cooper and David Njoku, raised serious concerns about the Browns’ offence. Missing key players like tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin, and running back Nick Chubb didn’t help, but Watson’s performance remains difficult to defend.

Digging deeper, the stats reveal even more troubling details. Watson became the first quarterback in NFL history to attempt 10 passes of 15+ yards downfield without completing a single one. Since joining the Browns in 2022, Watson ranks in the bottom three among 45 quarterbacks in completion percentage, yards per attempt, and passer rating. Fans are growing increasingly impatient, and if Watson doesn’t show significant improvement soon, his future in Cleveland could be in serious jeopardy.

Adding to the on-field struggles, Watson now faces fresh off-field controversy. A new civil lawsuit has been filed against him, accusing him of sexual misconduct from four years ago, adding to the 11-game suspension he served in 2022 for similar allegations involving two dozen women.

Meanwhile, Watson’s predecessor, Baker Mayfield, is thriving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, boasting the highest passer rating among all quarterbacks in Week 1. As Mayfield continues to shine, the Browns’ decision to part ways with him in favour of Watson becomes increasingly questionable.

With Watson’s poor performance and looming legal troubles, the Browns may find themselves in a quarterback crisis. If things don’t turn around quickly, Cleveland might have to consider other options, like Jameis Winston, to salvage their season.

Next Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium

2. Robert Saleh

Jets head coach Robert Saleh is confident the team is in a better position at 0-1 with Aaron Rodgers than they were at 1-0 last season under Zach Wilson. Despite facing a strong 49ers team, the Jets missed a major opportunity, especially with San Francisco arguably missing their best player Christian McCaffrey. Even wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had a quiet game, catching just two passes for 28 yards.

However, Saleh's defence struggled against his former team. The 49ers scored on eight consecutive drives, dominating the time of possession with nearly 39 minutes compared to the Jets' 21. Backup running back Jordan Mason led all rushers with 147 yards, and the Jets defence couldn’t contain the 49ers’ offence. The absence of newly acquired Hassan Reddick, who was expected to boost the pass rush, only worsened their struggles.

With Aaron Rodgers leading the offence, expectations for the Jets are sky-high this season, unlike last year when Saleh had more leeway due to Zach Wilson's inconsistency. Analysts have forecasted a deep playoff run, possibly a Super Bowl appearance.

In a competitive AFC East, where both the Bills and Dolphins won in Week 1, the Jets cannot afford to fall behind the pack. Their Week 2 game against the Titans is critical, especially with a favourable four-game stretch ahead where they face the Titans, Patriots, Broncos & Vikings. If the Jets stumble early, Saleh’s job could be at risk, as fans will expect nothing less than four straight victories.

Next Game: Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium

3. Joe Burrow

Another season opener brought another lacklustre performance from Joe Burrow, as the Bengals fell 16-10 at home to the Patriots. Burrow’s stats—21 of 26 for 164 yards, no touchdowns—painted a troubling picture. Despite completing 72.4% of his passes, his 4.8 yards per dropback highlighted a lack of offensive spark. After a failed fourth-down attempt, boos rang out in Cleveland Brown Stadium—an unusual reaction to a team led by Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.

For the third consecutive year, the Bengals are 0-1, and Burrow’s 1-8 record in Weeks 1 and 2 over the past five seasons ties him with Kirk Cousins for the worst in that span. Frustration grows as slow starts continue to plague Cincinnati. Adding insult to injury, the Patriots, a team seen as one of the worst in football, pulled off the upset. In a month, many will wonder how the Bengals let this one slip.

A small silver lining: the rest of the AFC North, except the Steelers, also lost in Week 1. However, the missed chance to get ahead of rivals like the Ravens and Browns will haunt them.

Speculation about Burrow’s surgically repaired wrist has emerged after fans noticed him flexing it during the game, but Burrow quickly dismissed any concerns. Now, the Bengals face a difficult test against the reigning two-time Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, with all eyes on Burrow to see if he can turn things around.

Next Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead