NFL Week 2 Grades: Saints Shock Ravens as Steelers Struggle Against Patriots
The NFL Week 2 grades have highlighted a surprising collection of results across the 2026 season, with the New Orleans Saints earning an A after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 24-17. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers received a D following a disappointing offensive performance in their 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
The second week of the NFL season delivered important developments for teams attempting to build momentum. New Orleans avoided an 0-2 start by rallying against Baltimore, while the Ravens struggled to maintain control after taking an early lead. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, found itself facing questions about its offensive execution after a difficult afternoon against New England.
CBS Sports’ weekly grades, published by John Breech on September 20, assessed the performances of teams across the league. The Saints’ comeback and the Steelers’ offensive struggles were among the key storylines.
NFL Week 2 Grades: Saints Earn an A After Stunning Ravens
New Orleans Saints: A
The New Orleans Saints produced one of the most unexpected results of Week 2 by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 24-17 on the road. The victory was particularly notable because Baltimore entered the game with a strong reputation on offense and home-field advantage.
According to CBS Sports, New Orleans’ defense played a major role in the result. The Saints limited Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense to just 84 yards during the second half. That defensive performance helped the visitors overcome an early deficit and complete their comeback.
The Saints entered halftime trailing 14-3, but the game changed significantly after the break. New Orleans found more rhythm offensively while its defense restricted Baltimore’s ability to sustain drives.
Chase Young was one of the important contributors to the defensive effort. He recorded 1.5 sacks against Jackson, helping the Saints apply pressure to Baltimore’s quarterback during a game in which every possession became increasingly important.
The performance demonstrated how a strong defensive second half can change the direction of an NFL game. Baltimore had opportunities to protect its lead, but New Orleans consistently found ways to limit the Ravens’ production.
Tyler Shough Leads a Fourth-Quarter Offensive Surge
The Saints’ offense did not immediately reach its potential during the game. However, quarterback Tyler Shough delivered an impressive fourth-quarter performance that helped New Orleans take control.
CBS Sports reported that Shough completed 12 of 14 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He also ran for a late touchdown, contributing directly to the Saints’ comeback.
His performance became particularly important because New Orleans had struggled to generate consistent offensive production earlier in the contest. The quarterback’s improved execution in the final quarter gave the Saints the opportunity to turn a close game into a victory.
Shough’s passing and rushing contributions showed the value of maintaining offensive composure when facing a significant deficit. Rather than allowing Baltimore to control the remainder of the game, New Orleans responded with scoring drives and effective execution.
The Saints also benefited from the continued production of wide receiver Chris Olave. He finished with 86 receiving yards after recording 182 yards in the season opener.
Olave’s ability to create opportunities in the passing game remains an important part of the Saints’ offensive approach. His early-season performances have made him a central player for a team that is attempting to establish itself as a competitive force.
Baltimore Ravens Receive a C After Blown Fourth-Quarter Lead
Baltimore Ravens: C
The Ravens experienced a disappointing result in their home opener under head coach Jesse Minter. After producing a strong offensive performance during Week 1, Baltimore struggled to maintain its advantage against New Orleans.
The Ravens led 14-3 at halftime and appeared to have control of the game. However, their offense failed to produce enough in the second half, allowing the Saints to mount a comeback.
One of the biggest concerns was Baltimore’s performance during its final three possessions. CBS Sports reported that the Ravens produced just 32 combined yards across those drives.
That lack of offensive production created opportunities for New Orleans. As the Saints continued to improve, Baltimore struggled to generate the sustained drives necessary to protect its lead.
The Ravens’ running game also became a significant topic of discussion. Derrick Henry had only five carries in the second half, including one carry during the fourth quarter.
Henry is an important component of Baltimore’s offensive identity, and his limited involvement late in the game raised questions about the team’s play selection and offensive balance.
When a team holds a lead but struggles to move the football, the running game can become a useful method of managing the clock and maintaining possession. Baltimore was unable to consistently accomplish that against the Saints.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens Face Offensive Questions
Lamar Jackson remains central to Baltimore’s offensive system, but New Orleans’ defensive performance created significant challenges for the quarterback.
The Saints applied pressure and restricted the Ravens’ ability to generate yardage after halftime. That made it difficult for Baltimore to maintain the momentum it had established during the opening portion of the game.
The result also creates an early test for Minter, who is in his first season as Baltimore’s head coach. A fourth-quarter lead that turns into a home loss places attention on late-game execution, offensive decision-making and the ability to respond when an opponent gains momentum.
However, one game does not determine the outcome of an entire season. The Ravens still have opportunities to address their weaknesses and improve their performance in upcoming games.
The defeat illustrates the importance of finishing games effectively, particularly when a team has built a substantial early advantage.
Pittsburgh Steelers Receive a D After Offensive Struggles
Pittsburgh Steelers: D
The Pittsburgh Steelers endured a difficult Week 2 performance, losing 20-3 to the New England Patriots.
The Steelers’ offense struggled to maintain consistent movement against the Patriots’ defense. According to CBS Sports, Pittsburgh’s offensive line had difficulty protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked four times during the game.
The pressure placed on Rodgers affected Pittsburgh’s ability to sustain offensive drives. The team also experienced dropped passes, while its rushing attack produced very little.
A balanced offense generally requires effective execution in both the passing and running games. Against New England, the Steelers struggled in both areas, making it difficult to build momentum.
The defensive unit deserves credit for helping keep the game competitive for portions of the contest. However, the offense could not overcome its difficulties, and two fourth-quarter turnovers by Rodgers added to the problems.
One of those turnovers was a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. That play gave New England additional points and reflected the importance of ball security during a game in which Pittsburgh was already struggling to produce.
The Steelers’ performance led CBS Sports to assign the team a D, indicating significant areas that require improvement.
Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy Need Offensive Adjustments
Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy have a long history of working together, but the Steelers’ Week 2 performance showed that familiarity alone does not guarantee offensive success.
The offensive line’s struggles, dropped passes and ineffective running game created multiple challenges. Pittsburgh needs to improve its ability to protect the quarterback and execute consistently if it wants to generate more points.
The Steelers’ offense was unable to provide enough support for the defense. Although the defensive unit kept the score within reach for part of the contest, the turnovers and limited offensive production ultimately contributed to the defeat.
The loss gives Pittsburgh several areas to examine, including pass protection, rushing efficiency and turnover prevention. These factors can significantly influence results during the regular season.
The Steelers will need to evaluate their execution and determine how to improve their offensive performance in the games ahead.
New England Patriots Earn an A- With Strong Defensive Performance
New England Patriots: A-
The New England Patriots received an A- after defeating Pittsburgh 20-3.
The Patriots’ defense continued its impressive start to the season, according to CBS Sports. After allowing only 13 points against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, New England delivered another strong defensive performance.
The Patriots generated pressure against Aaron Rodgers, with four different players recording at least one sack. That defensive effort limited Pittsburgh’s ability to operate effectively in the passing game.
Elijah Ponder was among the standout performers. He recorded a sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown, contributing directly to New England’s scoring output.
The Patriots’ defensive performance was important because it prevented Pittsburgh from establishing consistent offensive rhythm. By creating pressure and forcing turnovers, New England made it difficult for the Steelers to remain competitive.
Through the first two weeks, the Patriots have shown encouraging defensive production. However, the season remains long, and maintaining that level of performance will require continued execution against different offensive systems.
The victory over Pittsburgh gave New England another opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of its defensive approach.
What the NFL Week 2 Grades Reveal About the Early Season
The results from New Orleans, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and New England illustrate how quickly circumstances can change during an NFL season.
The Saints entered Week 2 needing a victory after losing their opening game. Their comeback against the Ravens prevented an 0-2 start and provided an important boost for the team.
Baltimore, meanwhile, suffered a home defeat after taking a 14-3 halftime lead. The game exposed issues involving second-half offense, rushing attempts and the team’s ability to close out a contest.
For Pittsburgh, the 20-3 loss to New England raised concerns about offensive execution. The Steelers struggled to protect Rodgers, move the ball on the ground and avoid turnovers.
New England’s defense, on the other hand, continued to produce strong results in the opening weeks. Its pass rush and ability to create turnovers helped the Patriots secure a comfortable victory.
These performances also highlight the importance of avoiding an 0-2 start. CBS Sports noted that only eight of 51 teams that began 0-2 since the playoffs expanded to 14 teams in 2020 eventually reached the postseason. The statistic provides historical context, although it does not determine how any particular team will perform in the remainder of the year.
The early season can be unpredictable, and teams have considerable time to make adjustments. Still, Week 2 results can influence the direction of a team’s season, particularly when weaknesses appear in important areas.
Final Takeaway: Saints Make a Statement in Baltimore
The NFL Week 2 grades reflect several contrasting performances across the league. The New Orleans Saints earned an A after defeating the Ravens 24-17, while Baltimore received a C following its inability to protect a significant halftime lead.
The Pittsburgh Steelers received a D after struggling offensively against the Patriots, who earned an A- for another strong defensive showing.
New Orleans’ victory was driven by a second-half defensive performance and an impressive fourth quarter from Tyler Shough. Baltimore’s limited offensive production late in the game and reduced involvement for Derrick Henry were central points of concern.
For Pittsburgh, protection problems, dropped passes and turnovers contributed to a difficult afternoon. New England benefited from effective defensive pressure and timely plays.
With the season still in its early stages, these results offer teams opportunities to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. The Saints’ comeback gives them momentum, while the Ravens and Steelers will have to address their respective challenges as the 2026 NFL season continues.
