The low-scoring affair featured mostly positives for the defense, but reflected poorly on coach Mike McCarthy's offense, as it managed just three points. It has scored just one touchdown through the first two weeks of the campaign.
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Here's a look at some of the highlights and lowlights through the eyes of Pro Football Focus evaluators, who study every play on film to grade each player individually. For context, players are graded on a 0-100 scale.
The numbers for one of GM Omar Khan's key offseason acquisitions are not good. Through two games, he's averaged 2.5 yards per carry. Worse, he's averaging just two yards per carry after contact. That's a bad combination when paired with an offensive line that's allowing a lot of contact at or behind the line of scrimmage. CounterpartJaylen Warrenhas been significantly better with similar blocking at 3.48 yards per carry after contact. Dowdle has no runs of 10 or more yards yet, and he's allowed two pressures on his 14 pass blocking attempts. The one out we can give him so far is that hedealt with a toe injuryin the first half of the New England game.
It wasn't a great day for the Pittsburgh-area native against New England. He was targeted four times and allowed four receptions worth 68 yards. Worse, he missed a pair of tackles on seven opportunities for a whiff rate of 28.6%. Through two weeks, that number is 23.1%, which will be a problem if it doesn't shrink over a larger sample size. He has an interception from Week 1 againstAtlantato fall back on in terms of positives. Still, you'd like to see him button things up, particularly with the tackling, going forward.
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game.
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 5: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium. New England wore its legendary "Pat Patriot" throwback for the 45-17 win.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 5: Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers debutedtheir "Rivalries" uniforms- featuring a color palette has been slightly altered with "desaturated vintage green" jerseys and "alabaster" pants and helmets trimmed with the team’s familiar gold.The Packers won the gameover their ancient rivals, 31-7.
(Wm. Glasheen/Appleton Post-Cresc, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates with AJ Dillon (28) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions duringthe "Sunday Night Football" gameat Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston throws during a 36-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. The Giants wore throwback uniforms reminiscent of the team's look in the 1980s on a day when the team celebrated its Super Bowl championship during the 1986 season.
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdownagainst the Pittsburgh Steelersat Huntington Bank Field. The Browns wore their "Alpha Dawg" alternate uniform for the "Thursday Night Football" game.
(Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) celebrates with long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) after Shrader kicked a 58-yard field goal against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts debutedtheir "Anvil Strike" uniform- featuring an unfamiliar gray uniform and glossy, metallic blue helmet with the familiar horseshoe logo in white. The Colts won, 19-17, for their first win of the season.
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Week 3: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook III against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Highmark Stadium. For the game, the Bills debutedtheir "Nickel City" alternate uniforms-the most striking elementbeing the blue "Charge Helmet," adorned simply with an oversized cutout of the team's familiar logo.The Bills won the game, 24-16.
(Gregory Fisher, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten pulls the train horn after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium. The Jaguars wore throwback uniforms harkening back to the team's look during its expansion season in 1995 for the 35-6 win.
(Doug Engle, Florida Times-Union, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Week 2: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball to running back Kyren Williams (23) duringa 28-6 winon "Monday Night Football" against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. The Rams debuted their new "Classic Sol" uniforms, an homage to the team's look during its 1951 championship season.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys wore their "Arctic White" uniforms for the 37-20 win.
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) hands off to running back Jeremiyah Love against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals woretheir desert-themed "Rivalries" uniformsin the 31-7 loss to the Seahawks. Arizona's "Rivalries" look wasone of the best to debut in 2025.
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens' Trey Hendrickson (91) reacts after a sack against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens wore their "White Noise" uniforms, just one ofthe team's new uniform combinationsthat will debut during the 2026 season. The Ravens lost the game, 24-17.
(James Lang, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets debutedtheir "White Out" uniformsfor their home opener, which ended in a 20-17 overtime loss.
(Brad Penner, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during a "Monday Night Football" game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos have utilized the "Summit White" look just once before, during a win over the AFC West rival Chiefs on Christmas Day 2025.
(Denny Medley, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes against the Green Bay Packers during a 39-22 win at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings sported their "Vikings Classic" throwback uniforms, an homage to the team's look during its inaugural season and one it has used since the 2023 season.
(Matt Krohn, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks to throw against the Chicago Bears during a 59-37 loss at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers sported the uniform combo for just the fourth time ever.
(Jim Dedmon, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals went "Open in Orange" for the season opener, which was a 33-27 victory.
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game.
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game.
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium. New England wore its legendary "Pat Patriot" throwback for the 45-17 win.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers debutedtheir "Rivalries" uniforms- featuring a color palette has been slightly altered with "desaturated vintage green" jerseys and "alabaster" pants and helmets trimmed with the team’s familiar gold.The Packers won the gameover their ancient rivals, 31-7.
(Wm. Glasheen/Appleton Post-Cresc, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 4: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates with AJ Dillon (28) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions duringthe "Sunday Night Football" gameat Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 4: New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston throws during a 36-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. The Giants wore throwback uniforms reminiscent of the team's look in the 1980s on a day when the team celebrated its Super Bowl championship during the 1986 season.
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 4: Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdownagainst the Pittsburgh Steelersat Huntington Bank Field. The Browns wore their "Alpha Dawg" alternate uniform for the "Thursday Night Football" game.
(Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) celebrates with long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) after Shrader kicked a 58-yard field goal against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts debutedtheir "Anvil Strike" uniform- featuring an unfamiliar gray uniform and glossy, metallic blue helmet with the familiar horseshoe logo in white. The Colts won, 19-17, for their first win of the season.
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
8/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 3: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook III against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Highmark Stadium. For the game, the Bills debutedtheir "Nickel City" alternate uniforms-the most striking elementbeing the blue "Charge Helmet," adorned simply with an oversized cutout of the team's familiar logo.The Bills won the game, 24-16.
(Gregory Fisher, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten pulls the train horn after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium. The Jaguars wore throwback uniforms harkening back to the team's look during its expansion season in 1995 for the 35-6 win.
(Doug Engle, Florida Times-Union, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
10/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball to running back Kyren Williams (23) duringa 28-6 winon "Monday Night Football" against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. The Rams debuted their new "Classic Sol" uniforms, an homage to the team's look during its 1951 championship season.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
11/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys wore their "Arctic White" uniforms for the 37-20 win.
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) hands off to running back Jeremiyah Love against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals woretheir desert-themed "Rivalries" uniformsin the 31-7 loss to the Seahawks. Arizona's "Rivalries" look wasone of the best to debut in 2025.
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens' Trey Hendrickson (91) reacts after a sack against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens wore their "White Noise" uniforms, just one ofthe team's new uniform combinationsthat will debut during the 2026 season. The Ravens lost the game, 24-17.
(James Lang, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets debutedtheir "White Out" uniformsfor their home opener, which ended in a 20-17 overtime loss.
(Brad Penner, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during a "Monday Night Football" game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos have utilized the "Summit White" look just once before, during a win over the AFC West rival Chiefs on Christmas Day 2025.
(Denny Medley, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes against the Green Bay Packers during a 39-22 win at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings sported their "Vikings Classic" throwback uniforms, an homage to the team's look during its inaugural season and one it has used since the 2023 season.
(Matt Krohn, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks to throw against the Chicago Bears during a 59-37 loss at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers sported the uniform combo for just the fourth time ever.
(Jim Dedmon, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18/18
Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals went "Open in Orange" for the season opener, which was a 33-27 victory.
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
There will be calls this week for rookie and 2026 first-round pick Max Iheanachor to get the start over the undrafted veteran after a game in which the offensive line was conspicuously a problem. PFF does not consider Cook to be the weak link, though. In fact, through two weeks, his overall grade of 76.4 is the best on the team by a margin of 11.2 points over centerZach Frazier. PFF data faults him for just five pressures across 94 pass blocking snaps. And his 81.4 run blocking score is the best on the team by 20.1 points. Left tackleTroy Fautanu, by contrast, has a 59.6 grade for the season and a run blocking score of 55.9. He should be under more pressure than Cook analytically, but it's possible his pedigree as a former first-round pick will insulate him.
Sunday marked the first time in hisSteelerscareer that he did not allow a single reception when targeted. ThePatriotswent after him only twice, and he cashed one of those targets in for an interception. Throw in two tackles and a stop – defined by PFF as a play that results in failure for the opposing offense – and it was a nice day for the veteran after a rough afternoon against Atlanta in Week 1. Queen remains under some roster pressure – he doesn't have a contract for 2027. Stacking more of these performances could help him curry favor with the new coaching staff.
