2018 NFL Season: Contenders and pretenders among 2-0 teams

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Chris Conley #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Tyreek Hill #10 after a 15 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Chris Conley #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Tyreek Hill #10 after a 15 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: A.J. Bouye #21 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks to the fans in the second half of their game against the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: A.J. Bouye #21 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks to the fans in the second half of their game against the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars:  Contender

They just took down the New England Patriots in fairly dominant fashion. They were in the AFC championship last year. They have arguably the best defense in football. Yeah, this team certainly looks for real. They’ve been doing all this with a rather banged-up receiving corps and no Leonard Fournette as well. That’s a testament to how talented and how well-coached they are. If they can maintain momentum, they could gain homefield advantage, forcing the Patriots to come to them.

Miami Dolphins:  Pretender

Credit Adam Gase for having his team ready to play the past two weeks, but it doesn’t feel like this Dolphins team is any different from last year. Instead it looks like they’re an average team that took advantage of two equally average opponents. Both of their wins were by eight points or less and against teams that are struggling offensively. Call back when they take care of business against the Patriots in a couple weeks. Otherwise they’re just beneficiaries of an easy schedule.