Which 2-0 Teams are Pretenders or Contenders? BR gets it and ESPN doesn't?

[nctarheel0619]

Atlanta Falcons: Pretenders

We like what we see from the Atlanta Falcons so far. In wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, new head coach Dan Quinn and his club have simply found a way to get the job done, even after squandering early leads in games and then finding ways in the fourth quarter to pull out those contests.And that remains the concern here. The team’s two wins are by a combined six points. The Falcons have allowed 393.5 yards per game in two weeks and the club’s much-maligned pass rush has a total of two sacks.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2571618-which-2-0-teams-are-nfl-playoff-pretenders-or-contenders/page/3

Carolina Panthers: Contenders

“We’re trying to be the No. 1 defense at the end of the season and I definitely feel that we can get it done,” said Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis on Wednesday on NFL Network’s NFL HQ (and recapped here by Conor Orr of NFL.com). “It’s just all about us going out and continuing to play the style of defense that we’ve come accustomed to playing.”

That style gives the Panthers a decided edge in a division that struggled in many ways in 2014. With versatile quarterback Cam Newton and a solid running game to compliment the defense, Carolina will have a third straight division title on its mind all season.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2571618-which-2-0-teams-are-nfl-playoff-pretenders-or-contenders/page/4

[caatfan]

We're definitely a contender for the playoffs. Hell, unless we get hit bad with injuries we should be the odds on favorite to win the division again. I also like our chances against any team we're likely to see in playoff game # one. Beyond that it remains to be seen if we're contenders or pretenders for the NFC championship.

[nctarheel0619]

The Falcons have allowed 393.5 yards per game in two weeks and the club’s much-maligned pass rush has a total of two sacks.

 

but, but, but, the Falcons defense got better!  SMH.  

[Nate Dogg]

The ESPN guys who say we are pretenders probably couldn't even name more than 3 or 4 starters on our team.

[d-dave]

It's all fun and games right now for analysts.  They write some click-bait, get a bunch of movement.  When they are really wrong, they keep it up, say "my bad!" and continue to talk trash.  The proof is on the field.

While the Panthers have had some offensive issues, we have a great defense.  Great defenses will keep you in game and keep you in the playoff hunt.  At this point, defenses "should" be a head of offenses, shouldn't they?  What does that mean?  Over time, defenses get studied as there is more film.  So the falcons are performing exactly as they were last year running a "new" system?  OK guys...

Now if the Panthers' offense can get it self straightened out...Guys just have to start catching those passes!