Through the first 30 games of the 2017 season, seven teams have picked up two wins with no losses - but not all can be considered top-seven teams just yet.
Mostly based on the quality of opponents they have faced, here are three teams whose 2-0 record may be more a product of fortunate scheduling than elite performance.
Panthers
Week 1: 23-3 vs. 49ers | Week 2: 9-3 vs. Bills
The Panthers had a chance to produce some spectacular highlights after returning a healthy Cam Newton to an offense that was set to feature Christian McCaffrey with the 49ers and the Bills on the slate. However, they have been sorely lacking splash plays through two contests.
Newton does not look to be himself again and star tight end Greg Olson is out for significant time with a broken foot, so their 31-point output has some excuses built in. Newton had plenty of time to scan the field in the opener, but the former MVP completed just 14-of-35 passes for 171 yards against 2016's 32nd-ranked defense.
Playing the Panthers former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and the Bills in Week 2, most would think Carolina should have had a good idea of what to expect, yet could only score 9 points. For reference, the New York Jets scored 12.
They may have the same record after two games as they did on their 15-1 run in 2015, but the team has a ton of work to reach that level of performance.
Ravens
Week 1: 20-0 vs. Bengals | Week 2: 24-10 vs. Browns
The Ravens have certainly surpassed the expectations that most laid on them after suffering a barrage of injuries through the spring and summer, but they have yet to face a worthy opponent.
In Week 1, the Bengals looked like one of the worst teams in the league, giving up five turnovers to the Baltimore defense while Andy Dalton was sacked five times. Cincinnati looked arguably worse in a 13-9 loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday night, verifying that the Ravens' dominant win was not a fluke.
The Ravens' Week 2 defeat of the Browns didn't prove anything different, as the Baltimore defense still dictated the pace of the game, notching four interceptions for a second straight week while tallying three sacks.
Eight interceptions in two weeks is beyond admirable, but until they face a well-balanced, playoff-worthy team, the jury is still out on the Ravens' chances of being an elite-level unit.
Steelers
Week 1: 21-18 vs. Browns | Week 2: 26-9 vs. Vikings
The Steelers have always had the problem of playing down to the level of their opponents, and clearly Le'Veon Bell is still carrying some rust from missing training camp, but most were expecting a little more from their loaded offense.
A three-point win over the Browns after their 1-15 season is a worrisome start for the offense. Ben Roethlisberger admitted that the Steelers were caught a tad off guard by DeShone Kizer's NFL debut, fitting into the theme of underestimating some opponents.
The offense can assuredly take confidence from a 26-point output against the Vikings' stifling defense on Sunday, but defensively, keeping a Case Keenum-led offense under ten points isn't much to brag about.
The Steelers should remain favorites to win the AFC North, but the team was expected to have improved in all areas of the game, and that has yet to be proven.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
