As things begin to heat up in the NFL, its second week welcomed viewers with more of the unexpected. Multiple comebacks, injuries, and astonishing victories highlighted the weekend. As old dynasties are on the way out, new ones may be on the rise. If there’s one thing for sure, this season is going to be a wild one.
If you feel like you are behind have no fear, Verge Magazine is here. Here’s everything you need to know from week two of the NFL:
Thursday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings 28 – Philadelphia Eagles 34
Vikings fans may feel their team’s record should be the opposite of 0-2, but smart offensive decisions and good clock usage of the Eagles resulted otherwise. The Eagles achieved a touchdown drive of seven minutes and 55 seconds, and although it resulted in a punt, held the ball for a nine minute drive between the third and fourth quarters.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins may have achieved the performance of the night with four touchdown passes and 364 yards, but it was the rush game of the Eagles which proved to be dominant. The Eagles offense earned 259 rushing yards to the measly 28 put up by the Vikings. Twice, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts leaped over the Vikings defense from the one yard line for a rushing touchdown, and Eagles running back D’andre Swift earned 175 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Vikings will look to obtain their first win against an equally hungry Los Angeles Chargers in week 2.
Sunday
Green Bay Packers 24 – Atlanta Falcons 25
The Falcons trailed the Packers by 12 points heading into the final quarter of the game, but played excellent defense in the last frame. The offense of the Green Bay Packers failed to score on each of its attempts, allowing for three Atlanta scoring drives and a come from behind win.
Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo played crucial to his team’s success, executing all four field goal attempts given. Congratulations to anyone who had him on your fantasy team. The Packers will have to rebound, as they face a confident 2-0 New Orleans Saints in week 3.
Las Vegas Raiders 10 – Buffalo Bills 38
The Buffalo Bills redeemed their week one performance and then some, against a confident Jimmy Garoppolo and the Raiders. The Bills defense allowed for mild offensive production from the Raiders, forcing two Garoppolo interceptions and a fumble from running back Zamir White.
Meanwhile, Bills quarterback Josh Allen looked unstoppable, tossing three touchdowns and completing 31 of 37 passes attempted. The Bills have now beaten the Raiders three times straight, and lead the all-time regular season series between the two sides 22-21.
Baltimore Ravens 27 – Cincinnati Bengals 24
The highest paid player in the league, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered an aggravated calf injury in the process of losing to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Things looked even at halftime, with the Bengals down by just three points, but a Burrow interception to open up the second half crushed the hearts of home fans.
Jackson and the Ravens snagged their opportunity to score a touchdown and hold the lead throughout the remainder of the time. The Bengals made it close, but the Ravens were able to keep possession the final four minutes of the game and extend their record to 2-0. Meanwhile, the Bengals fall to an unexpected 0-2, as they prepare to face a Rams team looking to prove their worth in week 3.
Seattle Seahawks 37 – Detroit Lions 31 (OT)
The Detroit Lions were the favorite heading into their week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, and were leading at halftime 14-7. Both quarterbacks picked their passes wisely throughout, as Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 28 of 35 attempts, and Geno Smith 32 of 41 attempts for the Seahawks.
Two Lions fumbles and a Goff interception allowed for too many turnovers and opportunities for the Seahawks to capitalize, taking the lead by three points late in the game. Lions kicker Riley Patterson slotted a field goal for his side with just three seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. Smith was able to find Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett in the endzone on the first drive of the extra frame and give his team its sixth straight victory against the Lions. The Lions will likely lose running back David Montgomery to a quad injury for the next few weeks.
Indianapolis Colts 31 – Houston Texans 20
With plenty of eyes still on Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, the second overall draft pick was still unable to pick up his first NFL win in week two. His performance looked to be off to a rough start, fumbling the ball on his team’s first drive. He went on to throw the length of almost four football fields, earning three touchdowns and 384 passing yards.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson departed from the game early after a nasty blow, and has entered concussion protocol. That being said, not much work needed to be done in the second half for the Indianapolis Colts, as they commanded the first half scoring four touchdowns throughout. Six sacks by the Colts defense largely stopped the offensive momentum of the Texans, and allowed their team to earn its first victory of the 2023 season.
Kansas City Chiefs 17 – Jacksonville Jaguars 9
With the return of Travis Kelce and Chris Jones for the Chiefs, fans were hopeful of a victory, but the Jaguars did not make it easy for their opponents. After a scoreless first quarter for both sides, Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus scored a field goal early in the second to give his team the lead. McManus would go on to execute all the scoring for his team producing three field goals.
Things started to look alarming for the Chiefs after a Patrick Mahomes interception midway through the second, but after scoring a touchdown later in the quarter they never lost their lead. Plenty of opportunities were given to the Jaguars to ignite more points, including two Chiefs fumbles, but they were unable to reach the endzone. They will be looking to redeem themselves in week three against the 0-2 Texans.
Chicago Bears 17 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27
Baker Mayfield continued to prove his valuableness in Tampa Bay against the Bears Sunday, tossing 324 yards and a touchdown. Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans averaged 28.5 yards across six receptions, while running back Rachaad White achieved 73 yards and a touchdown.
The Bears trailed by just three at the half, but two Justin Fields interceptions including a pick-6 late in the game proved to be their downfall. Fields earned a passing and rushing touchdown, but his performance was damaged by his two interceptions. He now has 24 interceptions in just 27 games started throughout his career. The Bears will have to recover before a tough matchup against the Chiefs in week 3.
Los Angeles Chargers 24 – Tennessee Titans 27 (OT)
If the Bengals weren’t supposed to begin their season 0-2, neither were the Chargers. Both quarterbacks played well with Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert tossing 305 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ryan Tannehill completed 20 of 24 attempts, along with a touchdown, for the Titans. It was a back and forth matchup, as Los Angeles led at the half, but the teams were square after four quarters.
The Chargers began overtime with the ball but were unable to produce any scoring from their efforts, going three and out. All it took was eight plays and a 38 yard gain for Titans Kicker Nick Folk to get into scoring position, and put away his second field goal of the game for a Titans victory.
New York Giants 31 – Arizona Cardinals 28
In a tale of two halves, Daniel Jones and the New York Giants seemed moments away from embarrassment for the second week in a row. The Cardinals led 20-0 at halftime and in their first six quarters played this season, the Giants were outscored 60-0.
New York opened the second half with its first touchdown of the season, but still trailed after three quarters 28-14. However, four stops by the Giants defense and three scoring drives in the final quarter allowed New York fans to rejoice, as the embarrassment of week one was eliminated by the determination of week two. During the final drive, Giants running back Saquon Barkley exited the game with an ankle injury, but they triumphed for a field goal, taking the lead with seconds remaining. The Giants end their four game losing streak to the Cardinals, but can the momentum keep swinging when they play a red hot 49ers team in week 3?
San Francisco 49ers 30 – Los Angeles Rams 23
Speaking of those red hot 49ers, they earned three rushing touchdowns from three different players against their Sunday matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Brock Purdy was one of those players, and also tossed for 206 yards. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford tossed for 307 yards, but let his team down with two interceptions in the second half.
Meanwhile Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua earned 15 receptions and 147 yards. Nacua leads the league in receptions with 25, and continues his rookie season in considerable style. Purdy extends his regular season record to 7-0 as the 49ers beat the Rams for the third time straight during the regular season.
New York Jets 10 – Dallas Cowboys 30
If there’s any team currently challenging the 49ers for the hottest in the league, it’s the Dallas Cowboys. The Jets mustered 10 points in the second quarter, but the Cowboys defense caused a Jets fumble and three Zach Wilson interceptions during the second half. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott completed 31 of 38 attempts and tossed two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb averaged 13 yards across 11 receptions. The Cowboys have scored 70 points in two games this season, and will not look to slow down against the Arizona Cardinals in week 3.
Washington Commanders 35 – Denver Broncos 33
After opening the game with a missed field goal attempt and trailing 21-3, a Commander’s victory seemed out of light. However, this team proved for the second week in a row that a new era has arrived. Washington quarterback Sam Howell accomplished 299 yards and 2 passing touchdowns while Commanders running back Brian Robinson earned 2 rushing touchdowns.
Washington possessed an 11 point lead midway through the final quarter, but the Broncos fought back. A hail mary pass thrown by Russell Wilson as the final play of the game was bobbled into the arms of Broncos fullback Chris Barton, but a failed two point conversion allowed Washington to narrowly escape defeat. The end result proved to be a very even game, with both teams earning 122 rushing yards, and the Broncos achieving just 11 more passing yards. The Commanders begin their season 2-0 for the first time since 2011.
Miami Dolphins 24 – New England Patriots 17
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Patriots quarterback Mac Jones have seemed to parallel each other since their time at Alabama, and Sunday night was no different. Each quarterback tossed one touchdown and one interception, with Tagovailoa earning just 18 more yards than Jones.
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert proved the difference, collecting two rushing touchdowns and 121 yards. After facing an illegal blow, Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has entered concussion protocol. The Patriots have not lost their first two games since 2001, however, they did go on to win the Superbowl that season. Maybe this is all part of Bill Belichick’s brilliant plan, as they prepare to play division rival New York Jets in week 3.
Monday Night Football
New Orleans Saints 20 – Carolina Panthers 17
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was still on the hunt for his first NFL win entering Monday night’s game against division rival New Orleans Saints, but came up three points short. Saints quarterback Derek Carr tossed an interception late in the first half which could have been detrimental, however, Young fumbled the ball just 23 yards away from the endzone late in the first half.
The number one draft pick tossed for 153 yards and a touchdown, while Carr failed to find a man in the endzone. Instead, Saints running back Tony Jones earned two touchdowns, completing a majority of the scoring for his side. Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro scored all three field goal kicks attempted, but Young’s fumble proved to be the deciding factor in the Panthers second loss of the season. Young will attempt to earn his first NFL win against the 1-1 Seahawks in week 3, while the Saints travel to Green Bay.
Cleveland Browns 22 – Pittsburgh Steelers 26
Deshaun Watson’s pick-6 on the first play of the game was just the beginning of a night the Browns will wish to forget. They trailed by just two points at halftime, and obtained a 22-19 lead entering the fourth quarter. However, they fumbled the ball twice in the final frame, one of which was recovered for the Steelers only touchdown of the half by linebacker TJ Watt.
With two fumbles and a failed fourth down conversion in the closing minutes, a Steelers victory was in sight. Nick Chubb’s season ending injury in the second quarter could not even be replayed on television, and has resulted in the support and prayers of many. Unfortunately, the Brown’s could not do him any justice Monday night, and will look to do so in their return home against Tennessee in week 3.
