Everything we learned in NFL Week 2: Takeaways, big questions and who impressed most
Did Washington discover its run game? Quarterback Jayden Daniels needs more help, and the run game provided it Sunday. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. had the two longest runs of his career (32 and 40 yards) en route to 133 yards. His power inside made a big difference, and Austin Ekeler’s contributions in the pass game fueled the offense. Ekeler caught three passes for 47 yards and ran eight times for 38 more. Washington needs to find its identity and lacks firepower in the pass game, but if the run game produces it can at least control the game and limit the defense’s time on the field.
Describe the game in two words: Ugly win. But it sure beats a pretty loss for a group that’s trying to rebuild the franchise. Daniels was sacked five times but led a game-winning drive — thanks to a 34-yard pass and 14-yard run — that was capped by Austin Seibert’s seventh field goal.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Washington’s coverage plan for Malik Nabers. Washington used backup Mike Davis against the Giants rookie for the first half and it did not go well as Nabers caught five passes for 73 yards. The Commanders kept playing man against Nabers in key spots, and he’d beat them on crossers. — John Keim
Next game: at Bengals (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Is this finally a step in the right direction for QB Daniel Jones? It’s hard to tell. Why? Jones always seems to play well against Washington. He threw a pair of touchdown passes Sunday and now has 12 TD tosses and three interceptions against the Commanders in his career. Jones continued the trend by playing well in this matchup, making good plays even late in the fourth quarter. It had to be good for his confidence. That’s huge considering it was a concern entering Week 2.
Biggest hole in the game plan: The Giants didn’t have a kicker. Yes, that really happened. They couldn’t even try to kick a field goal to take the lead with just over two minutes remaining because Graham Gano pulled his hamstring chasing down the opening kickoff. The problem was that the Giants knew Gano was already hurt entering Sunday (they added him to the injury report Saturday with a groin problem) and didn’t leave themselves with a contingency.
Most surprising performance: Wide receiver Malik Nabers. It’s not that surprising that the No. 6 draft pick is playing well, but what is surprising is his 18 targets — the most for a rookie since Rams receiver Puka Nacua’s 20 in Week 2 last season. Nabers wasn’t just part of the game plan, he was the game plan for the Giants. He finished with 10 catches for 127 yards and his first career touchdown. Only problem is that his fourth-down drop with just over two minutes remaining deep in Washington territory was costly. — Jordan Raanan
Next game: at Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Is QB Geno Smith one of the NFL’s most clutch quarterbacks? Smith routinely came through in crunch time last season, throwing a single-season record seven go-ahead touchdown passes in the fourth quarter or overtime. He did it again Sunday, leading field goal drives to tie the game late in regulation and win it in OT. Smith finished 33-of-44 for 327 yards, a touchdown pass and no turnovers despite five drops and next to no help from his run game, which produced 46 yards.
Early prediction for next week: The Seahawks will wear out the passing machines over the next few days in preparation to face the Dolphins. They had five drops against New England — two apiece by DK Metcalf and Noah Fant plus another by Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Fant’s second drop came just outside the red zone on their second-to-last drive of regulation.
Most surprising performance: Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He appeared poised for a breakout all offseason, and this was a matchup that seemed to suit him. But who saw this big of a day coming? Smith-Njigba’s 12 catches for 117 yards on 16 targets were all career highs, easily topping his previous bests (seven catches, 11 targets, 63 yards). — Brady Henderson
Next game: vs. Dolphins (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Do the Patriots have a vulnerable pass defense? The Patriots’ defense was impressive in Week 1 against the Bengals but sprang some leaks as QB Geno Smith finished 33-of-44 for 327 yards and one touchdown. Some credit should go to the Seahawks and their excellent WR corps, but it wasn’t without self-inflicted wounds, too. The one TD appeared to be a communication breakdown involving cornerback Christian Gonzalez and safety Kyle Dugger. There were also defensive pass interference penalties on CBs Marco Wilson and Jonathan Jones that led to a touchdown and the winning field goal in OT. The Patriots will have little time to recover with a Thursday night game against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.
Describe the game in two words: Overtime heartbreaker. The Patriots played true to their identity in running for 185 yards and received the opening kickoff of overtime to give themselves a chance to win the game. In the end, their lack of explosiveness in the passing game and inconsistent pass defense were the difference.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Production from wide receivers in the passing game. Outside of rookie Ja’Lynn Polk’s 5-yard touchdown catch, a 7-yard Polk catch late in the fourth quarter and a 7-yard catch by K.J. Osborn in overtime, the Patriots didn’t have a wide receiver register another catch. That’s likely a result of the Patriots running more two-TE packages — and TE Hunter Henry had a big day. — Mike Reiss
Next game: at Jets (Thursday , 8:15 p.m. ET)
Jets
Can QB Aaron Rodgers continue to bail out the Jets? Rodgers hit some clutch passes in the fourth quarter to save the Jets from a crushing loss and an 0-2 start, going 5-for-5 on a 74-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown. Despite pedestrian numbers — 18-of-30 for 176 yards — Rodgers delivered when it mattered most and didn’t turn the ball over, the reason the Jets traded for him last year. He brings the kind of winning mentality they’ve lacked for … well, decades. But it will be difficult to maintain unless the offense achieves more overall consistency.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Wide receiver Garrett Wilson was targeted only six times and had four receptions. Rodgers said he wanted to get Wilson more touches than last week (six), but they went in the wrong direction. He was covered a lot by cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, which was a factor, but there were ways (see: pre-snap motion) to create favorable matchups. Truth be told, Rodgers struggled to get the ball to every wide receiver. The passing attack was dink-and-dunk to the max. Rodgers had to rely on his running backs, Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, both of whom caught touchdowns.
Most surprising performance: Defensive end Will McDonald IV. He had three sacks, equaling his career total. The biggest came with 23 seconds left, a third-down play in the red zone. The former first-round pick came up huge on a day in which the Jets might have lost defensive end Jermaine Johnson to a season-ending Achilles injury — which puts more pressure on the Jets to solve the Haason Reddick holdout. — Rich Cimini
Next game: vs. Patriots (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Titans
How much are QB Will Levis’ costly turnovers hurting the Titans? Levis single-handedly destroyed the Titans’ momentum early in the game against the Jets. Tennessee was en route to consecutive scoring drives until Levis made a careless play that led to a turnover for the second week in a row. Levis tried to pitch the ball backward instead of taking a sack on third down, and instead, it was a fumble recovered by the Jets on their own 12-yard line. A score would have put the Titans up double digits. This comes a week after Tennessee wasn’t able to recover from some devastating errors.
Describe the game in two words: Momentum swings. The momentum was swinging back and forth in this game. Levis’ fumble and interception on consecutive drives gave the Jets life. The Titans fought back to tie it up, thanks to a miraculous touchdown catch by WR Calvin Ridley. In total, the Jets lost and regained the lead three times before coming up with the win.
Most surprising performance: Linebacker Harold Landry III. He had two sacks against the Jets and now has a total of three after two games. Landry isn’t normally a fast starter, as shown by his 3.5 total sacks through the first two games of his five previous seasons. The veteran outside linebacker is off to the best start of his career. — Turron Davenport
Next game: vs. Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Vikings
What physical condition will the Vikings be in for Week 3? As exciting as Sunday’s victory was, the Vikings were playing without most of their offensive playmakers by the end of the game. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson departed in the third quarter because of a right quad injury, while wideout Jordan Addison (ankle) was inactive and T.J. Hockenson (knee) was on the PUP list. Running back Aaron Jones, meanwhile, seemed slow in the fourth quarter after a trip to the blue tent. Unless there are some quick recoveries, the Vikings could be short-handed heading into next Sunday’s matchup against Houston.
Describe the game in two words: Brian Flores. The Vikings’ defensive coordinator spun up a scheme that pressured QB Brock Purdy on 13 of his dropbacks and sacked him six times, which are both the most taken by Purdy in his career. The Vikings also intercepted him once and recovered his lone fumble. There will be plenty of adulation around the organization for this 2-0 start, but Flores has found ways to affect both victories via pass coverage and forced turnovers.
Eye-popping advanced stat: Jefferson ran a total of 127.5 yards on a 97-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, the most by a ball carrier on an offensive touchdown since 2016, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Darnold sent the pass 50 yards in the air, but Jefferson had to stop after catching it, pivot and outrace Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum to the far corner of the end zone for the score. — Kevin Seifert
Next game: vs. Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
49ers
Will the 49ers ever win in Minnesota again? No matter how good they have been, the Niners simply can’t get it done in the Twin Cities. Sunday’s loss was their eighth straight at Minnesota with their last win coming in 1992. This loss was more alarming for the fact that the Vikings were missing multiple key offensive players for most or all of the game and still rang up 407 total yards. Save for linebacker Fred Warner, the Niners have a lot of improvement to do defensively if they want to get back to the team they’ve been in recent years.
Biggest hole in the game plan: It’s no secret that Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the league, and with Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson unavailable for Minnesota, it stood to reason the Niners would take special care to force anyone else to beat them. Instead, Jefferson posted four catches for 133 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown, before leaving with an injury. San Francisco wants to stick to its defensive principles of rushing four and playing zone coverage, but if the pass rush isn’t getting home consistently, there has to be a better plan for players of Jefferson’s caliber.
Describe the game in two words: Error-filled. Playing on the road and at 10 a.m. PT for the first time this season, the Niners were seemingly sleepwalking for much of the game. It led to numerous costly mistakes, such as a blocked punt, a muffed punt and Purdy simply losing the ball for a fumble before he could throw it. In a place as difficult to win as Minnesota, that’s not going to get it done. — Nick Wagoner
Next game: at Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
0:56
Chiefs win on walk-off FG after crucial 4th-down penalty on Bengals
A defensive pass interference call on fourth-and-16 on the Bengals sets up Harrison Butker’s 51-yard winning field goal for the Chiefs.
Buccaneers
Are we looking at a career-best season for QB Baker Mayfield? Mayfield’s five passing touchdowns (with a sixth on the ground) are the most ever for him over the first two games of a season. His ability to thrive under duress (he was sacked five times) and connect with wideout Chris Godwin — who has amassed 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the first two games — was the difference-maker against the Lions.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Without starting right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion), Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson dominated Tampa Bay’s offensive line, registering 4.5 sacks. The Bucs had all week to prepare for the 2022 No. 2 draft pick. While the first sack came on a stunt with DT Alim McNeill, Hutchinson just manhandled backup Justin Skule on the next two, and it wasn’t until then that Skule got some help from another blocker. Even then, Hutchinson rattled off 1.5 more sacks.
Most surprising performance: The Bucs’ battered secondary grabbed two takeaways off Lions QB Jared Goff without Antoine Winfield Jr. and Josh Hayes. Cornerback Zyon McCollum, who’d just cleared the concussion protocol, secured his first career interception in the first quarter, which set up a 55-yard field goal. Backup safety/nickelback Christian Izien picked off Goff in the fourth quarter and also made a touchdown-saving play against RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Safety Jordan Whitehead was a tackling machine and allowed only four catches on seven targets with a team-high three run stuffs. Both Izien and Whitehead tackled Gibbs on a critical fourth-and-8 at the Bucs’ 6-yard line with 1:01 left. — Jenna Laine
Next game: vs. Broncos (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Lions
Should the Lions be concerned about QB Jared Goff? Sunday wasn’t his greatest performance. While Goff finished with 307 yards passing, he threw two costly interceptions, including a pick on Detroit’s first offensive play of the game. He has now thrown an interception in each of the first two games of a season for just the second time in his career. On a day the Lions’ offense recorded 463 yards, Goff’s performance was a key factor in the loss.
Most surprising performance: Hutchinson put together a sack hat trick in the opening quarter before ending with a career-high 4.5 sacks. It was the second most in a game by a Lions player since sacks became an official stat in 1982. Hutchinson was also the first player with three sacks in a quarter this NFL season and now has a sack in four consecutive games, tying the longest streak by a Lions player.
Early prediction for next week: The Lions scored just one touchdown on seven red zone trips against the Buccaneers, which is uncharacteristic for an offense with so many weapons. Detroit will need to clean up its mistakes entering next week’s matchup in Arizona. — Eric Woodyard
Next game: at Cardinals (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Packers
Can the Packers win again without QB Jordan Love? Considering they’re playing yet another offensively challenged AFC South team in the Titans next week, why not? While it sounded like Love was close to being able to play against the Colts, the Packers may want to buy another week of recovery now that they have at least one win without him. An 0-3 start would’ve been tough — but not impossible — to overcome and a loss might have forced the Packers to push Love to play. But at 1-1 early in a 17-game schedule, they can better afford to roll the dice with Malik Willis and another run-heavy game plan.
Describe the game in two words: Run over. The Packers barely even pretended to throw the ball in the first half. Willis threw just five times compared to 34 rushing attempts for the Packers before halftime. In just his second game with the Packers, Josh Jacobs carried 32 times for 151 yards. Willis was effective when he was asked to throw and finished 12-of-14 for 122 yards and a touchdown.
Eye-popping advanced stat: The Packers’ 237 yards rushing in the first half was the third most by an NFL team in the first half of a game since 2000. It was 14 behind the most, which was by the Jaguars in 2006 also against the Colts. In all, the Packers rushed 53 times for 261 yards. — Rob Demovsky
Next game: at Titans (Sunday , 1 p.m. ET)
Colts
What happened to the Colts’ run defense? For the second week in a row, the Colts were physically dominated up front by an opponent’s running game. The Packers posted historic first-half rushing totals with 237 yards. And while the Colts got the rushing attack under control in the second half, the Packers still managed to convert some critical third downs. Green Bay also beat the Colts with great use of misdirection, using Indianapolis’ aggressiveness against it. The Colts have now allowed 405 rushing yards this season.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Quarterback Anthony Richardson was the Colts’ leading rusher with six carries for 56 yards in Week 1. But the Colts were seemingly disinterested in using Richardson on designed runs Sunday, opting to keep him in the pocket even though the Packers’ coverages were intent on not allowing him to throw downfield. Richardson had one designed run Sunday after several were called in Week 1.
Most surprising performance: Rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell had a promising training camp and has created much optimism, but he hurt the Colts on Sunday with a critical pair of plays. Mitchell committed a mental error with an illegal formation penalty in the second quarter, negating a huge third-down conversion. Later, Mitchell dropped a perfect pass from Richardson that would have converted a critical third down during the Colts’ failed comeback. Mitchell saw fewer snaps the rest of the game, perhaps as a result. — Stephen Holder
Next game: vs. Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
0:16
Seahawks win on field goal in overtime
Jason Myers completes 31-yard field goal to solidify the Seahawks win over the Patriots in overtime.
Saints
Can the Saints keep up this offensive pace? The Saints proved their new offense is for real after blowing out both the Panthers and Cowboys. But how long can they keep up this record-setting pace? The Saints’ starting offense scored on its first 16 possessions of the season, gave running back Alvin Kamara his second career four-touchdown game and looked unstoppable. The Saints did not stall on a possession until a Derek Carr interception in the fourth quarter.
Describe the game in two words: Master performance. It’s hard to take issue with anything Carr or the offense did against the Cowboys. They set the tone early and never let off the gas, using Rashid Shaheed’s speed and Kamara’s versatility while deploying multiple players as blockers to allow Carr to play mostly error-free.
Eye-popping advanced stat: 91 points. The Saints made a big move this offseason by moving away from the Sean Payton offense that won a Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. That team put up 93 points in its first two games, the second most in NFL history. This season’s Saints are tied for sixth in NFL history with 91 points through Week 2. — Katherine Terrell
Next game: vs. Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Cowboys
What should be made of the Cowboys’ defense? Dominant against the Browns. Dominated by the Saints. Through three quarters, the Saints averaged 9.7 yards per play. The 35 points allowed in the first half tied for the most given up through the first two quarters in team history. Last year, the Cowboys allowed more than 35 points in a game just once. Carr was hardly touched and neither was Kamara, who had four touchdowns. Mike McCarthy was around for the last time an opponent had four touchdowns against Dallas with Packers running back Aaron Jones scoring four in a Green Bay win at AT&T Stadium.
Early prediction for next week: It’s not going to get any easier. The Ravens have historically been one of the better rushing teams in the NFL, in part because quarterback Lamar Jackson is a game-changer. He can make defenses look bad on his own. Derrick Henry has yet to go off in his first two games with the Ravens, but the Cowboys were bludgeoned by the Saints in every way, giving up more than 5 yards per carry on their first six possessions.
Describe the game in two words: Over early. This wasn’t as bad as the 48-32 wild-card loss to the Packers last season, but only because this wasn’t a playoff loss. The Cowboys allowed touchdowns on the Saints’ first six possessions. The offense moved the ball but failed on two red zone trips, settling for too many Brandon Aubrey field goals. — Todd Archer
Next game: vs. Ravens (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Chargers
Should the Chargers stop splitting caries between Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins? Dobbins had another record-setting Sunday, finishing with 17 carries for 131 yards and one touchdown. Dobbins is the first Chargers player to rush for 100 yards in each of his team’s first two games of a season, and he somersaulted into the end zone for his lone score of the day. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said they would roll with the “hot hand” as the season progressed, but it’s clear that the rushing offense is better with Dobbins. Edwards had 18 carries for 59 yards.
Most surprising performance: Quentin Johnston’s two touchdowns: Johnston had scored two touchdowns over the first 18 games of his career before he caught two in the first half on Sunday. Johnston’s first score, a 29-yard catch over CB Jaycee Horn, was his most impressive play of the day. Johnston ran by Horn and adjusted as the ball was in the air to reel in the pass for the score.
Describe the game in two words: Defensive domination. The Chargers held Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to just 22 passing yards in the first half, the lowest first-half total of his career. The Chargers’ defense has allowed just 13 points over the first two weeks of the season. — Kris Rhim
Next game: at Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Panthers
When will coach Dave Canales sit quarterback Bryce Young? Carolina has way more problems than Young, but slow starts are killing the Panthers. Young is a factor. He was 8-of-10 for 22 yards and a pick in the first half Sunday. He was 6-of-12 for 50 yards with a pick in the first half last week. Andy Dalton might give Carolina a better chance. But when recently asked about changing, Canales said: “The best experience you can have is to be on the field, and just to live it.”
Describe the game in two words: Déjà vu. The 20-0 first-half deficit looked eerily similar to last week, when they fell behind 30-3 against New Orleans. The inability to stop the run against the Chargers (44 rushes for 219 yards) mirrored the inability to stop it against the Saints (180 yards). Young’s ineffectiveness … yes, a lot of bad similarities.
Early prediction for next week: Canales will take a chance by switching to Dalton either before Sunday’s game at Las Vegas or during it. It was this time last season that Young sat because of an ankle injury, and the Panthers had their best offensive output. — David Newton
Next game: at Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
0:31
Cooper Kupp exits game before halftime with apparent injury
Rams WR Cooper Kupp exits the game right before halftime after an apparent leg injury.
Bills
What does the future hold at linebacker? Terrel Bernard left the game in the first half with a pectoral injury, meaning both of the team’s starting linebackers are injured, in addition to starting nickel cornerback Taron Johnson. Baylon Spector played the rest of the game for Bernard, while Dorian Williams is in for the injured Matt Milano. With Bernard set to miss time — the team is deciding whether to place him on injured reserve — a position that has dealt with injuries since the offseason will have to overcome even more, with coach Sean McDermott anticipating Spector taking over the middle linebacker role in Bernard’s absence.
Eye-popping advanced stat: On quarterback Josh Allen’s throw to running back Ty Johnson that set up James Cook’s 1-yard touchdown run, Allen was running 14.87 mph at the time of his throw. In the past five seasons, Allen has completed 50 passes on 113 attempts when running at least 14 mph. That is the most such completions in the NFL over that span. (Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is next with 40.)
Most surprising performance: Cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram. The former undrafted free agent took advantage of opportunities and came away with two interceptions, including a pick-six. Ingram came into the game without ever recording an interception. — Alaina Getzenberg
Next game: vs. Jaguars (Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Dolphins
What will the Dolphins do at quarterback moving forward? Tua Tagovailoa’s latest concussion will likely keep him out of next week’s game against the Seahawks, coach Mike McDaniel said. The Dolphins have the “utmost confidence” in third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson, who will in all likelihood start until Tagovailoa is able to return. McDaniel said Miami will add another quarterback to its roster, but don’t expect a player like Ryan Tannehill or Jimmy Garoppolo, who would come in expecting to start.
Most surprising performance: The Dolphins’ performance as a whole was surprising, but individually, Tyreek Hill recorded just three catches for 24 yards. Jaylen Waddle, Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane were all more productive as Hill’s struggles against the Bills continue. If Thompson is to start next week, Hill has to assert himself as one of the league’s best players — regardless of his team’s quarterback situation.
Eye-popping advanced stat: According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Tagovailoa completed only two of his eight attempts of 10-plus air yards, resulting in 38 yards and two interceptions. It was the lowest completion percentage of his career in games where he’s attempted at least eight such passes. Considering the Bills’ unproven safeties, not being able to take advantage of that matchup was a huge miss for Miami’s offense. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Next game: at Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)