Week 2 of the NFL season was just as wild and electric as Week 1, from the Green Bay Packers continuing to look like one of the best teams in the league to a Super Bowl Rematch. Some teams are looking great, and others are pondering the offseason. Let’s dive into Week 2 of the NFL season and what can be taken away from it heading into Week Three.
NFL’s Best Defense? Packers Dominate Washington
Through two games, I have been wrong about the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay has been one of the best teams in the NFL. Entering the season, I thought this team would win 8-9 games and be tied for last in the NFC North. Although the jury is still out on Jordan Love, in my opinion, the defense has been dominant.
The Micah Parsons trade could be what puts this team over the top in the NFC standings. This defense held two of the NFL’s highest scoring offenses last season to a total of 31 points. Detroit averaged 33 ppg (1st) last season, and the Commanders averaged 28 ppg (5th). That is excellent.
Pittsburgh’s Defense in Trouble?
Not to discuss the Kaleb Johnson mistake. He is a rookie, and things happen. His mistake made the headlines, but it was not the story of the game. This defense has been dreadful through two games. In Week One, they gave up 32 points, and it took a 60-yard field goal to secure the win, despite Aaron Rodgers‘ performance. I know that Johnson’s mistake gave the Seattle Seahawks seven points, but this is the first time in Mike Tomlin’s tenure that he has allowed 30 or more points in the first two games.
There is a sigh of relief from Pittsburgh, despite the fog. Alex Highsmith, who left in the first half of the Seahawks’ loss with a high-ankle sprain, is not likely to be placed on Injury Reserve (IR). The indication is that his injury is not as severe as first thought. A high-ankle sprain can mean missing 4-6 weeks and landing on IR, which means you would miss a minimum of four games. Highsmith’s ability to rush the passer is essential for this team, which has TJ Watt on the other side.
Detroit Lions Spoil Ben Johnson’s Return
One of the big storylines in the NFL entering Week 2 was Ben Johnson’s return to Detroit. Johnson left the Lions in the offseason to take the head coaching job with their NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears. After losing to the Packers 27-13, the Lions couldn’t afford to lose this game.
Not only did they win the game, but Detroit BLASTED the Bears 52-21. Jared Goff was flawless with 334 passing yards and five touchdowns. He threw as many touchdowns as he had incompletions. Did they run the score up? Maybe. This was the first matchup in Detroit that was going to be personal.
Game of Week 2
I believed this would be a “corner game.” A game you would throw in the corner of your screen and check now and again. The Dallas Cowboys won a 40-37 shootout over the New York Giants. Both offenses got whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. We might not see a better quarterback battle all season.
Dak Prescott was excellent with 361 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Russell Wilson had one of the best games of his career with 450 passing yards, three touchdowns, and the interception that would set up Brandon Aubrey‘s game-winning field goal.
Bengals’ Heartbreaking Injury
It is sad when some of the best players in the NFL suffer q serious injury. Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow sustained a Grade 3 Turf Toe injury that will require surgery and will sideline him for at least three months. For a team that I didn’t have much hope in, this is a heartbreaker for Cincinnati. Despite my Steelers fandom, as a football fan, this is terrible for the league. I expect him to bounce back in his career, but given that this is his fourth significant injury, his future availability is now in question.
The NFL’s Game of the Week: Super Bowl Rematch
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles met on the same field, it wasn’t pleasant. With the Eagles shutting down KC’s quest for a three-peat last season, this was one of the most anticipated games of the NFL season. This game would be a back-and-forth defensive battle. The turning point in the game, where Philly would run away with it, was the tipped interception at the goal line.
The Chiefs would go on a 14-play drive and find themselves 2nd & Goal from the 6-yard line. One of the most sure-handed pass catchers in the NFL, Travis Kelce, had a pass hit off his arms, which led to an interception and an eventual Tush Push touchdown for the Eagles to put them up 20-10. With the Chiefs falling to a 0-2 start to the season, Mahomes needs to turn on the magic sooner than he ever has in his NFL career.
Buccaneers Super Bowl 60 Contenders?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an impressive win against the Houston Texans in the first game of the MNF doubleheader. They looked great on their first two drives, scoring touchdowns with ease. After that, it was a defensive masterclass. Both defenses were excellent, from sacking quarterbacks to tight coverage across the field. The tide would turn in the 4th quarter, when the Texans would block a punt, giving their offense a short field.
Nick Chubb would score on a 25-yard touchdown run to put Houston ahead 19-14 after a failed two-point conversion. Then Baker Mayfield would have one of the best drives of his career. His 15-yard scramble on 4th & 10 will be one of the plays of the entire 2025 NFL season. Then six plays later, Rashaad White scored the game-winning touchdown with six seconds left, giving the Buccaneers the win.
Final Thoughts
I am excited for Week 3 as much as the next person, considering what happened last week. The NFL season has been a fireworks display, and we are in the “honeymoon” stage of football games. Let me know your thoughts, comments, and takeaways from Week 2 of the NFL season, and what your team’s record is!
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts and takeaways from Week Two of the NFL season as we enter Week Two tonight! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
