Everyone has their individual recap of NFL games. Some go into X’s and O’s, while others are fans going on rants about how either their teams are great or what they need to do to bounce back. In this series, I will be giving a “Fastest Three Minutes” style of recap for every game this NFL week, excluding the Monday Night Football game, which will be separate entirely. So let’s dive into one of the more surprising weeks in the NFL!
Bills’ “Winter Soldier” Dominate Detroit Lions
Week Two of the NFL season started with fireworks. The Buffalo Bills opened up their new stadium, and they dominated. In the blink of an eye, Josh Allen scored two touchdowns in the opening frame, and the Lions found themselves in a 27-10 hole at halftime.
Jared Goff would spam the Amon-Ra St. Brown button in the second half, seven catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Goff finished with 327 passing yards and four touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough. The NFL’s reigning rushing leader, James Cook III, would chew up the fourth quarter as he finished the game with 135 yards and a touchdown. The Bills are appearing to be one of the scariest teams in the league.
Eagles Survive Titans 24-20
If I could describe this game with one word, it would be funky. Jalen Hurts threw one of the worst interceptions in the end zone you’ll ever see, which led to a Cam Ward touchdown. The Eagles’ star running back Saquon Barkley would leave the game with a stinger and go under further treatment to see the severity of the injury.
Tied at 17 in the fourth quarter, Hurts would throw his second pick of the game with 6:08 to play. Ward would lead the Titans on a go-ahead drive, taking a 20-17 lead. The Eagles would execute an excellent two-minute drive, connecting with DeVonta Smith, who had a massive game with 10 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, to get down to the three-yard line. Hurts would hit Darious Cooper for the game-winning touchdown and squeak out a 24-20 win.
Shock of the NFL Season, Browns Shock Buccaneers
In what could be the shock of the NFL season. What a difference a week makes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns were having a trash-off in the first half. From trading punts and field goals back and forth to a high-flying second half, Cleveland would hold a 23-19 lead after Deshaun Watson connected with Blake Whiteheart for the touchdown with 3:57 remaining. However, the game would come to a halt with a rain delay.
After the game resumed two hours later, the Buccaneers would have the chance to steal a W out of the jaws of defeat. After working the ball down to the Browns’ 20-yard line, Baker Mayfield would overthrow Emeka Egbuka, something ‘The Bake Show” did for most of the afternoon. Something is wrong in Tampa, and I’m not sure if Bucs fans are happy with his new contract two weeks into the NFL season.
Saints’ 4th Quarter Heroics vs Ravens
The New Orleans Saints might be the most impressive 1-1 team in the NFL. They were dominated by the Lions and were a two-point conversion away from stealing the win. In this game, NOLA found themselves in a 14-3 hole and then a 17-9 deficit in the 4th quarter. Then Tyler Shough happened. He dominated in the 4th quarter by completing 12 of his 14 passes for 119 yards, threw for a touchdown, and snuck in the game-winning touchdown.
It appears the late-game bugaboos have remained in the Ravens’ locker room. Were they without their number one receiver, Zay Flowers? Yes, but when their last three drives go punt, punt, and a horrible interception, something has to give. Derrick Henry only had one carry in the 4th. Baltimore needs to close these games out if they want to contend with the best teams the NFL has to offer.
Vikings Swallow Up Bears’ Dynamic Offense
This game was the definition of ugly. A week after scoring 59 points, the Chicago Bears were shut down by Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. From forcing Caleb Williams into bad passes, dominating the line of scrimmage by not allowing the Bears to run the ball, and forcing clutch turnovers on the goal line.
The biggest takeaway from this game is the NFL world holding its breath over Williams’ injury. He left the game and was carted out with what looked like a torn Achilles. Later reports came out that it’s a hamstring injury, and he will be going through further evaluations to find out the severity of his hamstring. If he’s going to miss major time, that puts the Bears’ hopes of winning the NFC North in jeopardy.
Steelers Dominated By Patriots’ Defense
As a Steelers fan, this game was the epitome of what has gone wrong with Pittsburgh over the first two weeks. The offense has looked subpar; the receiving core is struggling, and the offensive line is a rotating door. Aaron Rodgers got lit up time and time again.
I will give credit where it’s due. Drake Maye made plays when the Patriots needed it. We saw the explosiveness of TreVeyon Henderson broke free for a 39-yard touchdown, the only offensive touchdown of the game. The Patriots’ defense dominated the line of scrimmage and forced two turnovers in the fourth quarter. The scoop-and-score would put the nail in the coffin of their 20-3 win over Pittsburgh.
Bengals’ Offense Found Their Swagger vs. Texans?
For someone who was skeptical about the Cincinnati Bengals entering the season, this win was impressive. I didn’t think their offense played great in the slightest, but they made plays when they needed it. Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for one of the best catches in the league and a second touchdown on the run. Out of Burrow’s 207 yards and 20 completions, 12 of them and 170 of them went to the Chase and Tee Higgins duo.
Let’s turn to the Texans. CJ Stroud is terrible. It’s truly unfortunate that, after the rookie season he had that he’s regressed to poor play. Houston asked him to throw the ball 55 times yesterday. He was sacked four times and threw for 353. Moving the ball wasn’t the issue; scoring points was. The Texans were 0/4 in the red zone yesterday. They can get behind the 8-ball fast in the division if they don’t turn their ship around.
Panthers Maul Wounded Falcons
With the Falcons’ QB room in shambles, I didn’t expect much out of this game. Did I think a 34-3 spanking was on the table? Absolutely not. However, when the Falcons fumbled the first offensive play and then threw an interception on their second drive, the snowball began to get bigger and bigger. Panthers’ QB Bryce Young dominated this game with 23/36 passing for 287 yards and three touchdowns.
This game was a one-sided affair. Atlanta will be better off when one of their lefties is healthy enough to start. It doesn’t matter which one. Do I believe they are 2-0 if Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix is starting? No, but it would not have looked like they were floating dead in the water.
Raiders Short Circuit Chargers
Someone has to be the one to say it: the Los Angeles Chargers are bad. Justin Herbert continues to be “If Man.” If his offensive line were sufficient, if his receivers could catch the ball, if his running backs didn’t fumble. Just a bunch of “Ifs” with zero positive takeaways from this game against the Las Vegas Raiders. I don’t want to hear a single word about this team or quarterback until they win a game, which might be for a while when you look at their schedule.
The Raiders starting the season 2-0 wasn’t on my bingo card. Kirk Cousins has been exactly what this team needed. Someone who will come in and show Fernando Mendoza how to play at an NFL level. Their defense has been great as well. Maxx Crosby has played like he is trying to leave a sour taste in the Ravens’ mouth after receiving their trade for the superstar pass rusher.
Jaguars Offense Comes To a Halt in Mile High
The Jaguars looked like one of the most potent offenses in the NFL entering the weekend and continued for the first two and a half quarters. However, when Trevor Lawrence threw one of the worst picks of the weekend, the momentum shifted. The Broncos were struggling and had nothing for chunks of the game, but after that turnover, they sat up.
Jaylen Waddle had his breakout moment for Denver with 8 catches for 138 yards. Bo Nix tapped into the player he was last season, arguably the best in the NFL when trailing. In the fourth quarter, he was 8/10 for 88 yards and the game-tying touchdown. Jags’ WR Brian Thomas had a game he would love to forget. He was targeted on their last two offensive plays. This is an offensive team, and that side of the ball needs to be crisp to contend in the AFC.
49ers Cruise to a Dominant Win Over Dolphins
The 49ers were hosting the worst team in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins. This was the definition of a “take the lead and hold it” game. The second San Fran took the lead, it was a wrap. Brock Purdy was ridiculously efficient with 20/22 passing for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey scored two rushing touchdowns on his 10 carries; talk about being efficient with his touches. There’s not much to say about the Dolphins; they rolled over.
Cowboys’ Offense Flys High as Commanders Lose General
Right when this game kicked off, the Cowboys’ offense was on fire. They took the opening drive in 10 plays and opened the scoring with a Dak Prescott-to-CeeDee Lamb touchdown. That was the first touchdown of Dak’s four in the game. He officially passed Tony Romo as the Cowboys‘ all-time leader in touchdown passes. Overall, he completed 26 of his 31 passes for 279 yards.
The Commanders lost more than just the game. In the final play before halftime, Jayden Daniels tried to brace his landing to stay on his feet, and his left elbow bent in ways elbows shouldn’t. He was carted off, and it was announced that he suffered a dislocation. Thank goodness it wasn’t worse. Without their starting quarterback, this team will go into the dirt.
Seahawks Soar Past Cardinals
You could tell the way this game was going to go after the second offensive play for the Seahawks. Drew Lock would connect with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an 82-yard touchdown. It was a busted coverage and the first catch of another exceptional performance from JSN. He finished with 9 catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cardinals would tie the game with a Trey McBride touchdown, and it would be tied 7-7 at halftime. Then the Seahawks would outscore the Cardinals 24-0 in the second half. The reigning Super Bowl champions continue their domination over the NFL with a second straight suffocating defensive performance.
Are the Champs Back?
The Chiefs appear to be back on top of the NFL world. After a weird offseason with questions revolving around Patrick Mahomes‘ knee and their receiver core, the Chiefs have looked like their dominant, clutch selves. Did they have trouble stopping Jonathan Taylor? Absolutely, but when they needed a big play, the Red Kingdom came up big.
Kenneth Walker III continued his warpath with a second straight game with 175+ yards from scrimmage. Travis Kelce also turned back the clock with 9 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs would walk off the Colts 33-30 as time expired after a vintage Mahomes game-winning drive.
Final Thoughts
I am sure everyone is just as excited as I am that the NFL is back. There have already been so many surprising results over the first two weeks, and it’s only just begun. What was the most shocking result in Week Two? Has anyone looked head and shoulders above the rest of the field, or are all the teams at the top bunched together?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts and short recap of Week Two of the NFL season! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! Thank you for making us part of your day, and look forward to seeing you again soon.
