NFL 2025 Week 2 Recap
Washington Commanders at Green Bay Packers was the Thursday night game. A pair of legitimate Super Bowl contenders looked impressive in opening home wins. Green Bay dispatched Detroit while Washington rolled over the anemic Giants. Early on Matt LaFleur gambled on 4th and 3 at the Washington 33. Jordan Love threw incomplete. The Packers got it back at their own 4 yard line. Love went to Kraft for 15. Love then went deep Kraft for a 57 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 19, Love ran for 14. Love went to Romeo Doubs for a 5 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Packers lead. Early in the second quarter the Packers took over at their own 8. josh Jacobs gained 8 and on 3rd and 1 picked up 3 more. Love went deep to Heath for 37. Love went to Doubs and kraft for a pair of 17 yard gains. Jacobs ran for 5 and then for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Packers.
William Gay hit a 51 yard second quarter field goal to get the Commanders on the board, With 19 seconds left in the half, Gay missed from 56. That gave Brandon McManus a chance to extend the lead before the half, but his kick doinked off the left upright no good as well. In the third quarter from 52, Gay doinked his kick off the right upright no good. The ineptitude paused when Gay hit from 22 to have the Packers up 17-3 after three quarters.
With 3 minutes left in the third quarter, the Commanders took over at midfield. Dan Quinn went for it on 4th and 1. Despite getting stopped on 3rd and 1, this Austin Ekeler got the yard. On 4th and 7 from the Green Bay 37, Quinn had to go for it again. A completion gained only 5 yards but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. The fourth quarter began with the Commanders at the Green Bay 32. Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for 11 and Zac Ertz for a 20 yard touchdown to get the Commanders within 17-10.
After a touchback, Love hit Wicks for 11. Williams ripped off a 16 yard run. Love went to Kraft for a 5 yard touchdown to have the Packers up 24-10 with 9 minutes left to play. On 4th and 4 from their own 41, Dan Quinn had to go for it again. Daniels threw incomplete. McManus drilled a 56 yard field goal to have the Packers up 27-10 with 6:42 to play. The Commanders did reach the end zone one more time, but that was it. With one minute left on 4th and 10 from their own 33, Daniels’s third straight incompletion after a spike extinguished any hopes of a comeback. The Packers won both games this year at home, but against very good football teams. 27-18 Packers
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens — Both teams lost by one point last week. The Browns out at home because their kicker was terrible. The Ravens blew a 15 point lead at Buffalo with 4 minutes left. The Ravens were expected to be enraged and take it out on the hapless Browns. It was a bad week for Joe Flacco to face off against his former team. Tyler Loop hit a 43 yard field goal for the Ravens in the first quarter. A close game early in the second quarter saw the Browns punting on 4th and 8 from their own 45. The Ravens blocked the punt and recovered at the Cleveland 24. Jackson went to Wallace for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Ravens.
Szmyt hit a 38 yard field goal before the half to get the Browns on the board, but Loop answered from 32 to make it 13-3 Ravens in the third quarter. On 3rd and 4 from his own 46, Flacco went deep and was intercepted by Wiggins. Wiggins returned the interception 61 yards to the Cleveland 5 yard line. John Harbaugh went for it on 4th and goal at the 2. Lamar Jackson hit Walker for the touchdown to make it 20-3 Ravens. The Brows did reach the end zone in the third quarter, but the Ravens in the fourth quarter blasted Cleveland to pieces.
On 1st and 20 from their own 24, defensive holding killed the Browns. On 3rd and 13 from midfield, Jackson went to bay Flowers for 16 and again for 12. On 2nd and 14 from the Cleveland 24, Jackson went to Walker for the touchdown to make it 27-10 Ravens. The Browns moved to a 4th and 6 at the Baltimore 33. Needing to go for it, Flacco was sacked by Roquon Smith, forcing a fumble. Smith returned the fumble 68 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 34-10 Ravens lead. The Browns then turned it over on downs and the Ravens with a short field saw Jackson hit Hopkins for a 23 yard touchdown. The Ravens led 41-10. The Browns managed a garbage touchdown in what is shaping up to be another garbage season for them. 41-17 Ravens
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals — Both teams won their opening games against terrible teams, so this game would be more of a measuring stick. In both cases, these teams are finished without their respective quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow. The Jaguars began facing 3rd and 3 at their own 38. Lawrence went to Brown and Thomas for a pair of 18 yard gains. On 3rd and 7 from the Cincinnati 23, Lawrence went to Strange for 10. Lawrence hit Brown for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jaguars. The Jaguars got it back at their own 28 and moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Cincinnati 8. Looking to go up 14-0, Lawrence went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback.
From their own 20, Brown gained 11. Burrow went to JaMarr Chase for 13 and to Fant for 25. On 3rd and 4 from the Jacksonville 25, Burrow went to Chase for 10. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Burrow went to Chase for the touchdown to make it 7-7. The Jaguars took over at their own 25. Runs and short passes had them at midfield. Travis Etienne ran for 30. Lawrence went to Tuten to have the Jaguars up 14-7 in the second quarter. Midway through the second quarter, the Bengals faced 2nd and 20 from their own 40. Burrow was sacked and stayed on the ground. It was the worst case scenario. He suffered a severe turf tow injury that will have him out at least 3 months. Backup quarterback Jake Browning finished the game.
On their next series on 3rd and 6 from their own 17, Lawrence was intercepted. The Bengals took over at the Jacksonville 30. Evan McPherson hit a 31 yard field goal to get the Bengals within 14-10. Cam Little answered from 42 to have the Jaguars up 17-10 at the break. The Bengals began the third quarter at their own 24. Brown ran for 5 and 6. Browning went to Chase for 25 and again for 12. Browning hit Tinsley for a 13 yard touchdown to tie the game 17-17.
An interception of Browning set up the Jaguars at their own 30. On 3rd and 4, Allen gained just enough. Lawrence went to Etienne for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 24-17 Jaguars. A 33 yard kickoff return by Perine with 15 more tacked on for unnecessary roughness had the Bengals taking over at the Jacksonville 47. On 3rd and 5, Browning went deep to Tee Higgins for a 42 yard touchdown. After three quarters the game was tied 24-24.
The Jaguars moved from their own 25 to a 1st and goal at the 7 with 12 minutes left in regulation. Lawrence threw 3 straight incompletions. Little hit the 25 yard field goal to put the Jaguars back in front 27-24. With 5 1/2 minutes left, Browning was intercepted. The Jaguars took over at the Cincinnati 12. The Cincinnati defense held, and with 3:47 to play the Jaguars faced 4th and 5 at the Cincy 7. The decision to kick a field goal was easy for everyone except rookie coach Liam Cohen. I get trying to salt the game away, but this was a reckless decision. Lawrence threw incomplete and the Jaguars came up snake eyes. Now the Bengals only needed a field goal to tie the game.
The Bengals would have to do this with their backup quarterback and deep in their own territory. On 3rd and 10, Browning found Sample for 7. Browning then went to Brown for 13. The Bengals were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 5 from their own 33 with 1:54 left. Browning went deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 25 yard gain. Browning went to Chase for 16 and to Mike Gesicki for 12. With 18 seconds left in regulation, both teams braced as the Bengals faced 3rd an goal at the one. Browning kept it on the quarterback sneak and got in for the touchdown as the home crowd at the Jungle erupted in celebration. The Jaguars after a touchback saw Lawrence get sacked and hen a failed hook and lateral try go nowhere. The Bengals are 2-0 but it was a costly victory. Browning led the team to a win, but he isn’t Burrow. 31-27 Bengals
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys — While both teams lost their opener, the Giants looked lifeless. The Cowboys were expected to cruise to an easy win. As ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman reminds us, “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” This game was why we watch the games. Dak Prescott was a ridiculous 38 of 52 for 261 yards and 2 touchdown passes. Russell Wilson was an absolutely insane 30 of 41 for 450 yards and 3 touchdowns. Each quarterback was picked off once, but they were outstanding nonetheless. Early on the Giants went on a typical New York Giants drive to start the game. They moved 60 yards in 16 plays and took 9 minutes off the clock. They settled for a 38 yard Graham Gano field goal. Gano added a 33 yarder as the Giants led 6-0 after the first quarter. Brandon Aubrey hit a 52 yarder in the second quarter to get the Cowboys on the board.
The Giants soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 37. Wilson went to Robinson for 9 and then again for 25. Wilson then went to Nabors for a 29 yard touchdown to have the Giants with a surprising 13-3 lead. The Cowboys took over at their own 36. Prescott went to George Pickens for 12 and to Ferguson for 19. Defensive unnecessary roughness had the Cowboys in the red zone. On 3rd and 9 from the Giants 10, Prescott went to Kevontae Turpin for the touchdown to get the Cowboys within 13-10 at the half. The third quarter saw Prescott immediately get intercepted. Yet on 4th and 3 from the Dallas 10, Brian Daboll made the odd decision to go for it rather than take the points on the road. Wilson threw incomplete.
Turpin got the Cowboys going, running for 7 and catching a pass from Prescott for 12. Defensive pass interference a deep incompletion added 22. Williams then ran for a 30 yard touchdown to have the Cowboys up 17-13. From their own 13, Wilson went bombs away to Derrius Slayton for a 52 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 from the Dallas 10, Wilson threw incomplete. Brian Daboll again lined up to go for it, but this time it was just gamesmanship rather than craziness. The Dallas defense didn’t bite, and after a delay of game on the offense, Gano hit a 33 yard field goal. The Giants trailed 17-16 after three quarters. Yet after a combined 33 points in three quarters, the fourth quarter saw both offenses light up the scoreboard for a combined 41 points. There was one lead change in the first three quarters. The fourth quarter had 5 lead changes alone. Brandon Aubrey started with a 44 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to put the Cowboys up 20-16. After that, all hell broke loose.
A penalty on the ensuing kickoff had the Giants taking over at their own 40. Wilson went to Nabers for 12. Defensive pas interference added 21. Skattebo ran for 24 down to the one and then got the last yard to have the Giants up 23-20 with 12 minutes left. The Cowboys soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 21. Prescott went to CeeDee Lamb for 16. Prescott went back to Lamb for 25 with 15 more tacked on for roughing the passer. On 3rd and 5 from the Giants 19, Prescott found Pickens for 9. Sanders ran for a 4 yard touchdown to have the Cowboys up 27-23 with 6:14 to play. The Giants took over at their own 37. Wilson went to Skattebo for 9, to Johnson for 13, and to Slayton for 9. On 4th and 4 from the Dallas 32, Wilson went deep to Robinson for the touchdown. With 2:44 to play, the Giants led 30-27. This game was nowhere close to finishing, and about to get much crazier.
The Cowboys soon faced 4th and 3 at their own 36. Prescott went to Tolbert for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Giants 48, Prescott hit Pickens for 14 and Lamb for 12. Williams ran for 13. Prescott hit Pickens for a 6 yard touchdown. With only 52 seconds remaining, the Cowboys led 34-30. The Giants took over at their own 37. Wilson ran for 15.
Wilson then went bombs away to Nabers for the 48 yard touchdown. In front of a shellshocked home crowd, Jerry Jones contemplated whether to burn down Jerrahworld Metropolis for the insurance money. The Giants led 37-34 with only 25 seconds left. The Cowboys took over at their own 33 in desperation mode. Prescott hit Ferguson for 18. With 5 seconds left, Aubrey came out for a 64 yard field goal try. The home crowd prayed for a miracle and got it. Aubrey leveled it through as this instant classic went to overtime tied 37-37.
Both offense may have been exhausted from the final few minutes as the overtime period saw several punts. With 2:09 left in overtime on 2nd and 14 from his own 30, Wilson got greedy. He had played brilliant all game, but this time he threw a bomb into traffic for hi only interception of the game. The Cowboys took over at their own 30 at the 2 minute warning. Prescott went to Pickens for 27. Prescott ran for 14 as the Cowboys then took the clock down to 4 seconds. Aubrey came in again, and this time the kick was only 46 yards. Aubrey was good as the Giants saw their fantastic effort go to waste. Jerry allowed the team to play next week. 40-37 Cowboys
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions — The Bears collapsed in the fourth quarter of their opening home loss while the Lions looked listless at Green Bay. Dan Campbell needed to prove he could win after losing his offensive and defensive coordinators to head coaching jobs. His offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now the Bears head coach. Cairo Santos kicked the opening kickoff out of bounds to set the Lions up at their own 40. Jared Goff immediately went o Amra St Brown for 34 and Sam LaPorta for 9. Jahmyr Gibbs did the rest, running for 6, 5, and the 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Lions. The Bears soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 32. Caleb Williams went to Zaccheaus for 6. Swift ran for 20. Williams hit Moore for 18. On 3rd and 9 from the Detroit 28, Williams went to Odunze for the touchdown and a 7-7 game.
The Lions got the ball back at midfield. Goff went to Raymond for 14 and to St. Brown for 32 down to the one. David Montgomery got the touchdown to have the Lions up 14-7. The game then got ugly as the Bears fumbled the ball away, got it back and gambled on 4th and 1 from their own 37, and then saw Williams get stoned trying to convert. Despite the great field position, the Lions went nowhere and jake Bates missed a 55 yard field goal. The Bears then saw Williams throw an interception. The Lions soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 39. St Brown gained 6. Dan Campbell went pure smash mouth as Raymond gained 9, Montgomery added 9 and 18, and Gibbs added 11. Goff went to Wright for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Lions.
The Bears took over at their own 29. Williams went to Odunze for 21 and 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Detroit 14, Williams gained 8. Williams went to Odnnze for a 6 yard touchdown to get the Bears within 21-14 with 1:55 left in the half. The Lions took over at their own 24. Goff went to Gibbs for 8, Laporta for 10, and St Brown for gains of 12 and 7. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 37, Goff went to Gibbs for 4. Goff went to Isaac TeSlaa for 29. With 4 seconds left in the half, it was time for a Dan Campbell gamble. Rather than kick an easy field goal, Campbell went for it. Goff hit st Brown for the touchdown to have the Lions up 28-14 at the intermission.
On the first play of the third quarter from his own 24, Goff went deep to Williams for a 64 yard gain. Bates hit a 34 yard field goal to have the Lions up 31-14. The Bears went for it on 4th and 5 from their own 46 and Ben Johnson again came up snake eyes as Williams threw incomplete. Thee plays later on 3rd and 8, Goff went for the kill shot and found Williams for a 44 yard touchdown and a 38-14 Bears lead. The Lions poured it on in the fourth quarter. Goff capped off an 84 yard drive by hitting St. Brown for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 45-14 Lions. The Bears scored one more touchdown, but the Lions kept coming. Goff finished a 43 yard drive with a 4 yard touchdown pass to St. Brown.
Goff was a lights out 23 of 28 for 334 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Talk of the death of the Lions apparently is greatly exaggerated. 52-21 Lions
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins — Neither of these teams are any good, but by the end of the day one would be seen as far worse. The Patriots began facing 3rd and 1 at their own 41. Raimondre Stevenson gained 9. Mike Vrabel gamble early on with the Patriots facing 4th and 3 at the Miami 43. Drake Maye hit Stefan Diggs for 10. Maye hit Austin Hooper for 22. Maye found Mack Hollins for an 8 yard touchdown. Borregales’s extra point doinked off the right upright no good as the Patriots led 6-0. The Patriots got it back an faced 3rd and 4 at their own 36. Maye went to Henderson for 15. On 3rd and 6 from the Maimi 45, Maye ran for 13. Maye went to Boutte for a 16 yard touchdown. Borregales again missed the extra point, this time wide right as the Patriots led 12-0 after the first quarter.
The Dolphins took over at their own 17. Achane gained 9 and Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for 13. Washington ran for 18. Tagovailoa went to jalen Waddle for an 18 yard touchdown in the second quarter to have the Dolphins within 12-7. The Patriots from their own 25 went on a 15 play, 71 yard drive that consumed 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 4 just past the 2 minute warning, Maye threw incomplete. Borregales hit the 22 yard field goal to make it 15-7 Patriots. The Dolphins took over at their own 23. Tagovailoa went to Hill for 22. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 46, Tagovailoa went to Achane for 12. Tagovailoa found Achane again for a 29 yard touchdown. Mike McDaniel decided not to chase points. The extra point had the dolphins within 15-14 at the midpoint.
Riley Patterson hit third quarter field goals of 40 and 44 as 13 unanswered points had the Dolphins up 20-15. The Patriots soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 24. Maye went deep to Stevenson for a 55 yard gain. Gibson ran for 15. Maye ran for a 6 yard touchdown. Mike Vrabel went for 2 and Stevenson ran it in to have the Patriots up 23-20. Midway through the fourth quarter, it was special teams that turned the tables. The Patriots punted and Washington returned it 74 yards for a touchdown to give the Dolphins the 27-23 lead. Yet 12 seconds later it was Gibson returning the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Back to back special teams touchdowns had the Patriots back up 30-27. With 2:21 to play on 4th and 9 from his own 48, Tagovailoa was intercepted. Borregales made a 53 yard field goal to have the Patriots up by 6. The Dolphins still had a chance to win. With 53 seconds left, on 4th and 12 from his own 28, Tagovailoa was sacked. Vrabel got his first win as Patriots head coach. 33-27 Patriots
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints — The 49ers gutted out an opening day win at Seattle while the Saints lost at home to Arizona. Brock Purdy missed the game with a toe injury as Mac Jones started for the 49ers. The Saints misery continued when Blake Grupe missed an early 40 yard field goal try. The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 23. Jones threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 10 yard gain. On 3rd and 14 from their own 29, Jones went to Pearsall for 15. Jones ran for 13. Jones went to Farrell for an 11 yard touchdown. Eddie Pineiro missed the extra point as the 49ers led 6-0. Pineiro did hit a 44 yard second quarter field goal to make it 9-0 49ers.
The Saints took over at their own 16. Spencer Rattler went to Brandin Cooks for 20. and Johnson for 11. Alvin Kamara gained 15. On 3rd and 6 from the San Francisco 18, Rattler went to Johnson for the touchdown to get the Saints within 9-7. The 49ers took over at their own 23 with 1:14 left in the half. Jones went to Jennings for 13. On 3rd and 5 at their own 30, Jones went to Jennings for 29. Jones hit Kendrick Bourne for 8 and Tonges for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the New Orleans 7 with 7 seconds left in the half, Jones went to McCaffrey for the touchdown and the 16-7 49ers lead.
The 49ers fumbled early in the third quarter to set the Saints up at the San Francisco 47. Rattler went to Johnson for 15. Kellen Moore gambled on 4th and 1 from the San Francisco 21, Rattler gained 3. Rattler went to Shaheed for the 3 yard touchdown to get the Saints within 16-14. Pineiro tacked on a 45 yard field goal to have the 49ers up 19-14 after three quarters. The Saints quickly moved from their 35 to the san Francisco 30. Kamara fumbled and the 49ers recovered. From their own 32, Jones went to McCaffrey for 14. On 3rd and 10 from their own 46, Jones went to McCaffrey for 13. On 3rd and 11 from the New Orleans 42, Jones went deep to Jennings for the score. The 49ers led 26-14.
The Saints soon faced 3rd and 12 from their own 27. Rattler threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact meant a new set of downs. Rattler went to Chris Olave for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the San Francisco 35, Kamara gained 11 and 8. On 3rd and 3 from the Frisco 17, Rattler hit Olave for 14 and Yele for the 3 yard touchdown. The Saints were back within 5 points with 6:18 to play. With one minute left the Saints were facing 4th and 1 at their own 42. Rattler was sacked and fumbled as the 49ers got to 2-0 on the year and the Saints remained winless. 26-21 49ers
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets — The Bills are a good team. The Jets are not. The Bills early on faced 3rd and 8 at their own 21. Josh Allen scrambled for a 40 yard gain. Sean McDermott gambled on 4th and 1 at the Jets 25. Davis gained 4. On 3rd and 19 from the Jets 30, Allen threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant 15 yards and a new set of downs. Cook ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. Justin Fields immediately fumbled, leading to a 28 yard Matt prater field goal to make it 10-0 Bills. Prater hit from 52 early in the second quarter to make it 13-0 Bills. The Bills got it back at their own 20. Allen went to Coleman for 7 and 12. Cook raced for a 44 yard touchdown to make it 20-0 Bill. For some reason the second half was played. The Jets managed a field goal before the half but thus game was over. The Bills added a third quarter field goal to make it 23-3. Moore capped off a 79 yard drive with a 4 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make it 30-3 Bills. The Jets got one garbage touchdown. Again, the Bills are good. The Jets are not. 30-10 Bills
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers — 20 years ago these teams met in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks began this game facing 3rd nd 6 at their own 39. Sam Darnold went to Smith-Nigba for 15. Kenneth Walker gained 13. On 3rd and 10 from the Pittsburgh 33, Darnold went to Smith-Nigba for 12 and to Horton for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks. The Steelers got a pair of 48 yard Chris Boswell field goals, the latter set up by an interception of Darnold to get the Steelers within 7-6. In the second quarter Jason Myers’s 36 yard field goal try doinked off the left upright no good.
With 3:40 left in the half, Mike MacDonald decided to go for it on 4th and 1 at the Pittsburgh 25. Herbig intercepted Darnold and returned the pic 41 yards to the Seattle 21. On 3rd and 1, Warren gained 3. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Aaron Rodgers hit DK Metcalf for the touchdown. Mike Tomlin went for 2 and Rodgers hit Washington for the conversion to make it 14-7 Steelers. at the half. The Seahawks took over at their own 20 in the third quarter. Welker ran for 9 and 15. On 3rd and 4 from midfield, Darnold hit Cooper Kupp for big gains of 17 and 16. Arnold hit Barner for a 7 yard touchdown to have the game tied 14-14 after three quarters.
The Steelers took over at their own 30 and Rodgers connected with Warren for a 65 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Rodgers fired to the end zone to normally reliable Pat Freiermuth. The ball bounced right off of Freiermuth’s hands into the arms of a waiting Seattle defender. Instead of a touchdown, it was an interception. Myers hit a 54 yard field goal. Instead of trailing 21-14, the Seahawks led 17-14 with 13 minutes left in regulation. Things got even crazier on the ensuing kickoff. It went past the return man and sat in the end zone. Earth to football players: A punt into the end zone dies. A kickoff into the end zone is a live ball. George Holani recovered the gift in the end zone for a touchdown and a 24-14 Seahawks lead.
Boswell hit a 45 yard field goal to get the Steelers within 24-17 midway through the fourth quarter. The Seahawks quickly faced 3rd and 9 at their own 28. Darnold went to Barner for 19. Darnold went deep to Smith-Nigba for 43. On 3rd and goal at the 19, Walker got around the end for the touchdown to ice the game with 3:40 left. Rodgers threw one more interception. 31-17 Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans — These teams played an epic Super Bowl culminating in “the tackle” 26 years ago. In this game the Rams began at their own 28. Matthew Stafford hit Tyler Higbee for 11. Sean McVay gambled on 4th and 1 from the Tennessee 45. Puka Nacua got around the end and raced for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. Joey Slye hit a 55 yard second quarter field goal for the Titans. The Rams moved to a 1st and goal at the 3. stafford threw 3 straight incompletions. Joshua Harty hit a 21 yard field goal made it 10-3 Rams.
With 3 minutes left in the half the Titans took over at their own 44. Pollard gained 10, 6 and 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 37, Cam Ward got the yard. On 3rd and 6 from the Rams 32, Ward went to Ayomanor for 23. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Ward went to Ayomanor for the touchdown to make it 10-10 with 38 seconds left in the half. One play after a touchback, Stafford was quickly intercepted. The Titans took over at the Rams 46. Slye hit a 37 yard field goal to have the Titans up 13-10 at the intermission. In the third quarter moved to a 3rd and goal at the 3. Stafford threw incomplete. Harty hit from 21 to tie the game 13-13. Slye answered from 57 for a 16-13 Titans lead.
The Rams took over at their own 31. Stafford went to Nacua for big gins of 24 and 22.Corum ran for 15. Stafford hit Allen for an 8 yard touchdown pass to put the Rams up 20-16. With 11 minutes left in regulation, Ward was sacked and fumbled. The Rams recovered at the Tennessee 21. On 3rd and 5, Stafford went to Adams for the touchdown to give the Rams breathing room up 27-16. The Rams got it back at their own 34 and sought to turn out the lights. Corum gained 15. Stafford went to Whittington deep for a 40 yard gain. Corum ran for 9 and then got the last yard. The 2 point try failed but 20 unanswered points turned a tight game into a 33-16 Rams lead. The Titans got a field goal but for the second week in a row were game but not good enough. 33-19 Rams
Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals — The Panthers have a lot of problems, but the Cardinals were beatable. On the third play of the game on 3rd and 7 from his own 30, Bryce Young was sacked and fumbled. The Cardinals recovered for an easy defensive touchdown and a 7-0 Cardinals lead. On the next Panthers drive on 3rd and 12 from midfield, Young was intercepted. Ryland hit a 29 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Cardinals. The Panthers managed a field goal, but in the second quarter Ryland hit again from 47 to make it 13-3 Panthers. A 29 yard punt return gave the Cardinals a short field at the Carolina 45. Kyler Murray hit Benson for 6 and McBride for 10. Murray went to Benson for 12 and to Wilson for an 11 yard touchdown with 4 seconds left in the half. The Cardinals were up 20-3 at the half. The Cardinals began the third quarter at their own 29 and kept rolling.Murray went to Higgins for big gains of 18 and 27. Murray hit Marvin Harrison Jr for 12. James Conner ran for a 2 yard touchdown. With 9 minutes left in the third quarter, the Cardinals were winning a 27-3 laugher.
The Panthers took over at their own 24. On 4th and 1 from their own 43, the Panthers had to go for it. One defensive stop would have all but ended the game. Chuba Hubbard gained 14. This was FCO1. Young hit Rico Dowdle for 10. On 3rd and 3 from the Arizona 11, Young went to Sanders for 7. Young hit Hunter Renfrow for a 4 yard touchdown. An unwise decision to go for 2 failed, but the Panthers were within 27-9. The Cardinals moved from their own 28 to a 3rd and 3 at the Carolina 12. Looking to put the game away, instead Murray was intercepted. This was FCO2. The Panthers on 3rd and 3 from their own 19 saw Young hit McMillan for 5. Young went to Hubbard for 16, Renfrow for 15. Treymane for 7, and Hubbard for 9. The Panthers went for it on 4th and 1 from the Arizona 5. Young hit Renfrow for the touchdown. This was FCO3. Yet Dave Canales insisted on chasing points, and another 2 point conversion failed as the Panthers trailed 27-15 with 5 minutes left in regulation.
The Panthers took a couple of timeouts on defense as only 30 seconds elapsed. The Panthers got the ball back at their own 24 with 4 1/2 minutes left. wITH 3 1/2 minutes left the Panthers faced 4th and 16 from their own 30. Young went to Tremayne for 26. This was FCO4. Young went to McMillan for 20. Young hit Renfrow for 10 down to the one. Young hit Renfrow for the touchdown. At the 2 minute warning, the Panthers were within 5 points. Now they needed the onside kick. They got it. This was FCO5. On 4th and 5 from the Arizona 46, Young was sacked and fumbled the ball away. Yet it was all for naught as defensive holding nullified the turnover and gave the Panthers a new set of downs. This was FCO6. On 2nd and 17 Young threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant 15 yards and another first down. This was FCO7. With 33 seconds left the Panthers had 4th and 15 at the Arizona 38. The Panthers were looking for a miracle comeback for the ages. The Cardinals ere staring at an epic collapse. Yet there would be no FCO8. This time Young was sacked as the Cardinals hung on for dear life. 27-22 Cardinals
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts — Both teams won their openers. A revitalized Daniel Jones led the Colts from their own 28 to a 3rd and 7 at the Denver 11. Jones threw incomplete. Schrader hit a 29 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Colts. The Broncos took over at their own 36. JK Dobbins gained 18, 3 and 7. Bo Nix went to Bryant for 12. Nix went to Marvin Mims for a 23 yard touchdown for a 7-3 Broncos lead. The Colts moved from their own 33 to a 2nd and 2 at the Denver 10. Jones lost 5 yards and then threw incomplete. Schrader hit from 33 to have the Colts within 7-6.
The second quarter was a track meet as the Colts took over at their own 15. Defensive pass interference meant a 23 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from their own 46, Jones went to Taylor for a 43 yard gain. Jones snuck across for a one yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Colts. The Broncos soon faced 2nd and 13 from their own 30. Nix went to Franklin for 42 and again for 16. Nix went to Franklin once again for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 14-13 Broncos.
Shane Steichen gambled on 4th and 1 from midfield. Warren got stuffed for no gain. Franklin gained 11. On 3rd and 6 from the Indianapolis 35, Nix went to Bryant for just enough. On 3rd and 7 from the Indianapolis 26, Nix threw incomplete but defensive pass interference added 6 yards and defensive unsportsmanlike conduct added 10 more. Nix went to Adam Trautman for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 21-13 Broncos with 3 minutes left in the half. The Colts took over at their own 19. On 3rd and 3 from their own 26, Jones went to Downs for 9. Jones went deep to Pierce for a 44 yard gain. Jones went to Warren for 14 and to Jonathan Taylor for a 7 yard touchdown. Steichen smartly decided not to chase points as the Colts were within 21-20 at the half.
The second half kickoff failed to reach the landing zone, setting up the Broncos at their own 40. On 3rd and 4, Nix gained 18. Nix hit Cortland Sutton for 6, Harvey for 16, and Franklin for 9. Dobbins ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 28-20 Broncos. Despite the offensive explosion, neither team would reach the end zone again in the final nearly 26 minutes of football. Schrader hit a 36 yard field goal to get the Colts within 28-23. The colts got it back and early in the fourth quarter Shane Steichen again gambled on 4th and 2 from midfield. Again he came up snake eyes as Jones threw incomplete. The Broncos then had 3rd and 3 at the Indy 28. Nix was intercepted to set up the Colts at their own 9 yard line.
The colts moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Denver 10. Jones threw incomplete twice. Shrader hit from 28 to have the Colts within 28-26 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Broncos took over 5 minutes off the clock and moved into position for Wil Lutz to try a 42 yard field goal. His kick doinked off the right upright no good. The Colts took over at their own 32 with 3:15 to go. With 1:44 left the Colts had 1st and 10 at the Denver 43. Yet Shane Steichen then got way too conservative. 3 straight runs up the middle netted only one total yard. With 3 seconds left, Schrader came in for a 60 yard field goal try. His kick was short no good. Yet the Broncos celebrated prematurely. A defensive penalty for leverage meant a 15 yard unsportsmanlike call. Now Schrader would get a second chance, this time rom 45 yards out. This time Schrader was good. The Broncos blew it. They threw the game away. 29-28 Colts
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs — Three years ago in an epic Super Bowl, the Chiefs won 38-35. Last year in a less compelling Super Bowl, the Eagles jumped out to a 34-0 lead en route to a 40-22 win. The Chiefs were denied their 3-peat. Additionally, the Chiefs lost their regular season opener and were desperate not to go 0-2. The Eagles barely survived their home opener. There was plenty of glamour in both Super Bowls. This game was an ugly grind. Early on Walrus Andy Reid brought in Harrison Butker to try a 58 yard field goal. Butker’s kick was no good. The Eagles soon faced 3rd and 1 at the Kansas City 43. The entire world knew it was tush push time. Most of the league wants to ban the play, but if defenses hate it so much, they should just stop it. On this play, Jalen Hurts got 2 yards and a first down. Hurts went to Smith for 13. Saquon Barkley ran for a 13 yard touchdown as the Eagles led 7-0 after the opening quarter.
In the second quarter the Eagles moved from their own 31 to a 3rd and 6 at the Philadelphia 27. Patrick Mahomes was sacked for a 13 yard loss. Butker came in again for a 56 yard field goal try. This time he was good as the Eagles trailed 7-3. The Chiefs got it back at their own 31. Mahoems went to Malcolm Hollywood Brown for 10. Karim Hunt ran for 11. Walrus Andy Reid gambled on 4th and 4 from the Philadelphia 42 rather than have Butker try 60 yarder. Mahomes found Travis Kelce for 18. Kelce’s famous pop star fiancee has nothing to do with football and will remain unmentioned.
On 3rd and 5 from the Philly 19, Mahoems ran for 6. Mahomes then ran for a 13 yard touchdown to put the Chiefs up 10-7 with 2:44 left in the half.
Jake Elliott drilled a 58 yard field goal to send the teams to the showers tied 10-10. Walrus Andy Reid then lost his mind and decided to gamble on 4th and 1 from his own 36. Hunt ran into a Kelly green brick wall for no gain. Despite the short field. the Eagles netted only 2 yards on 3 plays. Elliott this time hit a 51 yard field goal to have the Eagles up 13-10. The Chiefs took over at their own 20 and moved 74 yards in 14 plays and over 8 minutes. The key play of the game came on 2nd and goal at the 6 with 13 minutes left in regulation. Mahomes went to the end zone and had Kelce. The ball bounced right off of Kelce’s hands and was intercepted in the end zone by Mukuba. Mukuba returned the pick far enough for the Eagles to be starting at their own 41. Kelce had another temper tantrum meltdown, not realizing that this was his fault.
On 3rd and 10 from the Kansas City 31, Hurts went deep to Smith for a 28 yard gain. On 3rd and goal athlete one, it was tush push time. Yet this time Hurts was stopped short of the plane of the goal. Nick Sirianni bet it all on 4th and goal at the one. There would be no trickery. Everyone on both sides knew what was coming. This time on the tush push, Hurts under a maze of bones found the goal line and broke the plane. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Eagles led 20-10. With 4 minutes left and in dire straits on 3rd and 13 from their own 25, Mahomes threw incomplete. Yet those conspiracy theorists who think the game is rigged in favor of the Chiefs had more ammo as the Chiefs were bailed out with a roughing the passer call.
On 3rd and 10 from their own 40, Mahomes went to Remigio for 21. Mahomes then went deep to Thornton for a 49 yard touchdown. With exactly 3 minutes left, the Chiefs were within a field goal. The onside kick failed. At the 2 minute warning, everything came down to 3rd and 1 at the Kansas City 32. Again, the Eagles could have tried some trickery. They were not interested in trying to fool anyone. They were the defending champions, and they were prepared to ram the ball down Kansas City’s throat. The tush push was called, and Kansa City’s defense couldn’t stop it. Hurts gained 2 yards and then took 3 knees. The defending champions are 2-0. The Chiefs have lost 3 straight games including the Super Bowl. They did not get revenge for the last Super Bowl. They are 0-2 for the first time in Andy Reid’s career, making Andy Reid a most concerned Walrus indeed. 20-17 Eagles
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings was the Sunday night game. The Falcons lost their home opener when Younghoe Koo missed a 44 yard field goal at the gun. Koo was not cut, but he was benched in favor of newly acquired Parker Romo. JJ McCarthy looked terrible for three quarters before leading a fourth quarter explosion comeback at Chicago. Yet this ugly game was one-sided affair. Romo hit first quarter field goals of 38 and 29 to make it 6-0 Falcons. The latter kick was set up by a 4th and 1 gamble that failed when McCarthy fumbled at his own 36. A Falcons fumble led the Vikings to a second quarter drive that lasted 17 plays and took 9 1/2 minutes off of the clock. Yet on 2nd and goal at the 7, consecutive sacks of McCarthy killed the drive. Will Reichard hit from 33 tog et the Vikings on the board. An interception of McCarthy meant a 33 yard field goal by Romo to make it 9-3 Falcons. Reichard hit from 51 to get the Vikings within 9-6 at the half. Romo hit from 33 late in the third quarter and from 54 early in the fourth quarter to make it 15-6 Falcons. The last kick was set up by a Minnesota fumble. Tyler Allgeier capped off an 83 yard drive with the game’s only touchdown from 5 yards out. It was a big night for the Atlanta defense. 22-6 Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans is the early Monday night game. The Buccaneers survived a scare in their opener when the tying field goal was no good. The Texans lost a defensive slugfest. The Texans began the game at their own 36. CJ Stroud went to Nick Chubb for a 27 yard gain and to Nico Collins for a 29 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Texans. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 39. Baker Mayfield went to Mike Evans for 8. Mayfield went to Cade Otton for 12 and to Shepard for 15. Mayfield found Miller for a 20 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
The Texans moved from their own 34 to a 3rd and 9 at the Tampa Bay 17. Stroud threw incomplete. Kaimi Fairbairn hit from 35 to make it 10-7 Texans. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 31. Mayfield went to Egbuka for 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 31, Mayfield gained 2. Mayfield capped the 14 play, 77 yard, nearly 9 minute drive with a 15 yard touchdown pass to Egbuka for 14-10 Buccaneers lead in the second quarter. The defenses dug in as Chase Mclaughlin missed a 38 yard field goal for the Buccaneers late in a scoreless third quarter. The Texans moved 71 yards in 11 plays to a 2nd and goal at the one. Chubb got stopped and Stroud threw incomplete. Demeco Ryans went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Stroud threw incomplete.
The Buccaneers moved out of the shadow of their own goal but had to punt from their own 45 with 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Texans blocked the punt and took over at the Tampa Bay 35. Yet the Texans ran 3 plays and netted 0 yards. Fairbairn finally broke the scoreless second half with a 53 yard field goal as the Texans were within 14-13 with 5 1/2 minutes left. Special teams killed the Buccaneers as they punted again. This time a 53 yard punt return by Noel set up the Texans at the Tampa Bay 26. Two plays later Chubb ran for a 25 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Texans led 19-14 with 2:10 to play.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 20. Mayfield went to Irving for 12. On 4th and 10 from their own 32, Mayfield could not find anyone. He took off running for a 15 yard gain. Mayfield then went to Otton for 8 and Irving for 22. An 11 yard pass to Evans set up 1st and goal at the 7 with 13 seconds remaining in the game. Mayfield found Otton for 5, leaving 9 seconds. With everyone on edge and the Houston defense expecting a pass, White ran it in with 6 seconds left as home crowd collapsed. The 2 point try failed but it didn’t matter. Rather than set up a Hail Mary or hook and laterals, the attempt to run the kickoff all the way back came up 67 yards short. The Buccaneers won their second gutty win in a row while the Texans are still searching for a win after two agonizing losses. 20-19 Buccaneers
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders was the late Monday night game. Both teams won their home opener and would have sole possession of first place in the AFC West. It was also the renewal of the rivalry between Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll. they took their nasty NFC West feud to the AFC West. Geno Smith played well in the opener, but on the first play of this game he threw a ball into traffic and was intercepted. Despite starting at the Raiders 25, the Chargers went nowhere. Cameron Dicker hit a 38 yard field goal to open the scoring. The Raiders even responded by going from their own 22 to a 3rd and 7 at the Chargers 26. Yet Smith was then sacked. Daniel Carlson nailed a 54 yard field goal for a 3-3 game.
The Chargers took over at their own 28 and Justin Herbert went to Ladd Monkey for 19. Herbert ran for 12. On 3rd and 8 from the Raiders 33, Herbert ran for 9. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 12 more yards. Herbert went to Keenan Allen for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Chargers. The Raiders in the second quarter moved from their own 35 to a 2nd and 6 at the Chargers 13. Smith threw incomplete. On 3rd and 6 a fumble was followed by a sack that lost 9 yards. Carlson hit the 40 yard field goal but the Raiders trailed 10-6.
With 4 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Chargers were pinned at their own 9 yard line. On 3rd and 1 with a chance for the Raiders defense to get the ball back, instead Hampton ran for 15. Herbert then went bombs away to a wide open Johnston for a 60 yard touchdown. The defense had played well most of the half but that breakdown on the 91 yard drive had the Chargers up 17-6 at the half. A hideous second half saw the Chargers kick a third quarter field goal and the Raiders kick a fourth quarter field goal. Smith threw 3 interceptions on the day. making matters worse, the Raiders had an 18 play drive that consumed over 11 minutes yet couldn’t penetrate the end zone. The Chargers got lazy in the fourth quarter and gave the Raiders multiple chances that went nowhere. It was hideous, but the Chargers are a Jim Harbaugh football team. The Raiders will become a Pete Carroll team, but they are not there yet. 20-9 Chargers