Week two saw some breakthroughs and a few interesting results. Here are my winners and losers:
Winners:
- Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson had a rushing touchdown that helped the Texans defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 13-9.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They had to wait a week to play due to Hurricane Irma, but it was worth it as quarterback Jameis Winston had a touchdown pass. Cornerback Ronald McClain had a pick six as the Bucs pounded the Chicago Bears 29-7.
- Atlanta Falcons: Running back Devonta Freeman rushed for two touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for a touchdown as the Falcons dominated the Green Bay Packers 34-23.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Running back Kareem Hunt rushed for two touchdowns as the Chiefs held off the Philadelphia Eagles 27-20.
- Miami Dolphins: They, too had to wait a week due to Irma, but quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 230 yards and a touchdown. Kicker’s Cody Parkey’s four field goals that helped the Dolphins stave off the Los Angeles Chargers 19-17.
- Washington Redskins: Running back Chris Thompson rushed for two touchdowns as Washington had 229 rushing yards in their win over the Los Angeles Rams 27-20.
- Denver Broncos: Quarterback Trevor Siemian threw for four touchdowns. Running back C.J. Anderson rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown. Cornerback Aqib Talib had a pick six as the Broncos defeated the Dallas Cowboys 42-17.
- Detroit Lions: Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns. Cornerback Jamal Agnew had a 88-yard punt return for a touchdown. Key defensive stops helped the Lions defeat the New York Giants 24-10.
Couple of shout-outs: first to Browns left tackle Joe Thomas who passed the 10,000 consecutive snaps mark against the Baltimore Ravens. He’s currently at 10,062. Also to Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, who set an NFL record for most touchdown catches by tight end. Both were in losing efforts as the Browns lost to 24-10. And the Chargers were edged out by the Dolphins 19-17. I believe both Thomas and Gates are Hall of Famers.
Losers:
- Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals having to settle for field goals in their loss to Houston. The Bengals haven’t scored a touchdown since Obama was still in office, no seriously, they haven’t scored a touchdown in regular season play since last season. They’ve since fired their offensive coordinator.
- Green Bay Packers: Missing their two starting tackles, having only 59 rushing yards, and turnovers were the Packers’ undoing in their loss to Atlanta.
- Dallas Cowboys: Quarterback Dak Prescott throwing a pick six and having 20 incompletions, also running back Ezekiel Elliott being held to a NFL career-low eight rushing yards doomed the Cowboys in their loss to Denver.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Despite having the advantage in time of possession, more total yards, and first downs, turnovers stalled drives in their loss to Kansas City.
- Minnesota Vikings: Without quarterback Sam Bradford, the offense struggled in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-9.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Turnovers and penalties cost the Jaguars in their loss to the Tennessee Titans 37-16.
- New York Giants: Being only 4 for 12 on third downs, 62 rushing yards and quarterback Eli Manning being sacked five times doomed the Giants in their loss to Detroit.
Storylines Going Into Week Three:
Tampa Bay goes to Minnesota. New England hosts Houston. NY Giants meet Philadelphia. Detroit battles Atlanta. Seattle goes to Tennessee. Kansas City meets LA Chargers. Oakland travels cross-country to face Washington. Can Dallas rebound against Arizona?