NFL Week 2 kicked off last Thursday with a primetime matchup between Justin Herbert’s Chargers and Pat Mahomes’s Chiefs. The two young QBs are the face of the league and many around the league believe these AFC West squads are on a late-postseason collision course. Thursday’s game was also the debut of Amazon Prime’s Broadcast rights. Amazon invested heavily in familiar voices Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit.
The Chargers controlled the early part of the game, the offense was clicking even with WR1 Keenan Allen out, Mike Williams picked up the slack hauling in 8 catches, for 113 yards. The Chiefs offense with Mahomes at the helm looked tame throughout the game, running the ball well, but playing from behind and the passing game just keeping them within striking distance. The Chargers were at the Chiefs’ doorstep tied at 17, when Herbert tossed a 99-yard pick six, potential 14-point swing that led to the Chiefs win. The Chargers largely outplayed the Chiefs, but were unable to get a big win on the road.
Sunday saw its usual 9-hour marathon of football. The one o’clock window got off to a slow start, the Ravens jumped out huge lead against the Dolphins. Lamar Jackson ripped off a 79-yard read option and uncorked a 75-yard bomb to 2nd year wideout Rashod Bateman. The Ravens were firing on all cylinders, leading 35-14 going into the 4th quarter.
The Fourth Quarter saw Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphin’s offense explode, scoring three unanswered touchdowns on downfield shots to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Hill finished with 190 receiving yards 2 TDs and Waddle tacked on another 171 and 2 TDs. The Dolphins answered a late Justin Tucker FG with a go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds, Fins roll 42-38.
The New England Patriots went into Pittsburg star- ing down a potential 0-2 start for the first time since Tom Brady was drafted. The Patriots Steelers game was a slugfest, both defenses were flying to the ball. Second year QB Mac Jones had a disappointing week one against the Dolphins, while Jones had a clean pocket against Pittsburgh he struggled. Jones made a poor read on a deep ball to Devante Parker early, throwing into double coverage, he missed free Patriots runners in the secondary instead opting for check-downs. Mac and the Patriots eventually did enough to beat the Yinzers 17-14.
The late games saw Kyler Murray and the Cardinals go into Vegas and start slow, go- ing down 20-0 in the first half. Kliff Kingsbury and the boys turned it on late in the second half, rallying and forcing overtime thanks to two ridiculous Kyler Murray 2-point conversions, one where he ran over 80 yards behind the line of scrimmage and lasted over 22 seconds.
Star Raider WR Davante Adams was shut down by the Cards, holding him to 12 receiving yards, Derek Carr was forced to target Hunter Renfrow in OT, whose fumble was returned by Arizona for a game winning touchdown.
Around the league, week two birthed some big storylines. The 49ers 2021 first round QB Trey Lance broke his ankle on his first drive against the Seahawks ending his season and bringing Jimmy Garoppolo back into the starting role at quarterback for the 49ers.
In Denver, Russell Wil- son and Nathaniel Hackett’s start has been slow, week two saw the offense and game managing sputter again this time to Broncos faithful boos. As we roll into week three the league landscape is taking shape, are the 0-2 teams done? And are the 2-0 teams legit?