The second week of the NFL season concluded on Monday. As many commentators around the league said repeatedly, many survivor pools were eliminated after an unexpected week of upsets. We also saw some incredible performances from veterans like Alvin Kamara and rookie breakouts from some of the top picks in the 2024 Draft. Unfortunately, the injury list continued to grow as well. Before Week 3 begins Thursday night with the Jets and the Patriots, here is one more look at Week 2.
Top Game from Week 2:
Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City Chiefs
It was another classic matchup in this AFC rivalry on Sunday. Mahomes and the Chiefs took on Burrow and the Bengals from Arrowhead Stadium.
Trailing by two points with 2:35 remaining, Mahomes and the offense took over.
On the sixth play of the drive, they were faced with a 4th and 6 from their 45-yard line. Mahomes found Rashee Rice down the field for a 21-yard gain that would’ve put them in field goal range until it was called back.
A hands-to-the-face penalty on right tackle Wanya Morris negated the play and forced Kansas City into a 4th and 16 with 48 seconds to play.
Cincinnati looked as if they were going to finally conquer the Chiefs after three straight losses.
The Bengals rushed three at Mahomes, dropping eight back in coverage. Running out of time, Mahomes climbed the pocket and then drifted to his left, firing a pass down the field to Rice.
As the ball came closer to Rice, Bengals defensive back Daijahn Anthony flew in, eager to break up the pass and win the game for Cincinnati.
But Anthony arrived at the play and made contact with Rice too early, resulting in a pass interference penalty that gave Kansas City a first down at the Cincinnati 36-yard line. While there was clear pass interference, the penalty flag came in very late, much to the disgust of the Bengals and NFL fans.
The Chiefs handed the ball off to Carson Steele twice, picking up four yards and creating a shorter field goal for Harrison Butker.
Butker came onto the field with three seconds left and a 51-yard kick in the way of the Chiefs moving to 2-0.
Butker’s kick sailed through the uprights, leaving no doubt and the Chiefs won as time expired.
The loss was another tough one to swallow for the Bengals in their rivalry with the Chiefs.
They were the better team on Sunday in many different areas.
Cincinnati won the turnover battle by +2, outgained the Chiefs in total yards, possessed the ball longer and were more efficient on third down. But the one area they lost and ultimately cost them, was the penalty difference.
Kansas City (2-0) will go to Atlanta in Week 3 to take on the Falcons (1-1) on Sunday Night Football. The Bengals now fall to 0-2 to begin the season for the third straight year and head back home to take on the Commanders next week.
Top Performers:
Alvin Kamara RB, New Orleans Saints
Kamara could not be stopped in New Orleans’ 44-19 win over Dallas on Sunday. Scoring four total touchdowns, Kamara single-handedly outscored the Cowboys. He finished the game with 115 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries to go with 65 receiving yards and one touchdown. Kamara’s most explosive play of the day came on a 57-yard touchdown on a screen pass from Derek Carr.
Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, & Kyler Murray QB, Arizona Cardinals
After this duo connected just once for four yards in Week 1, they shook off the rust in Week 2. The No. 4 overall pick Harrison Jr. scored his first career touchdown on a 23-yard dime from Kyler Murray early in the first quarter. They followed that up with a 60-yard scoring bomb on the ensuing drive. Harrison Jr. finished the day with four catches and 130 yards to go with his two touchdowns, shifting the narrative after a poor Week 1. Murray continued to show his explosiveness when healthy. He completed 17 of his 21 passing attempts for 266 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, he added 59 yards on five rushing attempts. Murray became just the second player in NFL history to have a perfect passer rating while throwing for 250 yards or more and rushing for 50 yards or more.
James Cook RB, Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ 2022 second-round pick exploded on Thursday night en route to a 31-10 victory over the Dolphins. Going into the game, Cook had just two rushing touchdowns in each of his first two seasons. On Thursday, he matched that total in the first half. Cook finished the game with 78 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries and a 17-yard touchdown reception.
Aidan Hutchinson DE, Detroit Lions
The former No. 2 overall pick was a game-wrecker on Sunday. Hutchinson finished Detroit’s loss to Tampa with 4 ½ sacks, just one shy of the franchise single-game record of 5 ½. Three of his sacks came in the first half. On top of the sack total, Hutchinson had a forced fumble and five QB hits.
Austin Seibert K, Washington Commanders
Similarly to Steelers kicker Chris Boswell, Seibert was perfect on field goal attempts this week… and was the only player on his team to score. The Commanders came out on top against the Giants 21-18 off the leg of Seibert. He finished the day 7-7 on field goals, including the game-winner as time expired.
J.K. Dobbins RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Dobbins is silencing all the doubters through the first two weeks of the season. After suffering both an ACL and an Achilles tear in his career–Achilles injury was last season–Dobbins is on fire to start 2024. Currently leading the NFL in rushing, Dobbins has run for 130+ yards in back-to-back games. In Sunday’s faceoff with Carolina, the former Raven ran for 131 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He showed remarkable speed considering his injury history on a 43-yard scoring run, his longest of the day.
Malik Nabers WR, New York Giants
Continuing with the theme of outstanding rookies, the No. 6 pick from this year’s draft had a breakout performance. In New York’s 21-18 loss Sunday, Nabers was targeted 18 times. Those targets resulted in 10 receptions for 127 yards and his first career touchdown.
Injury Report:
Tua Tagovailoa QB, Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa suffered a scary concussion during Thursday night’s loss to the Bills and was ruled out for the game. The Dolphins’ franchise QB has now sustained three concussions since 2022, which has revived the conversation on whether he should retire. However, it was reported that he “has no plans to retire” and has already begun seeing specialists until he is deemed ready to return. Tagovailoa was placed on IR Tuesday and will return in Week 8 at the earliest.
Evan Engram TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars’ tight end injured his hamstring during warmups ahead of Sunday’s game versus the Browns and was ruled out less than an hour before kickoff. Head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday that Engram is considered week-to-week with the injury. His availability for Week 3’s matchup with Buffalo will depend on his practice availability this week.
A.J. Brown WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia’s star wide receiver was put on the injury report after sustaining a hamstring injury on Friday and was limited in practice. After not practicing on Saturday ahead of the team’s Monday night game, he was listed as questionable. The Eagles later announced on Sunday afternoon that he would be out for Week 2 against the Falcons. During Monday night’s game against Atlanta, Brown told ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters that he will miss “a couple of weeks.”
Cooper Kupp WR, Los Angeles Rams
The former Triple Crown winner left Sunday’s game against Arizona in the first half and did not return. It was later revealed that Kupp was dealing with an ankle injury and he left the stadium in a walking boot. Head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that Kupp will miss “an extended period of time” (ESPN). Kupp could end up on IR McVay said
Justin Jefferson WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson left Sunday’s game against the 49ers in the second quarter after colliding with linebacker Fred Warner and Center Garrett Bradbury. While he did not come back into the game, Jefferson’s injury does not appear to be serious. After the game, he told reporters that he was “not seriously injured.” (Kevin Seifert, ESPN)
Isiah Pacheco RB, Kansas City Chiefs
It was announced on Monday that Pacheco has a fractured right fibula that will require surgery. The Chiefs running back will be placed on injured reserve according to ESPN and will miss 6-8 weeks, but he is expected to return later this season. This is a big blow for Kansas City, as it's already slim at running back with Clyde Edwards–Helaire on injured reserve. The team is reportedly hosting former Chief Kareem Hunt for a visit on Monday. As of now, Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele will take on a larger role in Pacheco’s absence.
Joe Mixon RB, Houston Texans
One of the NFL’s most controversial rule changes this offseason was the vote to penalize defenders for hip-drop tackles. Mixon was taken down through a hip-drop tackle during Houston’s Sunday night game against Chicago and left with an ankle injury. No penalty was called on the play. Mixon would return to the game but did not see the field nearly as much as expected. He’ll have an MRI done on his ankle on Monday according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Deebo Samuel WR, San Francisco 49ers
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media on Monday that Samuel will miss a couple of weeks due to a calf strain. Shanahan shared that Samuel suffered the injury in the final minutes of the team’s 23-17 loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Samuel briefly exited the game for one play before returning. The 49ers will now be without Samuel and Christian McCaffrey for the next few weeks.
DeForest Buckner DT, Indianapolis Colts
Buckner was carted off the field in the third quarter of the Colts’ loss to the Packers on Sunday with what was labeled as an ankle sprain. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Buckner’s X-rays came back negative and an MRI is pending. He also reported that Buckner is “a long shot” for Week 3 against the Bears. Update: Buckner was placed on IR on Tuesday, he will miss the next four games.
Tyjae Spears RB, Tennessee Titans
The Titans running back exited Week 2’s game against the Jets with an ankle injury and did not return to the contest. The initial concern for Spears was high, but head coach Brian Callahan said on Monday that Spears is “day to day” (Nick Suss, The Tennessean) and that the injury is not serious.
C.J. Mosley LB, New York Jets
Mosley is dealing with a toe injury after leaving Sunday’s game against the Titans in the second quarter. Mosley did not return to the game and is questionable for New York’s Thursday night matchup with New England.
Tank Bigsby RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bigsby was banged up on a kickoff return in the first half of Sunday’s game versus the Browns. It was announced that he was dealing with a shoulder injury, and he did not return to the game. Bigsby was described as “okay” by Doug Pederson on Monday, keeping the door open for him to play in Week 3.
Vita Vea DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vea is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain according to head coach Todd Bowles. Vea sustained the injury during the team’s Week 2 victory over the Lions. While the injury sounds serious, Bowles said that Vea has not been ruled out for their Week 3 matchup with Denver.
Tayson Hill TE, New Orleans Saints
Hill went to the hospital before the conclusion of the Saints’s road victory against Dallas on Sunday and was evaluated for a chest injury. The injury was not believed to be serious and after more tests, the results were positive for Hill.
Jermaine Johnson II DE, New York Jets
Johnson is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles during the Jets’ win over the Titans on Sunday. Johnson exited the game Sunday with what was categorized as an Achilles injury and was immediately declared out for the remainder of the game. He is slated to have an MRI to confirm the injury.
B.J. Hill DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Hill left Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the first half and did not return after going to the locker room for evaluation. Head coach Zac Taylor did not have any update on Hill’s injury on Monday.
Mike McGlinchey OT, Denver Broncos
McGlinchey is dealing with a MCL sprain that he sustained against the Steelers on Sunday and could miss about a month of action.
John Johnson S, Los Angeles Rams
The injuries keep piling up for the Rams. Safety John Johnson will miss 4-to 6 weeks after suffering a hairline fracture against the Cardinals on Sunday and is likely to end up on the injured reserve according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.
*All stats were recieved from ESPN Stats & Info and NFL.com
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