NFL Week 2: Handing Out Game Balls for Every Game

Things change fast in the breakneck world of the NFL, and it was never faster than in Week 2. All the preconceptions and storylines fans had going into the season were confirmed or dispelled in Week 1, and then in Week 2 everything got turned back around on its head.

The Jets went from the worst offensive team in the NFL during the preseason to a 48-point juggernaut in Week 1, then they were moribund again against the Steelers. Kevin Kolb lost a starting job he got paid $30 million to play, and now he's led his punching-bag Cardinals to two big wins.

Who proved their worth in the craziest week of the season? Who put up the wildest numbers? Who laid (or took) the biggest hits? Who did the most to solidify their team's stock in the minds of fans everywhere?

Read on to see who got my game balls for Week 2 of the 2012 NFL season.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

Reggie White Minister of Defense Game Ball: Clay Matthews, Green Bay OLB

The entire Packers defense put Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on his back seven times. Three-and-a-half of those times were the work of Clay Matthews. Dominant performance by a defense that needed to carry its offense for once.

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills

Eli Manning Hey Wait Maybe This Guy Is Actually Good Game Ball: C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills running back

Bills fans waited through 31 games for C.J. Spiller to look like he was going to justify his No. 9 overall draft slot. Finally, against the Chiefs, Spiller took over an important game. He racked up 123 yards on just 15 carries, including two touchdowns, pulling the Bills to a 35-17 win.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Won if by Land Game Ball: Cam Newton, Panthers quarterback

Despite otherworldly athleticism, Newton made headlines his rookie season with how often and how well he threw the ball. This year, the aerial yards haven't come as easily, but against New Orleans, Newton and the Panthers remembered they're the best ground attack in football.

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

AC/DC Back in Black Game Ball: Adam Jones, Bengals cornerback

A lifetime ago and a thousand miles away, a controversial youngster called "Pac-Man" was one of the most electric returners in the NFL. In Week 2, a grown man named Adam Jones opened the scoring with an 81-yard runback to pay dirt. Welcome back.

Pink Floyd I Wish You Were Here Game Ball: Joe Haden, Browns cornerback

Haden, suspended four games for Adderall use, was sorely missed as Bengals QB Andy Dalton threw three scores.

Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts

Those Who Stay Will Be Champions Game Ball: Reggie Wayne, Colts WR

Few thought Reggie Wayne, a skill-position player nearing retirement age, was making a great choice when he re-upped with his rebuilding Colts. But Wayne's 30-yard score makes it obvious he couldn't pass up a chance to play with rookie QB Andrew Luck.

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Silent But Deadly Game Ball: J.J. Watt, Texans DE

The Texans offense will get the headlines, but Watt and the defense took all the pressure off them to succeed. Watt led Houston with four solo tackles and one assist, including 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins

Tiki Barber Like a Fine Wine Game Ball: Reggie Bush, Dolphins running back

Bush had to deal with ridiculous expectations from well before the day he was drafted. After being hailed as the next Barry Sanders, then branded a bust and shipped out of New Orleans, Bush has developed into the five-yard-per-carry back many thought he'd be from Day 1.

Bush's 172 rushing yards and two touchdowns led the Dolphins to their first home-opener win since 2005...the year Bush won the Heisman.

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots

Dan Levy Wide-Left Game Ball: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots kicker

When Gostkowski, the normally reliable Pats kicker, missed what would have been his fourth field goal of the day, he sealed a shocking win for the visiting Cardinals.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants

Doctor Jekyll, Mister Hyde Game Ball: Eli Manning, Giants QB

Manning had a miserable first half; he threw three picks and led the Giants to a 24-13 deficit. Then, he brought them all the way back with a monstrous 510-yard effort.

It was just enough for Manning and the Super Bowl champs to stave off an embarrassing home defeat.

Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles

Kardiac Kid Game Ball: Michael Vick, Eagles quarterback

For the second straight week, Vick sleepwalked through much of the game, turning the ball over and keeping the Eagles from pulling ahead. For the second straight week, Vick figured it out just in the nick of time and led the Eagles to victory.

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks

Steve Tasker Three Phases of the Game, Game Ball: Seahawks Special Teams

The Seahawks forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and returned a blocked punt for a score as the Seahawks upset the Cowboys, 27-7.

Tom Jackson "Jacked Up" Game Ball: Golden Tate, Seahawks receiver

Tate blew up Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee with this hit. Illegal? Yes. Dangerous? Sure. Incredible to watch? Definitely.

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams

Jerry Rice Statistical Prolificacy Game Ball: Danny Amendola, Rams receiver

Amendola pulled down 15 catches for 160 yards and a score with a ridiculous (and NFL-record-tying) 12 of those catches coming in the first half. Amendola's career day helped push the Rams to a 31-28 victory (and beleaguered third-year quarterback Sam Bradford to an outstanding day).

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

Dennis Green They Are Who We Thought They Were Game Ball: New York Jets offense

After proving against the Bills they weren't as ineffective as they looked in the preseason, the Jets offense returned to form against the Steelers' stingy defense: They couldn't even muster a quarter of the points they scored in Week 1.

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers

Kurt Warner Injury Fill-in Game Ball: Dante Rosario, Chargers TE

With longtime stud tight end Antonio Gates scratched from the lineup just before kickoff, Rosario jumped in and scored three touchdowns en route to a 38-10 Chargers win. Whether Rosario can take over for Gates the way Warner took over for Trent Green remains to be seen.

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

Curt Schilling Bloody Sock Game Ball: Alex Smith, 49ers quarterback

During a game where he sustained a nasty-looking bloody nose, Smith extended his franchise-record streak of 216 attempts without an interception.

That's a 49ers franchise record for quarterback awesomeness. Think about it.

The 49ers again beat a tough NFC North opponent, establishing them as the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.