6 Yards of Separation Week 2: Aaron Rodgers Meets the Seattle Seahawks

There were two Mannings on the same field, two weather delays on opposite coasts and two game-winning field goals in Week 2 of the NFL on Sunday.

San Diego kicker Nick Novak gave the Chargers a 33-30 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles as time expired. New Orleans kicker Garrett Hartley emulated Novak’s hero role, hours later, in Tampa Bay to edge the Saints over the Buccaneers 16-14. 

Eight of the nine early games were all within one possession at some point during the fourth quarter.

The Kansas City Chiefs have started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2010. The same can be said about the Chicago Bears. Not to mention, both teams have first-year head coaches.

It’d be easy to use any of the above mentioned, but the NFL thrives on the unconventional and difficult. Why should "six yards" be any different?

Golden Tate’s infamous touchdown to award Seattle a controversial win over Green Bay in Week 3 of last season has nothing to do with this season in the NFL —until "six yards of separation" connected Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers back to the Seahawks after Sunday.

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers

It would appear at first glance that Packers running back James Starks rushing for 132 yards and a touchdown—which is the first time a Green Bay running back has gone for 100 yards rushing in a single game in 44 regular-season games dating back to 2010— would be the headline: No. 44 snaps the 44-game streak. The headline writes itself.

But then Rodgers went and threw for 480 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions, becoming the first quarterback to put up such numbers since Y.A. Tittle did so for the 1962 New York Giants.

Three of Rodgers’ four touchdowns came in the first half in Green Bay’s 38-20 clinic over Washington at Lambeau Field.

It was the No. 4 that stuck out like a sore thumb for one NFC East wide receiver who, otherwise, had a brilliant day. 

Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Dez Bryant wilted Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers for the majority of the game at Arrowhead on Sunday, but it was four incomplete passes thrown Bryant’s way that ultimately aided in costing the Cowboys a 17-16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Three of Bryant’s four miscues came in the fourth quarter with one blatant drop down the sideline halting the Cowboys drive and leading to a Dan Bailey field goal instead, pulling the Cowboys to within one.

It is worth mentioning that Bryant did go for nine receptions to accumulate 141 yards and a touchdown to single-handedly keep the Cowboys in the game. It just so happens that he also took them out of it when it mattered most.

Nine wasn’t enough for Bryant, but throwing for nine touchdowns through the first two games has tied one AFC West quarterback for NFL history with another quarterback who wears No. 9.

Peyton Manning, quarterback, Denver Broncos

Adding two touchdowns to his historic seven in the Broncos’ season opener against the Baltimore Ravens gives Denver quarterback Peyton Manning nine touchdown throws through Week 2. The only other two quarterbacks to do so in NFL history are Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, and Charley Johnson, according to SportsCenter. 

Peyton hit pause on the brotherly love in the Broncos’ 41-23 stomping of Eli Manning’s New York Giants. Denver has a combined 90 points in a commanding 2-0 start to the season. 

Turnover woes from Week 1 continued into Week 2 for the Giants. Eli's four interceptions brings the total turnover count for New York to 10. Excluding a Montee Ball goal-line fumble on the Broncos' first drive—a drive in which Peyton was 7-of-8 for 88 yards—Denver played a clean game.

Peyton accounted for nine of 21 total touchdowns by AFC West quarterbacks through the first two weeks.

Another player representing No. 21 made a big impact.

 

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals

There was talk in the offseason that Peterson wanted to be involved in the Cardinals offense. Well, he was on Sunday.  

If Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne don’t historically improve before next week, Patrick Peterson may be fielding calls from the Jacksonville Jaguars to play quarterback.

Peterson had an impressive tryout for the position in Arizona’s 25-21 win over Detroit. With his one throw, completed for 17 yards in the third quarter, Peterson has proven that he can make an impact from anywhere on the field.

Add in Peterson’s four tackles, three kick returns for a total of 10 yards and one reception for 17 yards and the argument for his athleticism becomes even more compelling.

Bruce Arians agrees, as Peterson’s contributions played a part in Arians’ first win as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach.

Another rookie of a different sort in the AFC South, Arians’ former division, made a splash of firsts.

DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans

DeAndre Hopkins is the first rookie wide receiver to catch a game-winning touchdown in overtime since Santonio Holmes did it in 2006. Hopkins’ three-yard touchdown reception to seal the Texans’ 30-24, come-from-behind, win versus Tennessee capped off his seven receptions and 117 yards on the day. 

Hopkins saved the day for Houston after veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson left the game with a concussion in the fourth quarter.

Hopkins now has a total of 12 receptions this season.

And it’s that No. 12 that takes us to our final destination and the "Home of 12": Seattle.

Seattle Seahawks, 2-0, NFC West

The 12th man at CenturyLink Field in Seattle had to hold their breath for more than 12 points from the Seahawks on Sunday night. It took the fourth quarter and an Aldon Smith personal foul on 3rd-and-28 for the Seahawks to bust things open, as quarterback Russell Wilson found Marshawn Lynch for the touchdown on an ensuing play. 

Wilson began the game 0-of-5, including an interception to 49ers defensive back and rookie Eric Reid—his second interception of the season in as many games. 

Eventually, Seattle prevailed in an ugly, physical 29-3 win over fierce in-conference rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Anquan Boldin were, respectively, squelched by the Seahawks defense, and tight end Vernon Davis left the game for the 49ers due to a hamstring injury.

The roar of the 12th man disrupted the 49ers' composure, causing 12 San Francisco penalties for 121 yards.

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick was affected, too, throwing three interceptions in the game. Two of the three went to Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor in the fourth quarter and sucked the life out of San Francisco. The 49ers had five total turnovers in the game. 

Sherman and head coach Pete Carroll didn't see eye to eye with 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, and it's been reported that they never do, but Carroll's Seahawks are still connecting to Aaron Rodgers—one year later. 

Follow Megan on Twitter at @meganKarmstrong.