2025 NFL Week 2 Winners and Losers
Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season ended with a Monday night doubleheader and wrapped with an AFC West showdown between the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders
Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, Gary Davenport, Kris Knox and Moe Moton tracked all of the week's action to provided the biggest winners and losers from every game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans
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Score: Buccaneers 20, Texans 19
Winner: QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White deserve an honorable mention here because they carried the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense for most of Monday's game. However, it was quarterback Baker Mayfield who came up huge with the game on the line.
After taking over down five points with just over two minutes remaining, Mayfield engineered a 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Mayfield was 7-ot-9 on the drive and kept hope alive with a stunning 15-yard scramble on 4th-and-10.
Mayfield, who also threw a go-ahead touchdown in Week 1, keeps proving that the Buccaneers have found their franchise quarterback.
Loser: Texans' Run Defense
The Texans' defense and special teams nearly did enough to hand Houston a win.
Defensively, the Texans harassed and hit Mayfield throughout the game. On special teams, a blocked punt and a 53-yard punt return by Jaylin Noel helped set up Houston's final 10 points.
Unfortunately, poor run defense (169 yards allowed) cost the Texans the win. Mayfield's scramble kept Tampa's final drive alive, and White put the game away with a two-yard touchdown run. Had Houston been just a little stouter up front, it wouldn't be in a 0-2 hole to start the season.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
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Score: Chargers 20, Raiders 9
Winner: LB Daiyan Henley, Los Angeles Chargers
Multiple defenders made big plays for the Chargers on Monday night, including Derwin James, Tony Jefferson and Tarheeb Still. However, Daiyan Henley was probably the biggest winner because he both set the tone and helped close out the game.
Henley picked off Geno Smith on the very first play from scrimmage. Late in the fourth quarter, he recorded a fourth-down sack. After an Omarion Hampton fumble gave Las Vegas one last gasp, Henley had a late pressure that helped force a fourth-down incompletion.
The 2023 third-round pick added seven solo stops and 10 total tackles, marking his second big game to open the season. Henley emerged as a full-time starter in 2024. He now appears poised to be a bona fide star before becoming extension-eligible in the offseason.
Loser: Raiders Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly
The Raiders defense deserves credit for keeping Las Vegas in the game and for a fourth-quarter fourth-down stop that provided hope late. Unfortunately, a poor offensive game plan had the Raiders running uphill the entire game.
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly appeared to be a step behind the Chargers defense all night, and he made several questionable decisions—like giving sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty a mere 11 carries while letting Smith attempt 43 passes and turning to Zamir White on 3rd-and-short.
Kelly failed to scheme up anything to get his receivers open down the field. Smith essentially completed nothing deep and was picked three times while trying to force balls into tight windows.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings
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Score: Falcons 22, Vikings 6
Winner: Atlanta Falcons' Revamped Pass Rush
The Vikings made their fair share of mistakes with turnovers and missed opportunities in the passing game, but the Falcons' defensive front deserves credit for contributing to Minnesota's offensive misery. Atlanta registered six sacks.
The Falcons' edge-rushers outmatched the Vikings' banged-up offensive line and didn't allow quarterback J.J. McCarthy to get comfortable in the pocket. In an encouraging sign for the Falcons' young defensive linemen, rookie first-rounders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. made their presence felt on the edge by generating constant pressure and recording 1.5 sacks combined.
The Falcons defense plays with an aggressive new energy that will help them win low-scoring matchups this year.
Loser: Minnesota Vikings Offense
Minnesota only accumulated 198 total yards. McCarthy completed 52 percent of his passes, threw two interceptions and misfired on multiple throws downfield. On top of that, he didn't have much time in a clean pocket behind an offensive line that lost battles in the trenches to the Falcons' new-look pass rush.
Backup left tackle Justin Skule and center Ryan Kelly went into concussion protocol during the game. Running back Aaron Jones Sr. exited the contest with a hamstring injury.
Aside from one quarter against the Chicago Bears, McCarthy must be better, though the Vikings' injuries, particularly along the offensive line, may hinder his progress.
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Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals
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Score: Cardinals 27, Panthers 22
Winner: DL Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals tried their best to give the game away to the Panthers. They committed several penalties and couldn't get off the field on fourth downs. Carolina made first downs on three out of four fourth-down attempts for the game. Yet in the end, Campbell slammed the door on the Panthers' comeback bid.
On 4th-and-15, Campbell sacked quarterback Bryce Young near midfield. He logged five tackles (four solo) and two sacks. The 39-year-old defensive lineman—in his 18th season—is still a closer.
Loser: WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
In the second half, the Panthers offense showed signs of life. Young made big-time throws to rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan, slot receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. Yet, for consecutive weeks, Legette has been a no-show in Carolina's aerial attack. Against the Cardinals, he only converted one of his eight targets into a reception, and it went for minus two yards.
McMillan has established himself as the Panthers' go-to pass-catcher. With a two-touchdown performance on Sunday, Renfrow may have leapfrogged Legette in the pecking order, which doesn't bode well for the 2024 first-rounder's outlook in Carolina.
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts
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Score: Colts 29, Broncos 28
Winner: QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
One game with Daniel Jones playing can be viewed as an aberration. Two consecutive games with him on the field creates intrigue. A third straight outing will become a trend. Let's not jump too far ahead, because the Colts barely escaped with a victory over the Broncos.
Indianapolis' offense looks legit, though. After scoring on every single drive in Week 1, the Colts pieced together seven scoring drives against the Broncos' vaunted defense.
Jones is doing more than simply orchestrating Shane Steichen's scheme. The reclamation project threw for 316 yards and a touchdown, while adding a rushing touchdown as well. Most importantly, Jones didn't turn over the ball for the second consecutive game.
Maybe the Colts have more in Jones than initially thought. Whatever the case may be, Indy hasn't enjoyed a 2-0 start since 2009.
Loser: LB Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos
Special teams miscues became a theme during Sunday's action. The Broncos had the game won. The clock expired and everything after Spencer Shrader missed a potential game-winning field goal attempt. However, officials called Tillman for a personal foul/leverage over the long-snapper.
As such, the Colts were moved 15 yards closer and Spencer converted the field goal for the victory even with no time remaining in regulation. The Broncos snatched defeat from the jaws of victory because of a mental error.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs
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Score: Eagles 20, Chiefs 17
Winner: S Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles
This wasn't a pretty game from the Philadelphia Eagles, and they found themselves in a very tough position early in the fourth quarter. Then, rookie safety Andrew Mukuba made the play of the game.
The Kansas City Chiefs were on the doorstep of a go-ahead touchdown when the ball bounced out of the arms of Travis Kelce. Mukuba plucked it out of the air and returned it 41 yards. Philadelphia scored on the ensuing drive to take a 10-point lead and essentially put the game out of reach.
On a day when the offense had hiccups—and a week after Philly's new-look secondary was repeatedly gashed by CeeDee Lamb—it was great to see the second-round pick make a game-changing play.
Loser: Patrick Mahomes' Supporting Cast
Kelce may feel like the scapegoat because of his goal-line drop. However, Kansas City's entire supporting cast let the Chiefs down on Sunday.
With Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) out of the lineup, Patrick Mahomes struggled to find open targets, and he had too many disconnects when he did find them. A late touchdown pass to Tyquan Thornton made the game interesting, but Mahomes missed a wide-open Thornton a few plays earlier too.
Mahomes, who led the team with 66 rushing yards, also got little support from the ground game. Isiah Pacheco averaged just 2.2 yards per carry and still doesn't look like he did before last year's leg injury.
The Chiefs need to get their top wideouts back ASAP if they hope to be AFC contenders, and might want to see if they can add running back help.
New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
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Score: Cowboys 40, Giants 37 (OT)
Winner: PK Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
This game was a back-and-forth shootout that featured 77 points and five fourth-quarter lead changes. The box score is replete with "winners," including a career-high 450 passing yards from Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.
But it's not all that often that a kicker gets some run in this column—and after what he did at the end of regulation, Brandon Aubrey of the Cowboys deserves it.
Aubrey nailed the game-winner in overtime, but it's the 64-yarder he blasted to force extra time.
And Aubrey made that 64-yarder look easy.
Loser: Both Defenses
We aren't going to discriminate here or single out one defense in this madhouse of a football game as being worse than the other.
They were both garbage.
The Giants topped 500 yards of total offense. The Cowboys had 478. There were 811 yards of passing in this game. Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson of the Giants and CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys all had monster games.
Mind you, neither of these defenses looked especially good in Week 1 either. The Cowboys have serious issues at linebacker, and apparently both teams have real problems in the secondary.
It made for a thrilling game. But both defensive coordinators left the contest with indigestion.
San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints
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Score: 49ers 26, Saints 21
Winner: QB Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been absolutely savaged by injuries this season on offense, and the team rolled into the Big Easy Sunday short star tight end George Kittle and starting quarterback Brock Purdy.
That left it to Mac Jones to run the San Francisco offense, and in Week 2 Jones looked like the signal-caller who led the New England Patriots to the playoffs as a rookie.
For the game, Jones completed two-thirds of his 39 pass attempts for 279 yards and three scores without an interception. His passer rating was a robust 113.1.
The Niners haven't exactly faced a Murderer's Row of opponents. But in spite of all the injuries, the team is 2-0 and weathering the storm.
Loser: The Saints
There's really no other way to put this. Twice this season, the Saints have been in position to win games despite a roster that may well be the worst in the NFL.
And twice, the Saints have come up short.
On some level, the losses may be a win—the Saints aren't going anywhere in 2025, and Spencer Rattler isn't the long-term answer at quarterback.
But it still has to be dispiriting to come close to a victory twice in as many weeks only to see that win slip through the team's fingers.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals
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Score: Bengals 31, Jaguars 27
Winner: Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase
The Bengals were able to get an ugly win last week in Cleveland, but star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was quiet—just two catches for 26 yards.
He was significantly louder in Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite playing much of the game with backup quarterback Jake Browning after Joe Burrow left with a toe injury, Chase did Ja'Marr Chase things against the Jags—14 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown.
The Joe Burrow injury will obviously be the big headline from this game, and it's a devastating blow. But with Chase and Tee Higgins catching passes, the Bengals can still move the ball.
And Cincinnati is 2-0 for the first time in the Zac Taylor era.
Loser: Jacksonville Pass Defense
Last year, no team allowed more yards through the air than the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That defense didn't look one bit better against the Bengals.
Yes, the Jaguars logged three sacks and picked off Browning three times. But the team also allowed over 300 yards through the air (mostly to a backup quarterback) and couldn't stop the Bengals from driving the length of the field for a game-winning touchdown.
With the Jaguars set to face Houston's C.J. Stroud and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes over the next few weeks, Jacksonville needs to get the back end of the defense figured out in a hurry.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
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Score: Patriots 33, Dolphins 27
Winner: New England Patriots Defense
The Dolphins put up 27 points, but their offense only recorded one touchdown after the first half. New England's defense clamped down, and its pass rush sealed the victory.
Linebacker Marte Mapu snagged a crucial interception with a little more than two minutes left in regulation to help New England hold on to the lead. The Patriots logged five sacks, including Milton Williams' game-winning play, bringing down Tua Tagovailoa behind the line of scrimmage on fourth down.
Drake Maye had a quick start with two early touchdown drives; the Patriots defense finished the job.
Loser: Miami Dolphins' Backup Offensive Linemen
The Dolphins placed James Daniels (pectoral) and Austin Jackson (toe) on injured reserve, which thrust Kion Smith and Larry Borom into starting positions at right guard and right tackle, respectively. Miami should bring in tryouts for both spots before Thursday's contest with the Buffalo Bills.
Early in Sunday's game, the Dolphins offensive line held up well, but the unit fell apart in the second half. Smith and Borom struggled to keep defenders at bay, and Tagovailoa took sacks in critical situations. Williams beat Smith for the game-sealing sack. Pass-rushers can feast on the right side of the Miami front line, which is Tagovailoa's blind side.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
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Score: Rams 33, Titans 19
Winner: EDGE Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams
Rams edge-rusher Jared Verse entered the season with a lot of hype after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. But two weeks into the 2025 campaign, it's batterymate Byron Young who is generating hype with his play on the field.
In last week's win over the Houston Texans, Young had nine total tackles and a sack. The third-year pro was just getting started—in Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans, Young was again a force, logging five total tackles, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.
The Rams are 2-0 to open the season and look like the class of the NFC West—and the team's young front seven has had a lot to do with that.
Loser: Titans QB Cam Ward
Growing pains are to be expected when a rookie quarterback starts right out of the gate. And two games into the 2025 season, Ward looks very much like a rookie under center.
Ward's passing numbers weren't terrible against the Rams—he completed 19 of 33 attempts for 195 yards and a touchdown. But the youngster continues to hold the ball far too long—Ward was dropped five times against the Rams and has now been sacked 11 times in two games.
Tennessee's line is struggling. And until Ward starts getting the ball out quicker, the Titans are going to keep winding up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
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Score: Bills 30, Jets 10
Winner: RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen didn't have to put on the Superman cape in a blowout win because Cook ran through the Jets defense for 132 yards and two touchdowns. On a new four-year deal, the two-time Pro Bowl tailback showed why he deserves the big bucks.
After tying Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs for a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns last season, Cook has three within the first two weeks of the campaign. He's likely to avoid a significant touchdown regression this year.
Loser: QB Justin Fields, New York Jets
One week after the Jets released wide receiver/special teams returner Xavier Gipson because of a costly fumble, Fields coughed up the ball deep in Gang Green's territory on the team's second offensive drive.
Though Fields rushed for 49 yards, he only completed three of 11 pass attempts for 27 yards, which included glaring misfires on short completions. He also went into concussion protocol during the fourth quarter.
The Jets offense took a step back from last week's 32-point outing, but it's games like this that make you question whether Fields is a good enough passer to lead an efficient unit.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
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Score: Lions 52, Bears 21
Winner: Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell
After getting decisively beaten by the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, Dan Campbell faced questions about his team's ability to win without former coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. Johnson and the Chicago Bears came to town on Sunday, and Campbell told reporters during the week that the Lions "have" to win this game.
Detroit did win, and it did so convincingly. The offensive line played better than it did a week ago, offensive coordinator John Morton dialed up some big plays, and Kelvin Sheppard's defense logged multiple takeaways. In other words, the Lions looked a lot more like last year's No. 1 seed than the team we saw a week ago.
For at least a week, no one should be questioning Campbell's ability to keep this team on track with a new staff.
Loser: Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen
Johnson will draw most of the attention this week since this was his return to Detroit—and it did not go well. However, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen comes out looking like the biggest loser.
A week after blowing an 11-point lead to the Minnesota Vikings in J.J. McCarthy's first start, Chicago coughed up 511 yards, 25 first downs and 51 points to Detroit. Johnson and Caleb Williams will both face questions after an underwhelming offensive performance, and they could face a season-long disadvantage if Allen doesn't tighten things up soon.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Score: Seahawks 31, Steelers 17
Winner: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
In a contest billed as DK Metcalf's revenge game, the Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his ascension toward superstar status.
Smith-Njigba caught eight passes for 103 yards Sunday. He has clearly established a strong rapport with quarterback Sam Darnold, who has targeted his new WR1 23 times through the first two weeks of regular-season play.
Meanwhile, Metcalf had a solid outing with a touchdown reception, though he caught only three passes for 20 yards. On this day, the Seahawks got the better of their decision to move beyond the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Loser: KR Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Specialists don't get much attention unless something goes wrong. In this particular case, Sunday's contest turned toward the Seahawks' favor when rookie Kaleb Johnson failed to field a kickoff in the landing zone, thus allowing Seattle to recover the kick for a touchdown after it bounced into the end zone.
Johnson's mental error is his second special teams mistake in two weeks, having fumbled in Week 1 against the New York Jets.
Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
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Score: Ravens 41, Browns 17
Winner: LB Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens defense bounced back with a strong effort in Week 2 after being lit up by the Buffalo Bills in the season-opener. It certainly helps when a unit isn't facing the reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen.
Against the Browns, the Ravens were flying to the football, with middle linebacker Roquan Smith leading the way. The defensive captain registered a game-high 15 total tackles, while adding three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and a defensive touchdown after a fumble recovery.
Smith and Co. have huge games ahead against the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. An effort like Sunday's against those offensive units will go a long way for the Ravens.
Loser: QB Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
The Browns now own a 3-18 record since the calendar turned to Jan. 2024. The quarterback position has remained the biggest obstacle for the team to be competitive.
Yes, Joe Flacco helped the team make the postseason during the '23 campaign. But his age, 40, doesn't provide the team much upside and he's not playing well to start this season. Flacco outright missed multiple throws against the Ravens. He lacks the mobility to consistently make plays outside of structure. He even turned the ball over twice during Sunday's action.
At this point, Flacco being in the lineup does absolutely nothing for the Browns, who need to start looking at their future because the present has been downright awful.
Washington Commanders vs. Green Bay Packers
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Score: Packers 27, Commanders 18
Winner: TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Kraft never managed more than 88 receiving yards during his first two seasons with the Packers. In Week 2, the 2023 third-round draft pick posted a career-high with 124 receiving yards.
The tight end's importance should only grow to the Packers offense since Jayden Reed, who was already dealing with a foot injury, left Thursday's contest with a banged-up shoulder.
Kraft thrived by controlling the seams, including a 57-yard reception that set up the game's first touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the 6'5", 253-pound target provided Green Bay's final touchdown of the evening. He finished with a game-high 124 yards, which is the highest total by a Packers tight end since the 2015 campaign.
Loser: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Washington Commanders
Some may describe Thursday's performance by Conerly as his "Welcome to the NFL" moment, but he already experienced last weekend against the New York Giants. Instead, this year's 29th overall draft pick endured a baptism by fire upon facing the Packers' dynamic pass-rushers, Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary.
Conerly hasn't had time to build any kind of comfort level on the right side after being a collegiate left tackle. The Commanders tried to provide the 21-year-old blocker with help from tight ends and running backs throughout Thursday's contest, but the effort proved fruitless. Parsons and Gary regularly beat the rookie and provided pressure against quarterback Jayden Daniels. If not for a quick passing attack, the situation could have been much worse.
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