NFL Week 2 Scores: Recaps and Commentary
Week 2 of the NFL season is winding its way to a conclusion, and once again there were upsets and surprises galore.
The Jets surprised everybody—especially Bill Belichick—the Pittsburgh Steelers held the line against the Titans, and Michael Vick got some on-field redemption.
So enough with the intros. Let's get to the scores.
Green Bay 34, Buffalo 7
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The outcome of this game really wasn't a surprise, but what was surprising was the close score in the third quarter (Packers 13, Bills 7) and the Packers not really blowing the game open until two touchdowns gave them a 27-7 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Still, the Bills were awful offensively and Trent Edwards is inspiring no confidence in Bills fans right now.
Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, was performing as expected, passing for three touchdown and more than 250 yards.
Miami 14, Minnesota 10
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Is Brett Favre the answer in Minnesota?
Apparently not through the first two games of the year. Four turnovers in one game is the kind of Favre that shows its head every now and then. The Vikings just hope it doesn't appear again this year.
Miami wasn't playing great football, but the Fins made the plays when they had to and took advantage of the Vikings' numerous mistakes.
Kansas City 16, Cleveland 14
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Matt Cassel wasn't the star, but the Chiefs took a pick-six from Seneca Wallace while the Browns once again failed to make second half adjustments.
There isn't much to say about the game where flashy plays were scarce and the Chiefs scored 10 points off Cleveland turnovers.
If Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini wasn't on the hot seat before, he certainly will be shortly.
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Chicago 27, Dallas 20
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Jerry Jones is not a happy man.
While the blame for the loss can't be all placed on Tony Romo's shoulders, he did throw two interceptions.
But the Dallas running game never came out of the tunnel and the defense decided they must be playing on Sunday Night Football again, because they certainly didn't show up for the scheduled gametime.
Meanwhile, the Bears now are 2-0 and no one in Chicago is complaining.
Atlanta 41, Arizona 7
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This is the one time in this slideshow I'll let my Browns fandom really color the commentary.
I knew Derek Anderson was no good, and I knew this game was coming.
I lived in Arizona for four years and I still have a soft spot for the Cardinals, and they deserve better than Derek Anderson.
Anderson was benched in the final minutes for rookie Max Hall, and this is a situation he's been in before and will be in again.
The Falcons took it easy on Arizona in the closing minutes, and it still didn't matter.
Tampa Bay 20, Carolina 7
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After Matt Moore's day, which wasn't good, rookie Jimmy Clausen got to play in the fourth quarter.
Clausen had one more completion than Moore, but the quarterback story of the day was Josh Freeman earning redemption by having a great day, committing no turnovers, and leading the Bucs to a 2-0 start.
Freeman's five turnovers last year were not a factor this year as he appeared to have completely put that debacle behind him.
Philadelphia 35, Detroit 32
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Michael Vick looked like his old self versus Detroit.
Detroit played a very good game, but came up just short as Vick ran, passed, and danced his way to an Eagles victory.
Lions starter Shaun Hill threw for more than 350 yards, but it just wasn't enough against the Eagles.
Now the quarterback controversy can really begin in Philly.
Cincinnati 15, Baltimore 10
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It wasn't an offensive highlight reel game, but the defenses certainly put on a show.
It came down to Bengals kicker Mike Nugent winning the game for Cincinnati with five field goals, but a win is a win is a win.
Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco had four interceptions in what can only be called a nightmare performance.
The Ravens play the Browns next week, and that kind of scrimmage will be good for Flacco's confidence.
Pittsburgh 19, Tennessee 11
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It was hard to get "sold' on the Steelers in the preseason. Ben Roethlisberger is out for the first four games and their offensive line is doo-doo.
But the Steelers defense has shut down the Falcons and now the Titans. Just think how good this team will be once Roethlisberger comes back and starts scoring touchdowns.
It's not a good thought for any other team in the AFC North because the Titans couldn't move the ball against a very good Steelers defense and Chris Johnson may as well have stayed home.
The game's opening minutes featured the kickoff run back for a touchdown, a turnover by the Titans, and a good old-fashioned donnybrook.
And that was just the first 15 minutes.
Denver 31, Seattle 14
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Kyle Orton threw for more than 300 yards, many of those yards to Demaryius Thomas, who had 97 yards and two touchdowns.
Seattle's rookie wide receiver, Golden Tate, had a good day as well, but the 'Hawks came up short.
That'll happen in Denver.
Oakland 16, St. Louis 14
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The Raiders got the win, but now they have a quarterback controversy as Bruce Gradkowski replaced an ineffective Jason Campbell.
Somewhere back East, Mike Shanahan is heard chuckling to himself.
Houston 30, Washington 27
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Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and the Texans had a good day to beat the Redskins in overtime.
Donovan McNabb played well, throwing for more than 400 yards, but it wasn't good enough.
The Texans certainly have come out of the gate strong, beating the Colts last week and now the Redskins. It's going to be an interesting season in Texas.
New York Jets 28, New England 14
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This is the upset of the week. Unless the 49ers somehow beat the Saints on Monday Night Football, Mark Sanchez and the Jets taking it to Tom Brady and the Patriots is the big story.
The victory came despite the loss of Darrelle Revis to a hamstring injury, but the Jets now are one up on the Patriots.
It's going to be a long week in New England, but a great week in New York.
San Diego 38, Jacksonville 14
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Philip Rivers dominated this game while David Garrard was horrible.
This was one of those games where the quarterback performance pretty much dictated the final score.
Rivers threw for more than 300 yards and had three touchdowns while Garrard may have just committed another turnover as you're reading this.
Peyton Wins the Manning Bowl, 38-14
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The Colts just dominated the Giants in a game that will have the New York media in a frenzy, demanding answers.
What we do know is Peyton artfully dissected the Giants defense while Eli ran for his life.
At least no Mannings were hurt in the making of this film.
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