After a week of high-scoring games, Week 2 of the 2021 NFL Season Recap saw some low scoring games. The most notable of them being the overtime thriller between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.
The 2021 nfl season start date is the year that the 2021 NFL Season will begin. The 2021 NFL Season starts on Thursday, September 5th with a game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos.
Recap of Week 2 of the 2021 NFL Season | Overtime Drama, Back-and-Forth Classics, and a Couple of Stinkers
Sports
Here’s a recap of all the highlights, scores, and matchups from Week 2 in the NFL — a week filled with surprising thrillers, OT stunners, and back-and-forth classics! Oh, and the Jets remain awful.
Thursday’s matchup pits the New York Giants against the Washington Redskins (30-29 WFT)
Following a penalty on the previous try while on an untimed down, Dustin Hopkins kicked a 43-yard field goal. This is the old Redskins’ first victory against the G-Men in six tries.
Daniel Jones, the Giants’ first-year quarterback, completed 22 of 23 passes for 249 yards and one score. Taylor Heinicke of Washington went 34/46 on the air for 336 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. Because of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s injury in Week 1, Heinicke was given the chance (and took it) to start and lead the Football Team-ers (?) to a thrilling win.
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins on Sunday (35-0 BUF)
On Miami’s second offensive series, Tua Tagovailoa was taken out of the game on a botched fourth-down play near midfield when Buffalo’s A.J. Epenesa beat the breaks off his assignment and spoiled “Tua Time” for the Dolphins fans. Jacoby Brissett, his substitute, stunk up the joint, throwing 24/40 for 169 yards and an interception. Tagovailoa is day-to-day with a rib injury, but he may play against the Raiders in Week 3. (spoilers).
Josh Allen, the Bills’ MVP candidate, didn’t have a great game (17/33, 179 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT), opting to let the running game take control. Along with Zack Moss’ two touchdowns, Devin Singletary had a touchdown and 82 yards on the run.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears on Sunday (20-17 CHI)
In the second half, Andy Dalton was taken out with a knee injury, allowing Justin Fields to take over as the Bears’ quarterback. Fields passed for 60 yards on six completions while looking wobbly at Soldier Field. Fields won his first game in the NFL because to the steady footing of Cairo Santos and an interception return by Roquan Smith.
Joe Burrows and one of the NFL’s worst rosters couldn’t seem to get out of their own way. Cincinnati has a lot of holes and a long way to go back to relevancy in the AFC North after giving up the ball four times (3 interceptions and a fumble).
Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday (23-13 DEN)
Devin Sutton took advantage of a porous Jaguars defense and burned them for 159 yards via the air, giving the club a bright future – but a bleak present – with their 17th straight defeat. Teddy Bridgewater, making his third start in as many years, passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Trevor Lawrence, the first overall selection in 2021, struggled against a strong Denver defense, completing 14 of 33 passes for 118 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Brighter days are coming, but the going has been difficult so far, and it will be much worse next week against the flourishing Cardinals.
Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns on Sunday (31-21 CLE)
A game of misfortunes. Houston starter Tyrod Taylor got lost on his way out of the locker room for the second half (a hamstring injury that may keep him out for a month, according to reports), leaving Davis Mills to play as well as a third-string quarterback in Houston could be expected to play. The guy who looks like (and plays like) he’s here to repair the copier may be Houston’s go-to or the landing place for Cam Newton, according to DeShaun Watson’s huge pile-on/legal problems.
After throwing his first interception of the day and making the tackle, Baker Mayfield injured his non-throwing shoulder. He then went on to throw 10 consecutive completions to help the Browns win their first game in front of their home fans since 2019.
Sunday’s game pits the Los Angeles Rams against the Indianapolis Colts (27-24 LAR)
Is this the year Matt Stafford gets his chance to play significant spring football, guiding the Rams to two late touchdown drives and allowing Matt Gay to score a 38-yard field goal to clinch the win? As the offensive player of the game, Copper Kupp caught 9 Stafford passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Frank Reich’s Colts staged a solid comeback from a 17-6 deficit to take a 21-17 lead, something Frank knows a thing or two about. Carson Wentz, however, is made of glass and has yet to reach his full potential, thus he injured his right ankle late in the fourth quarter, leaving Jacob Eason as Indy’s final chance. It didn’t go as planned.
Sunday: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (26-17 LVR)
The Boys in Black Sunday didn’t quite match the classic Raiders/Steelers games of the 1970s, but it was a respectable effort. On the Steelers’ famed 11, Derek Carr finished 28 for 37 for 382 yards and two touchdowns, harkening back to his 2016 season. Carr’s aerial attack benefited Alabama product Henry Ruggs, who grabbed five passes for 113 yards.
Pittsburgh was without all-pro T.J. Watt, who was hurt in the first quarter, as well as cornerback Joe Haden and linebacker Devin Bush, who were both out with groin injuries… suffered groin INJURIES. Big Ben is still evading Father Time, as Roethlisberger threw for 295 yards on 27 attempts.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets on Sunday (25-6 NE)
In the Patriots’ rout of the New York Jets, Mac Jones taught fellow rookie Zack Wilson how to play the game’s most important position. Jones completed 22 of 30 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns despite relying on the running game. Bill Belichick is back in the pocket with Jones, and his system is working again: short, smart passes and a stifling defense.
Zack Wilson’s troubles as the Jets’ new, new, new face continued, as quarterback threw four interceptions on the day with a receiving corps that would be at home in Division II. For a little moment, the Jets will be awful.
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers on Sunday (26-7 CAR)
Jameis Winston has reverted to his old habits of making bad choices and creating mistakes. The Carolina defense proved too much for the guy attempting to take over for New Orleans great Drew Brees, who completed half of his 22 attempts and threw two more interceptions. People will yearn for the Aaron Brooks days after seeing performances like these.
Christian McCaffrey reminded everyone of his brilliance by combining for 137 combined yards with Sam Darnold behind center (72 rushing, 65 receiving).
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (17-11 SF)
For the time being, Jimmy Garoppolo is doing well enough to deter demands for Trey Lance. That defense will be able to support his average talents as long as he continues to make high-percentage plays. Jimmy accounted for almost all of the Niners offense by throwing for a touchdown and running for another.
Jalen Hurts’ performance was remarkable, but a team is made up of more than one guy. Something about the word “I”… He threw for 190 yards and ran for 82 yards and a touchdown. Quez Watkins, a wide receiver, had a great day with 118 yards on two receptions, one of which went for 91 yards.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (48-25 TB)
The sky is blue, the grass is green, and Tom Brady defeats the Falcons. Because age is only a number, TB tossed five touchdown passes. Mike Edwards had two interceptions, one of which was a pick six in the fourth quarter that traveled 31 yards the opposite way.
Matt Ryan, the guy on the run if anything happens to the Bradys, racked up a nice round 300 through the air. Given the quality he has surrounding him at this stage in his career, it was particularly remarkable. He’s probably hoping to receive the Matthew Stafford treatment in the summer.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals on Sunday (34-33 ARI)
Kyler Murray’s big day (400 yards and three touchdowns) came up short as Greg Joseph missed a 37-yard freebie in the final seconds of the game.
Kirk Cousins completed 22 of 32 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns, not to be outdone by Murray’s Madden-like effort. In the game that had everyone fascinated for this back-and-forth instant classic, Dalvin Cook ran for 131 yards on the ground.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday (20-17 DAL)
This was the game for you if you were a huge fan of 1960s smashmouth football, when keeping it on the ground was the word of the game. The Cowboys’ 198 running yards and Greg Zuerlein’s last-second 56-yard bomb were too much for Justin Herbert’s spectacular aerial performance.
Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks (33-30 (OT) TEN) on Sunday
This is Derrick Henry’s universe, and we are only permitted to exist inside it. Henry rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came in the fourth quarter to force overtime, when Randy Bullock kicked a 36-yard field goal to shock the Seahawks at home. All of the points were scored by Henry, although Ryan Tannehill threw for 347 yards and a touchdown.
If it hadn’t been for Henry, Tyler Lockett’s 178 receiving yards and one touchdown grab from Russell Wilson might have been plenty.
Sunday’s game pits the Kansas City Chiefs against the Baltimore Ravens (36-35 BAL)
Lamar Jackson has a chance to beat Patrick Mahomes for the first time in his career. Jackson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on the fourth try to beat the Chiefs, including one that he flipped into the end zone for the game-winning score. The 2019 MVP added 239 yards via the air, totaling 346 of the Ravens’ 418 total yards.
The great days of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce weren’t enough for Baltimore on this day, as everything was going well for them. Tyson Williams’ fumble in the first quarter was recovered by Devin Duvernay, who turned it into a touchdown.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions on Monday (35-17 GB)
Aaron Rodgers, a part-time game show presenter, got his priorities straight and guided the Packers to a victory against a Detroit junior varsity club that doubles as an NFL team.
The Packers were down 2-0 going into the second half, but Rodgers recalls that the Jeopardy! job will almost certainly be filled before the end of the season, so he’ll have to play well enough to get another one. Ellen DeGeneres, wearing shoulder pads and a helmet, completed 22 of 27 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns, 121 of which came on Devante Adams’ eight receptions.
Big matchups like Tampa Bay vs. LA Rams and deeper cuts like Indianapolis vs. Tennessee may be entertaining, but nothing will compare to the excitement of the 2021 season’s second week.
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