2021 NFL Week 2 Recap

NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: Cardinals, Raiders rise while Seahawks slip, from @danhanzushttps://t.co/FEJPHRhOzX pic.twitter.com/RR0UadUPNG

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 21, 2021

READ MORE: Top Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups for 2021 NFL Week 3

Dallas beats the Chargers on a last second field goal

On Sunday, the Boys proved they’re a much, much better team than the one from last season. Dallas lost a heartbreaker in the first week. In their second week game, it appeared the Cowboys might lose another close one. This time, though, Dallas came out on top.

Facing the Los Angeles Chargers a +3.5 underdog, Dallas kicker Greg Zuerlein nailed a 56-yard field goal as time expired to hand the Cowboys their first win of the season. There are a couple of things about the game that should excite Dallas fans.

First, the Cowboys won by leaning on Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke dominated the Bolts with 109 yards from 13 carries and a TD. Second, Big D’s defense picked off Justin Herbert twice and allowed a total of 17 points. Based on this victory and their impressive performance in a loss to the Buccaneers in week 1, the Cowboys are one of the NFC’s best.

Saints fall to Panthers

In NFL Week 1, the New Orleans Saints dominated the Green Bay Packers. Most expected the Saints to follow up the victory over the Packers with another fantastic performance against Carolina. But that’s not what happened. Carolina turned out to provide the dominating performance, punching the Saints in the mouth with a stunning 26-7 win. Quarterback Sam Darnold torched New Orleans when throwing for 305 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey rushed for 72 yards and a TD. Christian also caught 5 passes for 65 yards. In hindsight, NFL handicappers should have pummeled the Panthers ATS or on the moneyline. The Saints were not only missing 7 coaches, but they were also missing 5 starters from the Green Bay game.

Mac Jones dominates while Zach Wilson flubs

On Sunday, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones wasn’t flashy. Jones completed 18-of-30 for 186 yards. He averaged 6.2 yards per completion. But although Jones wasn’t flashy, at least he didn’t beat his team.

In the battle of starting rookie quarterbacks, Jones helped New England get past the Jets 25-6. NYJ quarterback Zach Wilson threw for more yards than Mac, 216, but the former BYU star also tossed 4 interceptions.

After the loss, Jets’ coaches said they want Zach to understand that boring, like what Jones did on Sunday, can often be the way to go. The worst thing a quarterback in the NFL can do is to hurt his team by committing turnovers. That’s what Wilson did in week 2 and it cost big time.

Tennessee comes back down 24-9 at halftime to shock Seattle

Heading into halftime, it was all over but the shouting. Seattle held a 24-9 lead. Derrick Henry had rushed for less than 50 yards, Ryan Tannehill looked out of sorts, and the Titans defense couldn’t stop Russell Wilson and Hawks.

Teams like Tennessee, though, never quit. Instead of panicking, the Titans continued to feed the beast. Eventually, Henry broke through with a big gain. Then, he broke through with another and then another.

At the end of the contest, a 33-30 Tennessee victory in overtime, Henry had rushed for 182 yards and scored 3 TDs on 35 carries. Tennessee’s defense must improve for the Titans to challenge for the AFC Championship. But there’s no doubt that Nashville is the best team in the bad AFC South division.

Raiders are 2-0 after upsetting the Steelers in Pittsburgh

After Pittsburgh upset Buffalo in their first game, most believed the Steelers were a lock to cover as a -6 chalk against the Las Vegas Raiders. It turns out, Jon Gruden is coaching a real football team. The Raiders traveled to Pittsburgh on Sunday and easily handled Big Ben and the Steelers 26-17.

We write easy because although the score doesn’t imply a blowout at no time during the game did anyone watching really think the Steelers were going to win. Las Vegas dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Gruden is showing he remains a master coach. A few years ago, the Raiders unloaded Kahlil Mack to the Bears for a boatload of draft picks. It looks like Gruden is finally getting the most possible out of the players he’s drafted.

Ravens and Chiefs play in a Sunday Night Football classic

Great games happen every week in the NFL. On Sunday night, though, we may have witnessed one of the greatest football games of all time.

Neither Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs nor Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens blinked. Mahomes threw for 343 yards and tossed 3 TDs. Lamar threw for 239 yards and a TD. Jackson also rushed for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Chiefs appeared on their way to a victory. All KC required was a field goal. Then, the unexpected happened when Baltimore defender Odafe Oweh knocked the ball out of Chiefs’ running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s grasp.

Even then, Baltimore had to convert a gutsy 4 th -and-1 to seal the game. The win shows the Ravens can contend in the conference. It also exposed a serious Kansas City flaw. KC’s offense is spectacular as ever. But the defense allowed 251 rushing yards and a 6.1 per carry average.

Andy Reid must figure out how to stop the run. If not, KC could struggle versus division foes the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders, both of which have strong rushing attacks.

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