Buffalo Bills (31 vs 10) Miami Dolphins
A devastating night for Tua Tagovailoa and Miami, the Dolphins quarterback suffering yet another nasty head knock, ruling out of the game with concussion protocols.
The hit followed a forgettable night for Tagovailoa, facing intense heat from the Bills defense all night and coughing up three interceptions with only 145 passing yards.
Quarterback play has seemingly been hindered so far in 2024, with only a handful of names maintaining similar levels of production to previous seasons. 141 total yards for Bills QB Josh Allen is far lower than average, but an ideal result for Buffalo, who were able to drop his workload for the back half of this match, having blown out the scoreboard early.
Despite off-season changes, it seems the Bills still have the edge over their division rival Miami, who are still yet to prove they can hold up under the scrutiny of playoff-level expectation.
Las Vegas Raiders (26 vs 23) Baltimore Ravens
After taking up to the back-to-back reigning champs at Arrowhead, Baltimore have found themselves in an early season hole with this shock loss to the Raiders. Despite the acquisition of Derrick Henry behind the ball, coach John Harbaugh still opted for a pass-first offensive game, throwing 34 times to just 23 carries for Henry and Lamar Jackson combined.
Star Raider pass-rusher Maxx Crosby feasted on the offensive line and got to Jackson for two decisive sacks on the day, the Ravens QB still managing nearly 300 total yards but a costly pick.
Vegas QB Gardner Minshew threw for 276 at nearly 80%, connecting on some stunning plays with star receiver Davante Adams, who caught for 110 and a touchdown.
Los Angeles Chargers (26 vs 3) Carolina Panthers
Jim Harbaugh is doing it differently, but to great effect so far in his tenure at LA, running the ball straight through the Panthers despite the arm talent of Justin Herbert at quarterback.
J.K. Dobbins rushed for 131 to Herbert's 130 thrown, as the Chargers piled on the pain for Carolina, who's horror start to the season continues.
Bryce Young and the Panthers' offense cannot find a groove, and the size of the quarterback is becoming a worry, often unable to feed the ball over his linemen or escape the pocket.
New Orleans Saints (44 vs 19) Dallas Cowboys
This newfound Klint Kubiack-led Saints offense looks the most explosive going around in the NFL. Quarterback Derek Carr is launching for bulk yardage on limited tries, letting Rashid Shaheed, Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara gain nearly 250 yards through the air on just 10 receptions combined.
Kamara scored a whopping four touchdowns in the win, three of them part of his 115 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Micah Parsons and the Dallas defense had no answers, relying on kicker Brandon Aubrey for most of their points while Dak Prescott threw for 293 and TD connection with Ceedee Lamb, but with two picks to his name also.
Tampa Bay Bucaneers (20 vs 16) Detroit Lions
Worrying signs for Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions, who controlled a large majority of possession but struggled to handle the pass-rushing pressure of Todd Bowles' Bucs, forcing Jarrod Goff into two poor interceptions.
Amon-Ra St. Brown was prolific with 119 yards from 11 catches, but it was defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who kept the Lions in it with a stunning 4.5 sack effort, including three in the opening term.
It was Baker Mayfield however who, despite being mauled all day long, led an efficient Bucs offense to 20 points, throwing for 185 and a touchdown while lowering his shoulder for crucial gains on the run also.
Chris Godwin was pivotal from his eight targets, receiving seven for 117 and a score.
Indianapolis Colts (10 vs 16) Green Bay Packers
A solid win for Matt Le Fleur and the Packers in their first trial without injured quarterback Jordan Love, leaning on running back Josh Jacobs and his 32 carries for 151 yards. Back-up QB Malik Willis showed some promise, pinch-hitting for 122 yards and a touchdown from just 14 throws.
It wasn't a repeat light-show for Colts QB Anthony Richardson in week two, struggling for consistent connection with just a 50% completion rate and three picks from his 34 throws.
Star back Jonathan Taylor rushed for a tough 103 yards at nearly nine per carry, but the Colts couldn't trouble the Packers until late, eventually falling short.
Cleveland Browns (18 vs 13) Jacksonville Jaguars
Major concerns for the Jags, coughing up two winnable games to start the season and struggling to handle the pressure of Myles Garrett and the Browns' defence. Trevor Lawrence was inefficient for his 220 passing yards, though did provide a threat at ground-level, dashing for 45 on two scrambles.
Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson was solid behind centre, scoring their only touchdown, with Dustin Hopkins kicking the decisive points in the second half.
San Fransisco 49ers (17 vs 23) Minnesota Vikings
In a week of surprises, this result was the biggest shock, as Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings upset the reigning NFC champions with what should have been an even larger victory.
The Vikings' defense gave Brock Purdy hell all day, dishing out six sacks and allowing just three scores for Kyle Shanahan's mob. Running back Jordan Mason and receiver Deebo Samuel posed the biggest threat of the 49ers weaponry, gaining over 200 yards combined.
Nick Bosa and company were too able to terrorise their opposing QB, but Sam Darnold held strong and capitalised on some big plays, including a 97-yard bomb to Justin Jefferson for the play of the year so far.
Seattle Seahawks (23 vs 20) New England Patriots
It may be rebuilding year for the Patriots, but they've shown a tonne of promise in the early stages so far, unlocking some impressive showings out of Antonio Gibson and tight end Hunter Henry, each gaining more than 100 total yards for the day.
They took it to overtime, but the Seahawks, led by 327 yards from Geno Smith, took control and notched their second win of the season.
DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba proved too much for the New England secondary, the two combining for 246 yards on 22 receptions.
New York Jets (24 vs 17) Tennessee Titans
The Jets notch their first win of the season, though not in the most convincing fashion.
Aaron Rodgers still slings the ball well, finding two touchdowns on the day on connections with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, but is basically immobile in the pocket.
He threw for 176 without much explosion from star receiver Garrett Wilson, or Hall at running back. If not for yet another horrendous and decisive turnover from Titans quarterback Will Levis, the Jets potentially find themselves in a gaping hole.
New York Giants (18 vs 21) Washington Commanders
Small improvements shown by Daniel Jones, throwing two touchdowns on the day to Washington's zero, albeit in a loss.
His connection with receivers is still not ideal, Malik Nabers still managed 127 yards gained but could've had more from 18 targets.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels looks exciting, connecting with the full receiving corpse for 226 yards at nearly 80% completion.
Washington did not register a touchdown the day, but took the points thanks to a 7/7 field-goal day-out from kicker Austin Seibert.
Los Angeles Rams (10 vs 41) Arizona Cardinals
Rams quarterback Matt Stafford has been left depleted without Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to throw to, but it may not have mattered anyway with Arizona's offensive explosion.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks as dynamic as anyone behind centre this season, gaining well over 300 total yards with 81% passing.
High-profile Marvin Harrison Jr. looks like a problem for opposing secondary's, scoring two touchdowns with 130 yards from just four catches.
Running back James Conner did the dirty work, rushing for 122 while Dennis Gardeck had a field day on the defensive end, finding Stafford for three sacks.
Pittsburgh Steelers (13 vs 6) Denver Broncos
Justin Fields has had a welcome start to his stay at Pittsburgh, notching two wins to start the season.
Head coach Mike Tomlin is using his quarterback's dynamic running ability sparingly, keeping Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren as the primary rushers and having Fields dropped back for 20 pass attempts.
Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix is off to a shaky start, throwing two picks and finding no groove with any of his receivers, save Josh Reynolds, who caught four catches for 93 yards.
Cincinnati Bengals (25 vs 26) Kansas City Chiefs
Those lucky old Chiefs strike again.
Once again the Bengals showed why they may be the team to beat Kansas City, running them all the way to the final play after taking a lead into the fourth.
Joe Burrow's wrist seems to hold up well, throwing for 258 yards two touchdowns, far outplaying fierce rival Patrick Mahomes, who gave up two picks, including one of the catches of the year from Bengals corner Cam Taylor-Britt.
Once again Mahomes and the Chiefs did just enough, getting Harrison Butker into field goal range with a perfectly thrown pass on fourth down in the dying stages, drawing a penalty and a game-winning three point kick.
Chicago Bears (13 vs 19) Houston Texans
After his week one struggles, Caleb was mauled by the Texans defence in week two, but the number one pick showed more promise in the loss, providing a dual pass-run threat.
The Bears quarterback still threw two picks and was sacked a whopping seven times.
CJ Stroud was impressive on the other side, connecting with Nico Collins all game, gaining 135 and scoring their sole touchdown for the day.
Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn's four field goals, including a 59-yard bomb proved decisive on the night.
Atlanta Falcons (22 vs 21) Philadelphia Eagles
A tough pill to swallow for Nick Sirianni and the Eagles, who coughed up what should have been their own come-from-behind victory.
A costly drop from running back Saquon Barkley on a late drive halted Philly from icing out a win, and the Falcons hit back with a touchdown to tie, and extra point for the lead with 65 seconds remaining.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins reversed his week one misfortune, proving himself pivotal in the end with two touchdowns and 241 yards.
Eagles' QB Jalen Hurts has not returned to his superstar form for a while, while recruit Saquon Barley did everything right accept secure that final catch.
