Week 2 provided ample late-game drama, including for the defending Super Bowl champions.
The Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, attempting to start 2–0 for the fifth time in Patrick Mahomes’s seven-year career. In dramatic fashion, the Chiefs won at the gun with Harrison Butker making a 51-yard field goal to give Kansas City a 26–25 victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
Before Sunday’s action had even started, plenty had already happened in Week 2.
The Buffalo Bills handled the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, winning 31–10 in Miami Gardens. However, the story is Tua Tagovailoa, who left with a concussion in the third quarter. For Tagovailoa, he has “no plans to retire,” according to a report.
Then there’s the injuries to San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles tendonitis) and Kansas City Chiefs receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (SC joint), with the latter landing on IR. McCaffrey will miss at least the required month, while Brown could miss the remainder of the regular season, but could return in time for the playoffs.
On the field, the New Orleans Saints battered the Dallas Cowboys in the early window, winning 44–19. Then there were the Cleveland Browns taking a 16–3 lead in the second half before holding off the Jacksonville Jaguars with an 18–13 victory. It’s a disastrous start for Jacksonville, as teams that begin 0–2 only make the playoffs 11.5% of the time.
We also got a battle of young guns Sunday night, with Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears falling to C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, 19–13.
Jump To Week 2 GamesChiefs 26, Bengals 25Saints 44, Cowboys 19Texans 19, Bears 13Buccaneers 20, Lions 16Vikings 23, 49ers 17Cardinals 41, Rams 10Raiders 26, Ravens 23Jets 24, Titans 17Chargers 26, Panthers 3Steelers 13, Broncos 6Packers 16, Colts 10Browns 18, Jaguars 13Seahawks 23, Patriots 20 (OT)Commanders 21, Giants 18Bills 31, Dolphins 10Sunday's resultsChiefs 26, Bengals 25
My take: Patrick Mahomes struggled, the offensive line couldn’t block, and the Chiefs (2–0) still beat the Bengals (0–2). Aided by a crushing pass interference call on fourth-and-16 with 38 seconds remaining, Kansas City got into range for Harrison Butker to win the game as time expired. Mahomes threw two interceptions and his front allowed Trey Hendrickson to post two sacks and three QB hits, but Kansas City survived at home, giving it a two-game edge over both the Bengals and Baltimore Ravens with tiebreakers.
Stock up: Butker might be the best kicker in the league. Along with Justin Tucker and Brandon Aubrey, Butker has been automatic. Dating back to the start of last season, including the playoffs, he’s hit on 37-of-39 attempts, including 6-of-6 on tries over 50 yards.
Stock down: Ja’Marr Chase. He was held to four catches on 35 yards, partially due to Trent McDuffie’s coverage. However, the biggest play was a personal foul before a pivotal third-and-6, essentially forcing Cincinnati into a field goal instead of driving for a touchdown.
Up Next: Commanders at Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET Sept. 23; Chiefs at Falcons, 8:20 p.m. ET Sept. 22
