The second week of NFL football is in the books, and it delivered several major upsets.
Teams that were considered playoff locks and Super Bowl contenders are still looking for their first win, while other squads have already exceeded expectations.
Here are some of Week 3’s biggest winners and losers:
Winners
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
After dropping both of last season’s games to Detroit, Tampa Bay marched into Ford Field and snagged a 20-16 road win over one of the NFC’s best teams. The Bucs couldn’t get the ground game going, as running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving combined for just 40 yards on 17 carries. However, Baker Mayfield was able to score on a quarterback draw from 11 yards out to give Tampa a lead that they would never relinquish.
Mayfield’s 34 rushing yards led the team. The Lions outgained the Bucs 463 to 216, but Detroit was unable to capitalize on critical red zone opportunities. They had the ball inside Tampa’s 15 with just over a minute remaining, but the Buccaneers’ defense made a crucial stop.
Tampa is off to a hot start and looks to defend last season’s AFC South title. They’ll have an excellent opportunity to move to 3-0 next week as they host the Denver Broncos.
New Orleans Saints (2-0)
The Saints’ 25-point win over the Cowboys was the second-largest margin of victory in Week 2. They entered as 6.5-point betting underdogs but didn’t play like it, scoring a touchdown on their first six offensive possessions. Running back Alvin Kamara accounted for four of the six scores, including a 57-yard reception.
New Orleans’ defense intercepted Dak Prescott twice, just as they did to Carolina’s Bryce Young in Week 1. The Saints have not trailed at any point in their first two games. They’ll have a more difficult matchup in Week 3 as they host the Philadelphia Eagles.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)
Jim Harbaugh’s squad has been one of the league’s biggest surprises through two weeks, notching wins over Las Vegas and Carolina. The Chargers have allowed just 13 points in two games, best in the NFL. Running back J.K. Dobbins has silenced the doubters after missing last season with a torn ACL. He has a combined 266 rushing yards and two touchdowns this year, including a 43-yard score against the Panthers.
Los Angeles will hit the road to face Pittsburgh in Week 3 in a battle of 2-0 teams.
Losers
Baltimore Ravens (0-2)
After a heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in Week 1, Baltimore looked to be in control for much of Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Derrick Henry’s 3-yard score gave the Ravens a 23-13 lead with 12 minutes left. The Ravens’ defense let them down, though, surrendering three consecutive scoring drives. They were unable to stop Gardner Minshew’s connection with pass catchers Davante Adams and Brock Bowers, as the pair combined for 218 receiving yards.
Daniel Carlson’s 38-yard field goal sealed the game for Las Vegas.
Baltimore joins Cincinnati in the cellar of the AFC North, arguably the NFL’s toughest division. The schedule won’t be getting much easier for the Ravens, and they’ll be on the road against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
In a winnable game against a struggling Cleveland offense, Jacksonville couldn’t put any points on the board. They outgained the Browns 323 to 297 but only found the end zone once. Trevor Lawrence was sacked four times and continued to struggle throwing the ball, completing just 14 of 30 passes. Lawrence has thrown for just 382 yards in the Jags’ first two games.
Jacksonville, Tennessee and Indianapolis all fell to 0-2 this weekend, while C.J. Stroud and the Texans improved to 2-0 with a win over Chicago. The Jaguars will look to get in the win column as they head to Buffalo in Week 3.
Los Angeles Rams (0-2)
After pushing Detroit to the brink in Week 1, Los Angeles entered their road matchup against Arizona as slight favorites. They left as 31-point losers. Star wideout Puka Nacua is already sidelined for several weeks with a PCL strain, and now fellow standout Cooper Kupp will likely hit the IR with an ankle injury. Running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum will likely take on a bigger workload moving forward with the injuries at wide receiver. In the meantime, the Rams will need wideouts Demarcus Robinsson and Tutu Atwell to step up and give Matthew Stafford some help.
The depleted Rams offense will face San Francisco’s defense, which is one of the best in the NFL, in Week 3.






Leave a comment