2019 NFL Week 2 Recap
1/16
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns makes a catch against Jamal Adams #33 of the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Getty Images/Al Bello)
Browns 23
Jets 3
A week after wearing a ridiculously expensive watch on the field in a blowout loss, Odell Beckham Jr. triumphantly returned to the Meadowlands and stuck it to his archnemesis Gregg Williams with his career-high 89-yard TD catch to highlight his monster primetime debut for Cleveland. If nothing else, these Browns are fun to watch.
2/16
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Atlanta.
(AP/John Bazemore)
Eagles 20
Falcons 24
On a night when DeSean Jackson’s considerable big-play talents were missed on the prime time stage, Julio Jones stepped up in the clutch with a 54-yard touchdown to save Atlanta’s season. Think that’s hyperbolic? It’s not. The Falcons play three of their next four games on the road before hosting the Rams and Seahawks. They needed this.
And Philly really needs the players they lost to injury in this game to be ok. Carson Wentz looked decidedly worse without DJax and Alshon Jeffery, and the second-oldest roster in the NFL doesn’t appear to have the depth to withstand multiple injuries to their skill positions.
3/16
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — SEPTEMBER 15: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints injures his throwing hand as he is hit by Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter in the gameat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
(Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey)
Saints 9
Rams 27
New Orleans were screwed again in a loss to the Rams, but it’s hard to get as fired up about it this time around when, 1) the Saints lost their future Hall of Fame QB to an injury that could keep him out for a while, and 2) the game wasn’t close enough for the officiating gaffe to matter. The last meeting between these teams may be unforgettable, but this one might mark the end of the Saints’ run in Super Bowl contention if Brees is out for an extended period of time.
4/16
Chicago Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro, center, celebrates his game-winning field goal with free safety Eddie Jackson (39) and cornerback Prince Amukamara against the Denver Broncos after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Denver.
(AP/David Zalubowski)
Bears 16
Broncos 14
It was a crazy ending to the first game in which Denver’s stadium is christened with a crazy new name. And just like that, Chicago has a (momentarily) clutch kicker to help lift a lagging offense to 1-1 with a virtual prime time bye against the notoriously-terrible-on-MNF Redskins.
5/16
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown as teammate Mecole Hardman (17) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. At right is Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley.
(AP/Ben Margot)
Chiefs 28
Raiders 10
Thankfully, this was the last time we had to witness the sports abomination of seeing football played on a baseball field. If only we could ensure this is the last time we have to witness another Gruden-coached abomination …
Oh, and a duel between dual threats Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson next week? Yes, please.
6/16
Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) makes a catch for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones (31) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Landover, Md.
(AP/Alex Brandon)
Cowboys 31
Redskins 21
Happy Birthday, Terry McLaurin. What better way to celebrate 24 than with another five catch, one touchdown performance in a loss to a division rival?
And before you crown the Cowboys, consider their “fun” offense just lit up the two worst teams in the division, the latter without its best defensive lineman and two corners. Wake me up when they face the Packers, Vikings and Patriots defenses.
7/16
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws to a receiver as he is pressured by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (56) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
(AP/Gail Burton)
Cardinals 17
Ravens 23
This game was less about T-Sizzle’s “BS” return and more about these young QBs. Kyler Murray made history during another fourth-quarter comeback that came up short and Lamar Jackson reminded us he is still one of the most dangerous dual threats in the league by becoming the first player in NFL history to notch at least 250 passing yards and 120 rushing yards in a single game (sort of). If Action Jackson keeps this up in Kansas City, we’re in for a treat.
8/16
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97), who is blocked by Seahawks offensive guard Ethan Pocic (77) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The Seahawks won 28-26.
(AP/Gene J. Puskar)
Seahawks 28
Steelers 26
It was a confluence of historical achievements for the Seahawks: Pete Carroll celebrated his 68th birthday with his 100th career victory as a head coach and Russell Wilson became the second sub-6-foot QB to throw for 200 touchdowns in his career (joining Redskins legend Sonny Jurgensen). I don’t think anyone’s sleeping on Seattle this year.
9/16
MIAMI, FLORIDA — SEPTEMBER 15: Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots scores a 20 yard touchdown thrown by Tom Brady #12 against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida.
(Getty Images/Michael Reaves)
Patriots 43
Dolphins 0
Despite winning only once in their last five trips to Miami, the heavily-favored Patriots quickly integrated Antonio Brown into their offense and laid waste to a Dolphins team that should really come out and announce they’re tanking. I mean, if the third-worst scoring differential in the first two games of a season (-92) isn’t done on purpose, then Miami should be dumping that whole organization, not just their best players.
10/16
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, left, evades New York Giants’ Markus Golden during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J.
(AP/Adam Hunger)
Bills 28
Giants 14
Josh Allen completed a two-game sweep of the Meadowlands and claimed sole ownership of the state of New York — all on a day when the Bills defense literally called Eli Manning a liability. It doesn’t exactly absolve Scott Norwood of Wide Right, but Buffalo will take their first 2-0 start in five years.
11/16
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — SEPTEMBER 15: Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts kicks an extra point after a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Getty Images/Frederick Breedon)
Colts 19
Titans 17
Tennessee: Where the turf gets lit up and the Titans do, too.
Seriously, though. Indianapolis has won 19 of the last 22 games between these two teams and stand just a rapidly-decaying Adam Vinatieri away from a remarkable 2-0 start to the post-Luck era. Here’s hoping the greatest kicker of all-time rights the ship and gets to complete what is surely the final season of his Hall-of-Fame career.
12/16
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) scramble for yards against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Houston.
(AP/Eric Christian Smith)
Jaguars 12
Texans 13
Gardner Minshew actually played more like Deshaun Watson than Deshaun Watson did, and might have stole one in Houston if Leonard Fournette could reclaim his rookie form. Jacksonville is wasting one of the best defenses in the league.
13/16
Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins throws as he falls during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis.
(AP/Matt Ludtke)
Vikings 16
Packers 21
Even though Matt LaFleur is the first Packers coach since Vince Lombardi to start 2-0, Aaron Rodgers still isn’t feeling him. And Minnesota still isn’t feeling Kirk Cousins after he threw one of his two picks to former Redskins teammate Preston Smith, and the other to kill a potential go-ahead drive to continue a mindnumbingly terrible trend. Captain Kirk got a 154-yard performance from Dalvin Cook and the defense played well enough to win on the road, so dude really is running out of excuses.
14/16
DETROIT, MI — SEPTEMBER 15: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Ford Field on September 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Los Angeles 13-10.
(Getty Images/Leon Halip)
Chargers 10
Lions 13
In a battle of two of the NFL’s most durable-yet-underachieving passers, Matthew Stafford did a little more than Philip Rivers to give Detroit what will almost surely be their best win of 2019.
15/16
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, above, celebrates after wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, below, scores a touchdown during the first half an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Cincinnati.
(AP/Gary Landers)
49ers 41
Bengals 17
Good for San Francisco: Jimmy G looks like the guy they banked on him developing into and the Niners are 2-0 for the first time since 2012. Beating the lousy Bengals and Bucs is one thing, but if they can knock off a desperate Steelers team (even with their infamous West Coast struggles) it’ll be time to talk about whether the NFC West is the best division in football.
16/16
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — SEPTEMBER 12: Vernon Hargreaves III #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers forces Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers out-of-bounds short of the first down marker on fourth down late in the fourth quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Buccaneers won 20-14.
(Getty Images/Grant Halverson)
Bucs 20
Panthers 14
I don’t know if Norv Turner has Christian McCaffrey on his fantasy team … but I do. Carolina is right to feed him, especially in the clutch over a clearly-banged up Cam Newton, whose Gone With the Wind look will soon match his status as a starting QB if his losing streak extends much further beyond the current eight games.
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