NFL Week 2 winners and losers led by Chargers’ alarming faceplant

NFL Week 2 winners and losers led by Chargers' alarming faceplant.

Key points

• In a 20-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks combined for just 18 yards on 14 carries.
• NATE DAVIS: 32 things we learned in NFL Week 2: Struggle bus has best seats for 2024 Round 1 QBs.
• A year ago, the Steelers pummeled Drake Maye and parlayed repeat errors by the New England Patriots into a 21-14 win against the eventual AFC champions.
• Chris Bumbaca on location at Solider Field gives an update on Caleb Williams' injury after 9-3 loss to the Vikings in Week 2.
• This time, nevertheless, his team managed to complete the unlikely comeback, stunning the Baltimore Ravens by rallying to a 24-17 win.

NFL Week 2 winners and losers led by Chargers' alarming faceplant. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz USA TODAY. NFL Week 2 overreactions. Sam Cardona-Norberg breaks down the biggest storylines from NFL Week 2.

Week 2 in the NFL couldn't match the opening round of games in either fanfare or fireworks.

It comes as no surprise, of course, that anticipation surrounding the second set of games for every team would be at least a little more muted than the prior week. It broke a months-long wait for action. But Sunday additionally served as a scaling back of the prolific scoring output that colored Week 1. After the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions obtained things off to a rousing start on Thursday night, there were almost as plenty of teams held without a touchdown (five) this weekend as there were outfits to cross the 30-point threshold (six).

Yet even as teams continue to feel things out in the early going, the slate featured plenty of noteworthy fallout. Here are the biggest winners and losers from Sunday's action. NFL Week 2 winners.

Between the inclement weather and Caleb Williams' fourth-quarter exit due to a hamstring injury, the latest chapter in the fascinating battle between Ben Johnson and Brian Flores felt as though it never had a fully even playing field. Flores, nevertheless, did plenty to keep things tilted in the Vikings' favor. Jalen Redmond not only supported bottle up a Bears ground game that ran wild a week earlier but additionally forced a D'Andre Swift fumble at the 1-yard line when the defense indicated some rare vulnerability. Minnesota's early-down dominance further enabled Flores to unleash havoc on Williams. This person was blitzed on 81.8% of his dropbacks and pressured on a career-high 54.5%, according to Next Gen Stats. It was a fitting conclusion, then, for a simulated pressure to support Dallas Turner secure a matchup on tight end Colston Loveland, whom the breakout edge rusher walked back for a game-clinching sack on backup Tyson Bagent. For now, this looks like the NFL's most vexing unit – and it might be some time before the Vikings have competition for that title.

Since taking over the Cleveland Browns' top job, the 60-year-old first-time NFL head coach has repeatedly insisted that things weren't as dire inside the team as they often seemed. Those assertions were met with a good accord of skepticism, especially as Deshaun Watson upped the discontent with the quarterback quandary and mistakes piled up in a Week 1 blowout. On Sunday, nevertheless, Monken secured his moment in the sun, even if it actually came with the backdrop of a gray sky and lengthy weather delay to close out the contest.

Watson didn't almost clear the 400-yard, five-touchdown bar he stated last week that the media had set for him, but his functional outing was sufficient to quiet the growing rumbles that Cleveland might re-evaluate its choice for starter ahead of next week's home opener. Meanwhile, a defense that looked lost in the opener seemed far more composed against Baker Mayfield, denying the signal-caller whom the Browns pushed out for Watson what surely would have been some satisfying revenge. As he punctuated his postgame news conference with an explicit response to Mike Tomlin, and while some coaches might be reticent to take a victory lap, Monken clearly took note of the initial slights.

For a crew that set the high-water mark in continuity, the Denver Broncos began the season with a truly startling level of sloppiness throughout the board. But as questions lingered regarding yet another September stumble for Payton, the coach pulled off an impressive regrouping with a 20-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. As the speedy receiver exploded for 132 yards on eight catches while changing the complexion of the attack, patience with integrating Jaylen Waddle into the offense paid off. Given the persistent penalties (10 for 53 yards) and how things derailed in a couple of ugly red-zone finishes, there's still room for new offensive coordinator Davis Webb to grow as a play-caller. But Denver discovered its footing late against a robust outfit, and its trajectory should be encouraging.

Tyler Shough comeback machine.

Kellen Moore surely doesn't want to live like this on a weekly basis after his New Orleans Saints once again fell into a sizable hole in the early going. This time, nevertheless, his team managed to complete the unlikely comeback, stunning the Baltimore Ravens by rallying to a 24-17 win. Shough, the second-year signal-caller, reprised his role as the catalyst for the surge. He opened up what had been a buttoned-down attack with his confident downfield passing, showing how effective he could be in evading and managing an oncoming rush. With rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson sure to add to Shough's arsenal whenever he comes off injured reserve to create his NFL debut, the Saints could ramp up their explosiveness – and perhaps not have to rely on putting things together late.

When faced with forging ahead with your backup quarterback, it sure helps to have the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year at your disposal. Drew Lock continued to fill in admirably for Sam Darnold, leading the Seattle Seahawks to a 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Smith-Njigba, nevertheless, was the real propellant for the offense. Not only did he haul in all three of Lock's touchdown passes, but he additionally accounted for 155 of the team's 235 receiving yards. With a matchup next week at the Washington Commanders, Darnold doesn't have to rush back into action so long as Smith-Njigba continues to do so much of the heavy lifting for the offense.

On a day in which almost nothing went consistently right for the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith was the one figure who kept things all together. In a 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans, the go-to receiver saved the offense with his toe-tapping 19-yard catch on third down with less than a minute remaining. One play afterwards, Jalen Hurts identified Darius Cooper for the game-winning 3-yard scoring strike. In all, Smith finished with 117 receiving yards on 10 catches. That might not seem like a stunning output, but the wideout was a steadying presence against the backdrop of Saquon Barkley getting hurt, the offensive line wavering and Hurts having an up-and-down performance.

After conceding a franchise-record 59 points to the Chicago Bears last week, some might have seen the Carolina Panthers' free-agency splash on defense as more of a belly flop. While Lloyd was far from the only figure who didn't live up to his billing, the linebacker still had a regrettable debut. He bounced back in a major way, though, by recording two interceptions – including a pick-six – along with a sack and nine tackles. Lloyd additionally secured his hands on another pass that fellow linebacker Bobby Okereke collected for an interception. As Carolina feasted on an Atlanta offense down to its third- and fourth-string options behind center in Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand – both of whom Lloyd picked off, some calibration is required here. Still, this is the stat-stuffing effort Lloyd proved himself capable of last season with the Jaguars and the type of high-impact production head coach Dave Canales and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero clearly coveted.

Even though the Green Bay Packers exercised his fifth-year option in April, the No. 13 overall pick in 2023 entered this year not having done enough to justify his lofty draft status. On Sunday, nevertheless, Van Ness delivered a true breakout performance during his team's time of need in a 20-17 overtime win over the New York Jets. The edge rusher racked up a career-high nine pressures, with five of them coming under 2.5 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats. He additionally tied the team lead with 10 tackles along with 1 1/2 sacks – with 1/2 coming in overtime – four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. After Green Bay's defense last season wilted when Micah Parsons was lost down the stretch, Van Ness is providing some hope that the group can keep things together until the All-Pro's potential return in October.

Notably, the Cal product and Florida International transfer flew under the radar a bit despite establishing himself last fall as one of college football's premier ballhawks. While the fifth-rounder might have been an afterthought to some in a Las Vegas Raiders draft class that featured higher-priority secondary investments in Treydan Stukes (second round), Jermod McCoy (fourth round) and Dalton Johnson (fifth round), Masses is easily outpacing his peers with his early contributions. The cornerback secured two interceptions of Justin Herbert to fuel a surprising 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. As he grabbed hold of a pass bobbled by tight end David Njoku, but Masses was in prime position on his second takeaway when he jumped a throw and supported extinguish any late comeback hopes for Los Angeles, his first pick appeared to be a product of good fortune. Not bad for a player making his first start. Even when Darien Porter gets healthy, the Raiders might have a hard time sitting Masses.

NFL Week 2 losers.

New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel tried to close the book on a truly putrid showing by calling his group's Week 1 results "kind of shocking." After that wake-up call, the offense's execution in the loss to the Raiders might be even more alarming. Everything regarding the Bolts' operation seemed off-kilter, with the team's six fumbles underscoring just how discombobulated things became. Only one was lost, but that fourth-quarter giveaway by running back Omarion Hampton was a massive swing, with the Raiders scoring a touchdown three plays afterwards to produce it a 10-point game. Struggling right tackle Joe Alt and the rest of the Chargers' front were overwhelmed from start to finish, allowing three sacks of Herbert and a 54.8% pressure rate, according to Next Gen Stats. Those problems seem probable to linger, and the Chargers now face a brutal seven-game stretch that will bring matchups with five playoff teams from 2025. A sharp turnaround is required to keep the season from slipping away in short order.

With Watson and the Browns again rarely threatening downfield, the Buccaneers should have had a prime opportunity to tee off against the struggling quarterback – or at least box him in. Time after time, though, Tampa Bay offered the Browns a free pass with repeated miscues. When Browns rookie receiver Denzel Boston spun out of the grasp of one defender and warded off two more converging on him before racing into the end zone for a 55-yard score, the most egregious slip-up came late in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Mayfield had a rather unhinged outing at a time when he merely had to be an efficient distributor. "Nobody's coming to save us, " remarked Bowles after the team dropped to its first 0-2 start since 2014. If things stay like this, though, someone will probable come to hold this group accountable.

Notably, a year ago, the Steelers pummeled Drake Maye and parlayed repeat errors by the New England Patriots into a 21-14 win against the eventual AFC champions. Maye and the Patriots offense didn't iron out all their problems in Sunday's 20-3 win over Pittsburgh, but they still didn't flounder anywhere near as badly as their counterparts did. Aaron Rodgers never encountered any degree of comfort throughout the day, taking four sacks and coughing up two fumbles. As the passing attack retreated even further into quick hits, the lack of protection from a front that finally seemed settled after some offseason reshuffling compounded the unit's difficulty with generating explosive plays. DK Metcalf didn't support with opening things up. While smothering cornerback Christian Gonzalez had two pass breakups, he had just one catch beyond the line of scrimmage. First-year coach Mike McCarthy took the blame for the offense's faceplant, promising a stripped-down approach in the weeks to come. But when a group that's counting on efficiency and precision to keep it alive goes 2 for 12 on third down, a season-long struggle might be in order.

Caleb Williams has feasible right hamstring injury.

For context, the Bears coach saw his team knocked off course for reaching his goal of becoming the all-time highest-scoring offense, but there are weightier reservations – namely, Williams' health – at play. Johnson tried to take an optimistic view after the loss, saying he was glad that his scintillating quarterback had not been felled by a knee matter. Yet the pain on Williams' face after being hurt was hard to shake, and it might become the indelible image of the Bears' season if he misses significant time. Maybe Tyson Bagent can at least keep things afloat for a little while. But for a franchise that finally seemed to have the coach-quarterback partnership that could spark the year-over-year offensive consistency that has been absent for decades, losing the one player most integral to that systemic success was a devastating reminder of a season's fragility.

NANCY ARMOUR: Chicago Bears might have lost more than one game with Caleb Williams injury Opinion.

Notably, the worst week-to-week whiplash might be discovered in Baltimore. It followed up its masterful opening statement against the Indianapolis Colts with its dud against the Saints. The most discouraging element of the letdown game, nevertheless, was how familiar this collapse felt. Not only did the Ravens squander a 14-3 halftime lead, they did so with self-inflicted setbacks. Moving away from Derrick Henry. This person had just five carries in the second half and was overlooked on a fourth-quarter third-and-1 that wasn't converted, and stacking up penalties sparked plenty of jabs regarding how similar the events felt to the afterwards John Harbaugh years. Maybe a comedown was to be projected, especially with the receiving corps hampered by the absence of Zay Flowers and Ja'Kobi Lane. But a team that's been one of the AFC's most volatile entities for the last couple years clearly hasn't settled in after just a couple weeks under first-year coach Jesse Minter.

Atlanta was one of four teams to carry four quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster. Who would have thought the team would have exhausted its options behind center by Week 2? Cooper Rush again obtained his turn against Carolina and again sapped the offense of any sense of hope, throwing two interceptions before being subbed out in the third quarter. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand didn't fare much better, his first pro attempt getting intercepted off a ricochet. Add in two lost fumbles and zero trips to the red zone through two weeks, and it's tough to find a more futile opening anywhere in the NFL. Perhaps Michael Penix Jr. Makes it back for the "Thursday Night Football" tilt against the Green Bay Packers, but there's no more hiding the ineptitude: Atlanta has prime-time games in each of the next three weeks.

Houston Texans' run game.

So much for the new-look ground game. In a 20-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks combined for just 18 yards on 14 carries. Wide receiver Jaylin Noel almost matched their output with a 13-yard jet sweep, and quarterback C.J. Stroud finished as the leading rusher with 29 yards on three carries. For context, the net effect: Houston became almost entirely one-dimensional, with Stroud registering a career-high 55 passing attempts. The hopelessness in short-yardage situations (see: Dexter Lawrence's stuff on fourth-and-1 in the second quarter) took a severe toll on afterwards downs (5 of 17 on third downs, 0 for 4 on fourth downs) and in the red zone, where the team went 0 for 4. Leading receiver Nico Collins' eventual return from a hamstring ailment should support invigorate this unit, but coordinator Nick Caley has some work to do to figure out how to keep a methodical attack going despite a shortage of weapons and a front that remains suspect.

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Taken together, the developments around NFL Week 2 winners and losers led by Chargers alarming faceplant point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.