A thrilling aspect of being a sports fan is rooting for the underdog to rise to the challenge and defeat the favorite in a matchup. If week 2 was defined by a theme, it would be the weekend when the underdogs challenged the establishment and made their mark. The League Office will be happy to see the results from a wild week two because it reminds us of the parity in America’s top sport. The big talking point of the week is whether these underdogs are contenders or pretenders. However, let us review the two surprises, two stunning upsets, and a fantastic finish from a wild football week.
1. Two Surprises-Buccaneers 20-Lions 16, Vikings 23-49ers 17
The Buccaneers were one of the teams that impressed in week 1, but the assignment was much tougher in week 2. The team had the opportunity to avenge their playoff loss to the Detroit Lions on the road. Baker Mayfield played an efficient game completing 12 of 19 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. One of the touchdowns was an impressive run that included him zigzagging and making defenders miss tackles to find the end zone. The Lions had the chance to win but will rue the mistake of a costly penalty that negated a field goal try in the first half, two interceptions by Jared Goff, and wasted a top game from pass rusher Aiden Hutchinson, who tallied five sacks.
Another surprise outcome was the Vikings upset of the 49ers in Minnesota. The 49ers entered the game after demolishing the New York Jets in their home opener but fell behind the Vikings 10-0 and 13-7 at halftime. The key difference in the game was the Vikings’ ability to run the football, and the team led 146-102. In addition, the Vikings created havoc by attacking Brock Purdy for six sacks. A backbreaker for the 49ers was allowing Justin Jefferson to catch and sprint 97 yards for a touchdown. Still, it was just a 20-14 deficit at the start of the quarter, but San Francisco struggled to stop the Vikings’ offense because they allowed 14 plays, 62 yards, and a six-minute drive that decided the contest. The results mean that the two teams that contested the last NFC Championship lost on Sunday, and it could mean the race is wide open.
2. Two Stunning Upsets-Raiders 26-Ravens 23, Saints 44-Cowboys 19
After losing a crushing season opener in Kansas City by the toe point of Isaiah Likely, the Ravens were expected to rebound in their pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy. At the start of the 4th quarter, the Ravens led by 10 points, and it felt that they were heading towards a win. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore suffered two three-and-outs that lasted a mere 2 minutes and 15 seconds while Las Vegas kicked two field goals and a touchdown in the same period. The Ravens lost this game despite outrushing the Raiders 151 to 27 yards because they conceded 11 penalties for 109 yards at home indicating that the team lacked discipline.
Another stunner in week 2 was the Dallas Cowboys’ demoralizing defeat to the New Orleans Saints. The Dallas defense should not have received their paycheck for Sunday’s game because they allowed touchdown drives on their first six possessions of the game. The Saints exposed the Cowboy’s weakness in running the ball for 190 yards including Alvin Kamara, who finished with 22 touches 180 combined yards, and four touchdowns. The manner of the defeat was stunning because it was similar to the Green Bay Packers’ playoff game of running the football. It negated the Cowboys’ strength in their pass rush because they had an early lead in the game. The stunners from week two will make the matchup of the Ravens and Cowboys must-see TV.
3. Fantastic Finish-Falcons 22-Eagles 21
Week 2 ended with the battle of the birds, and the matchup did not disappoint. After losing on opening day to Pennsylvania’s other team, the Steelers, a week 2 win was what the Falcons needed badly. The Monday night matchup was a thriller because it included six lead changes throughout the game. The Eagles could have ended the game late in the fourth when Saquon Barkley dropped a pass on 3rd and 3. The Eagles had to settle a field goal to trail 21-15 with less than two minutes on the clock. In exactly a minute, Kirk Cousins engineered a 6-play 70-yard touchdown drive to take the one-point lead. In Philadelphia’s final possession, the Falcons’ defense forced Hurts to throw an interception that ended the game. The Falcons will be more confident heading into their showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Eagles should have their eyes wide open when they face the New Orleans Saints on the