Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season was a fever dream. If you thought Week 1 was weird, this slate basically held its beer and then jumped off a folding table. We saw heavyweights wobbling, rookies looking like seasoned vets, and a few "contenders" looking like they might be headed for a very long January on the couch.
Honestly, the nfl results week 2 produced gave us more questions than answers. Is the NFC West actually just a three-car pileup of elite teams? Can anyone in the AFC North stop the Ravens when Lamar decides the second half is his personal playground? We’re going to get into the weeds of these games because the box scores don’t even tell half the story.
The Overtime Thriller Nobody Saw Coming
Dallas and the Giants. It’s a tale as old as time, but this one felt different. Most people expected the Cowboys to walk all over a Giants team that has been, well, the Giants lately. Instead, we got a 40-37 overtime masterpiece that left everyone's heart rate in the triple digits.
Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson basically turned the field into a track meet. They combined for over 800 passing yards. Let that sink in. Russell Wilson, who many wrote off years ago, was throwing "moonballs" that looked like they belonged in a 2015 highlight reel.
The ending was pure chaos. Malik Nabers caught a go-ahead touchdown with 25 seconds left, and for a moment, MetLife Stadium actually believed. But then Brandon Aubrey happened. The man hit a 64-yard field goal to force overtime like he was kicking a pebble on the sidewalk. In the extra frame, Wilson finally blinked, tossing a pick that set up Aubrey for the winner. It was a brutal way for the G-Men to drop to 0-2, but for Dallas, it was a "win is a win" moment they’ll take to the bank.
Why the nfl results week 2 Upset List is So Long
If you bet the favorites this week, I’m sorry for your loss. The Falcons stifling the Vikings 22-6 was probably the most "wait, what?" result of the bunch. Atlanta’s defense looked like a brick wall, holding Minnesota to just two field goals. J.J. McCarthy struggled hard, taking six sacks and throwing two picks. It was a reality check for a Vikings team that looked like world-beaters seven days ago.
Then you have the Seahawks. They went into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers 31-17. Mike Macdonald has that defense humming. Even without Devon Witherspoon, they made life miserable for the Steelers. The turning point was a special teams disaster where a live kickoff bounced over rookie Kaleb Johnson and was recovered by Seattle’s George Holani in the end zone.
You just can't make this stuff up. One minute you're tied, the next you're down a touchdown because of a "business decision" on a live ball.
The Brutal Reality of the Injury Bug
It wasn’t all highlights and high scores. Week 2 was a graveyard for star power. The biggest blow? Joe Burrow. He went down against the Jaguars with what looked like a standard ankle tweak, but it turned out to be turf toe that required surgery. He’s out for a significant chunk of time, and the Bengals' 2-0 start suddenly feels very fragile despite Jake Browning’s gutsy relief appearance.
The Jets are also sweating. Justin Fields is in concussion protocol after a rough outing against the Buffalo Bills. Before he left, he was 3-of-11. That’s not a typo. Three completions. The Bills defense, led by James Cook’s ground game on the other side, just suffocated them in a 30-10 rout.
Over in Washington, the vibes are even worse. Austin Ekeler is likely done for the year with an Achilles tear. It’s a gut punch for a Commanders team that actually looked competitive for stretches against Green Bay on Thursday night.
The Lions Are Back (For Real This Time)
Detroit didn't just win; they deleted the Chicago Bears from the server. 52-21.
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After a sluggish Week 1, Jared Goff came out and looked like he was playing a video game on "Rookie" difficulty. Amon-Ra St. Brown had three touchdowns. Jameson Williams was averaging 54 yards a catch. It was a track meet.
Chicago’s defense, which usually keeps them in games, looked completely lost. Jaylon Johnson leaving early with a groin injury didn't help, but the Lions were going to score 50 regardless of who was out there. Detroit is officially a problem for the rest of the NFC.
Quick Hits from Around the League
- Mac Jones actually looked like a franchise QB for the 49ers, throwing three TDs in a 26-21 win over the Saints while Purdy was out.
- The Colts escaped Denver with a 29-28 win thanks to a bizarre leverage penalty on a missed field goal that gave them a second chance.
- Matthew Stafford threw for 298 yards and found Davante Adams for a late score to put the Titans away 33-19.
What to Make of the Standings Now
We have some massive divides forming already. The Patriots, Bills, and Seahawks are sitting pretty at the top, while the Jets, Giants, and Browns are staring down an 0-2 hole. Historically, starting 0-2 gives you about a 10% chance of making the playoffs. It's early, but for some teams, the season is already on life support.
The Bengals are the most interesting case. They are 2-0, but without Burrow, they are a completely different animal. Can Browning keep the ship afloat? The AFC North is too tough to survive with "just okay" quarterback play.
Moving Forward From Week 2
If you’re looking at these results and trying to predict Week 3, focus on the trenches. The teams that dominated this week—Detroit, Baltimore, and Seattle—did it by winning the line of scrimmage.
Check the injury reports specifically for offensive line depth. The Panthers lost two starters this week (Robert Hunt and Austin Corbett), which makes Bryce Young’s life nearly impossible moving forward. Also, keep an eye on the waiver wire for guys like Jauan Jennings or Wan'Dale Robinson; the target shares are shifting rapidly as the big names go down.
The biggest lesson from this week? Don't overreact to Week 1, but definitely start worrying if your team looks like they forgot how to tackle in Week 2.
Monitor the practice participation for Justin Fields and the secondary injuries in Pittsburgh before placing any bets on their next matchups. The "identity" of many teams is still being forged, and right now, it's looking like a year where depth will matter more than top-heavy star talent. Managers should look to add insurance for their aging RBs immediately, as the turf in several stadiums seems to be taking a toll earlier than usual this season.