Maybe you thought you had the league figured out after the first set of games. Honestly, most of us did. But the NFL week 2 results for the 2025 season just tore the script to shreds. We saw Super Bowl contenders look human, backups look like Hall of Famers, and a few "locks" go down in flames.
The chaos started early and didn't let up until Monday night wrapped in Las Vegas. If you're looking for logic, you’re in the wrong place. This week was about survival.
The Shockers: Why NFL Week 2 Results Defied Every Prediction
Nobody saw the Philadelphia Eagles walking into Arrowhead and walking out with a 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. It wasn't just that they won; it's how they did it. Saquon Barkley ground out 88 yards while Patrick Mahomes was held to just 187 yards through the air. Seeing the Chiefs fall to 1-1 in a Super Bowl rematch felt like a glitch in the matrix.
Then you’ve got the Atlanta Falcons. People were ready to write them off after a shaky start to the year. Instead, they went into Minnesota and absolutely stifled the Vikings, winning 22-6. The Vikings' offense looked lost, with J.J. McCarthy struggling to find rhythm against a relentless Falcons front.
But if we’re talking about true madness, we have to talk about Indianapolis. The Colts beat the Denver Broncos 29-28 in a game that was essentially decided by a penalty. Denver had the win in their pocket. They blocked a 60-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds. The stadium was erupting. But a 15-yard leverage penalty gave the Colts a second life. Spencer Shrader didn't miss the 45-yarder on the second try.
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Brutal. That's the only word for it if you’re a Broncos fan.
Scoring Explosions and Defensive Meltdowns
It felt like some teams forgot how to tackle this week. The Detroit Lions put up a staggering 52 points on the Chicago Bears. Jared Goff looked like he was playing a video game on easy mode, throwing for 334 yards. When the Lions get that downhill momentum, they are basically impossible to stop.
- Detroit Lions 52, Chicago Bears 21
- Baltimore Ravens 41, Cleveland Browns 17
- Dallas Cowboys 40, New York Giants 37 (OT)
The Cowboys-Giants game was a classic NFC East bloodbath. Russell Wilson actually had a massive day for New York, throwing for 450 yards and finding Malik Nabers for what looked like a game-winning touchdown with 25 seconds left. But you can never count out Dallas in the regular season. Brandon Aubrey hammered a 64-yard field goal to force overtime, and the Cowboys eventually secured the 40-37 win.
The Quarterback Carousel
Injuries forced some major changes under center this week. Brock Purdy was sidelined with a toe injury, which meant Mac Jones had to step in for the San Francisco 49ers against the Saints.
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Surprisingly? He was great.
Jones went 26 of 39 for 279 yards and three scores. It turns out when you have Kyle Shanahan calling plays and Jauan Jennings making circus catches, life is a lot easier for a quarterback. The Niners took it 26-21, proving their roster depth is as scary as advertised.
Monday Night Wraps and Standings Shifts
Monday night gave us two more games to digest. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers narrowly escaped Houston with a 20-19 win over the Texans. Baker Mayfield continues to be the guy who just finds a way to win ugly. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers handled the Raiders 20-9 in a game that was mostly about defense and Jim Harbaugh's physical run game.
After two weeks, the landscape looks remarkably different.
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The Rams, Bengals, 49ers, and Cardinals are all sitting pretty at 2-0. Yes, the Arizona Cardinals are 2-0 after fending off the Panthers 27-22. On the flip side, the Browns, Giants, and Dolphins are staring at an 0-2 hole that is historically very difficult to climb out of.
Key Takeaways for Your Fantasy Roster
If you’re managing a team, you need to react but not overreact. Jonathan Taylor is clearly the engine of the Colts' offense again, rushing for 165 yards this week. On the receiving end, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is proving that his breakout is legitimate, leading the league in receiving yards after another 100-plus yard performance.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire for backup running backs. With the way injuries are piling up—specifically the hit to the 49ers' backfield and the TE spot with George Kittle on IR—depth is going to be the only thing that saves your season.
Actionable Insights for Week 3
Don't let the NFL week 2 results bait you into thinking the "bad" teams are dead.
- Monitor the Injury Report: The 49ers are leaning heavily on depth. If Mac Jones has to start again, expect a heavy dose of the run game and short crossing routes.
- Sell High on Flukes: The Lions won't score 52 every week. If you have Lions players, their value is at an all-time high right now.
- Watch the AFC North: The Ravens bounced back, but the Bengals are the ones looking consistent at 2-0. That divisional race is going to be a gauntlet.
- Special Teams Matter: Between Brandon Aubrey’s 64-yarder and the Colts' penalty-aided win, games are being won on the margins. Don't ignore the kicking game in your weekly evaluations.
The league moves fast. By next Sunday, half of these storylines will be replaced by new ones. But for now, the message is clear: nobody is safe, and the 2025 season is going to be a wild ride.