playNFL NationSep 21, 2026, 12:55 AM ETCloseNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsIn the early window of NFL Week 2 on Sunday, last week’s offensive explosion seemed like a thing of the distant past.Five teams failed to reach double-digits points, including both the Bears and Vikings at a rainy Soldier Field. The Panthers forced five turnovers against the Falcons, while the Patriots cemented their win over the Steelers with a fumble return for a touchdown. The highest-scoring matchup of the early window (44 points) came between the Titans and Eagles, which ended on a game-winning touchdown grab by Philly’s Darius Cooper.The scoring picked up in the late window Sunday, as the Cowboys and Commanders combined for 57 points.
However, Washington lost QB Jayden Daniels to an elbow injury in the second quarter — hours after Chicago lost QB Caleb Williams to a right hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the 49ers dominated the Dolphins in their first game back from Melbourne, Australia. And the Seahawks won their second straight game with backup quarterback Drew Lock.The night game featured a wild ending, but ultimately the Kansas City Chiefs improved to 2-0 with an overtime thriller over the Indianapolis Colts.Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for teams that played Sunday. Fantasy football analysts Matt Bowen and Tristan Cockcroft also have fantasy takeaways from each matchup.
Let’s get to it.Jump to: KC-IND |WSH-DAL | LV-LAC SEA-ARI | MIA-SF JAX-DEN | CLE-TB | PHI-TEN GB-NYJ | CIN-HOU | MIN-CHI NO-BAL | CAR-ATL | PIT-NECatch up on Thursday’s game: DET-BUFKansas City 33, Indianapolis 30 (OT)Catch up on the action: Box score | RecapChiefsDid Patrick Mahomes’ performance demonstrate the Chiefs are back as contenders? That appears to be the case after two weeks. In overtime, Mahomes orchestrated the 25th winning drive of his 10-year career, which is tied with Kirk Cousins for second most in that span. Last season, the Chiefs were bad in one-score games, finishing with a 1-9 record.
Mahomes, though, proved he’s capable of carrying the Chiefs yet again to another dramatic win. In just his second game after recovering from the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, Mahomes finished with 382 passing yards and three touchdowns without committing a turnover.Most surprising performance: Of course, Mahomes spent most of Sunday relying on tight end Travis Kelce, who led the Chiefs with 101 receiving yards and a touchdown. Yet receiver Tyquan Thornton was just as impactful for the Chiefs’ offense. At pivotal moments, Thornton was impressive in catching all four of his targets for 86 yards, including a 45-yard reception.
That highlight was the first time in the game that the Chiefs’ offense converted on third down. — Nate TaylorNext game: at Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)ColtsIs this defense salvageable? The Colts’ defense gave up its most yards in a game in three seasons in a Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens (506 yards). And the prospects for that unit didn’t get better Sunday night, when the Colts consistently struggled to get stops against the Chiefs (523 yards).
The question now is whether this is the permanent state of this defense, and if so, what does that mean for the 2026 Colts? Indianapolis approached this season knowing it needed a bit more from its defense to take some of the pressure of an offense led by QB Daniel Jones, who is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. But as of now, that plan is not panning out.Most surprising performance: The Colts got a valiant effort from backup cornerback Kapena Gushiken, who came off the bench after injuries to starters Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner to make two clutch plays. One of them, a pass breakup on a third down late in the fourth quarter, was one of the biggest plays of the game.
The stop against Rashee Rice ended the Chiefs’ best last chance in regulation. — Stephen HolderNext game: vs. Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)Fantasy football takeaway: Travis Kelce’s 25.1 points were the second most among tight ends through the Sunday night game. Kelce caught nine of a team-high 11 targets, finishing with 101 yards and a touchdown.
What stood out here? The play speed. We saw it with Kelce within the route and after the catch. Add that to his elite coverage awareness, too.
It was a big night for Kelce, who is firmly in the TE1 ranks for the Week 3 game at Miami. — BowenDallas 37, Washington 20Catch up on the action: Box score | RecapCowboysAre the Cowboys going to need QB Dak Prescott to outscore teams again this season? It looks that way. Prescott broke the Cowboys’ record for touchdown passes in a career with four Sunday, eclipsing Tony Romo. But Prescott needed to be everything for Dallas, completing better than 80% of his passes, throwing the four scores and running for 26 yards.
The defense had issues again, losing safety P.J. Locke (foot) and corner Cobie Durant (hamstring) in the first half. The Cowboys continue to struggle on third down, contain a running quarterback and turn pressures into sacks. Washington had three chances for touchdowns wiped out, but Prescott bailed the Cowboys out … again.Trend to watch: The Cowboys want to be a team that relies on the running game to get things going.
Through two games, that has not happened. A week after running 18 times for 69 yards against the Giants, the Cowboys followed with 66 yards on 21 carries. No Cowboys running back has a rush of more than 9 yards. The Cowboys miss Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who will be out for at least the next two games because of thumb surgery, but they shouldn’t miss him this much. — Todd ArcherNext game: vs.
Ravens (Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 4:25 p.m. ET)CommandersWhat’s next for Washington after QB Jayden Daniels’ injury? This game resembled many from last season — porous defense, an injured quarterback and a double-digit defeat. Daniels’ status and length of absence remains uncertain.
And he’ll have to answer one giant question whenever he returns: Can he stay healthy? He has now exited four of his past five games with an injury. Also, the defense has struggled. In two games, it has forced zero turnovers and hasn’t lived up to internal expectations.
If the team is not careful, the season could get ugly.Trend to watch: The Commanders’ pass defense has allowed seven touchdown receptions in the first two games — including four Sunday. The offseason overhaul on defense was supposed to help the coverage with intense pressure and disguised coverages. However, the pressure has been sporadic and too many targets are left open — whether from coverage confusion or botched assignments. Cornerback Mike Sainristil has been a frequent target, and he’s not the only one breaking down. — John KeimNext game: vs.
Seahawks (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)Fantasy football takeaway: Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson had 20.3 fantasy points in Week 2, catching all four of his targets for 43 yards and two touchdowns. He will remain a touchdown-dependent player in this offense, but he is a priority target in scoring position. Ferguson already has three red zone targets over his first two games after seeing 23 last season. — BowenLas Vegas 26, L.A.
Chargers 14Catch up on the action: Box score | RecapRaidersHow have the Raiders fared without TE Brock Bowers? Last year, the Raiders’ offense fell apart when Bowers sustained a knee injury in Week 1. This year has been different. Las Vegas has been without Bowers (knee) for two weeks and has managed to make things work, which is a testament to coach Klint Kubiak.
On Sunday, wide receiver Tre Tucker caught five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Las Vegas had eight players record a reception, includ
Leave a Reply