playNFL NationSep 20, 2026, 07:55 PM 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 third 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.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: 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-BUFDallas 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.
Sunday, wide receiver Tre Tucker caught five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Las Vegas had eight players record a reception, including wide receiver Cody White, who had two touchdown receptions. With Bowers expected to return for Week 3, the optimism for this offense grows higher.What to make of the QB performance: After Kirk Cousins raised concerns about his ability to generate explosive passing plays, he let the ball fly at SoFi. On attempts of 10-plus air yards, Cousins completed 8 of 12 passes for 181 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
He had two completions for more than 40 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Tucker. Cousins might not sling the ball like this every week, but at least he showed that he’s still capable. — Ryan McFaddenNext game: at Saints (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)play0:23Cody White makes unreal TD grab for the RaidersChargersWhat’s up with the Chargers’ passing offense? Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was confident this week that his offense’s Week 1 performance was an anomaly.
Instead, the Chargers offense was even more disjointed. Herbert didn’t complete a pass of more than 20 air yards, as he was under constant pressure and receivers struggled to get open. He finished with 192 passing yards, one touchdown and an interception. There was also struggles from left tackle Joe Alt, who had three false start penalties and a hold that resulted in a safety.Trend to watch: Omarion Hampton had a career-high 23 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown Sunday.
It was the first clear indication that the Chargers will lean on him this season. McDaniel has said previously that he would split the workload between the three backs: Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal. But through the first two games, it’s been clear that this is Hampton’s backfield. — Kris RhimNext game: at Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)Fantasy football takeaway: Herbert disappointed yet again, committing multiple interceptions for only the fifth time since the beginning of 2022.
He seems out of sync with McDaniel’s offense thus far, and he has a tough upcoming schedule (at the Bills, at Seahawks and at Broncos). It’s best to look elsewhere for a QB streamer. — CockcroftSeattle 31, Arizona 7Catch up on the action: Box score | RecapSeahawksWill Drew Lock have the Seahawks unbeaten by the time Sam Darnold returns? For the second straight week, the Seahawks showed they have the dominant defense, offensive weaponry and good enough backup quarterback to survive a stretch without their starter. Lock was 19-of-26 for 235 yards, three TDs and no turnovers.
The Seahawks hope Darnold can practice this week, which suggests he might not have to miss more than another game or two. Seattle plays at Washington — which lost Jayden Daniels to an elbow injury Sunday — before hosting the 0-2 Chargers in Week 4.Key stat to know: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year, finished with nine catches for 155 yards and has 11 games with at least 100 receiving yards since the start of last season. Per ESPN Research, that’s the most in the NF
