Top Games of the Week
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (37–40, OT)
Few games were more thrilling this past week than what unfolded in Dallas. The Cowboys looked set to win after scoring a go-ahead touchdown with just 52 seconds left, but the finish was anything but ordinary. Russell Wilson dropped a bomb to Malik Nabers with 26 seconds remaining, Brandon Aubrey nailed a 64-yard field goal to force overtime, and then capped the back-and-forth extra period with a 46-yarder as time expired.
Both defenses were shredded through the air, although Dallas’ run defense held up better. Wilson already looks comfortable in New York, Dak Prescott is healthy and producing, and neither team seems to know how to stop anyone.
Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts (28–29)
Denver had this game won. Until they didn’t. The Broncos led by two with seconds left, forced Indianapolis into a desperate 60-yard field goal attempt, watched it sail wide right, and then saw a penalty flag fly. A 15-yard special teams mistake gave the Colts new life, and the second attempt split the uprights to steal a win.
The heartbreak overshadowed what was otherwise a strong Denver effort. Bo Nix bounced back from a rough Week 1, but it won’t feel that way in the locker room. For the Colts, Daniel Jones continues to look rejuvenated, and Shane Steichen’s choice to ride with him over Anthony Richardson is paying off so far.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans (20–19)
The weekend was full of late-game heroics, and Baker Mayfield added another to his résumé. Down five with 4th and 10 staring him down, Mayfield escaped pressure and scrambled 15 yards to keep the drive alive. Six seconds later, Rachaad White punched in the game-winning score from two yards out.
Mayfield now owns 12 fourth-quarter comebacks and 14 game-winning drives in his career. Tampa Bay might live on the edge all year, but so far it’s working. Houston, on the other hand, falls to 0–2. This was supposed to be CJ Stroud’s breakout third season, yet Demeco Ryans hasn’t been able to steady the ship.
Top Player Performances of the Week
Jared Goff, QB, Lions (334 yards, 5 touchdowns)
Detroit exploded for 52 points against Chicago, and Goff was nearly flawless. He completed 23 of 28 passes and leaned heavily on Amon-Ra St. Brown, dissecting his former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s new defense. Goff may not always be flashy, but his efficiency when he’s locked in is hard to match.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts (25 carries, 165 yards, 6.6 YPC)
Daniel Jones is getting the headlines, but Taylor was the Colts’ true engine on Sunday. He gashed Denver repeatedly, including a 68-yard run that broke the game open. Taylor didn’t find the end zone, but it is clear he’s healthy and back among the league’s elite backs.
Malik Nabers, WR, Giants (9 receptions, 167 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Plenty of wideouts had big weeks, but Nabers stole the show. He torched Dallas with multiple deep strikes, including his second touchdown that nearly won the game in regulation. The early chemistry between Nabers and Wilson looks real and dangerous.
Roquan Smith, LB, Ravens (15 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown)
Cleveland poked the bear, and Smith responded with a monster outing. He led the league with 15 solo tackles and scored one of the weekend’s only defensive touchdowns, scooping up a Joe Flacco fumble and rumbling 64 yards to the end zone.
Burrow Blow: Bengals’ Season in Jeopardy
The biggest headline of Week 2 was Cincinnati’s worst-case scenario. Joe Burrow has been diagnosed with a grade-3 turf toe injury and is expected to miss at least three months.
The Bengals now face a brutal stretch, including two games against Baltimore plus matchups with the Bills, Lions, Packers, and Broncos, before Burrow could even be back. Jake Browning looked serviceable in relief and flashed chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase, but backup QBs often look best when no one has film on them. Without Burrow, Cincinnati risks another lost season.
Betting Strategy: How To Adjust After Week 2
Stay Away from the Bengals
With Burrow sidelined, Cincinnati is a mystery. Any spread or moneyline involving the Bengals is a gamble not worth taking right now, and even totals are risky until Browning proves what he can do over multiple weeks.
Avoid Vikings Parlays
JJ McCarthy’s ankle injury will sideline him for 2-4 weeks, and Minnesota’s offense was already a bit iffy. Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson are well under projections, and Carson Wentz does not inspire confidence. Player prop or stat parlays with Vikings skill players should be shelved.
Favorites Are Less Clear Than You Think
Outside of Buffalo, Green Bay, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, no team has consistently separated itself. That makes moneyline bets tempting, but the key is doing the homework. Look closely at injuries, travel schedules, short weeks, and head-to-head history. A team might look like a clear favorite on paper, but small details like offensive line injuries or defensive matchups often swing results.
