CNNSI.com reviews the Week 2 games.
| Week Two |
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Cincinnati 21 |
at Cincinnati |
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Baltimore 10 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
6 -- Turnovers committed by Baltimore, leading to all of Cincinnati's points. Elvis Grbac, who spurned the Bengals' overtures in the offseason to sign a free-agent deal with the Ravens, threw three interceptions and fumbled in the end zone on the game's final play.
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| Player of the Game |
Takeo Spikes, LB, Cincinnati: The Bengals' defensive leader sealed the victory with six minutes left by batting down a Grbac pass and returning it 66 yards, the Cincinnati's longest INT return for a TD in eight years. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
Cincinnati, which ended the defending Super Bowl champions' 12-game winning streak, opened 2-0 for the first time since 1995 behind a bend-but-don't-break defense. The Ravens outgained the Bengals 382-203 and had 24 first downs, but couldn't reach the end zone until the fourth quarter.
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Cleveland 24 |
at Cleveland |
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Detroit 14 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
7 -- Interceptions thrown by former Browns QB Ty Detmer, one shy of the NFL record.
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| Player of the Game |
Anthony Henry, CB, Cleveland: The rookie from South Florida had three of the Browns' record-tying seven INTs. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
James Jackson gave the Browns' running game something it has lacked since Cleveland's return to the NFL in 1999. The rookie from Miami rushed for 124 yards on 31 carries as Butch Davis won his first game as the Browns' head coach. Marty Mornhinweg, the Lions' first-year head coach, may want to jump back on his hog and ride out of town. Detroit fell to 0-2 behind ineffective QBs Charlie Batch (in Week 1) and Detmer.
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San Diego 32 |
at Irving, Texas |
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Dallas 21 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
2 -- Wins by the Chargers thus far, surpassing last season's total when San Diego finished a franchise worst 1-15, including an 0-11 start. |
| Player of the Game |
Doug Flutie, QB, San Diego: Rejuvenated since leaving Buffalo, the veteran QB also has revived San Diego's offense, throwing for 353 yards on 23-of-38 passing and two TDs. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
New GM John Butler has already had an impact on the Chargers. Four new veteran faces -- Flutie, Tim Dwight, Ryan McNeil and Wade Richey (four field goals) -- all made significant contributions Sunday. And LaDainian Tomlinson, the running back Butler took No. 5 overall in the draft after trading away the top pick, rushed for 90 yards. The 0-2 Cowboys' lone bright stop came when Emmitt Smith passed Barry Sanders to become the NFL's all-time second-leading rusher with 15,291 yards.
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Indianapolis 42 |
at Indianapolis |
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Buffalo 26 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
0 -- Punts by the Colts, who rolled up 555 yards of offense in surpassing the 40-point mark for the second consecutive game.
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| Player of the Game |
Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis: Orchestrated a precise offense with 421 yards (324 in the first half) on 23-of-29 passing and four TDs. He also rushed for another score. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
The Colts were hitting on all cylinders. Edgerrin James rushed for 111 yards and a TD, Marvin Harrison had seven catches for 146 yards and three TDs and Jerome Pathon caught nine passes for 168 yards and one TD. In contrast, QB Rob Johnson led the Bills in rushing with 63 yards as Buffalo, which tied a franchise mark with 19 penalties, fell to 0-2.
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Atlanta 24 |
at Atlanta |
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Carolina 16 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
8.2 -- Average yards per play by the Falcons, who gained 377 yards on 46 snaps. |
| Player of the Game |
Jamal Anderson, RB, Atlanta: Provided a dual threat out of the backfield with 98 yards rushing and a 94-yard touchdown reception.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
The Falcons received good results from their two-headed quarterback system. Chris Chandler was solid, completing 11 of 14 passes for 244 yards and two TDs. No. 1 draft pick Michael Vick was 2-of-2 for 27 yards passing and rushed three times for 23 yards, including his first NFL TD, a game-sealing 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter. |
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Chicago 17 |
at Chicago |
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Minnesota 10 |
• Recaps
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
2 -- Touchdowns by the Bears in the fourth quarter, after being held out of the end zone in the first seven quarters of the season. |
| Player of the Game |
Jim Miller, QB, Chicago: Replaced the injured Shane Matthews and threw two touchdown passes to rally the Bears to victory.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
The Vikings are off to their worst start since 1984, and it's the offense that has struggled, having just scored 23 points. Minnesota's vaunted passing game was outgained by Chicago 237-215. Bears WRs Marcus Robinson (7 catches for 99 yards) and Marty Booker (9-95) outshined the Vikings' Randy Moss (5-81) and Cris Carter (1-13).
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Jacksonville 13 |
at Jacksonville, Fla. |
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Tennessee 6 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
2 -- Consecutive games the Jaguars have gone without allowing a touchdown. Jacksonville twice turned Tennessee away deep in Jaguars territory late in the fourth quarter to preserve the win, including stopping Eddie George on fourth-and-1 from the 15.
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| Player of the Game |
Stacey Mack, RB, Jacksonville: Replaced the injured Fred Taylor and rushed for 80 yards and the game's only touchdown, from 22 yards out. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
The Jaguars have reclaimed their home from the Titans. After losing three consecutive games at Alltel Stadium to Tennessee, the third coming in the 1999 AFC Championship Game, Jacksonville has won two in a row. Neil O'Donnell was 21-for-36 for 215 yards in place of the injured Steve McNair, but threw four incomplete passes from the Jacksonville 9 to effectively end the Titans' chances. |
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N.Y. Giants 13 |
at Kansas City, Mo. |
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Kansas City 3 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
556 -- Combined total yards of offense by the two teams, one more than the Colts had against the Bills.
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| Players of the Game |
New York Giants: Paid tribute to their city by wearing the caps of the New York firefighters, police officers and Port Authority on the sideline, then topped it with a win.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
It was an emotional day at Arrowhead Stadium, as Chiefs fans gave the Giants a standing ovation. Kansas City honored one of its own at halftime, inducting late linebacker Derrick Thomas into the team's ring of honor. Chiefs QB Trent Green has yet to make an impact, completing 17-of-34 for 184 yards and an INT.
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Miami 18 |
at Miami |
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Oakland 15 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
5 -- Seconds left in the game when Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler scored from 2 yards out with the game-winning scramble.
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| Player of the Game |
Jay Fiedler, QB, Miami: Led the Dolphins on a 10-play, 80-yard game-winning drive with no timeouts and only 1:41 left on the clock.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
Fielder, a Long Island native, showed his resolve by overcoming two interceptions that led to 10 Raiders points and a helmet-to-helmet hit late in the fourth quarter to lead his team to victory. Dolphins LB Zach Thomas helped keep the Oakland offense at bay with 18 tackles.
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N.Y. Jets 10 |
at Foxboro, Mass. |
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New England 3 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
4 -- Turnovers by the Patriots, three inside the Jets' 10. All of New York's points came off turnovers.
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| Player of the Game |
Curtis Martin, RB, New York: The former Patriot seems to have his best games against New England. Martin rushed for 106 yards and the game's only TD on Sunday.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe, an easy target of defenses last season, was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter and taken to the hospital for observation. The Jets' Herman Edwards awarded the game ball from his first head-coaching victory to the city of New York. The three brothers of Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi, all New York firemen, were honorary captains. Jimmy Andruzzi escaped just before the second World Trade Center tower collapsed. |
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Philadelphia 27 |
at Seattle |
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Seattle 3 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
7 -- Sacks the Eagles' defense had against Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, accounting for 41 yards in losses.
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| Player of the Game |
James Thrash, WR, Philadelphia: Perhaps the downfield threat Donovan McNabb needs, the free agent from Washington caught 10 passes for 165 yards and two TDs.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren brought in Hasselbeck from Green Bay to lead the offense, but in two games the Seahawks have yet to score a TD. Hasselbeck was just 9-of-24 for 62 yards Sunday, leading to the Seattle fans to call for Trent Dilfer. McNabb was 24-of-37 for 283 yards and three TDs (one rush) in Holmgren protégé Andy Reid's West Coast offense.
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St. Louis 30 |
at San Francisco |
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San Francisco 26 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
5 -- Consecutive victories for the Rams against the 49ers following a 17-game losing streak.
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| Player of the Game |
Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis: Totaled 184 yards and salted the game away during a time-consuming drive late in the fourth quarter. Faulk gained 48 of his 105 rushing yards and caught two passes for 20 yards as the Rams ran out the final 6:35.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
Kurt Warner loves playing against the 49ers. Warner completed 24-of-35 for 321 yards and three TDs, bringing his career total against San Francisco to 89-for-132 for 1,239 yards and 11 TDs in four career starts. Isaac Bruce caught eight passes for 144 yards and a TD. 49ers RB Garrison Hearst suffered a concussion and had to leave the game. |
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Denver 38 |
at Tempe, Ariz. |
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Arizona 17 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
14 -- Catches by Broncos WR Rod Smith, a team record.
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| Players of the Game |
Brian Griese, QB, to Rod Smith, WR, Denver: Combined for 162 yards and two TDs. An outstretched Smith caught a 10-yard pass in the back of the end zone late in the first half to give the Broncos the lead, then hauled in a 34-yard score early in the third quarter.
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| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
The Broncos' offense is in high gear. Griese was 22-of-31 for 242 yards and three TDs and tied a team record with 17 consecutive completions. Olandis Gary rushed for 90 yards and a TD, and Mike Anderson added 58 yards. The Cardinals, playing their first game, took a 10-0 lead behind an effective Jake Plummer, but it quickly evaporated when three turnovers led to 13 Broncos points. Plummer finished 16-of-28 for 242 yards with a TD and INT.
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Green Bay 37 |
at Green Bay, Wis. |
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Washington 0 |
• Recap
• Game Summary
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| Key Stat |
0 -- Touchdowns scored by the Redskins this season.
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| Players of the Game |
Ahman Green, RB, Green Bay: Rushed for 116 yards to become the first Packer with more than 100 yards on the ground in each of the first two games of the season. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
The Redskins simply can't score -- and don't play much defense, either. In two games, they have managed just a field goal while allowing 67 points. Owner Daniel Snyder ran Brad Johnson out of town in favor of Jeff George, who has thrown for only 168 yards and no TDs (three INTs) on the season. Green has emerged as the Packers' go-to back and also is effective as a receiver. He had six catches against the Redskins for 30 yards.
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