The second week of the NFL season was filled with impressive performances and record-breaking moments.
From Anthony Richardson’s rushing touchdowns to Josh Allen’s bounce-back game, let’s dive into the notable stats and records from Week 2.
1) Tagovailoa’s Dominance Against Bill Belichick
Miami Dolphins’ quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, continued his impressive record against legendary coach Bill Belichick. In a thrilling Sunday Night Football matchup, the Dolphins defeated the New England Patriots with a score of 24-17. With this win, Tagovailoa’s record against Belichick stands at a perfect 5-0.
Tagovailoa’s perfect record against Belichick makes him the first quarterback to achieve such a feat since 200 when Belichick took over as head coach of the Patriots.
Additionally, Tagovailoa boasts an outstanding 9-1 record against head coaches who have previously won a Super Bowl. His .900 winning percentage in these matchups is the best in NFL history, with a minimum of five such games.
2) Anthony Richardson’s Rushing Records
Rookie running back Anthony Richardson made waves in Week 2 with his outstanding performance. Despite leaving the game early due to concussion protocol, Richardson managed to score two rushing touchdowns. This achievement makes him the first Colts player since Edgerrin James in 1999 to have multiple rushing touchdowns in the first quarter of a game.
Richardson’s remarkable start to the season puts him in the company of elite running backs. He becomes the fifth rookie drafted in the top five overall picks to score at least three touchdowns in the first two weeks.
3) Josh Allen’s Resurgence
After a shaky start in Week 1, Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen bounced back in a big way against the Raiders in Week 2.
Allen threw three touchdowns and completed an impressive 83.8 percent of his passes. This performance marks the fifth time in his career that Allen has thrown at least three touchdowns while maintaining an 80 percent completion rate.
Allen’s accomplishment puts him in the company of NFL greats such as Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, and Kirk Cousins. Prior to turning 30, Allen holds the record for the most games with at least three touchdowns and an 80 percent completion rate.
4) Giants’ Remarkable Turnaround
The New York Giants started their season with an abysmal performance, going six quarters without scoring a single point. This was their longest such drought since 1934 when they went seven quarters without scoring.
However, the Giants made a stunning comeback in Week 2, outscoring the Cardinals by 31-8 in the second half.
Trailing 20- at halftime, the Giants managed to overcome a 21-point deficit to tie the game and set a franchise record. This remarkable turnaround displays the resilience and potential of the team, although it is uncertain if they will replicate the success of the 1934 Giants, who went on to become NFL champions.
5) C.J. Stroud’s Promising Start
C.J. Stroud, a rookie quarterback, has shown efficiency and promise despite not securing a win yet. Through his first two starts, Stroud has thrown for an impressive 626 yards without a single interception. This performance sets a record for the most passing yards by a rookie without throwing a pick since the NFL merger in 1970.
6) Micah Parsons’ Sack Master
Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker Micah Parsons continues to showcase his pass-rushing skills. In the Cowboys’ victory over the New York Jets, Parsons sacked the quarterback twice, bringing his total to 10 career games with two or more sacks. Only legendary players like Reggie White, Richard Dent, Shawne Merriman, and Aldon Smith have recorded more games with multiple sacks in their first three seasons.
7) Kelce Climbs the Tight End Leaderboard
Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce made a significant climb up the all-time tight end receptions leaderboard. With four receptions against the Jaguars in Week 2, Kelce now has a career total of 818 receptions. This surpasses Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe’s record of 815 receptions, putting Kelce in fourth place. His next target is Antonio Gates, who had 955 career receptions.
8) Davante Adams’ Touchdown Milestone
Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Davante Adams reached a notable milestone in his career. Adams scored his 88th career touchdown in the Packers’ loss to the Buffalo Bills. This touchdown moved him past Larry Fitzgerald for the sixth-most receiving touchdowns in a player’s first 10 seasons. His next target is Hall of Famer Don Hutson, who had 90 receiving touchdowns in his first 10 seasons.
