Josh Allen’s five-touchdown performance in Week 2 has put Buffalo’s quarterback at the front of the early MVP conversation, while Brock Purdy, Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott also delivered the kind of play that has quickly separated the NFL’s top passers through two games.
Allen followed a four-touchdown season opener with another dominant outing, reaching five total touchdowns in Week 2. Purdy has been equally efficient for San Francisco, opening the year by carving up both the Rams and Dolphins while posting the league’s best completion rate at 80.4 percent.
Mahomes showed no lingering effects from the knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. He made difficult throws and moved freely in the Chiefs’ win over Indianapolis, and Kansas City’s newly credible rushing attack has given the offense another dimension. Prescott also rebounded sharply, repeatedly finding CeeDee Lamb in the Cowboys’ 37-20 rout of Washington.
Matthew Stafford answered concerns after a rusty 2026 debut by overwhelming the Giants, with Davante Adams serving as his primary target. Jared Goff was particularly strong after halftime in Detroit’s Week 2 loss, even if the final result is likely to obscure his improvement.
Burrow wins in Houston as Young continues rise
Joe Burrow and the Bengals were not flawless against Houston’s elite defense, but Cincinnati left with a 14-point road victory because Burrow created big plays under pressure. The Bengals have not consistently found explosive offense through two weeks, yet Burrow’s willingness to attack and his decision-making helped carry the day.
Bryce Young backed up an impressive opener with another strong showing, making several eye-catching throws. His growing confidence is an important development as he enters a season that could shape his future before contract negotiations.
Trevor Lawrence began sharply against Denver, attacking tight windows and moving Jacksonville’s offense effectively. His second-half regression, however, was a major factor in the Jaguars’ defeat.
Lamar Jackson’s Week 2 was more troubling. Baltimore’s offense lost momentum after Derrick Henry faded from the game plan, and Jackson could not fully adjust after New Orleans reduced its blitzing in the second half. With top receiver Zay Flowers unavailable, Jackson also threw the late interception that sealed the result.
Injuries reshape several quarterback situations
Washington lost Jayden Daniels to a dislocated left elbow on the final play before halftime of its loss to Dallas. Daniels had played well in the opening two quarters and appeared capable of keeping the Commanders competitive deep into the game.
Chicago’s Caleb Williams also left Week 2 injured, suffering a hamstring issue against Minnesota. Brian Flores’ aggressive Vikings defense pressured Williams throughout the day, and an off-balance throw while on the move became an interception. Williams still flashed his talent, but neither Minnesota’s pressure nor the conditions allowed him to overcome the Bears’ problems.
The Giants suffered an even longer-term setback when Jaxson Dart sustained a knee injury that ended his season. Dart’s early promise had offered New York optimism, but his absence has returned the franchise to an all-too-familiar quarterback predicament.
Seattle turned to Drew Lock for injured starter Sam Darnold and received a fearless performance against Arizona. Lock attacked downfield, sparked the offense and prevented a potentially unstable situation from unraveling.
Atlanta, meanwhile, is set to return Michael Penix Jr. this week after Cooper Rush struggled through the first two games. Rush has had little help from an underperforming offensive line, but his play has been the weakest among the league’s starting quarterbacks. Penix’s return will determine whether his style is a better fit for the offense.
Arizona is also awaiting Kyler Murray’s return after Carson Wentz produced little in a rain-soaked 9-3 win at Chicago.
Late-game performances tell a different story
Tyler Shough has already driven two second-half comebacks and led New Orleans to one of Week 2’s biggest upsets. His aggressiveness and composure have been helped by a growing connection with Chris Olave, whose emergence has strengthened the Saints’ passing game.
Jalen Hurts threw two interceptions against Tennessee, but his late-game work still pushed Philadelphia to victory. With A.J. Brown no longer part of the Eagles’ offense, Hurts’ developing chemistry with DeVonta Smith has become one of the team’s most encouraging early-season developments.
Jordan Love struggled in the rain at MetLife Stadium but still directed a comeback win despite Green Bay’s lack of a reliable rushing attack. Love will need greater consistency, particularly if the Packers cannot establish balance on offense.
Daniel Jones nearly brought Indianapolis back for a Sunday night win, while Kirk Cousins delivered another spirited effort against the Chargers. Cousins has quieted discussion about rookie Fernando Mendoza eventually taking over, at least for now, by making the most of what may be one of his final opportunities to lead a meaningful NFL offense.
Deshaun Watson also produced a needed positive result, helping Cleveland erase a deficit against Tampa Bay. The Browns outscored the Buccaneers 17-3 in the second half, highlighted by rookie Denzel Boston’s 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown — his second score in as many weeks — and Watson’s third-down completion to tight end Blake Whiteheart for the winning touchdown.
Offenses still searching for answers
C.J. Stroud has shown stretches of quality play but has yet to deliver a complete performance through two weeks. Drake Maye was better than New England’s 20-3 loss to Pittsburgh indicated, though the Patriots continue to struggle to finish drives. Maye has not approached the level he reached in 2025.
Justin Herbert has made plenty of high-level throws for the 0-2 Chargers, but costly risks in key situations have led to turnovers. Geno Smith began Week 2 effectively before weather complicated matters in a disappointing loss.
Bo Nix and Denver remain plagued by slow starts. Nix continues to alternate between spectacular throws and damaging mistakes, leaving the Broncos without the steadiness they need.
Cam Ward and Tennessee took a meaningful step forward in their competitive loss to Philadelphia. The rookie appeared more comfortable in Brian Daboll’s system, showed more of the playmaking that generated optimism after his first season and helped the Titans challenge the Eagles for four quarters.
Jacoby Brissett leaned heavily on Trey McBride and played better than his first-half numbers suggested against Seattle, but Arizona could not sustain that fight after halftime against the Seahawks’ suffocating defense. Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay have more fundamental concerns, with an offense that has looked uncertain, disjointed and uncomfortable for its quarterback.
Malik Willis continues to operate behind an offense with limited upside and too many detail errors. Aaron Rodgers faced similar structural problems in New England: poor protection, little assistance from his receivers and an offense that has produced worse results despite being granted more freedom to attack. At 42, Rodgers has not been able to compensate for those shortcomings.
