Defense took control across the NFL on Sunday, with five teams keeping opponents out of the end zone as scoring dropped sharply from the opening week. The Vikings, Bears, Bengals, Panthers and Patriots all delivered touchdown-free defensive performances, while injuries to quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams created major concerns heading into the new week.
What changed for the franchise
Sunday’s 13 afternoon games produced an average of 36.8 combined points. Including the two prime-time matchups, the league’s Week 2 average stood at 40.9 points per game with one contest still to be played, well below the 49.4-point average from Week 1.
The turnaround was especially striking for Chicago and Carolina. Those teams were part of a 96-point game in the opener, but both were involved in games without a touchdown in Week 2. The early-season swing reflected a league still adjusting through two weeks of the 2026 campaign.
Williams left Chicago’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota with a right hamstring injury after facing relentless pressure. Minnesota sent extra rushers after him on 27 of his 33 dropbacks, an 81.8% blitz rate that would rank among the NFL’s highest single-game rates since 2018.
Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner recorded 10 pressures and two sacks on 36 pass-rush snaps. It was his second consecutive game with double-digit pressures. Minnesota also continued to get strong early returns from cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and the return of veteran safety Harrison Smith.
Minnesota improved despite difficult weather at Soldier Field and an uneven outing from Carson Wentz, who started in place of Kyler Murray. Wentz avoided the costly giveaway that might have changed the game, while the Vikings’ defense shut down a Bears offense that scored 59 points in Week 1.
Daniels’ dislocated left elbow is another quarterback situation that will be closely monitored. Washington fell to Dallas as Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes and moved past Tony Romo for the Cowboys’ franchise record with 249 career touchdown passes.
Prescott said the milestone reflected the belief instilled by his family as he grew up in Louisiana.
“I had people around me who kept telling me I could do it,” Prescott said. “Call it confidence or belief, whatever you want. I would not be here without believing in myself that way.”
He added that young players from difficult circumstances should pursue their goals and seek out people willing to support them.
Dallas still has work to do on defense under coordinator Christian Parker. Injuries have contributed to the issue, but the Cowboys also allowed too many early breakdowns, including mistakes that can be corrected through communication and discipline. Their offense again carried the day, much as it often did in 2025.
Las Vegas emerged as the league’s most unexpected 2-0 team after a 26-14 road win over the Chargers. The Raiders made the plays that have often gone against them in recent seasons, taking advantage of Chargers errors while avoiding the turnovers, penalties and mental lapses that had frequently undermined the club.
Kirk Cousins was not flawless, but the 38-year-old quarterback gave the Raiders a needed downfield dimension. On throws traveling at least 10 yards in the air, he completed eight of 12 passes for 181 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. His 40-yard touchdown pass to Tre Tucker was only the third Raiders completion of 40 or more air yards over the past three seasons.
The Raiders have forced five turnovers through two games after recording 16 across the entire previous season. Klint Kubiak’s offense has shown more explosiveness, while Rob Leonard’s defense has created a more disruptive group. Las Vegas has its first 2-0 start since 2021, though a more difficult October schedule will provide a stronger test.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, has not yet taken over the offense, but the Raiders have shown more visible long-term building blocks than in recent years.
Cincinnati is also 2-0, with its defense becoming the story. The Bengals held Houston without a touchdown for the first time since their Week 3, 2022 game against the Jets. Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen have helped transform the run defense, giving young linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter more freedom to play downhill.
Knight and Carter still have areas to improve in coverage, but Cincinnati’s front has changed the complexion of the defense after last season’s problems stopping the run. Joe Burrow took hits and the offense struggled for stretches against the Texans, yet the Bengals still had enough of the Burrow-to-Ja’Marr Chase connection to win.
Kansas City also moved to 2-0 with an overtime victory over Indianapolis. Patrick Mahomes threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns, including a 45-yard strike to Tyquan Thornton on third-and-11 in the third quarter that set up the go-ahead score.
Mahomes completed six of nine throws of at least 10 air yards for 154 yards after failing to complete a downfield pass in Week 1. Travis Kelce added 101 receiving yards, while Kenneth Walker III rushed 24 times for 117 yards.
Walker’s presence has opened up Kansas City’s play-action game. Mahomes established a career high with 14 completions off play-action, producing 137 yards and two touchdowns on 17 such attempts. The Chiefs’ offense, which had often relied on difficult, methodical scoring drives in recent seasons, showed the ability to stretch the field again.
Eight teams entered Monday night at 2-0: Buffalo, San Francisco, Seattle, Kansas City, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Las Vegas and Philadelphia. The Giants could join that group with a victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
