NFL Four Downs: Season already taking shape as week two throws up epic finishes galore

WILD WEEK

Week 2 in the NFL delivered some epic finishes, including a surprisingly close call for the Cowboys (1-1) in overtime against the winless Giants in Dallas.

Ignoring the pundits who rate New York as one of the worst teams in the league, Giants quarterback Russell Wilson turned back the clock, throwing for 450 yards and three touchdowns to put the G-Men in front with seconds to go in regulation.

Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey then proved why he is arguably the best at his position, drilling a monster 64-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.

A backbreaking interception by Wilson opened the door for Dallas, and Aubrey kicked it down, hitting a 46-yarder to seal the deal, 40-37.

There was high drama in Indi, too, with the Colts improving to an unexpected 2-0 with a little help from the officials.

Colts kicker Spencer Shrader appeared to have ruined his team’s chances when he missed what would’ve been a game-winning field goal as time expired.

However, a flag on the play gave him a do-over, which he didn’t miss in the 29-28 win.

The weird ending overshadowed the incredible resurgence of journeyman QB Daniel Jones, who became the first Colts passer since Peyton Manning in 2010 to toss five consecutive TDs without a pick.

Only Manning and fellow franchise icon Johnny Unitas ever had more than Jones’ 588 passing yards through two weeks for the Colts. Even better, Danny Dimes has earned what might just be the best nickname in the NFL: Indiana Jones.

REALITY CHECK

As we warned last week, it’s a fraught business to make big declarations this early in the season.

Case in point: Anyone predicting the decline of the Lions’ offence after coordinator Ben Johnson departed for a head coaching gig in Chicago during the offseason.

Sure, it didn’t look great against Green Bay in Week 1, but the Bears (0-2) coming to Detroit (1-1) is a different matter altogether.

Clearly out to prove his success in recent years wasn’t only due to Johnson, Lions QB Jared Goff was a man on a mission in the 52-21 win, throwing for five TDs.

You best believe facing Johnson on the other sideline was personal for the home team, with Detroit head coach Dan Campbell going for the TD on fourth down near the end of the game when the result was already decided. And getting it. Ouch.

KINGDOM COME

Chiefs kingdom are losing sleep right now, with their team starting 0-2 for the first time since superstar QB Patrick Mahomes became the starter.

While there’s no shame in losing 20-17 to the reigning Super Bowl champs Philadelphia, this was supposed to be the year where the Kansas City offence came back to life.

It hasn’t happened. Tight end Travis Kelce is dropping passes he once would’ve caught and, even worse, Mahomes had more rushing yards than all their running backs combined.

That’s not good. And, with the powerhouses of the AFC – the Bills and Ravens – going to 2-0 with big wins this week, time is rapidly running out for the Chiefs if they dream of earning top seed in the conference.

PANIC INDEX

HIGH: Who gets fired first – Giants coach Brian Daboll or Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel?

MEDIUM: The Bengals are 2-0 for the first time since 2018, but QB Joe Burrow’s toe injury is a big source of concern.

LOW: The Jaguars traded up to No.2 in this year’s draft to get two-way player Travis Hunter, but so far he hasn’t been a different-maker on offence or defence. Early days.