Week 2 takeaways in the NFL: surprising Raiders, Chiefs bounce back and concerns for several offenses

After a high-scoring first week, defenses regained ground on Sunday. The afternoon games of Week 2 averaged around 36.8 points, and the overall average per game, including the evening games, dropped to around 40.9 points, a sign that teams are adjusting and balancing the game more than in the season opener. Five teams held opponents without a single touchdown on Sunday: Minnesota, Chicago, Cincinnati, Carolina and New England. Moreover, the key injuries of Week 2 — the dislocated left elbow for Jayden Daniels and the right hamstring problem for Caleb Williams — will be factors pending for the near future.

As NFL reports, the most surprising among the 2-0 teams is the Las Vegas Raiders. Under Klint Kubiak, they won 26-14 against the Chargers playing better in all aspects of the game; the team’s calmness and error management changed key moments for the Raiders. Kirk Cousins excelled in long passes and the team benefited from several turnovers, while more dynamism in attack and a defense that has forced five turnovers in the first two games have given shape to this surprising start.

The Kansas City Chiefs also showed their offense can be threatening again. Patrick Mahomes led the team to a comeback win recording over 300 yards and several touchdowns, while Travis Kelce and the arrival of Kenneth Walker III seem to have opened new elements in the attacking scheme. The role of the running back has unlocked play-action opportunities that have given Mahomes space for long passes.

Minnesota has a strong start on the defensive side, and the work of the technical staff seems to have paid off quickly. Brian Flores has built a pressure group that creates opponent reactions and was decisive in the 9-3 win over the Bears, where Chicago’s offense stayed out of the end zone throughout the game. The return of experienced players and the strength of the front line have strengthened the collective performance of the defense.

Dallas regained calm under Dak Prescott, who threw four touchdowns and surpassed the club record for touchdown passes, exceeding the previous record of 248 held by Tony Romo. The Cowboys’ offense looks able to beat opponents when Dak plays at his best, although the defense still shows gaps that need fixing.

Several offenses look like the big problems. Pittsburgh looked sluggish against New England, where Aaron Rodgers suffered against the opponent’s defense, fumbled, and the team didn’t find rhythm, while the front-line performance and the offensive line failed to secure consistency. Also the Los Angeles Chargers haven’t found the expected fluidity under Mike McDaniel; Justin Herbert has shown decision-making difficulties, blocks often fail, and two big passing mistakes have penalized the team.

Finally, week-to-week fluctuations and key injuries will remain at the center of attention in the coming weeks, as some teams show strength in defense while others try to regain rhythm in attack — a dynamic that, according to the NFL, is expected to define the early developments of this season.