It's official, Bill Belichick is a magician. How else do you explain him turning Jimmy Garoppolo into a stud in the absence of Tom Brady? Or when Jimmy G goes down that third-round rookie Jacoby Brissett stills leads the Pats to another win.
It was a shocking NFL Sunday. There were upsets, injuries, and games just didn't go how they seemed, here's what you need to know about the games and the best highlights.
49ers 27 - 46 Panthers
The 49ers seem a little bit friskier than expected under Chip Kelly. His offense is fast, and it helps them get points that they probably shouldn't - but it also leads to turnovers and helped get the Panthers on the board earlier. Carolina overcame a slow start, but just had two much for San Francisco. Kelvin Benjamin is a beast, and his connection with Cam Newton will be a force to watch this season.
Just get the ball to @KelvinBenjamin... He WILL find paydirt! #KeepPounding #SFvsCAR https://t.co/fMWXl6dJaI
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
Cowboys 27 - 23 Redskins
That's more like it from the Cowboys. Pre-season darling Dak Prescott wasn't good last week, but redeemed himself in his first away start in the NFL. The Cowboys looked in control, and it was only two fumbles from rookie running-back Ezekiel Elliott who kept this close. Alfred Morris got a touchdown against his old team. The Cowboys look good this year. Washington does not.
DAK! DAK! DAK!
He's just gonna do it himself. 🔥🔥🔥 #DALvsWAS https://t.co/qD0njnWo3q— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
Bengals 16 - 24 Steelers
This was a big win in a bad spot for the Steelers. Playing in a deluge on the banks of the three rivers - all of the stars of the show had bad games - Antonio Brown, AJ Green especially. This game was all about the newfound defense of Pittsburgh - and another good game from DeAngelo Williams.
Big Ben going DEEEEEEP.
Hello, @sammiecoates11! #CINvsPIT #HereWeGo https://t.co/JqSaIAoGt4— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
Saints 13 - 16 Giants
This was meant to be a shoot-out, last year these teams played a 51-49 stunner. But instead, the Giants announced themselves as a legit team. Their offense now has more than Odell Beckham - Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz had good games to mask a stuttering team. But the big news is that their big off-season acquisitions are gelling well in defense. The last team the Giants had a defense they won the Superbowl.
Speaking of Beckham, this was his highlight of the day:
BEST VIDEO BOMB EVER! 😂😂😂
Round of applause for @OBJ_3... 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/YNycUqL4Ac— NFL UK (@NFLUK) September 18, 2016
Dolphins 24 - 31 Patriots
We've already touched on the Pats. Just brilliant. They started the opening quarter on fire - going 21-0 up before the Dolphins could blink. It was another awful game from the Dolphins offense, while the Patriots without Brady and Gronkowski are now 2-0;
The big concern is now Garoppolo's injury. Still, they would have taken 2-2 without Brady.
For the Dolphins, Arian Foster went off injured with a concerning groin injury.
.@JimmyG_10 to @DannyAmendola...
END ZONE! #MIAvsNE https://t.co/xTX6aTG14T— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
Chiefs 12 - 19 Texans
The Texans look a different team this year. Lamar Miller is the workhorse we though he could be. Will Fuller is only the second player ever to have two 100-yard receiving games in his first two NFL starts. And they are showing that their defense isn't just JJ Watt. Watch out for the Texans this year.
Howwwwwwwww did @Will_Fuller7 make this grab?! #KCvsHOU https://t.co/xLo3wntd3S
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
Titans 16 - 15 Lions
What an ugly game. The Lions had 19 penalties, which brought back three touchdowns - and that really tells the story of the game. The exotic smashmouth that was promising from the Titans hasn't come - and they look like an offense that can't stretch the field. Marcus Mariota needs more help, and the Lions need to stop getting in their own way.
Still, a touchdown to win it in the last two minutes is always worth a look:
The @Lions lead the whole the game... But these @Titans don't give up.
Enter: @johnson80. 👊 #TENvsDET https://t.co/kliKqzy4NR— NFL UK (@NFLUK) September 18, 2016
Ravens 25- 20 Browns
Oh the Browns. It started off so well for the team from Cleveland, three touchdowns clear in the first half. But the Ravens never panicked, and etched their way back. It really never looked like anything other than a Baltimore victory.
On the plus side for the Browns, Corey Coleman looks like a real star. On the bad side - their back-up quarterback Josh McCown looks like he played through a serious shoulder injury - a week after losing starter Robert Griffin III to a similar injury.
Seahawks 3 - 9 Rams
Football is back in LA. And it was ugly. The offenses in this game were so bad, and so ugly, that it's technically a 'highlight' to see James Corden and the 'League of their Own' co-stars in cheerleading uniforms:
🇬🇧 in LA!
Check out these cheerleading skills from @JKCorden... 😂😂😂#OnlyInTheNFL #SEAvsLA pic.twitter.com/uDwhLW01iU— NFL UK (@NFLUK) September 18, 2016
It's the third time in a row that the Rams have beaten the Seahawks though, which makes you wonder - how can they do that and still lose 28-0 to San Francisco?
Buccaneers 7 - 40 Cardinals
The DB is ALL over him...
But that's okay.@LarryFitzgerald is going to make the ridiculous grab anyway.😳 #TBvsAZ https://t.co/QxWS0FHUUf— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
It took a bit longer than it should, but the Cardinals are back. They laid an egg against the Patriots in week one, but thanks to four interceptions from Jameis Winston, and a stout defensive showing - Arizona are back in the hunt. Worse for the Buccs was the hamstring injury for Doug Martin.
Michael Floyd and John Brown haven't played well, but Jaron Brown is stepping up alongside Larry Fitzgerald.
Sidenote: David Johnson is the best running back in the league. By a distance.
Jaguars 14- 38 Chargers
This game really says more about the Jags than the Chargers. Missing their star receiver, the Chargers cut through Jacksonville at will - with Travis Benjamin stepping up for Phil Rivers' team.
Blake Bortles isn't helping the Jags win games, and he isn't reaching last year's levels at all yet. For San Diego, it was a much-needed win after last week's collapse.
Danny Woodhead was the biggest injury worry from this game.
1, 2, 3...
Just counting the defenders @TyrellWilliams_ bounced off of on his way to SIX. #Chargers #JAXvsSD https://t.co/FCNSjH3B4q— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
Falcons 35 - 28 Raiders
A topsy-turvy game that doesn't mean any sense. The Falcons aren't meant to be good away from home. The Raiders are meant to be an up-and-coming team that wins these games against average teams.
Julio Jones and Tevin Coleman were the difference in this shoot-out, highlighted by this bizarre score:
NO WAY!
Off one receiver and right to Justin Hardy. TD!
We see you, @AtlantaFalcons! 😜 #ATLvsOAK https://t.co/p5FkVvXnHz— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2016
For the Raiders, they need their expensive defense to start stopping people.
Colts 20 - 34 Broncos
Watch out NFL, the Broncos defense is showing no signs of slowing down. They won the championship off the back of their defense, and although the offense is improving - Von Miller, Aqib Talib et al are still dominating.
Andrew Luck never had a chance - he's stuck in a talent-less team forced to do things by himself as the rest of his roster was overpowered compared to the Broncos.
He needs more help from players like Frank Gore who had this fantastic finish:
Colts RB Frank Gore tip toes on the sideline for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/Q71veZ3joV
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) September 18, 2016
Still, this was the story of the game:
Von Miller is a BEAST! 💪💪💪@Broncos move to 2-0 with a 34-20 win over @Colts!#INDvsDEN https://t.co/4sv821QguV
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) September 18, 2016
Packers 14- 17 Vikings
What a statement victory from Minnesota.
Their first game in their new building, after losing their quarterback and star running back through injury. The Mike Zimmer defense is real, and Sam Bradford looked as good as he has been cracked up to be.
Stefon Diggs destroyed the Packers, who rely too heavily on Aaron Rodgers for magic. Minnesota will be worried about Adrian Petersen's knee injury, so it's time to pick up Jerick McKinnon fantasy owners.
Eddie Lacy and Jordie Nelson aren't back to 2014 levels either, and it's showing for Green Bay. They've an easy schedule so it won't affect them - but they need to improve before the playoffs to have a chance.
WOW WOW WOW Sam Bradford & @stefon_diggs! 🙌#GBvsMIN #SKOL https://t.co/Wex0YfXSPc
— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2016
