NFL Week 2 Delivers Upsets, Overtime Drama and Several 2-0 Starts

Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season produced several surprises, with New Orleans upsetting Baltimore, Carolina dominating Atlanta and Las Vegas handing the Chargers their first loss. Buffalo, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Kansas City and Seattle were among the teams emerging from the weekend at 2-0. Buffalo opened the week with a 41-31 victory over Detroit. Josh Allen accounted for five touchdowns — three passing and two rushing — while James Cook rushed for 135 yards and a score.

Week 2 Produces Several Surprises

Saints Rally Past Ravens

One of Sunday’s biggest reversals came in Baltimore. The Ravens led New Orleans 17-9 entering the fourth quarter, but Tyler Shough directed two touchdown drives as the Saints rallied for a 24-17 win. Shough completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and also scored the go-ahead rushing touchdown.

Carolina Offensive Explosion Continues

Carolina produced an even more decisive surprise, routing Atlanta 34-3. Bryce Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, while the Panthers forced five Falcons turnovers.

Packers Top Jets in OT

Green Bay needed overtime to defeat the Jets 20-17, while Kansas City also went beyond regulation before beating Indianapolis 33-30.

Complete NFL Week 2 Results

• Buffalo Bills (2-0) 41, Detroit Lions (1-1) 31
• Carolina Panthers (1-1) 34, Atlanta Falcons (0-2) 3
• New Orleans Saints (1-1) 24, Baltimore Ravens (1-1) 17
• Minnesota Vikings (2-0) 9, Chicago Bears (1-1) 3
• Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) 20, Houston Texans (0-2) 6
• New England Patriots (1-1) 20, Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) 3
• Green Bay Packers (1-1) 20, New York Jets (1-1) 17 (OT)
• Cleveland Browns (1-1) 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) 19
• Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) 24, Tennessee Titans (0-2) 20
• Denver Broncos (1-1) 20, Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) 13
• Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) 26, Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) 14
• Seattle Seahawks (2-0) 31, Arizona Cardinals (1-1) 7
• San Francisco 49ers (2-0) 35, Miami Dolphins (1-1) 13
• Dallas Cowboys (1-1) 37, Washington Commanders (0-2) 20
• Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) 33, Indianapolis Colts (0-2) 30 (OT)
• Los Angeles Rams (2-0) 28, New York Giants (1-1) 6

Week 2 Changes the Early NFL Picture

Several Week 2 winners were defined by defense. Minnesota held Chicago to three points, New England limited Pittsburgh to three and Cincinnati kept Houston out of the end zone in a 20-6 victory.

Defense Makes the Difference

Seattle was equally convincing in its 31-7 win over Arizona, while San Francisco improved to 2-0 by beating Miami 35-13. Philadelphia remained unbeaten with a late 24-20 win at Tennessee. Chicago’s loss also came with a potentially significant injury. Quarterback Caleb Williams left the Minnesota game with a leg injury, creating another variable heading into Week 3.

NFL Week 3 Betting Outlook

Week 3 begins Thursday with Green Bay hosting Atlanta. DraftKings opened the Packers around -7 with a 44.5 total, although sportsbook numbers are already varying slightly.

Bills-Chargers and Rams-Broncos Headline the Board

Buffalo’s 2-0 start has helped make the Bills approximately 7-point favorites over the Chargers, with the total around 49.5 to 50.5 depending on the sportsbook. Kansas City is a double-digit road favorite at Miami, while San Francisco is favored by more than a touchdown against Arizona. Two other games stand out. The Rams are approximately 2.5-point road favorites at Denver, while Baltimore-Dallas in Brazil carries one of the week’s highest totals (over/under) at approximately 52.5. Philadelphia is also favored on the road against Chicago, with the early line moving significantly following Williams’ Week 2 injury. With six teams carrying 2-0 records out of Week 2’s most prominent results and several preseason contenders already facing early pressure, Week 3 should provide another opportunity for the NFL’s early hierarchy to take shape.