The biggest NFL storylines from week 2 going into week 3

It is astonishing just how quickly things can change in the NFL. There were three teams snatching defeat from the claws of victory on Sunday, with Week 2 going down as one of the more hectic weeks in recent memory. There were numerous twists and turns where the best offshore sportsbooks would’ve given you long, long odds on those outcomes.

Here are some winners and losers from Week 2.

Loser – Indianapolis Colts

The Jaguars are improving, but they are still terrible. The Colts, led by Matt Ryan at quarterback and a young and dangerous receiver corps, are expected to challenge the Titans as the class of the division. The Colts then went out and lost in Jacksonville for the eighth straight time. Not only did they lose, but they looked completely inept on offense in the 24-0 defeat.

Winner – Kyler Murray

Murray did plenty right in the second half as the Cardinals bounced back from the Week 1 defeat to stun the Raiders with a late comeback and overtime win. Of all his plays, however, the two-point conversion that made the game 23-15 with just over eight minutes left was the best/most insane.

Murray ran for 85 yards on a play that lasted for 21 seconds and saw him score in the corner of the end zone. It is a play well worth tracking down to see just how good Murray is when he is in panic mode.

Loser – Cleveland Browns

You simply cannot lose an NFL game when up 30-17 with 1:22 left on the clock. The Browns, as often, were architects of their downfall here. A missed extra point that would have made the game 31-17 started the momentum shift, but even so, their loss (to the Jets of all teams) was unforgivable. To put this in context, The last 2,229 teams leading by at least 13 points in the final two minutes had won the game.

The last team to fail? The 2001 Cleveland Browns…

Winner – Tua Tagoviloa

Check-down Tua had almost become a meme based on the Miami Dolphins quarterback’s tendency to take the short, safe throw instead of pushing it deep. Many, including myself, were unsure how Tua could use his weapons, especially deep threat supreme Tyreek Hill after he arrived from Kansas City.

It turns out that Tua is going to be ok. On Sunday, in a game where the Dolphins rose from the ashes to run down the Ravens in an insane fourth quarter, Tua passed for six touchdowns and had 469 yards through the air. It was one of the best passing displays in the history of the NFL and if he can keep it up, the Dolphins are suddenly dangerous.

Loser – Trey Lance

Lance might be the most unlucky player in the league in 2022. After getting beaten in disastrous conditions in a Chicago monsoon in Week 1, Lance suddenly found himself on the quarterback hot seat. This was unfair given how little game time Lance had played to show what he could do.

With the shadow of Jimmy G over his shoulder, Lance broke his ankle in the first quarter of the 48ers Week 2 tilt with the Seahawks and is done for the season.