OFFENSE IS KING
Through the first two weeks of the 2020 NFL season, there have been 186 total touchdowns and 1,611 total points scored, both the most in NFL history through Week 2.
MOST TOUCHDOWNS IN FIRST TWO WEEKS, NFL HISTORY |
MOST TOTAL POINTS IN FIRST TWO WEEKS, NFL HISTORY | |||
SEASON | TOUCHDOWNS | SEASON | TOTAL POINTS | |
2020 | 186 | 2020 | 1,611 | |
2018 | 174 | 2012 | 1,556 | |
2011 | 172 | 2018 | 1,506 | |
2015 | 170 | 2011 | 1,502 | |
2012 | 170 | 2015 | 1,488 |
Quarterback play has also been at an unprecedented level, as 13 quarterbacks have a passer rating of 100 or higher (minimum 20 attempts) through two weeks, the most in NFL history through Week 2. Five of those quarterbacks are under the age of 26 – Buffalo’s JOSH ALLEN (122.9 rating), the Los Angeles Rams’ JARED GOFF (108.5), Baltimore’s LAMAR JACKSON (134.6), Kansas City’s PATRICK MAHOMES (104.0) and Jacksonville’s GARDNER MINSHEW (115.7). Overall, the league has a 96.2 passer rating, the highest in league annals through Week 2.
"Josh Allen is currently leading the @NFL in passing. The Buffalo Bills are really good and so is their quarterback."@KyleBrandt | @GMFB pic.twitter.com/PC6rRCLWzL
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 21, 2020
Last season, 11 quarterbacks had a passer rating of 100 or higher through the first three weeks, the most in league annals. This season has a chance to surpass that mark.
The seasons with the most quarterbacks with a passer rating of 100 or higher through the first three weeks in NFL history:
SEASON | QUARTERBACKS | |
2019 | 11 | |
2018 | 10 | |
2015 | 10 | |
2007 | 10 | |
2020 | 13* | |
*Through two weeks | ||
|
MVP MATCHUP
Baltimore quarterback LAMAR JACKSON, the 2019 NFL MVP, and Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES, the 2018 NFL MVP, will meet for the third time in their careers when the Ravens host the Chiefs on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN) in a battle of unbeatens. It will mark the first game in NFL history featuring two former league MVPs under the age of 26.
Dear friend @PSchrags joins @KCChiefs_Matt to preview Monday night's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. pic.twitter.com/gdlvIqsYN1
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 25, 2020
Monday’s showdown will be the fifth game in the last six years featuring the two most recent MVPs. The more recent winner has been victorious in the past two such meetings.
The past five meetings featuring the two most recent NFL MVPs:
MVPs (SEASON) | DATE | RESULT |
Lamar Jackson (2019) vs. Patrick Mahomes (2018) | Sept. 28, 2020 | ??? |
Patrick Mahomes (2018) vs. Tom Brady (2017) | Dec. 8, 2019 | KC 23, NE 16 |
Matt Ryan (2016) vs. Cam Newton (2015) | Dec. 31, 2017 | ATL 22, CAR 10 |
Matt Ryan (2016) vs. Cam Newton (2015) | Nov. 5, 2017 | CAR 20, ATL 17 |
Aaron Rodgers (2014) vs. Peyton Manning (2013) | Nov. 1, 2015 | DEN 29, GB 10 |
WILSON WOWS
Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON enters Week 3 as the league’s leader in touchdown passes (nine) and passer rating (140.0). He is the fourth quarterback with at least nine touchdown passes through the first two weeks of a season in league annals, joining DREW BREES (2009), PATRICK MAHOMES (2018) and PEYTON MANNING (2013). Both Mahomes and Manning would go on to win league MVP that season.
. @benbbaldwin joined us to preview the Cowboys at Seahawks!
– Seahawks' new offense
– Effectiveness of cyberbullying
– Cowboys: institutionalized offensive stubbornness
– Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen looking good good
– And much more.Give us a try!https://t.co/WAB6zJj6aK
— The Shortest Yard (@ShortestYardTSY) September 23, 2020
If Wilson, who had five touchdown passes in Week 2 and four touchdown passes in Week 1, has at least four touchdown passes on Sunday against Dallas (4:25 PM ET, FOX), he would become the first player with at least four touchdown passes in each of his team’s three games of a season in NFL history.
Additionally, Wilson would tie PATRICK MAHOMES (13 in 2018) for the most touchdown passes by a player through his team’s first three games of a season in league history.
The quarterbacks with the most touchdown passes through their team’s first three games of a season in NFL history:
PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | TOUCHDOWN PASSES IN TEAM’S FIRST THREE GAMES |
Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2018 | 13 |
Peyton Manning | Denver | 2013 | 12 |
Tom Brady | New England | 2011 | 11 |
Russell Wilson | Seattle | 2020 | 9* |
*Through first two games |
DAK DASHES FOR SIX
Dallas quarterback DAK PRESCOTT passed for 450 yards with one touchdown and rushed for three touchdowns last week, becoming the first player with at least 400 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns in a single game in NFL history.
Dak Prescott = Pretty good at football. 💯
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/3qLFLEmBDD
— SportsDay Cowboys (@dmn_cowboys) September 21, 2020
Prescott now has 24 career rushing touchdowns, the most among quarterbacks since he entered the league in 2016. With a rushing touchdown on Sunday at Seattle (4:25 PM ET, FOX), Prescott will become the fourth quarterback to rush for at least 25 touchdowns in his first five seasons in NFL history.
The quarterbacks with at least 25 rushing touchdowns in their first five seasons in NFL history:
PLAYER | TEAM | RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS |
Cam Newton | Carolina | 43 |
Otto GrahamHOF | Cleveland | 27 |
Daunte Culpepper | Minnesota | 26 |
Dak Prescott | Dallas | 24* |
*In fifth season |
CARSON TD CATCHER
Seattle running back CHRIS CARSON had 108 scrimmage yards (72 rushing, 26 receiving) and a touchdown catch last week after recording two touchdown receptions in Week 1. Entering Week 3, Carson leads all NFL running backs with three touchdown receptions this season.
Chris Carson wants in on the touchdown party 🥳pic.twitter.com/H5uIHKpref
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 21, 2020
With a touchdown reception on Sunday against Dallas (4:25 PM ET, FOX), Carson would become the fourth running back with a touchdown reception in each of their team’s first three games of a season in the Super Bowl era, joining GARY ANDERSON (1986), CURTIS MCCLINTON (1966) and BRIAN WESTBROOK (2005). McClinton had a touchdown reception in each of his team’s first four games of that season.
The running backs with touchdown reception in each of their team’s first three games of a season in the Super Bowl era:
PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON |
Brian Westbrook | Philadelphia | 2005 |
Gary Anderson | San Diego | 1986 |
Curtis McClinton | Kansas City | 1966 |
Chris Carson | Seattle | 2020* |
*Through first two games |
TOP BILLING
Buffalo quarterback JOSH ALLEN passed for a career-high 417 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 147.0 passer rating in the Bills’ Week 2 victory. Allen, who has passed for 729 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions through the first two weeks, is the fourth quarterback with at least 700 passing yards, six touchdown passes and zero interceptions through his team’s first two games of a season in NFL history.
Smokin' hot. 🔥#BillsMafia | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/OeLsqmrFUJ
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 20, 2020
With at least 300 passing yards, two touchdown passes and zero interceptions on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Allen will become the third player with at least 300 passing yards, two touchdown passes and zero interceptions in each of his team’s first three games of a season in NFL history, joining PATRICK MAHOMES (2019) and PEYTON MANNING (2013). Mahomes won Super Bowl MVP and Manning won league MVP in those respective seasons.
The players with at least 300 passing yards, two touchdown passes and zero interceptions in each of their team’s first three games of a season in NFL history:
PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON |
Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2019 |
Peyton Manning | Denver | 2013 |
Josh Allen | Buffalo | 2020* |
*Through first two games |
TANNEHILL CONTINUES TO THRILL
Tennessee quarterback RYAN TANNEHILL passed for four touchdowns and zero interceptions last week in the Titans’ victory and now has six touchdowns and zero interceptions on the season.
Tough day for the Tannehill haters. ⚔️ @ryantannehill1's Best Throws from Week 2 pic.twitter.com/oiKgYVGBeM
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 21, 2020
Since Week 10 of the 2019 season, Tannehill has passed for at least two touchdowns with one or fewer interceptions in all nine games.
With at least two touchdown passes and one or fewer interceptions on Sunday at Minnesota (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Tannehill will become the fourth player in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and one or fewer interceptions in at least 10 consecutive regular season games, joining AARON RODGERS (13 consecutive games), TOM BRADY (11) and PHILIP RIVERS (10).
The players with the most consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes and one or fewer interceptions in NFL history:
PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON(S) | CONSECUTIVE GAMES |
Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2011 | 13 |
Tom Brady | New England | 2010-11 | 11 |
Philip Rivers | L.A. Chargers | 2017-18 | 10 |
Ryan Tannehill | Tennessee | 2019-present | 9* |
*Active streak |
RIDLEY ME THIS
Atlanta wide receiver CALVIN RIDLEY leads the NFL with four touchdown receptions through two weeks and ties for the league lead with 239 receiving yards.
Calvin Ridley CANNOT be stopped 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PvNikZ4rp0
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 20, 2020
After recording 130 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions in Week 1 and 109 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions in Week 2, Ridley became the first player since Pro Football Hall of Famer MARVIN HARRISON (1999) to record at least 100 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions in each of his team’s first two games of a season.
With at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception on Sunday against Chicago (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Ridley will become the fifth player with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in each of his team’s first three games of a season in NFL history, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers MARVIN HARRISON (1999), RANDY MOSS (2007) and JERRY RICE (1989) and DWIGHT CLARK (1982),
The players with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in each of their team’s first three games of a season in NFL history:
PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON |
Randy MossHOF | New England | 2007 |
Marvin HarrisonHOF | Indianapolis | 1999 |
Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 1989 |
Dwight Clark | San Francisco | 1982 |
Calvin Ridley | Atlanta | 2020* |
*Through first two games |
NOT DRAFTED? NOT A PROBLEM
Jacksonville running back JAMES ROBINSON, who went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, leads all rookies with 210 scrimmage yards through the first two weeks of the season.
James Robinson 😳 #DUUUVAL
📺: #MIAvsJAX on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL App // Yahoo Sports App: https://t.co/12dXbqaBVJ pic.twitter.com/xEWSrUQDKp— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2020
With at least 90 scrimmage yards on Thursday Night Football against Miami (8:20 PM ET, NFL Network), a mark he has hit in each of the first two games of the season, Robinson will become the second undrafted player with at least 300 scrimmage yards through his first three career games in the common draft era, joining JAMES BRIM (318 scrimmage yards in 1987).
The undrafted players with the most scrimmage yards through their first three career games in the common draft era:
PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | SCRIMMAGE YARDS |
James Brim | Minnesota | 1987 | 318 |
Kevin Willhite | Green Bay | 1987 | 288 |
Bobby Johnson | N.Y. Giants | 1984 | 281 |
James Robinson | Jacksonville | 2020 | 210* |
*Through first two weeks |
WATT FAMIILY REUINION
Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. WATT ties for the NFL lead with 2.5 sacks through the first two weeks of the season, while Houston defensive end J.J. WATT ties for third in the league with 2 sacks.
Three brothers. Two teams. One field.
It's a Watt family gathering in Pittsburgh on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/JQd9AhHxj2
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 25, 2020
The two brothers will be meeting for the first time in their NFL careers when the Steelers host the Texans on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX). Pittsburgh fullback DEREK WATT, who faced each of his brothers in 2019 with the Chargers, will also be on the field on Sunday.
J.J. enters the game with 98 career sacks in 10 seasons, while T.J. has 37 career sacks in four seasons. Their 135 combined sacks are the fourth-most among pairs of brothers or father-son duos since 1982, counting instances in which each player recorded at least one sack.
The pairs of brothers or father-son duos with the most combined sacks since 1982, counting players in which each player recorded at least one sack:
PLAYERS | COMBINED SACKS |
Clay/Clay Matthews | 161 |
HowieHOF/Chris Long | 154 |
JohnHOF/Ervin Randle+ | 145.5 |
J.J./T.J. Watt*+ | 135* |
Arthur/Chandler Jones+ | 107 |
*Both active | |
+Brothers |
With at least two sacks on Sunday, J.J., playing in his 115th career game, will become the fourth-fastest player to reach 100 career sacks since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.
The fastest players to reach 100 career sacks since 1982:
PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
Reggie WhiteHOF | Philadelphia | 96 |
DeMarcus Ware | Dallas | 113 |
Bruce SmithHOF | Buffalo | 114 |
Jared Allen | Kansas City, Minnesota | 122 |
Lawrence TaylorHOF | N.Y. Giants | 122 |
J.J. Watt | Houston | 114* |
*Has 98 sacks in 114 games |