Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, September 21, 2026
Mahomes leads Chiefs past Colts 33-30 in OT, improves to 8-0 in regular-season overtime
Patrick Mahomes completed 32 of 47 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Kansas City Chiefs past the Indianapolis Colts 33-30 in overtime on Sunday Night Football. The game seemed over until a replay review overturned an apparent fumble by Laquon Treadwell. The Colts then declined to go for it on fourth-and-8, giving Mahomes the ball back. He drove Kansas City into field-goal range, finding Kenneth Walker on a 22-yard gain to set up Harrison Butker’s 40-yard game-winner as time expired. Kansas City improved to 2-0 while Indianapolis fell to 0-2. Mahomes is now 8-0 in regular-season overtime.
Sources: NBC New York / Anchorage Daily News
Caleb Williams carted off with hamstring injury in Bears’ 9-3 loss to Vikings
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, suffering a hamstring injury that left his near-term availability in serious doubt. Williams went down awkwardly on a first-and-goal scramble with 7:27 remaining, failing to put any weight on his right leg as trainers assisted him off the field before placing him on a cart. He was sent for further testing Monday to determine the full extent of the injury. Chicago was held to just three points on the afternoon, with the Bears offense unable to generate any threat even before Williams’ exit.
Sources: NBC Sports PFT / Pro Football Rumors
Bills open Highmark Stadium with 41-31 win over Lions; DJ Moore exits with AC joint sprain
The Buffalo Bills inaugurated Highmark Stadium with a 41-31 Thursday Night Football victory over the Detroit Lions, building a 21-0 halftime lead before holding off a second-half Detroit rally. The win moved Buffalo to 2-0 on the early season. The celebration was tempered by an injury to wide receiver DJ Moore, who left the game before halftime. Tests revealed an AC joint sprain in Moore’s shoulder, which the Bills consider non-serious. Moore is listed as day-to-day, and the long week before a September 27 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers should give him additional time to recover.
Sources: Sports Illustrated / NFL.com
Packers rally from 10 down to beat Jets 20-17 in overtime
The Green Bay Packers rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat the New York Jets 20-17 in overtime, avoiding a 0-2 start to the 2026 season. Trailing 17-7 with 11 minutes remaining, the comeback was sparked by a pass interference penalty drawn on a deep ball to wide receiver Matthew Golden, which set up a touchdown pass to Christian Watson. A pivotal 63-yard punt return by Skyy Moore then enabled a tying field goal with 2:59 left. In overtime, Jets quarterback Geno Smith was sacked twice during a three-and-out, and rookie kicker Trey Smack converted a 26-yard walk-off field goal to seal it. Both teams move to 1-1.
Sources: Packers.com / NYJets.com
Panthers rout Falcons 34-3 behind Devin Lloyd’s dominant defensive performance
One week after surrendering 59 points, the Carolina Panthers’ defense delivered a commanding bounce-back, holding the Atlanta Falcons to a single field goal in a 34-3 rout. Linebacker Devin Lloyd was the standout performer, totaling nine tackles, a sack, three passes defensed, two tackles for loss and two interceptions. Carolina held Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson to just 47 rushing yards in the first half while forcing two turnovers before the break. The Falcons were operating with backup quarterback Cooper Rush under center. Carolina improved to 1-1 with the victory, while Atlanta dropped to 0-2.
Bengals beat Texans 20-6 despite Burrow sacked five times, OL concerns mounting
The Cincinnati Bengals improved to 2-0 with a 20-6 victory over the Houston Texans, though the game raised red flags about the offensive line. Joe Burrow, who had been listed as questionable heading into the game, played but was sacked five times while the Texans generated 10 quarterback hits. Linemen Orlando Brown, Dalton Risner and center Dylan Fairchild all struggled against Houston’s pass rush. Cincinnati’s defense absorbed the pressure, allowing just six points and keeping the Bengals unbeaten. The Texans fell to 0-2 to open the season, unable to generate any sustained offensive momentum.
Sources: NFL.com / ESPN
Seahawks jump to No. 1 in Week 2 power rankings despite backup QB Drew Lock
The Seattle Seahawks topped the Week 2 NFL power rankings from NFL.com, leapfrogging both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams to claim the No. 1 spot. Seattle has impressed through two weeks despite operating with backup quarterback Drew Lock, with reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba providing a game-changing contribution in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk also ranked the Seahawks first entering Week 2. Multiple national outlets noted the team is soaring despite injury concerns, establishing Seattle as the early-season team to watch in the NFC.
Sources: NFL.com / NBC Sports PFT
A.J. Brown placed on IR by Patriots, expected to miss six weeks with high-ankle sprain
Wide receiver A.J. Brown, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a June trade, was placed on injured reserve by the New England Patriots and is expected to miss approximately six weeks. Brown suffered a right high-ankle sprain during his Patriots debut against the Seattle Seahawks on September 9, with his estimated return date now around November 1. NBC Sports Boston reported that Brown’s history with ankle injuries adds concern given the nature of the sprain. New England is 1-1 without Brown in the lineup following Week 2 action. His return will be closely watched as the Patriots navigate the opening month of the season.
Sources: AP / NY1 / NBC Sports Boston
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 1 | 0 |
* Through Week 2 (Sun. Sept 20). Giants vs. Rams MNF in progress.
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency