Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season produced a number of studs and duds.
Here’s a look at the best and worst of the week:
Studs
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 20: Travis Benjamin #11 of the Cleveland Browns returns a second quarter punt for a touchdown while playing the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Travis Benjamin: The Browns receiver has six catches and seven punt returns to start 2015. Those 13 touches have produced 368 total yards and four touchdowns, including six plays over 20 yards and four over 40. Benjamin torched the Titans for touchdown receptions of 60 and 50 yards and a return score of 78 yards.
Aaron Rodgers/Tom Brady: Facing two of the best defenses the NFL has to offer, the pair of early-season MVP favorites combined to throw for over 700 yards and five touchdowns without an interception in Week 2. Rodgers’ Packers dispatched the Seahawks in primetime, while Brady’s Patriots rolled over Rex Ryan’s upstart Bills.
Adrian Peterson: After a dud debut in San Francisco, Peterson was kept well-fed in Week 2. His 31 touches against the Lions resulted in 192 total yards, including a week-high 134 rushing yards. He also rumbled 49 yards after a nifty flip from Teddy Bridgewater. AD is back.
Big Ben to AB: Ben Roethlisberger’s 21 completions against the 49ers resulted in 369 yards and three touchdowns. Antonio Brown caught nine of his passes for 195 yards, which led all receivers in Week 2. The dynamic combination is currently on pace for 144 completions, 2,624 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Matt Jones: Washington’s rookie back broke out in a big way in his second career game, rushing for 123 yards and two scores and catching three passes for 23 yards. His one fumble was overshadowed by a rumbling 39-yard score.
Jacquies Smith: Drew Brees got to see plenty of No. 56 in Week 2. The Tampa Bay pass-rusher sacked Brees three times and forced two fumbles. He’s now on a 32-sack pace in 2015.
Sean Lee: The Cowboys linebacker was an animal in Philadelphia, making 14 tackles (including nine stops) and picking off Sam Bradford. If Lee can stay healthy for a full season….look out.
Larry Fitzgerald: The old pro still has it. His three touchdown catches against the Bears set a new career high, and beat his total from the entire 2014 season (two). Fitz looks rejuvenated with Carson Palmer back and healthy.
Jayrone Elliott: The Packers’ backup outside linebacker became more than just a preseason star. He intercepted Russell Wilson on a screen pass and stripped Fred Jackson on back-to-back possessions to seal Green Bay’s redemption win over Seattle.
Duds
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after their 20-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on September 20, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 20-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
Eagles offense: Chip Kelly’s remade group managed just 226 total yards and 10 points against Dallas in Week 2. The now 0-2 Eagles ran 17 times for only seven yards, committed three turnovers and held the football for just 19:30. Woof.
Colts offense: Indy committed five turnovers against the Jets on Monday Night Football, including four from quarterback Andrew Luck. The Colts offense—thought by many to be capable of leading the league in scoring in 2015—has 21 points and 10 turnovers through two games. Luck has six giveaways.
Jamaal Charles: The Kansas City running back fumbled away sure points in the red zone in the first half, then handed the Broncos a win when he was stripped late in the fourth quarter with the game tied. Charles had 125 rushing yards and a score, but his two giveaways lost the Chiefs a game they really should have won.
Richard Sherman: The confident cornerback looked mortal at Lambeau Field on Sunday night, giving up a touchdown to James Jones and drawing two penalties—including a pass interference call on a deep throw before the half. He also looked disinterested in helping against the run. Rare performance from Sherman.
Ryan Mallett: The Texans have a dumpster fire at quarterback. Mallett completed 45.6 percent of his passes and averaged 4.2 yards per attempt against Carolina, giving him the league’s worst passer rating (57.0) for Week 2. He didn’t complete a single pass under pressure (16 attempts). Houston’s roster deserves better.
Harry Douglas: The Titans receiver caught just 1 of 9 targets on Sunday. He now has 33 receiving yards on 13 targets this season. There might not be a worse starting receiver in the NFL right now.
Jeremy Hill: The Bengals’ 1,100-yard rusher from a year ago fumbled twice on Sunday, leading to a spot on the Cincinnati bench. Meanwhile, fellow running back Gio Bernard rushed for 123 yards. Hill could concede some of his lead-back role.
NFL passing defenses: The league’s quarterback crisis might be a little overblown. A total of 18 quarterbacks finished Week 2 with a passer rating over 100.0, including five over 120.0. Maybe passing defense is the NFL’s real issue.