After the game, Burrow expressed optimism reminiscent of a championship run, saying, “It feels like early on in 2021,” while praising the Bengals’ defense for completely shutting down the Texans, as noted by Cole McIntire on X.

In 2021, the Bengals reached the Super Bowl for the first time since 1988, ultimately losing 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams. That game was decided when Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a go-ahead touchdown with 85 seconds remaining, followed by a decisive late sack of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow by Aaron Donald.

How the defense supported Burrow

The defense’s elite effort allowed Cincinnati to control the game from start to finish, validating Burrow‘s confidence despite medical concerns that lingered throughout the week.

Pre-game, any doubts about his condition were put to rest when Burrow reached out directly to national media and clarified his status in a text exchange with NFL insider Jay Glazer, stating that he was “Totally good” and dismissing the injury rumors as exaggerated.

With his back injury clearly behind him, Burrow’s commanding presence, alongside the defense’s exceptional performance, has generated excitement among Bengals fans. As Cincinnati builds on this significant win, memories of the 2021 season suggest that the roster is focused and ready for a special run.

Burrow’s performance

The defense has led both victories, which is far from the norm over the last five years. The Bengals have the chance to start 3-0 for the first time since the 2015 NFL season.

Burrow has not been dominant, but he has not been bad either, candidly admitting after Sunday’s game that he played “incredibly average” and has plenty of room to grow after two weeks. He threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans on Sunday, with both scoring passes going to Ja’Marr Chase.

The Bengals will travel for their first division game of the season next Sunday to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently 1-1 after falling 20-3 to the New England Patriots on Sunday.

It didn’t take long before the broadcast showed Swift in attendance at the luxury suite. Perhaps waiting for the perfect moment, that was provided by Kelce’s 13-yard touchdown catch. As Kelce celebrated in the endzone, Swift was enjoying the moment surrounded by friends and family up in the box.

By now, Swift attending Chiefs games has become routine. Just like expecting Patrick Mahomes to be Kansas City’s starting quarterback, as he will in Week 2 of the NFL against the Colts, Swift has reached that level of certainty.

As long as Kelce is playing, she will be joining Chiefs Kingdom in the stands. In pure “You Belong With Me” fashion, Swift is on the bleachers for Kelce’s primetime matchup against the Colts — well, not quite the bleachers, as she’s in a luxury suite — but you get the point.

Swift keeps perfect attendance

As Kansas City plays back-to-back night games to start the 2026 NFL season (Monday night in Week 1), Swift is off to a perfect attendance start to the campaign. Two for two at Arrowhead.

With no tours scheduled anytime soon and her new life next to husband Kelce in Missouri, there aren’t many reasons to believe Swift will miss games anytime soon. Not as long as Kelce and the Chiefs play at home, and if it’s in primetime and on national television, even better.

During Week 1, Swift was joined by Tom Cruise, leading to fans asking who his favorite NFL team is and whether Cruise is a Chiefs fan. In Week 2, at least as Swift was shown during the TV broadcast, she didn’t appear to be joined by any other celebrity. She may have no need for such company as long as she is close to her husband. Where Kelce is, Swift isn’t too far behind, and that stays true in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season.

Swift celebrates Kelce’s TD

In Week 2 of the NFL season, Kelce recorded his first touchdown grab of the campaign. Swift was in attendance, and in case anyone missed Kelce’s explosive play, Swift made sure to remind everybody who just scored. Pointing at her ring finger on her left hand (which has sported a wedding ring since July 3), Swift may have had the best celebration across all games on Sunday.

According to stats from USA Today, Kelce’s TD against Indianapolis was the ninth he scored with Swift in attendance — the first since Week 8 of the 2025 campaign.

A member of the Chiefs’ family

Gearing up for Week 2’s Sunday night showdown, Swift joined Kelce and others for Patrick Mahomes’ 31st birthday (Sept. 17) at the steakhouse owned by the Chiefs’ quarterback and tight end, 1587, as reported by People.

Clearly, Swift is another member of the big family in Kansas City, and she has another reason to attend games at Arrowhead Stadium: not only is her husband playing, but her friends are, too.

Basically, the Chiefs decided to move on from Pacheco as their primary back, allowing him to explore free agency. Kansas City ended up signing running back Kenneth Walker III to a lucrative three-year deal, boosting the position with the Super Bowl LX MVP.

The move came as the Chiefs revamped their running game to feature more power running. This shift is in part designed to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes after he comes back from his season-ending knee injury, as Mahomes will almost certainly be far less mobile, especially initially. Pacheco, who suffered a fractured fibula in 2024, couldn’t do much in 2025 with 118 carries for 462 yards and one touchdown in a year where the Chiefs missed the playoffs.

The Lions still saw him as a reasonable free agency option to replace David Montgomery, who was traded to the Houston Texans. Pacheco joined Detroit to become the number-two back behind Jahmyr Gibbs, while also representing insurance protection in case Gibbs got injured.

Isiah Pacheco’s current status

The move turned out to be favorable for the Chiefs, as Pacheco is currently injured after underdoing back surgery, and his status for the rest of the 2026 season remains in question. There is a chance that Pacheco could return in December, but it would be unwise to rely on any consistent contributions from the injury-prone star.

Pacheco‘s trajectory has experienced frustrating low points that explain why the Chiefs ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing production over the past two seasons.

There was a time when the former seventh-round pick appeared to be a long-term solution beyond a single season; however, injuries took a toll and forced Kareem Hunt to become Kansas City’s most reliable running back last season.

For Pacheco, it is sad to see the back continuing to struggle at this level. Having suffered so many setbacks and remaining unable to consistently deliver leaves reason to wonder how many more opportunities await him.

Week 1 was a positive sample for the Chiefs without Pacheco

For the first time in three years, the Chiefs boast a ground game capable of taking pressure off Mahomes, spearheaded by Kenneth Walker following an outstanding debut that brings balance to make Kansas City’s offense a lethal weapon.

Walker lived up to the hype in his first game as a Chief, recording 23 carries for 173 yards and a rushing touchdown along with three catches and 18 yards for a receiving TD, leading the team’s 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Pacheco has yet to make his Lions debut as he recovers from injury. It is a familiar scenario for Chiefs fans, who understand the frustration of being unable to depend on Pacheco during an NFL season.

“Doing much better, appreciate all the prayers and support,” Jayden Reed wrote on his X account, @JaydenReed5. Reed’s statement came on the heels of the Packers’ encouraging update on the wide receiver’s health after the 20-17 win over the Jets.

“Packers say WR Jayden Reed ‘has feeling and movement in all extremities. He will stay overnight for further testing and observation’,” as reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter.

What happened to Reed?

Reed was hit by Jets linebacker Demario Davis, who made direct contact with his helmet. Immediately, Reed collapsed to the ground, losing mobility and consciousness by the time he fell to the turf.

As reported by Jordan Schultz, Reed required a spine board, which was immediately taken as a scary sign of a potential serious spine or neck injury, given where he was hit and everything that followed.

Fortunately, though, it seems the worst is over, and Reed is making progress. For the time being, however, football is the least of Green Bay’s worries, and all the team cares about is having Reed pass his medical evaluations at the hospital, where he will remain for more tests and under the surveillance of health professionals.

Another bad injury for Packers

In the cruelest form of insult to injury, the next play after Reed left the game, offensive lineman Zach Bako-Bewele had to be carted off the field with a knee injury. Speaking after the game, head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t sugarcoat his true thoughts on the right tackle’s health and how it looks in the 2026 NFL season.

“That doesn’t look good, either. I think [Zach Bako-Bewele] could be out for a long time,” LaFleur admitted postgame, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Needless to say, it was a less-than-ideal rainy afternoon in the Big Apple for the Packers. Their record will say they are back at .500, but this victory sure doesn’t taste so good.

“Oh no,” Brady said as the injury unfolded, before also letting a profanity slip out while reacting to the graphic replay. Brady immediately apologized for the language, acknowledging that he did not expect the broadcast to show such a disturbing replay.

The moment quickly spread across social media as fans reacted not only to Brady’s unfiltered response but also to the severity of Daniels’ apparent injury. The Commanders quarterback was carted off the field after hurting his left elbow on the final play of the first half.

What happened to Jayden Daniels’ left elbow?

Jayden Daniels suffered the injury with Washington facing the Cowboys near the goal line and the clock winding down before halftime. The quarterback took the snap but appeared to have his foot stepped on by an offensive lineman, causing him to lose his balance and reach out with his left arm to brace his fall.

The quarterback’s left elbow appeared to bend awkwardly as he landed, and Daniels immediately showed signs of pain. He was eventually helped from the field and placed in an air cast before being taken to the locker room on a cart.

The injury is particularly concerning because it appears to involve the same left elbow Daniels injured during the 2025 season. Daniels previously suffered a dislocated left elbow and missed time because of it, making Sunday’s incident an especially worrying development for Washington.

For now, the injury should be described as an apparent left elbow injury rather than a confirmed diagnosis. Early reports and video appeared consistent with another dislocation, but the Commanders would need further medical evaluation to determine the full extent of the damage and establish a recovery timeline.

Daniels had been playing well before leaving the game, completing 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 rushing yards on seven carries. Marcus Mariota took over at quarterback after Daniels was forced out.

Brady’s reaction added another viral moment to what was already a frightening scene. The FOX broadcaster’s immediate “Oh no” and subsequent apology showed just how shocking the replay was, while Daniels’ injury left Washington facing major questions about its quarterback situation.

Williams immediately appeared to be in significant pain and was attended to by the Bears’ medical staff before being helped off the field. He was eventually taken to the locker room, bringing his afternoon to an early end as Chicago tried to rally against Minnesota.

The Bears have not yet revealed the severity of the hamstring injury or how much time Williams could miss. Head coach Ben Johnson said the team will know more after further evaluation, making the coming days important for determining the quarterback’s status for Week 3.

Caleb Williams remains positive after suffering hamstring injury

Despite the concerning scene at Soldier Field, Williams reportedly remains positive about his recovery. Mike Florio reported that the Bears quarterback is in good spirits as he prepares to begin the recovery process.

“Bears quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury while scrambling in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. And while he was in significant pain after it happened, we’re told that he seems to be in ‘good spirits’ about attacking the recovery process.”

That positive outlook is encouraging for Chicago, but the Bears still need to determine the extent of the injury before establishing a timetable. Johnson acknowledged after the game that his first concern was Williams’ knee, and he was relieved that the injury appeared to involve the hamstring instead.

Williams finished the game 15-of-26 passing for 138 yards and also rushed for 42 yards before leaving. Tyson Bagent replaced him for the final minutes, and the Bears ultimately fell 9-3 to Minnesota.

The Bears now have more than a week before their next game against the Philadelphia Eagles, giving Williams some time to undergo additional testing and begin his recovery. For now, Chicago will wait for more information before determining whether its starting quarterback will be available in Week 3.

• Jayden Daniels
• Marcus Mariota
• Athan Kaliakmanis (emergency third QB)

Mariota replaced Jayden Daniels, who has been ruled out according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Last season, Daniels also wasn’t available much due to injuries. One in particular very similar to this one.

Daniels already suffered an injury to his left elbow

Jayden Daniels previously suffered a severe dislocated left elbow on November 2, 2025, during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. It was the same exact elbow he injured just now against the Cowboys.

Daniels had the grit to still try and finish the play. According to medical clinic Access Ortho, dislocating the same elbow twice greatly increases the risk of chronic joint instability, permanent stiffness, and early-onset arthritis.

How much will Daniels be out?

While imaging and MRIs still need to be taken, it seems like this injury was almost identical to the one he suffered in 2025. In that case, he ended up missing three games for the Commanders.

However, given that this is a re-injury, he could probably miss even more time. This would mean Marcus Mariota is under center for the foreseeable future. Mariota is also a mobile QB, though he doesn’t bring the upside Daniels provides.

With such an elite talent behind, or next to, depending on the formation, the Colts’ and Chiefs’ starting quarterbacks, both teams could simply hand the ball off every play and still boast an offense to be reckoned with across the NFL. Still, Kansas City and Indianapolis both understand the importance of giving their star players some rest, especially this early in the season.

On that note, both teams have depth at the running back position, though it’s clearly a one-man wrecking crew show in both rushing offenses. Kansas City’s depth chart at half-back includes: Kenneth Walker III, Emmett Johnson, and Brashard Smith.

As for Indianapolis, Jonathan Taylor is joined by Seth McGowan and DJ Giddens in the RB room. With Giddens questionable for Sunday night’s game in The City of Fountains, the Colts could call up one of practice squad members Anderson Castle and David Booth.

Walker III and Taylor’s Week 1 outings

Both Walker III and Taylor put on a show in their Week 1 debuts of the 2026 NFL season. Walker III stole the spotlight in Kansas City’s 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos, registering 23 carries for 173 yards and a rushing touchdown. Walker III also caught three passes for 18 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Meanwhile, Taylor fell victim to his Colts’ struggles and the fact that they played from behind all day long against the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor still made the most of his 19 carries, putting up 98 yards on the ground and two TDs. He was also a factor in the passing attack, with three catches for 23 yards. Taylor had an uncharacteristic fumble that was recovered by the Ravens.

Snap percentage

If there were any doubts about Walker III and Taylor’s importance and primary roles on their teams, they became obsolete in Week 1. Taylor played in 48 of his team’s 54 offensive snaps (89% snap percentage) in Week 1, with second option McGowan playing six snaps (11%).

Looking over at the Chiefs, Walker III played 47 out of the team’s 70 offensive snaps (68%) in Week 1, while Johnson played 25 snaps (36%) and Smith didn’t see the field once.

Walker and Taylor shine in fantasy football’s Week 1

For fantasy football players across the league, starting either of them was always going to be the right decision. Still, they didn’t disappoint. Walker far exceeded his projections, putting up 34.1 fantasy points (point-per-reception), while Taylor delivered 25.1 points to those who own him in fantasy football.

Needless to say, points are expected to come in bunches when the Chiefs and Colts meet at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 2.

Albeit to different degrees, both signal-callers are staples under center for their teams. By now, fans across the NFL know they will be in charge of the fate of the pigskin. The same applies to the Chiefs and Colts’ running-back depth charts. Who will be behind Mahomes and Jones in the depth chart, and next in line should something happen to the starters, is the real question.

Justin Fields will be Kansas City’s second-string quarterback in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season. As for Indianapolis, it will be another question-marks-filled quarterback serving as backup: Anthony Richardson. Both young quarterbacks share similarities in that they are questioned on many of their traits, but no one denies how explosive they are with the ball in their hands and some room to run.

Emergency quarterbacks for Chiefs vs Colts

Both teams hope they don’t need to send any quarterback other than their starters on Sunday night—unless it’s a substitution as result of a blowout. Still, the Chiefs and Colts must brace for whatever may come their way. On that note, they both have a third, emergency quarterback designated.

In Kansas City’s case, it will be rookie Garrett Nussmeier. Indianapolis will have sophomore quarterback Riley Leonard in that role. As emergency QBs, Nussmeier and Leonard can only be brought into the gridiron if both signal-callers ahead of them are injured.

How did Mahomes and Jones play in Week 1?

Both Mahomes and Jones entered the 2026 NFL season after long injury rehab journeys. In his first game back from the torn ACL and LCL suffered late last year, Mahomes threw 15 completions for 184 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

Mahomes cleared all concerns around his leg health with solid runs and movement in the pocket, along with 23 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. In case it wasn’t clear enough, Mahomes clarified his leg injury status ahead of Week 2.

As for Jones, he suffered an Achilles tear last season. In his return, Jones threw more passes than Shane Steichen may have liked as Indy allowed an early lead to Baltimore in the 41-23 loss. Jones finished the day with 19 passes for 166 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

Fantasy points in Week 1, Week 2 projections

Mahomes put up 21.6 points in fantasy football, per ESPN’s app, in Week 1’s statement win over the reigning AFC West champions, the Denver Broncos. Jones, meanwhile, had a rougher outing, finishing with only 9.04 points. Entering Week 2, Mahomes projects 18.22 points, while Jones is expected to record 13.9 points.

Regardless of whether they helped fans win in their leagues or not, both quarterbacks have put their 2025-season-ending injuries in the rearview mirror and appear fully healthy to guide their teams in 2026.

Hill’s recovery has become one of the biggest free-agent storylines around the NFL because the former Miami Dolphins star has yet to join a team. Rosenhaus has emphasized that there is no reason to rush the receiver back, with doctors recommending that he wait until at least October before attempting a comeback.

That timeline leaves the door open for Hill to return later in the season, potentially around November if his recovery continues as planned. Rosenhaus has said Hill will be a coveted player once he is healthy enough to return, but the priority remains making sure the 32-year-old is completely recovered before signing with a team.

Why is Tyreek Hill not playing?

Tyreek Hill is not playing because he remains a free agent while recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered during the 2025 season. The Dolphins released Hill in February, and no other team has signed him since, largely because teams are waiting to see how he progresses through his rehabilitation.

Hill suffered a dislocated left knee and multiple ligament injuries, including a torn ACL, in September 2025. He subsequently underwent multiple surgeries and revealed during his rehabilitation that he was still working to regain power in his injured leg. That recovery has made his return timeline difficult to predict.

For now, Hill’s absence is not an indication that he has given up on playing in 2026. Rosenhaus has made it clear that he expects his client to return this season, although there is no official date for his comeback. If Hill reaches full health later in the year, he could become one of the most intriguing free-agent additions available to teams preparing for the playoff race.

The biggest question is therefore not whether Hill wants to play, but when his body will be ready for NFL action again. If his recovery continues without setbacks, a return sometime in the fall remains possible, with November representing a potential target for a more cautious comeback.

Watson has delivered a much better performance against Tampa Bay than he did during Cleveland’s disastrous Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran quarterback has looked more comfortable in his second start since returning from his long absence, giving head coach Todd Monken another reason to continue with Watson at the position.

The Browns’ game was interrupted late in the fourth quarter when lightning forced a suspension at Raymond James Stadium. Cleveland was leading Tampa Bay 23-19 with 2:33 remaining, leaving the Browns just minutes away from potentially securing their first victory of the season.

Could Deshaun Watson’s performance change Shedeur Sanders’ future?

Watson’s performance is particularly important because Cleveland entered Week 2 with questions surrounding the quarterback position. After a 34-10 loss to Jacksonville, the Browns indicated that they would reevaluate the situation following the Buccaneers game, creating an opportunity for Sanders if Watson failed to show significant improvement.

Instead, Watson has given the Browns a much more encouraging performance. He entered the weather delay having completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, including a 55-yard touchdown connection with Denzel Boston and a late 17-yard touchdown pass to Ben Whiteheart.

A Browns victory would add another important piece to the quarterback debate. Sanders won plenty of attention during training camp and the preseason, but Watson won the starting job entering the regular season. If Watson can finish strong and lead Cleveland to a road victory, Monken could have a much stronger argument for keeping the veteran in place.

That does not mean Sanders’ opportunity is gone. The Browns are expected to continue evaluating their quarterback situation after Week 2, and another strong Watson performance could either stabilize the position or simply delay a decision. With Cleveland scheduled to return home against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, Sanders could still have a chance to make his case if Monken decides a change is necessary.