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Week 2 winners: Allen's redemption, Cowboys domination

Bills quarterback Josh Allen congratulates Latavious Murray after his touchdown. Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK

Week 2 NFL winners: Josh Allen's redemption, Cowboys defensive domination

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 9/18/23

With most of the Week 2 NFL schedule in the books, here are the players and coaches that delivered standout performances:

Josh Allen, quarterback, Buffalo Bills: After being the single biggest reason the Bills lost in Week 1 to the New York Jets, Allen was one of the biggest reasons they won in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Allen had the type of monster game that makes him one of the best players in the NFL, completing 31-of-37 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant 38-10 win.

The complete 180 from Week 1 to Week 2 is the one thing that can make Allen such a maddening player. When he is good, there are few players in the NFL better than him. But when he is bad, he can be very problematic. The Bills have seen both versions of that just two weeks into the season.

Bijan Robinson, running back, Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons took a lot of heat when they selected Robinson with a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not because Robinson isn't an incredible talent and one of the best players in the 2023 rookie class, but because of how devalued the running back position has become. So far, though, the Falcons should be extraordinarily happy with their selection.

Especially after Robinson put together a breakout performance on Sunday in a come-from-behind win against the Green Bay Packers. He rushed for 124 yards on only 19 carries, while also adding 48 yards on four catches. When you have a young quarterback like the Falcons do (Desmond Ridder) an all-purpose playmaker like Robinson can be his best friend. So far, Robinson has been.

Ron Rivera, head coach, Washington Commanders: The Commanders did not make it easy on themselves, but they were able to storm back from an awful first half to get a 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos to get their first 2-0 start in more than a decade.

Sam Howell improved to 3-0 as a starting quarterback in his young career, while the win for Rivera was the 100th regular season win in his head coaching career.

With today’s win, Washington Head Coach Ron Rivera became the eighth active head coach to eclipse 100 regular season wins.
— Washington Commanders PR (@Wash_PR) September 18, 2023

Geno Smith, quarterback, Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks were humiliated in a season-opening blowout loss at home to the Los Angeles Rams, but they were able to erase that bad taste with an impressive 37-31 overtime win in Detroit. Smith was the best player on the field for the Seahawks and resembled the player he was in the first half of the 2022 season, completing 31-of-41 passes for 328 yards and touchdowns in the win.

The second of those touchdowns was a six-yard strike to Tyler Lockett for the game-winning score in overtime. That capped off an impressive nine-play drive where Smith completed six passes and methodically moved Seattle down the field.

Micah Parsons, defensive end, Dallas Cowboys: Dallas is 2-0 after beating both New York teams in the first two weeks of the season. They allowed just 10 points (total) in those two games and absolutely swarmed Jets quarterback Zach Wilson on Sunday, intercepting him three times and causing all sorts of havoc with their pass rush.

The most disruptive player on that defense was by far Parsons who was a one-man highlight reel. He recorded four tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, a pass defense, a fumble recovery and four quarterback hits.

He also forced a bad throw out of Wilson that resulted in one of Dallas' three interceptions. Parsons was so dominant he had CBS announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo comparing him to Lawrence Taylor.

Todd Monken, offensive coordinator, Baltimore Ravens: Quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were both excited about what Monken could do for the team's offense this season, and we saw a great glimpse of all that on Sunday in a 27-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite playing without their top running back (J.K. Dobbins), two starting offensive linemen and then watching Odell Beckham Jr. go down the Ravens offense was outstanding and efficient in Sunday's win.

Jackson was well protected, he spread the ball around and he got rid of the ball quickly. Testament to the coaching to play that well with so many players out.

Lamar Jackson faced a career-low 9.1% pressure rate in Week 2, despite missing his starting center and left tackle.

Jackson has gotten rid of the ball quicker under new OC Todd Monken, averaging 2.60 seconds time to throw through two games.#BALvsCIN | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/wKkHgwcGHb
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 17, 2023

Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver, New York Giants: There are a lot of candidates for a winner in the Giants' 31-28 come-from-behind win over the Arizona Cardinals, but rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt gets the nod.

He only made two catches, but they were massive catches when the Giants needed them most, including this huge play on the first play of the second half when the Cardinals seemed to be in complete control of the game.

#NYGiants desperately needed someone to make a play and rookie WR Jalin Hyatt did. pic.twitter.com/LgLtiTOjKm
— Jaime Eisner (@JaimeEisner) September 17, 2023

He had 89 yards on his two receptions, both setting up touchdowns.

D'Andre Swift, running back, Philadelphia Eagles: Swift only carried the ball one time for three yards in the Eagles' season opening win in New England, but he was a major factor in their Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

He carried the ball 28 times for 175 yards in the 34-28 win, scoring a touchdown and showing the big play ability he possesses. The Eagles tabbed him as a perfect replacement for Miles Sanders and he looked like it on Thursday.

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