Week 2 takeaways and big questions: Patriots' big day, Bills' blowout and a shocker for the Saints
New England and Buffalo dominated, while New Orleans looked out of sorts. Here's what to know and what it means going forward for every Week 2 game.
2021 Schedule
2021 Schedule
1-1, 1st in NFC North
- 8/14W 20-13
- 8/21L 41-15
- 8/28W 27-24
- 9/12L 34-14
- 9/19W 20-17
- 9/26
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/3
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/10
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/17
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/24
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/31
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/8
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/21
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/25h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 12/5
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/12h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 12/20
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/26
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/2
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/9h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- Full Schedule
Fields takes over for injured Dalton, Bears beat Bengals
— Justin Fields got his first extended look as a pro. And it might be a long-term arrangement.
Bears' Roquan Smith picks off Joe Burrow, returns for TD
The Bears' defense rose up in the fourth quarter with three interceptions.
Burrow throws 3 INTs on 3 straight passes (0:30)
Fields replaces injured Dalton, 'can play better'
With Andy Dalton sidelined by a knee injury, Bears rookie QB Justin Fields took over Sunday against the Bengals.
Dalton comes up hobbling after scramble outside (0:26)
Dalton hits Robinson for the early Bears touchdown (0:24)
With the Bears facing the Bengals' Joe Burrow, the topic of starting Justin Fields rages on
Bears fans see rookie QBs starting elsewhere, so why wait on Fields? But it's not always that simple, as ESPN's Bears and Bengals reporters discuss.
Say what? The best quotes overheard in Week 1 of the NFL season
The New Orleans Saints bear a striking resemblance to AFC Richmond? T.J. Watt needs to pay up? Jon Gruden lived multiple lives on Monday night? Here's what was said in a wild Week 1.
Bears offer small glimpse of Justin Fields' potential
The rookie quarterback played just five snaps, but he did more than enough to whet the appetite of fans searching for optimism.
Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus which rookies made the best first impression
DeVonta Smith found the end zone, Mac Jones showed poise for the Pats, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka made his mark on the veteran Super Bowl champs.
Grading rookie quarterback debuts: NFL execs on what they saw from Jones, Lawrence and Wilson
How did the rookie starters look in Week 1? What did Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones do well -- and not so well? Plus, when will Trey Lance and Justin Fields start?
Week 1 takeaways, big questions: Cards' offensive explosion, Bills' letdown and Darnold's revenge
Arizona lit it up on offense, Sam Darnold rolled against his old Jets team and the Bills looked ... off. Here's what to know and what it means going forward for every Week 1 game.
FiveThirtyEight: Week 1 Of The NFL Season Already Has Us Changing Our Minds
(Sara Ziegler, sports editor): The NFL is back once again, and we got the gang back together for another season of our Slack chats.
Clark: Bears need to start Justin Fields now (1:00)
Jameis, Justin Fields and the Browns, oh my: What you might have missed in a wild Week 1
And just like that, NFL football is back. From Carolina's debut of its mixed-reality panther (and its new QB1) to the Browns keeping a certain undesirable streak alive, here's what you might have missed from a jam-packed first NFL Sunday of the season.
Stafford leads LA Rams past Bears 34-14 in dynamic debut
— Matthew Stafford's second pass for the Los Angeles Rams traveled 53 majestic yards through the air and dropped right into the hands of Van Jefferson, who fell down untouched, stood up and scored.
Justin Fields scores first NFL touchdown to draw Bears closer to Rams
Fields scored on his first NFL carry, taking it in from 3 yards out to bring the Bears within a touchdown of the Rams.
Graziano & Fowler predict Week 1 surprises, fantasy sleepers, more: Are the Chiefs on upset watch?
Could a pair of AFC contenders be in for a long Week 1? Which running backs might have a tough week? Our insiders weigh in.
QBs Jones, Fields move jerseys in season run-up
Mac Jones and Justin Fields have two of the top-five-selling NFL jerseys since Aug. 1, according to Fanatics, with Bills quarterback Josh Allen leading the way at No. 1.
Why Bears are confident a healthy Khalil Mack is primed for a huge year
The Bears strongly believe Mack still plays on Aaron Donald’s ultra-elite level, even though -- on paper -- Mack’s overall production has cooled.
The hypothetical that has Orlovsky ready to fire the entire Bears staff (1:45)
Barnwell makes Super Bowl cases for every team: Why there's at least one scenario for all 32
Think your favorite team has no shot at a title this season? Think again. Let's count them down, from the worst squad to the best.
32 NFL teams, 32 bold predictions and breakout candidates: What you need to know this season
The 2021 NFL season is nearly here. Our NFL Nation reporters have you covered with intel and projections on all 32 teams.
We simulated the entire 2021 NFL season: Biggest storylines, Super Bowl projection, more
We played out one of our Football Power Index's 20,000 season sims, from Week 1 through Super Bowl LVI, with playoff races, surprises and more.
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2021 NFC North Standings
2021 Team Leaders
- Offense
- Defense
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Receiving Yards
Tackles
Sacks
Team Stats
Passing Yards135.5
Rushing Yards128.5
Points For17.0Tied-28th
Points Against25.5Tied-17th
2021 Draft Picks
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(11) | Justin Fields | QB | Ohio State |
| 2(7) | Teven Jenkins | OT | Oklahoma State |
| 5(7) | Larry Borom | OT | Missouri |
| 6(33) | Khalil Herbert | RB | Virginia Tech |
| 6(37) | Dazz Newsome | WR | North Carolina |
| 6(44) | Thomas Graham Jr. | CB | Oregon |
| 7(23) | Khyiris Tonga | DT | BYU |