NFL 2013 Week 2: A Look Back at the Week that Was

The second week of the 2013 NFL season continued the trend of exciting finishes and close games.

Ten of the 16 games in Week 2 were decided by seven points or fewer, bringing the season total to 22. That is the most through Week 2 in NFL history.

The most games decided by seven points or fewer through Week 2 in NFL history:

Season Games Decided by 7 Points or Less
Source: NFL
201322
201019
200018
Many tied17

 

Eleven of those games finished within three points or fewer, tying for the most such games through Week 2 in NFL history.

The most games decided by three points or fewer through Week 2 in NFL history:

Games Decided by 3 Points or Less
Source: NFL
201311
199711
198811
200710
200010
199910

 

Comebacks Galore

In Week 2, six teams came back from fourth-quarter deficits to win. There have been 14 fourth-quarter comebacks so far, tied for the most through Week 2 of any season in NFL history (1997).

The most fourth-quarter comebacks through the first two weeks of a season:

Season 4th Quarter Comebacks
Source: NFL
201314
199714
197911
Many tied10

 

The six teams that trailed during the fourth quarter in Week 2 that came back to win:

Winning Team Opponent 4th Quarter Deficit Game Result
Source: NFL
BuffaloCarolina23-17W 24-23
ChicagoMinnesota30-24W 31-30
HoustonTennessee24-16W 30-24 (OT)
San DiegoPhiladelphia27-23W 33-30
ArizonaDetroit21-19W 25-21
SaintsTampa Bay14-13W 16-14

 

No Need To Panic

Following Week 2, eight teams -- Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Patriots, Saints and Seattle -- have a perfect 2-0 record. That leaves 24 clubs with 1-1 or 0-2 records.

Since realignment in 2002, 79 of the 132 playoff teams (58.8 percent) began the year at either 1-1 or 0-2, including the Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens in 2012.

A look at how playoff teams in 2011 and 2012 began their seasons:

2011 2012
Team After 2 Games Playoff Result Team After 2 Games Playoff Result
Source: NFL
Atlanta1-1Advanced to Wild CardAtlanta2-0Advanced to Conf. Champ.
Baltimore1-1Advanced to Conf. Champ.Baltimore1-1Won Super Bowl XLVII
Cincinnati1-1Advanced to Wild CardCincinnati1-1Advanced to Wild Card
Denver1-1Advanced to DivisionalDenver1-1Advanced to Divisional
Detroit2-0Advanced to Wild CardGreen Bay1-1Advanced to Divisional
Green Bay2-0Advanced to Divisional Houston2-0Advanced to Divisional
Houston2-0Advanced to DivisionalIndianapolis1-1Advanced to Wild Card
Patriots2-0Advanced to Super Bowl XLVIMinnesota1-1Advanced to Wild Card
Saints1-1Advanced to DivisionalPatriots1-1Advanced to Conf. Champ.
Giants1-1Won Super Bowl XLVISan Francisco2-0Advanced to Super Bowl XLVII
Pittsburgh1-1Advanced to Wild CardSeattle1-1Advanced to Divisional
49ers1-1Advanced to Conf. Champ.Washington1-1Advanced to Wild Card

 

Passing Frenzy

Week 2 featured 11 individual 300-yard passing games, bringing the season total to 23. That is tied for the most 300-yard passing games through Week 2 in NFL history (23 in 2011).

Season Most 300-Yard Passing Games Through Week 2
Source: NFL
201323
201123
201218
199414
200913

 

NFL quarterbacks have also thrown 111 touchdown passes through Week 2, the most combined TD passes through the first two weeks of any season in NFL history. The previous high was 108 in 2011.

Season Most Combined Passing Touchdowns Through Week 2
Source: NFL
2013111
2011108
201297
199497
200294
198794

 

Fresh Start

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Dallas Cowboys 17-16 to reach 2-0 after finishing the 2012 season 2-14. The Chiefs are the fifth team in NFL history to start a season 2-0 after losing 14 or more games the previous season.

The teams to start 2-0 after finishing the previous season with 14+ loses:

Team Year Previous Season Record Record After 2 Games Final Record
Source:
Chiefs20132-142-0???
Panthers20021-152-07-9
Chargers20011-152-05-11
Lions19802-142-09-7
49ers19802-142-06-10

 

Young Bernard

Cincinnati rookie running back GIOVANI BERNARD had a seven-yard touchdown run and a 27-yard TD reception in the Bengals 20-10 win over Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football. Bernard is the first Bengal rookie to have a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game since November 19, 1989 (CRAIG TAYLOR).

Manning Bowl

Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos' 41-23 win over the New York Giants. Peyton Manning (60,256) became the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 60,000 career passing yards, joining BRETT FAVRE (71,838) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (61,361). Manning, who accomplished the feat in his 226th game, is the fastest to reach the milestone.

Manning has nine touchdown passes this season, tied with CHARLEY JOHNSON (1965) and DREW BREES (2009) for the most through the first two weeks of the season. Manning is the only player in NFL history to have nine passing touchdowns and no interceptions through the first two weeks of a season.

The players with the most touchdown passes through Week 2 of an NFL season:

Player Team Season TD Passes
Source:
Peyton ManningDenver Broncos20139
Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints20099
Charley JohnsonSt. Louis Cardinals19659
Many tied 

 

8

 

The game also marked the first time in NFL history that the starting quarterbacks each passed for at least 400 yards in the previous week. In Week 1, Peyton Manning passed for 462 yards and the Giants' ELI MANNING had 450 passing yards.

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NFL 2013 Week 2: A Look Back at the Week that Was