Photo courtesy of wbaltv.com
Welcome to the first ever edition of the Sunrise Sports Report Newsletter! These reports will act as your early newspaper every Tuesday morning to show you what you may have missed around the sporting world. For now, coverage of the NFL will be the main focus, but there will also be coverage of the NBA and potentially NHL and MLB as well down the road. So once again, thank you for reading. Now let’s not waste any time and get started!
Week 1 truly was a lie for some teams, as the saying goes. Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season proved to be a continuation of the previous week’s success or failure. So far, the games played have paved a path for parity this year, especially in the AFC, where the only remaining 2-0 teams are the AFC West’s own Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. The top of the NFC playing field is a bit more clustered as of now, but things can change quickly in this league. Let’s go over each game of Week 2 to see where the league currently stands.
New York Giants (0-2) vs Washington Football Team (1-1) (TNF)
Final: WFT-30 Giants-29
Player of the Game: Taylor Heinicke
This battle of NFC East squads came at an opportune time for both teams, both hoping to avenge week 1 losses and gain some ground in the division race.
Despite the loss, Giants QB Daniel Jones had himself a nice game throwing for 249 yards and 1 TD along with 95 yards and a score on the ground as well. Saquon Barkley only had 57 yards on 13 carries which is underwhelming for the star, so he’ll hope to have a bounce back game next week. The Giants were ultimately doomed by a controversial offsides penalty on D-lineman Dexter Lawrence II on the final snaps of the game, which resulted in a game winning field goal by WFT’s Dustin Hopkins. The Giants will face the Atlanta Falcons next week.
Taylor Heinicke battled his way to his first ever NFL win as a starting QB. Heinicke’s night finished with 336 yards, 2 TD’s and 1 INT on 46 attempts. Heinicke’s “Go To” was young star WR Terry McLaurin, who racked up 107 yards and 1 TD on 11 receptions. Washington’s defense came into the season with high expectations, but is still working towards reaching those, but Washington fans shouldn’t be worried about reaching their potential with young studs like Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, and rookie Jamin Davis to name a few. The Washington Football team will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in Week 3.
San Francisco 49ers (2-0) vs Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Final: 49ers-17 Eagles-11
Player of the Game: Nick Bosa
Stat Lines
49ers:
Jimmy Garoppolo-189 Yards, 1 Pass TD, 1 Rush TD,
Elijah Mitchell-17 carries, 42 yards
Deebo Samuel-6 Receptions 93 yards
Jauan Jennings-2 Receptions, 17 yards, 1 TD
Eagles:
Jalen Hurts-190 Yards passing, 82 Yards rushing
Miles Sanders- 13 carries, 55 yards
Quez Watkins- 2 receptions, 117 yards
Denver Broncos (2-0) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
Final: Broncos-23 Jaguars-13
Player of the Game: Courtland Sutton
Stat Lines
Broncos:
Teddy Bridgewater-328 yards, 2 TD
Javonte Williams-13 carries, 64 yards
Courtland Sutton- 9 receptions, 159 yards
Jaguars:
Trevor Lawrence-118 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
James Robinson-11 carries, 47 yards
Marvin Jones-6 receptions, 55 yards, 1TD
Los Angeles Rams (2-0) vs Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
Final: Rams-27 Colts-24
Player of the Game: Cooper Kupp
Stat Lines
Rams:
Matthew Stafford-278 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Darrell Henderson-13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD
Cooper Kupp- 9 receptions, 163 yards, 2 TD
Colts:
Carson Wentz-247 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Jacob Eason-25 yards, 1 INT
Jonathan Taylor-15 carries, 51 yards
Michael Pittman Jr.-8 Rec, 123 yards
Zach Pascal-5 Rec, 38 yards, 1 TD
New England Patriots (1-1) vs New York Jets (0-2)
Final: Patriots-25 Jets-6
Player of the Game: J.C. Jackson
Stat Lines
Patriots:
Mac Jones-22/30,186 yards
Damien Harris-16 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
James White-5 carries, 20 yards rushing, 1 TD
James White- 6 receptions, 45 yards
Jets:
Zach Wilson-210 yards, 0 TD, 4 INT
Michael Carter-11 carries, 59 yards
Braxton Berrios- 7 rec, 73 yards
Atlanta Falcons (0-2) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Final: Buccaneers-48 Falcons-25
Player of the Game: Tom Brady (Honorable Mention:Rob Gronkowski)
Stat Lines
Buccaneers:
Tom Brady-276 yards, 5 TD’s
Leonard Fournette- 11 carries, 52 yards
Mike Evans-5 Rec, 75 yards, 2 TD
Chris Godwin-4 rec, 62 yards, 1 TD
Rob Gronkowski- 4 rec, 39 yards, 2 TD
Falcons:
Matt Ryan-300 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Mike Davis-9 carries, 38 yards
Cordarrelle Patterson-7 carries, 11 yards, 1 TD Rushing/5 rec, 58 yards, 1 TD Receiving
Kyle Pitts- 5 rec, 73 yards
Calvin Ridley-7 rec, 63 yards, 1 TD
Tennessee Titans (1-1) vs Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Final: Titans-33 Seahawks-30
Player of the Game: Derrick Henry
Stat Lines
Titans:
Ryan Tannehill-27/40, 347 yards
Derrick Henry-35 carries, 182 yards, 3 TD
Julio Jones-6 rec,128 yards
Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Final: Raiders-26 Steelers-17
Player of the Game: Derek Carr (Honorable Mention: Henry Ruggs III)
Stat Lines
Raiders:
Derek Carr-382 yards, 2 TD
Peyton Barber-13 carries, 32 yards
Henry Ruggs III-5 rec, 113 yards, 1 TD
Foster Moreau-2 rec, 34 yards, 1 TD
Steelers:
Ben Roethlisberger- 295 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Najee Harris-10 carries, 38 yards/5 rec, 43 yards, 1 TD
JuJu Smith-Schuster-1 carry, 3 yards, 1 TD
Diontae Johnson-9 rec, 105 yards, 1 TD
Houston Texans (1-1) vs Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Final: Browns-31 Texans-21
Player of the Game: Nick Chubb
Stat Lines
Browns:
Baker Mayfield-213 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT/8 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD
Nick Chubb- 11 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD
Andy Janovich-2 carries, 1 TD
Demetric Felton-2 rec, 51 yards, 1 TD
Texans:
Tyrod Taylor-125 yards, 1 TD passing/1 carry, 15 yards, 1 TD
Davis Mills-102 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Mark Ingram Jr.-14 carries, 41 yards
Brandin Cooks-9 rec, 78 yards, 1 TD
Phillip Lindsay-1 rec, 22 yds, 1 TD
New Orleans Saints (1-1) vs Carolina Panthers (2-0)
Final: Panthers-26 Saints-7
Player of the Game: Christian McCaffrey
Stat Lines
Panthers:
Sam Darnold-305 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Christian McCaffrey-24 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD
D.J. Moore-8 rec, 79 yards, 1 TD
Brandon Zylstra-3 rec, 44 yards, 1 TD
Saints:
Jameis Winston-111 yards, 2 INT/3 carries, 19 yards, 1 TD
Lil’Jordan Humphrey-1 rec, 27 yards
Buffalo Bills (1-1) @ Miami Dolphins (1-1)
Final: Bills-35 Dolphins-0
Player of the Game: The Entire Bills Defense
Stat Lines
Bills:
Josh Allen-179 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Devin Singletary-13 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
Stefon Diggs-4 rec, 60 yards, 1 TD
Dawson Knox-2 rec, 17 yards, 1 TD
Dolphins:
Jacoby Brissett-169 yards, 1 INT
Tua Tagovailoa-1 /4, 13 yards
Myles Gaskin-5 carries, 25 yards
Jaylen Waddle-6 rec, 48 yards
Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) @ Chicago Bears (1-1)
Final: Bears-20 Bengals-17
Player of the Game: Roquan Smith
Stat Lines
Bears:
Andy Dalton-56 yards, 1 TD
Justin Fields-60 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
David Montgomery-20 carries, 62 yards
Darnell Mooney-6 rec, 66 yards
Allen Robinson-2 rec, 24 yards, 1 TD
Bengals:
Joe Burrow-207 Yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Joe Mixon-20 carries, 69 yards
Tyler Boyd-7 rec, 73 yards
Tee Higgins-6 rec, 60 yards, 1 TD
Ja’Marr Chase-2 rec, 54 yards, 1 TD
Minnesota Vikings (0-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-0)
Final: Cardinals-34 Vikings-33
Player of the Game: Kyler Murray
Stat Lines
Cardinals:
Kyler Murray-400 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT/5 carries, 31 yards, 1 Rush TD
Chase Edmonds-8 carries, 46 yards
Rondale Moore-7 rec, 114 yards, 1 TD
DeAndre Hopkins-4 rec, 54 yards, 1 TD
A.J. Green-3 rec, 44 yards, 1 TD
Vikings:
Kirk Cousins-244 yards, 3 TD
Dalvin Cook-22 carries, 131 yards
K.J. Osborn-5 rec, 91 yards, 1 TD
Justin Jefferson-6 rec, 65 yards, 1 TD
Adam Thielen-6 rec, 39 yards, 1 TD
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) @ Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
Final: Cowboys-20 Chargers-17
Player of the Game: Tony Pollard
Stat Lines
Cowboys:
Dak Prescott-237 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Tony Pollard-13 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD
Ezekiel Elliott-16 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD
CeeDee Lamb-8 rec, 81 yards
Chargers:
Justin Herbert-338 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Austin Ekeler-9 carries, 54 yards
Keenan Allen-4 rec, 108 yards,
Mike Williams-7 rec, 91 yards, 1 TD
Kansas City Chiefs (1-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-1) (SNF)
Final: Ravens-36 Chiefs-35
Player of the Game: Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson finally overcomes his so called “kryptonite” in Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. In a back and forth slug fest, the Ravens came out on top after rookie EDGE rusher Odafe Oweh forced and recovered a fumble on running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Jackson and the Ravens went for it on a risky 4th&1 on their own side of the field, but it payed off, as it would eventually be the dagger that sealed the deal for the Ravens, who now have their sights set on the top of the AFC, along with other contenders like the Chiefs, Bills, Browns, and Titans to name a few. The Chiefs have never lost in the month of September under the starting command of Patrick Mahomes, so Monday Night’s loss was a stunner to both them and the rest of the league, and it now leaves the #1 seed in the AFC up for grabs, which is something that could rarely be said in previous years.
Stat Lines
Ravens:
Lamar Jackson-239 yards passing, 1 TD, 2 INT/16 carries, 107 yards, 2 TD Rushing
Latavius Murray-9 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD
Marquise Brown-6 rec, 113 yards, 1 TD
Chiefs:
Patrick Mahomes II-343 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Clyde Edwards-Helaire-13 carries, 46 yards
Darrel Williams-3 carries, -2 yards, 1 TD
Travis Kelce-7 rec, 109 yards, 1 TD
Byron Pringle-2 rec, 63 yards, 1 TD
Demarcus Robinson-3 rec, 46 yards, 1 TD
Detroit Lions (0-2) @ Green Bay Packers (1-1) (MNF)
Final: Packers-35 Lions-17
Player of the Game: Aaron Jones (Honorable mention: Aaron Rodgers)
Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers had a bounce back week from an abysmal week 1 performance against the Saints. Both Rodgers and Aaron Jones were in sync with the offense tonight, showing total domination early into the second half. As Aaron Rodgers likes to tell people, R-E-L-A-X. Despite the offseason drama surrounding Rodgers and his desire to leave the franchise he’s been with his entire career, the Packers seem to be preparing for another deep playoff run and a shot to compete for Title Town’s 5’th Lombardi trophy. As for the Lions, despite their 0-2 record, Dan Campbell seems to have brought a culture of battling until the clock hits 0:00, which can be seen as a glimpse of what’s to come in Detroit’s future, once they get a roster that meets their standards.
Stat Lines
Packers:
Aaron Rodgers-255 yards, 4 TD
Aaron Jones-17 carries, 67 yards, 1 Rush TD/6 rec, 48 yards, 3 TD
Davante Adams-8 rec, 121 yards
Robert Tonyan-3 rec, 52 yards, 1 TD
Lions:
Jared Goff-246 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT/4 carries 46 yards rushing
T.J. Hockenson-8 rec, 66 yards, 1 TD
Quintez Cephus-4 rec, 63 yards, 1 TD