NFL Week 2 of the 2026 season delivered a chaotic mix of historic milestones, crushing defensive masterclasses, and key quarterback setbacks. From record-tying wins to shocking offensive collapses, Sunday’s slate of games completely reshaped our expectations for the season.
Here is the breakdown of the most critical storylines you need to know from yesterday's action.
Historic Milestones on the Rise
Several quarterbacks etched their names next to NFL legends on Sunday. In Dallas, Dak Prescott led the Cowboys past the Commanders, marking his 20th consecutive home win against NFC East opponents. This dominant stretch ties him with Tom Brady (2007-2014) for the longest divisional home winning streak since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
Meanwhile, San Francisco's Brock Purdy put on a clinic against the Miami Dolphins. Purdy completed all 10 of his downfield pass attempts for 211 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a 149.1 passer rating. This stellar outing marks his eighth career game with a 140+ passer rating, tying Joe Montana for the second-most in 49ers history.
Caleb Williams Injured as Bears Collapse
The biggest concern of the day emerged in Chicago. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was forced to exit the Bears' loss to the Minnesota Vikings late in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. Minnesota’s defense relentlessly pressured the young signal-caller, blitzing him on 27 of his 33 dropbacks (81.8%)—one of the highest defensive blitz rates recorded since 2018.
This aggressive pressure completely neutralized Chicago's offense. After exploding for 59 points in Week 1, the Bears managed just three points against the Vikings. This 56-point decline represents the second-largest drop-off from Week 1 to Week 2 in NFL history.
Defensive Dominance and QB Struggles
In New England, the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers offense hit a wall against the Patriots' defense. Stifled by heavy blitzing, the Steelers managed only three points, tying for the second-fewest in a game started by Rodgers. It was Rodgers' fifth consecutive start with one or fewer passing touchdowns.
Conversely, the Cincinnati Bengals' defense made franchise history by holding the Houston Texans without a single touchdown. The stellar performance snapped a 65-game streak of allowing at least one touchdown—previously the longest active streak in the NFL.
