NFL Week 2: Records in Reach, Horseshoes Heating, and Rookie Sparks Flying

As Week 2 of the NFL season looms, fans across the league are bracing for milestones, streaks, and history-in-the-making storylines that could rewrite the record books. From quarterback legs to rushing kings and tight end rookies making waves, the gridiron is primed for fireworks this weekend. Let’s break down the key “what to watch” headlines.

Quarterback Efficiency: Air and Ground Command

Week 1 was all about clean passing lines, with only 16 interceptions thrown league-wide — the fewest in an opening week since the 1970 merger. If Week 2 sees 24 or fewer picks, it will set a new standard for the lowest combined total through two weeks in NFL history.

Meanwhile, QBs aren’t just slinging — they’re sprinting. Four quarterbacks (Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, and new Colt Daniel Jones) each found the end zone twice with their legs in Week 1. Another two-touchdown ground performance from any of them this week would match Cam Newton’s record for back-to-back rushing sprees to open a season. Keep an eye on Allen against the Jets, as one more game with both a pass and a rush TD would tie Newton for the most such games in NFL history (45).

Colts, Broncos and the Stat Sheet Showdown

Locally, the Indianapolis Colts are in the middle of a record-setting groove. In Week 1, they became the first team in nearly half a century to score on every offensive possession of a game. If Indy keeps that rhythm going with scores on their first three possessions against Denver, the Horseshoes would become the first team ever to score on their first 10 drives to open a season.

But the Broncos bring their own brand of heat — literally. After leading the NFL in sacks last year, Denver tallied six more in Week 1. If they match that number again Sunday, the Orange Crush joins a rare group with back-to-back six-sack games to open a season, a feat accomplished by only five defenses in history.

Rodgers, Stafford, and the Climb Up the All-Time Ladder

Pittsburgh’s new signal-caller Aaron Rodgers hasn’t lost a step. With 507 career touchdowns, he’s just two away from passing Brett Favre (508) for 4th all-time. One vintage performance against Buffalo, and Rodgers would slot behind Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady in the league’s golden cannon club.

Meanwhile, Rams veteran Matthew Stafford (378 career TDs) needs three scoring tosses against Tennessee to tie Matt Ryan for 9th on the all-time list. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in tow, that mark is well within reach.

Derrick Henry’s Rushing Royalty

Now wearing Baltimore purple, Derrick Henry reminded everyone in Week 1 why he’s still the NFL’s bulldozer, churning out 169 rushing yards and two TDs. That outing tied him with Adrian Peterson for the third-most career games (28) of 2+ rushing TDs. Another pair this weekend, and Henry will trail only LaDainian Tomlinson (38) and Emmitt Smith (36).

If King Henry eclipses 150 yards again, he’ll tie Peterson for fourth-most 150-yard games in league history (19). For perspective: only Sanders (25), Brown (22), and Payton (20) have more. Henry is literally stomping his way into Canton territory.

Remarkable Rookies: Catching Fire

Week 1 saw rookies snag 76 receptions, the second-most ever in an opening weekend. That puts the 2025 class on pace to join the likes of 2023 and 2017 as the most productive starts for first-year pass catchers.

Cleveland’s Harold Fannin and Indy’s own Tyler Warren each hauled in seven catches in their debuts, joining an exclusive club of tight ends with such a hot start. Another strong showing in Week 2, and they’ll enter the record books alongside legends like Brock Bowers, Keith Jackson, and Sam LaPorta for receptions through two games.

Over in Tampa Bay, rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka already has two touchdowns in his first career game, including a last-minute game-winner. If he finds the paint twice more on Monday Night Football, he’ll be the first rookie in NFL history with multiple TDs in each of his first two games.

Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua and the Wideout Watch

Vikings star Justin Jefferson enters Sunday Night Football needing just one catch to reach 500 career receptions, which would tie Larry Fitzgerald as the youngest player ever to do so (26 years, 90 days). Jefferson’s pace continues to redefine what a prime looks like.

Not to be outdone, Rams sensation Puka Nacua is already closing in on rare air. With six catches this week, he’ll become the second-fastest player ever to reach 200 receptions in his first 30 games (behind only Odell Beckham Jr.). If he tallies 131 receiving yards, he’ll tie Jefferson for second-most yards through 30 games, trailing only Beckham’s blistering 3,035.

Bottom Line

From quarterback dual-threat dominance to Henry’s hammer runs and rookies rewriting the script, Week 2 is loaded with storylines that could shake the stat sheets. And here in Indy, all eyes are on whether Daniel Jones and the Colts can keep their perfect-possession streak alive while holding off a Denver defense that lives in the backfield.

The NFL may only be in its second week, but the chase for history is already in full sprint — and the race to Canton resumes with every snap.