MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 15: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a rushing touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
The season isn't over after just two weeks, but if it were, the New Orleans Saints would be at the top of the NFL mountain for 2024. The Saints have solidified their place — at least for this early point in the season — at the head of the NFL table with a 44-19 win at Dallas. Alvin Kamara had a monster game with 115 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, and he added a receiving touchdown as well.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson had the monster play of the early window, with a 97-yard touchdown catch in Minnesota's 23-17 win over the 49ers, who were without Christian McCaffrey for a second straight week to start the season. Sam Darnold threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
In Charlotte, the Chargers moved to 2-0, with a 26-3 win over the Panthers. J.K. Dobbins career second act has been off to a good start with a second-straight 100-yard (131 yards) effort to open the season. The Panthers' struggles continue with Carolina only able to muster 159 yards of offense.
Second-year Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston has caught his second TD of the day, equaling the total number of touchdowns he caught over his entire rookie year.
Aidan Hutchinson will knock you over. If you are between him and the opposing quarterback, he will put you on the ground. If you are the opposing quarterback, well, good luck. He just got his third sack of the day for the Lions, and the second quarter hasn't even started yet.
A sack hat trick in the FIRST QUARTER for @aidanhutch97... 😳🎩
It's still early, but QB Derek Carr and the Saints are seemingly scoring at will on the Dallas Cowboys. Carr launches a monster 70-yarder to Rashid Shaheed, who catches it and runs in for the TD. They made that look easy.
This Chargers touchdown came just a few plays after the refs overturned a fumble, allowing LA to keep the ball. Are the Chargers blessed, or are the Panthers cursed?
Another year, another fan stampede at the Cowboys game
Dallas Cowboys fans are starting things off the way they often do: with a dramatic stampede through the door of AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys are one of few NFL teams with general admission tickets, resulting in the now-annual tradition of fans busting their way through the doors as soon as the stadium opens.
Cowboys fans might be excited for the home opener 😅
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram injured his hamstring during pregame warmups and will not play in Week 2's matchup versus the Browns, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapaport.
Potentially significant: #Jaguars TE Evan Engram injured his hamstring in pregame warmups and has been ruled out for today's game.
D.J. Reed, Kenneth Walker III, Jake Ferguson, Jordan Love among Week 2 inactives
Also among the notable inactives for Week 2: Jets corner D.J. Reed, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III, Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson and Packers QB Jordan Love, via ESPN's Field Yates.
Officially active: Jameson Williams Jayden Reed
Officially inactive: Jordan Love Kenneth Walker III Jake Ferguson Josh Downs Marshon Lattimore D.J. Reed
Tax cuts do not appear to be fuelling a spending spree, with tickets to AFL and NRL Grand Finals the only source of discretionary spending in September.
Randal Kolo Muani scored a double as France beat Belgium 2-1 in their Nations League clash in Brussels, and Germany beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Munich.
Tasmania's minority Liberals have elected former senator Guy Barnett as deputy premier after his predecessor resigned in the face of a no-confidence motion.
The NSW government will cap rent increases to one per year and there will be fewer grounds for refusal of pets under reforms to be introduced into parliament.
Australia has called Iran's missile strike on Israel a 'dangerous escalation' of the Middle East conflict, announcing sanctions on Iranian military figures.
Cameroon and Algeria have secured places in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but Nigeria's game with Libya appears off with the Super Eagles returning home.
The first big move of the AFL trade period might have fallen over, with Port Adelaide baulking at the deal that was to send Dan Houston to Collingwood.
Jason Geria and Thomas Deng have both played right-back for Melbourne Victory and are happy to compete against each other for a Socceroos berth against Japan.
The Labor government says Queensland's opposition will have to cut 17,000 jobs in its first term to fulfil an election promise and eliminate the state deficit.
World Rugby's plan for to dismissed players to be replaced after 20 minutes elapses has met with opposition in France with player safety cited as a concern.
Pakistan have insisted "there is a plan" as they attempt to level the series against England after a humbling first Test loss on the same Multan wicket.
