Vincent Frank
NFL quarterback performances were all over the place during Week 2 of the 2023 season. On one hand, the likes of Zach Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo struggled big time.
We’re going to focus on the positives in this article. Josh Allen responded from a disastrous Week 1 performance to help his Buffalo Bills to a blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
On Thursday night, Kirk Cousins did everything possible to keep his Minnesota Vikings in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He performed well in defeat.
Related: Love Fantasy Sports? Get Top FREE Insights From One Of The World’s Best Players Today!
Without further ado, here is a look at the best NFL quarterback performances from Week 2.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
- Kirk Cousins stats (Week 2): 31-of-44 passing, 364 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 125.6 QB rating
Some will call Cousins a garbage-time stat padder. While that might be true to an extent, this wasn’t the case Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. Playing without any real running game (28 yards on nine attempts), the underrated signal caller did everything possible to keep Philadelphia afloat in what ended up being a 34-28 road loss.
With Minnesota down 27-7 in the third quarter, Cousins threw three touchdown passes over the final 24 minutes of the game. That included a 62-yard strike to Jordan Addision as well as scores to K.J. Osborn and T.J. Hockenson. This span saw the Vikings tally 242 total yards. Unfortunately, four giveaways cost Minnesota. In no way does that take away from what Cousins was able to do despite losing a fumble himself.
Related: Worst NFL quarterback performances from Week 2
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
- C.J. Stroud stats (Week 2): 30-of-47 passing, 384 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 103.5 QB rating
Stroud’s second career regular-season start was not perfect by any means. The former Ohio State star was sacked six times and lost a fumble. With that said, he came up with big play after big play in a 31-20 loss to the Colts.
Stroud completed 20-of-28 targets to Nico Collins, Robert Woods and Tank Dell for 292 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Without anywhere near a No. 1 receiving option, he spread the ball around at a great clip. It represented the best NFL quarterback performance from a rookie thus far this season. It wasn’t necessarily that close.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
- Geno Smith stats (Week 2): 32-of-41 passing, 328 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 116.3 QB rating
The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year was not terrible in Seattle’s season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Smith completed 16-of-26 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions. However, he needed to step up against the Lions on the road in Week 2. Boy, did Smith do just that.
In addition to that game-winning touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett in overtime, Smith was on one throughout a high-scoring affair that ended in a 37-31 overtime win. That included connecting with Lockett and DK Metcalf on 14-of-16 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns (141.2 QB rating). This seems pretty good.
Related: Ranking all 32 NFL starting QBs heading into Week 3
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen stats (Week 2): 31-of-37 passing, 274 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 124.5 QB rating
Rightfully so, Allen was criticized big time after a four-turnover performance in Buffalo’s season-opening loss to the New York Jets. Taking to the friendly confines of Western New York in Week 2, the star quarterback turned things around big time. This included an 11-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir late in the second quarter to give the Bills a two-score lead over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.
After struggling to maintain drives the previous week, Allen led the Bills on three touchdown drives of 75-plus yards in Week 2. It helped Buffalo double up the time of possession advantage of Vegas in what was a blowout 38-10 win. Perhaps, Allen is all the way back. Then again, we’re talking about the Raiders. Next week against a good Washington Commanders defense will be more telling.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
- Dak Prescott stats (Week 2): 31-of-38 passing, 255 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 112.2 QB rating
For the first time since back in 2021, Prescott has gone consecutive games without a turnover. It’s something he focused on after leading the NFL with 15 interceptions a season ago. Going up against an elite Jets defense, most figured Prescott’s turnover-prone ways would continue.
About that? The embattled quarterback missed on just seven of 38 pass attempts. Surprisingly, both of Prescott’s touchdowns went to tight ends. Though, he did complete 11-of-13 passes to CeeDee Lamb for 143 yards. The end result was one of the best NFL quarterback performances from Week 2 and a dominating 30-10 win.
