Three players deliver signature performances that defined the AFC’s most thrilling week
NEW YORK, NY – Week 2 of the NFL season delivered unforgettable moments across the AFC, with three players rising above the competition to claim Player of the Week honors. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, and New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson each delivered performances that not only secured victories but showcased the elite talent that defines today’s NFL.
Jonathan Taylor: The Comeback King Returns to Form
After a tumultuous 2024 season filled with contract disputes and injury concerns, Jonathan Taylor reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the NFL’s premier running backs. His dominant performance against Denver wasn’t just impressive – it was historically significant.
Taylor’s 215 scrimmage yards (165 rushing, 50 receiving) led the entire league in Week 2, while his touchdown reception helped propel Indianapolis to a thrilling 29-28 victory. The win marked the Colts’ first 2-0 start since 2009, a drought that speaks to the franchise’s recent struggles.
“Jonathan showed exactly what we knew he was capable of,” said one team insider. “When he’s healthy and motivated, there aren’t many players in this league who can match his combination of power and explosiveness.”
The performance made Taylor the first player this season to record both 150+ rushing yards and a touchdown reception – a feat he’s accomplished multiple times since entering the NFL in 2020. His fourth career Offensive Player of the Week award ties him with Hall of Famer Edgerrin James as the only non-quarterbacks in Colts history to earn the honor at least four times.
NFL News:
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- NFL and iHeartMedia Unveil Expanded Podcast Network for 2025 Season
Roquan Smith: Defensive Dominance in Baltimore
While Taylor was making headlines with his offensive explosion, Roquan Smith was quietly orchestrating one of the most complete defensive performances of the young season. His stat line against Cleveland reads like a video game: 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a 63-yard fumble recovery touchdown.
Smith’s performance was the cornerstone of Baltimore’s dominant 41-17 victory over the Browns, a win that established the Ravens as early AFC contenders. His 15 tackles led the league, while his three tackles for loss tied for the weekly lead.
The fumble recovery touchdown was the exclamation point on a masterful performance. Smith’s ability to not only create turnovers but convert them into points exemplifies the game-changing impact elite linebackers can have.
This marks Smith’s first career Defensive Player of the Week award, making him the first Raven to earn the honor since Kyle Hamilton in Week 16 of 2023. More significantly, he becomes the first Ravens linebacker to win since Justin Houston in 2022.
Antonio Gibson: Special Teams Game-Changer
Perhaps no performance was more unexpected than Antonio Gibson’s special teams explosion for New England. The running back-turned-returner delivered when the Patriots needed it most, returning six kickoffs for a league-leading 171 yards against Miami.
Gibson’s crown jewel was a 90-yard touchdown return that gave New England the lead in the fourth quarter of their eventual 33-27 victory. The return marked the season’s first kick-return touchdown and ranks as the seventh-longest since the NFL introduced dynamic kickoff rules in 2024.
“Antonio’s return completely changed the momentum of the game,” explained a Patriots source. “In a league where special teams often get overlooked, he reminded everyone how one play can determine an outcome.”
Gibson’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given the rarity of running backs excelling in special teams. He joins an exclusive group of Patriots running backs to win Special Teams Player of the Week, including Dion Lewis (2017), Laurence Maroney (2006), and David Meggett (1996).
Historical Context and Broader Impact
These three performances represent more than individual excellence – they showcase the diverse ways players can impact winning. Taylor’s offensive versatility, Smith’s defensive completeness, and Gibson’s special teams explosiveness all contributed directly to victories.
For Taylor, the performance validates his return to elite form after a challenging 2024 season. Smith, it establishes him as one of the AFC’s premier defensive playmakers. For Gibson, it demonstrates the value of versatility in today’s NFL.
As the season progresses, these Week 2 performances will likely be remembered as defining moments for three players who seized their opportunities when it mattered most.
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