The NFL season is well and truly underway. And with it is a full slate of headline-grabbing quotes.
Players and coaches holding court after they complete a hard-earned win never fails to offer some of the best perspective on the week's games. From celebration commands to lofty player comparisons, the NFL's second week was no different.
And just like Week 1, the "Sunday Night Football" matchup came down to the wire. Down by 19-13 against the Houston Texans , the Chicago Bears regained possession with 1:37 left in the game with a chance to win it. But, the Texans got the stop, stamping a strong defense performance that included seven sacks.
After the game, wide receiver Nico Collins -- who had eight receptions for 135 yards and a score -- reflected on receiving his first game ball.
"Sunday night too. It's no blessing, better feeling than this. I'm speechless right now. Without this, I couldn't do it without [No.] 7 [ C.J. Stroud ]," he said.
Here are the top "Voices of Victory" from Week 2 around the league.
"I've never had to throw with vomit on a football... Malik probably didn't appreciate that."
Nobody can say the Green Bay Packers didn't leave it all out on the field in their win over the Indianapolis Colts .
A defensive slugfest saw the two teams combine for just 26 total points, but the Packers dug deep to defend home turf in the win. In the second quarter, digging deep even entailed fighting through midplay sickness -- center Josh Myers threw up on the ball in the second quarter before snapping to Green Bay's new quarterback, Malik Willis .
Unsurprisingly, Willis opted to not try to throw said ball, eventually running out of bounds after a short scramble.
Coach Matt LaFleur said after the game the moment made for an amusing interaction with the officials, who asked if he'd like to have them sub out Myers should the situation occur again.
"Everyone knows Russ got done dirty here."
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a unique post-win tradition: petty game balls.
Said balls are awarded to players on the team who used to play for the Steelers' opposition in a given victory. Pittsburgh dispatched the Denver Broncos 13-6 on Sunday, and ex-Broncos Russell Wilson and Brandon Johnson each received petty game balls. After the game, Steelers quarterback Justin Fields kept things frank about Wilson's former situation in Denver.
"Derrick Henry ... ish"
Rookie running back Braelon Allen enjoyed a breakout day in the New York Jets' win over the Tennessee Titans , reaching the end zone via a rush and reception.
Allen, born in 2004, became the first player aged 20 or younger to score a touchdown in an NFL game since JuJu Smith-Schuster accomplished the feat in 2017 as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After the game, Allen's play drew a lofty comparison from his teammate Tyler Conklin -- even if the tight end made sure to add a slight modifier.
"This football team is not a joke"
Few teams made a statement in Week 2 like the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings' season-opening cruise over a struggling New York Giants squad didn't turn many heads. Their 23-17 victory over the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers , though? That made some waves around the league.
Sam Darnold threw for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Minnesota racked up over 400 yards of total offense. Unsurprisingly, proud coach Kevin O'Connell emphatically defended his team's quality after the big win.
"No more flips"
After three consecutive injury-affected seasons, running back J.K. Dobbins seems to have regained his strong rookie season form under new scenery.
Dobbins signed with the Chargers over the offseason, and through two games has thrived for Jim Harbaugh's new-look squad. After 131 rushing yards in his Chargers debut last week, Dobbins went for 135 yards on the ground in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers .
He added an exclamation mark to his best run of the day, a 43-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter, somersaulting into the end zone -- which led to a light-hearted order from Los Angeles' general manager.
"We respected them, but we didn't crown them"
Speaking of statement wins, the Las Vegas Raiders notched one of their own, coming from behind late to take down the Baltimore Ravens on the road.
Davante Adams led the way for Las Vegas, catching nine passes for 110 yards -- the most important of which being a one-yard score that tied the game in the fourth quarter. Daniel Carlson would seal the deal, connecting on a 38-yard field goal as time expired.
After the game, star defensive end Maxx Crosby spoke about the Raiders' confident and prepared mentality entering the difficult matchup.
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