Scully's NFL Notebook: Jackson has been Lamarvelous for Baltimore

Week 2 of the NFL season featured wild wins by Arizona, Baltimore, Dallas, Tennessee, and Washington, and the new taunting rule continues to be a talking point following a number of controversial calls.

Let’s examine those stories and more in this week's NFL Notebook.

Unbeaten ranks include surprises

Who thought Denver and Las Vegas would be the only remaining unbeaten AFC teams after Week 2? Six of the seven playoff teams from last year – Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee – have opened 1-1, and Indianapolis is winless.

Three of the five unbeaten NFC teams – Arizona, Carolina, and San Francisco – missed the playoffs in 2020.

NFC West teams are a combined 7-1, the lone setback belonging to Seattle, which coughed up a 14-point fourth quarter lead and lost to Tennessee in overtime.

Lamarvelous

Lamar Jackson put Baltimore on his back Sunday evening, leading a furious comeback to erase an 11-point fourth quarter deficit and edge Kansas City 36-35. Along with throwing for 239 yards and a touchdown, the 2019 MVP rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

Jackson extended his NFL record, recording a fifth career 200-yard passing and 100-yard rushing performance, and showed tremendous resolve overcoming a pair of first quarter interceptions.

Injuries have exacted a severe toll upon Baltimore this season, but Jackson always makes the Ravens relevant.

Brady aiming for single-season TD record

After tossing five touchdowns against Atlanta in Week 2, Tom Brady is on pace to throw 77 TDs in 2021.

The 44-year-old quarterback won’t maintain the torrid pace, but Peyton Manning’s single-season touchdown mark (55 in 2013) is attainable in the new 17-game regular season.

Tampa Bay piles up points, recently establishing a new record by scoring at least 30 in nine straight wins, and Brady has outstanding receivers at his disposal. He completed throws to 10 different players in Week 2.

Raiders bring pressure

Las Vegas has won both games as an underdog, defeating Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and an improved pass rush is making an enormous difference.

After generating only 21 sacks in 2020 (29th among teams), the Raiders already have five this year. They pressured Lamar Jackson in Week 1, forcing fumbles in the fourth quarter and overtime, and the ferocious defense led the way by recording 10 hits on Ben Roethlisberger in Sunday’s 26-17 victory.

NFL Game of Week

Despite winning the Super Bowl, Tampa Bay entered 2021 with the 31st easiest schedule based upon opponents’ 2020 win percentage. The Buccaneers face arguably their toughest test of the season when they take on the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday.

LA is a slight home underdog in the game of the week, and it’s a big one for new quarterback Matt Stafford.