Each week, the Around The NFL crew will choose the plays that defined Sunday.
Lured away from premature retirement, middle linebacker Rolando McClain is leading a Dallas Cowboys defense that has exceeded meager expectations through two weeks. The highlight of Sunday's 26-10 victory over the Titans was McClain's circus catch on an interception that would have gone for a touchdown if the officials had ruled it correctly from the beginning of the play. -- Chris Wesseling
Bengals safety George Iloka was the defensive star with a pair of interceptions against Matt Ryan. His most pivotal play, however, was tearing the ball away from Julio Jones on a deep ball that would have given the Falcons a 10-3 lead in the second quarter. The Bengals went on to score three unanswered touchdowns, putting the game out of reach and winning 24-10. -- Chris Wesseling
Cam Newton's touchdown dart to Jason Avant was a microcosm of how the Carolina Panthers empathically answered every question fans fretted about this offseason. Would Cam be healthy? That fastball should tell you. Offensive line issues? Newton had all day to throw. Nondescript receiving corps? Avant and Jerricho Cotchery fit the Panthers' style perfectly. -- Kevin Patra
Cleveland's defense "made it their mission" to shut down the Saints' downfield passing game while putting the heat on Drew Brees. Mission accomplished as the Browns held rookie Brandin Cooks to 17 yards off three catches and shut out wideout Marques Colston. Three minutes before the half, Brees was 7 of 13 for 23 yards with this pick six to Browns safety Tashaun Gipson. -- Marc Sessler
We can't get out of the Saints-Browns stunner without shining a light on Jimmy Graham. Spending most of Sunday locked in battle with Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden, the Saints tight end used his size and freaky athleticism to haul in 10 grabs for 118 yards and twoscores. The one-man show out of New Orleans very nearly won the game by himself. -- Marc Sessler
The Patriots best playmakers are now on defense (and special teams). Chandler Jones racked up two sacks at defensive end, but his field goal block and return was the play that effectively ended Minnesota's chances. There just aren't many athletes in the world quite like Jones that aren't in MMA. --* Gregg Rosenthal*
Antonio Gates had a prettier touchdown Sunday, but the play below is the most Philip Rivers touchdown pass ever. No one else throws a touch pass from an uncomfortable platform after evading pressure quite like him. As coach Mike McCoy said, Rivers and Gates can make these plays with their eyes closed. --* Gregg Rosenthal*
The latest "Around The NFL Podcast" recaps every Sunday game from an upset-heavy Week 2 in the NFL, and considers what RGIII's injury could mean for the Redskins.
