Week 2: Five Matchups to Watch For
Here are the games to watch from this weekend's NFL slate.
Sunday Slate
Buccaneers vs. Lions
Image: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
The Buccaneers had to contend with rookie QB Jaden Daniels' legs, something they won't have to do this week against Jared Goff. Though they gave up 88 yards to the young QB on the ground, they did hold both Commanders' RBs in check. The test this week will be a little different.
Tampa Bay's defense is notoriously pressure-heavy under Head Coach Todd Bowles. Expect that to remain the same against the Lions. Goff has rectified himself as one of the better QBs against the blitz. He finished #2 in Threat Ratings behind Josh Allen in '23. Still, the Buccaneers will attempt to heat him up, especially on passing downs.
The Lions' offense will have to contend with a secondary that left last week's game with only three CBs. One of the top Safety in the league, Antoine Winfield, will most likely not play. That should bode well for Detriot's high-powered offense.
On offense, Baker Mayfield and his WR corp should have opportunities. The Lions have one of the better run defenses, which should force the Buccaneers into passing. Mayfield looked great in Week 1, and the newly rebuilt Detroit secondary struggled against the Rams' passing game all Sunday night. This 2023 playoff rematch has all the makings of a shootout.
The Lions also beat the Buccaneers twice last season. Can they make it three in a row?
Cowboys vs. Saints
Both of these teams surprised in Week 1. The Saints dropped almost 50 points on the Panthers and seemingly did everything right last Sunday.
Dallas's defense was primed to take advantage of poor QB play, and the offense mustered 33 points against one of the better defenses in football. Dak and Lamb played well under newly signed contracts.
The Saints will have a much better opponent, and Marshawn Lattimore appears to be hampered by a hamstring. New Orleans wants to play man coverage, which Dak and CeDee Lamb feast on. If Lattimore can't go, that doesn't bode well for the Saints.
Still, there is an opportunity to make the Cowboys one-dimensional. Dallas' run game is in doubt, and the Saints' front seven looked stellar against the Panthers. Zeke and Rico Dowdle must be serviceable to keep the Saints' DEs from pinning their ears back.
New Orleans will have to contend with a much more diverse defense than last year. QB Derrick Carr looked great against the Panthers, but the Cowboys will be a different test. A great sign from Week 1 was Alvin Kamara, who looked great against a porous Panthers defense. Can he do against the Cowboys?
Bengals vs. Chiefs
Image: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati offense looked stale without Tee Higgins. Cincinnati's offense is built to succeed when its main WRs are available. Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase force defenses to spread out, which opens up the run game and paints a clearer picture for Burrow.
New England's defense is very good and can play man coverage. If someone other than Chase can win, it makes it easier for Burrow to throw the ball. The Patriots have a great run defense, which reared its head in Week 1.
This offseason, the Bengals let one of the best interior D-linemen walk (DJ Reader/Lions) and picked up two new Safeties. Against the Patriots, the secondary looked decent, but New England's RB Rhamondre Stevenson went off for 120 yards.
Kansas City's defense limited Derrick Henry to 46 yards on 13 carries last Thursday and won't have to contend with Burrow's designed quarterback runs. Cincinnati's passing attack will need to show up. Burrow & Co. are notorious for their slow starts, and playing Kansas City in Week 2 after a loss puts them in a precarious position early in the season.
For the Chiefs, the Cincinnati defense was rebuilt to handle the pass. Running in Kansas City has never been a significant part of the program, but in terms of game control, Andy Reid does a good job mixing it in. Even without Hollywood Brown, the Chiefs could succeed through the air against a very good Bengals defense, at least on paper.
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Sunday Night: Bears vs. Texans
Image: Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
It was a rough first outing for the Bears' rookie QB Caleb Williams. He went 14/29 for less than 100 yards, but on a positive note, he didn't throw an interception. The run game didn't fair much better. Overall, the offense looked lackluster and relied on a blocked punt, an interception returned for a TD, and three FGs to beat the Titans.
The Texans doubled down on CJ Stroud's rookie season and brought in talent to surround him while he's on a rookie contract. Against the Colts, the offense was humming. Joe Mixon went over 150 yards on the ground, and Nico Collins exceeded the century mark in receiving. There is plenty to be excited about in Houston.
Defensively, both these teams have talent. The Bears have two very good DEs in Darrell Taylor (top 5 in Pass Rush Havoc in Week 1) and Montez Sweat. CB Jaylon Johnson got paid this offseason and was in Field Vision's top 5 Havoc Ratings for Week 1. Last season, the Bears had arguably one of the best units after Week 9.
Houston is looking to build momentum in season two under Demeco Ryans. The secondary is loaded with young talent as well as upfront. Against the Colts, they could contain the run game of Indianapolis, but gave up a few long bombs (some historically long!). The Bears will offer a slightly different challenge.
Monday Night: Falcons vs. Eagles
Image: Dale Zanine, Imagn Image
We have two teams in seemingly different places in the week's final match-up. Atlanta appeared to be one of the better offensive units in the NFL but fell flat against the Steelers. QB Kirk Cousins looked pedestrian, going 16/26 152 yards, a TD, and two INTs. On the ground, Bijan Robinson 18/68.
Defensively, the Eagles have to feel good about their situation heading forward. Under DC Vic Fangio, the unit looked solid against the Packers. Green Bay was able to run the ball, but the Philly secondary, which was a question mark, settled in as the night went along and held Jordan Love to a 50% completion rate. Jayden Reed went off for over 138 yards and two TDs, so there is room for improvement.
Offensively for the Eagles, Kellen Moore has brought in a new scheme that will hopefully help Jalen Hurts. Against the Packers, the offense was able to gain yards but Hurts still threw two INTs.
Atlanta's defense is still a work in progress, and it will have to contend with two of the better outside WRs in the NFL. If the offense can't score, it could be a long night in Philly for the Falcons, and alarm bells should be ringing for a team that was supposed to win the NFC South.
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