The AFC is offering us some very heavy stuff for this week 2 of the NFL with a nice assortment of renewal and sure values. Because yes, a Texans-Bears is now an expected shock in the NFL. Add to that a tasty remake of the 2021 and 2022 conference finals between the Bengals and the Chiefs, and three scare games between teams in 0-2, the menu is complete.
In the NFC, week 2 should provide clarity with some great clashes between expected favorites (Cowboys, 49ers, Lions) and some great surprises from last weekend (Saints, Vikings, Buccaneers). It will also be a matter of healing wounds, whether physical for the plucked Rams and Packers, or psychological for Daniel Jones' Giants and Bryce Young's Panthers.
Game of the week: Chicago vs. big brother Texas
Monday, September 16: Kickoff at 2:20 a.m.: Houston Texans (1-0) – Chicago Bears (1-0)
Hype, give me some hype! How good it is to be excited for a match between the Texans and the Bears since such an opposition would have made almost no one dream for a good part of the last decade. However, carried by the performances of their second-year quarterback CJ Stroud (QB), reinforced by the arrivals of Stefon Diggs (WR) and Joe Mixon (RB) in the offseason, the Houston players are on a roll.
Facing them, the Bears want to follow in their wake. Like Houston last year, which had doubled the selection of Stroud with that of Will Anderson Jr. (DE) to equip itself with a formidable weapon in defense, Chicago saw double in the top 10 of the draft this year. The Illinois franchise went to get Rome Odunze (WR) in addition to the number 1 choice Caleb Williams (QB) to try to reverse their destiny.
What is certain is that the Texans seem to have (at least) a year's head start on their opponents. To start the year of confirmation, Stroud was perfect (24/32, 234 yards, 2 TDs) in the victory against the formidable Colts (29-27). Williams did not reassure with a 14/29 for 93 yards in the victory against the Titans (24-17). The rickety offensive record did not really do justice to the investment in the draft, but it was only week 1. This game will therefore be a good test for Chicago, which risks being deprived of Odunze. But the Texans will also have a lot to do against a defense that authored 3 turnovers and 2 TDs last week.
The duel: Mike MacDonald vs. Jerod Mayo
Sunday, September 15: Kickoff at 7:00 p.m.: Seattle Seahawks (1-0) – New England Patriots (1-0)
Any notary will tell you, there is nothing worse than a battle between heirs. Especially when the inheritances are this substantial. Jerod Mayo, Bill Belichick's successor at the Patriots, and Mike Macdonald, who took over from Pete Carroll in Seattle, have their work cut out for them.
They started well. The Patriots surprised the Bengals in Week 1 (16-10), while the Seahawks beat the Broncos (26-20). Even if the scores don't indicate it, both franchises put in similar performances. True to their roots, they relied on big defensive performances and ground play to stifle their opponents. A nice tribute to what made their former coaches famous.
Problem, only one of the two heirs will be able to leave Foxborough this Monday with the coveted invincibility. The prize will probably go to the one who does better in attack than in week 1. On the New England side, the performance of Jacoby Brissett (QB), set to start again despite the presence of Drake Maye, will be scrutinized. On the Seahawks side, the offensive line will have to do better than against Denver.
Revenge: Cincinnati, still the antidote to the Chiefs?
Sunday, September 15: Kickoff at 10:25 p.m.: Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) – Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
The Bengals are the anti-Chiefs. Self-proclaimed, one would be tempted to specify. After three impressive victories against Andy Reid's men in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Joe Burrow's teammates have returned to what is the league norm against Patrick Mahomes & Co with two defeats in a row over the last two seasons.
The fact remains that the clash, which has animated two of the last three AFC finals, is one of the most prestigious in the league. It usually gives spectacular scenarios, with an average gap of 4 points over the 5 games mentioned. For the Bengals, defeated by the Patriots in the opening, the match already seems crucial. Only a little more than 10% of teams starting 0-2 make the playoffs. In 2022, that did not prevent them from reaching the conference final… and losing to the Chiefs.
The statistic: 42
Sunday, September 15: Kickoff at 10:25 p.m.: Denver Broncos (0-1) – Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
For his NFL debut, Bo Nix (QB, Broncos) attempted a whopping 42 passes. A huge number for a rookie's first game, especially in a Denver team that was expected to be more on the ground. Sean Payton clearly didn't give his player any gifts, who didn't reassure in his long game. With an average of a meager 3.3 yards per attempt, Nix only attempted 12 passes over 10 yards. 2 were intercepted, and only 2 were caught by his teammates.
In short, the rookie's debut has been rough, and it's hard not to be worried ahead of this week's game. Against the Steelers, Bo Nix will see the best defense in the league. We can always be surprised, but if he were to throw 42 times again against TJ Watt (EDGE) and company, we wouldn't give much for the 12th pick in the draft. Butchers are warned.
The Player: Malik Willis
Sunday, September 15: Kickoff at 7:00 p.m.: Green Bay Packers (0-1) – Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
The first week was relatively lenient for the star players in terms of injuries. Except for the Packers. The Green Bay franchise believed the worst when Jordan Love (QB) went out with a knee injury. Good news, he should ultimately be out “only” for a period of between 3 and 6 weeks.
Bad news, the Cheeseheads have no guarantee of the quality of his successor. In 11 games played, including 3 starts, since his selection in the third round of the 2022 draft, not counting his small snap against the Eagles, former Titans Malik Willis (QB) has not thrown a single touchdown, for two interceptions and an average of 5.3 yards per attempted pass. Not enough to reassure before facing an interesting Colts in the first week despite their defeat against the Texans. However, the victory is crucial for Matt Lafleur's players, who cannot afford to fall behind in the NFC North. It is up to Willis to prove the detractors wrong.
Coach: Sean McVay
Sunday, September 15: Kickoff at 10:05 p.m.: Arizona Cardinals (0-1) – Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
Sean McVay, one of the best coaches in the league, is probably the best offensive play caller there is with Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan. Good for the Rams. It's going to take a lot of creativity to make up for the Angelinos' offensive absences.
On the right line, Rob Havenstein (RT) remains doubtful, and his replacement Joe Noteboom has been placed on injured reserve. At center, Steve Avila (OC) has also been placed on injured reserve. The Rams will therefore rely on rookie Beaux Limmer. The latter convinced against the Lions, but he will have the difficult task of playing the entire game.
On the left, Alaric Jackson (LT) is still suspended, and Kevin Dotson (LG) is diminished, even if he should be able to play. In terms of targets, they will be without Puka Nacua (WR) for several weeks. Fortunately, Matthew Stafford (QB) and Cooper Kupp (WR) are there, and the Cardinals defense did not convince against the Bills (34-28). Still, overcoming such handicaps would be a real feat, and a rather negative sign for Jonathan Gannon's defense.
The Division Clash: Who Will Be the Best Daniel?
Sunday, September 15: Kickoff at 7 p.m.: Washington Commanders (0-1) – New York Giants (0-1)
Daniel Jones (QB, Giants), Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders), same fight? Both throwers seem more gifted in the ground game than in passing, but the comparison ends there. Because Jayden Daniels is a rookie, he still accumulated 88 yards on the ground and 184 yards passing in his first game, without being intercepted. While Daniel Jones, for his fifth year in the league, was desperate against the Vikings (22/42, 186 yards, 0 TDs 2 ints in passing, 15 yards on 7 carries).
The NFC East clash, one of the few within a division this week, could already be each team's last chance this year. For Jones, a second such disastrous performance could have even quicker consequences in terms of playing time.
The rest of week 2 NFL
Sunday, September 15, kick-off at 7 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) – New England Patriots (1-0)
Tennessee Titans (0-1) – New York Jets (0-1)
Washington Commanders (0-1) – New York Giants (0-1)
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) – Cleveland Browns (0-1)
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) – San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Baltimore Ravens (0-1) – Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
Carolina Panthers (0-1) – Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Dallas Cowboys (1-0) – New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Detroit Lions (1-0) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Fear games between the Titans and the Jets, the Jaguars and the Browns, and the Ravens and the Raiders. Each team must avoid at all costs the 0-2 that would put them in difficulty from the start. We are thinking especially of Jaguars – Browns. Both franchises have playoff hopes and faced teams within their reach in the first week. Another defeat would tip their season into something else. For the Raiders and the Titans, watch out for the rebounds of Jets and Ravens defeated by favorites in week 1 (the 49ers and the Chiefs, respectively).
In the NFC, the games between the Vikings and the 49ers, the Cowboys and the Saints, and the Lions and the Buccaneers will allow us to see more clearly the levels of play. For Minnesota, New Orleans and Tampa, a victory would be a real revelation after a successful first performance. On Monday night, the Falcons' offense and Kirk Cousins (QB) will have to wake up if they want to compete with the Eagles.
Finally, how can we not mention the hope shared by many NCAA fans and other listeners of DNA of Sports's draft podcasts. That of finally seeing Bryce Young (QB, Panthers) achieve, even without necessarily winning, a performance close to what allowed him to be the first choice of the 2023 draft. The complete opposite of what he did last week. Against the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh sauce on defense, it could be complicated.
NFL Week 2 Schedule
Sunday September 15
Kick-off at 7 p.m.
Tennessee Titans (0-1) – New York Jets (0-1)
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) – Cleveland Browns (0-1)
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) – San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Baltimore Ravens (0-1) – Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
Carolina Panthers (0-1) – Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Dallas Cowboys (1-0) – New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Detroit Lions (1-0) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Washington Commanders (0-1) – New York Giants (0-1)
Green Bay Packers (0-1) – Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) – New England Patriots (1-0)
Kick-off at 22:05
Arizona Cardinals (0-1) – Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
Kick-off at 22:25
Denver Broncos (0-1) – Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) – Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Monday September 16
Kick-off at 2:20 a.m.
Houston Texans (1-0) – Chicago Bears (1-0)
Tuesday, September 17 – Kick-off at 2:20 a.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) – Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
