After an eventful opening week in the NFL, there are plenty of things to watch going into week two. Preseason contenders are already facing must-win situations in just the second week of the season. Injuries are already hitting teams hard, leaving them in scramble mode to try to save their seasons, while teams many didn’t think much of overachieved in their week 1 matchup. Here are five things to watch in week 2.
What to Watch For in Week 2
1. A Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals Bounce Back?
There is no doubt that Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals had the most embarrassing loss of any during week one. They opened up at home against the New England Patriots and lost 16-10. The Bengals had a closing spread of -8.5, the biggest of any game in the first week’s slate. The Patriots had one of the lowest win totals of the season with an over/under of 4.5, which puts into perspective how bad of a loss was for Cincinnati.
Burrow finished the game 21-29 for 164 yards and no touchdowns, and even though wide receiver Tee Higgins did not play, star receiver Ja’Marr Chase did. Chase finished with six catches and 66 yards.
Cincinnati will need to shake off the loss quickly, because guess who is next? That’s right. The defending Super Bowl champions, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincy is on the road. Though the Bengals have a favorable history against the Chiefs, going 3-1 in games that Burrow starts, they will need to play their best game if they want to knock off the champs and avoid a 0-2 hole.
2. Rodgers and Jets to Get in the Win Column?
Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets had about as difficult a matchup as it gets in week 1. They went on the road to take on the defending NFC champions, the San Francisco 49ers, on Monday Night Football. Though the Jets had a few moments here and there throughout the game, they were dominated for most of it, losing 32-19.
Rodgers saw his first full game of action since 2022, which came with mixed results. He went 13-21 for 167 yards, a beautiful 36-yard touchdown pass, and an interception. The more surprising outcome of this game was the Jets’ defense, or lack thereof. SF offense had 401 total yards with 180 coming on the ground to go along with eight straight scoring drives.
After a tough opener, the Jets gets a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans, who are 0-1. This game is important not because the Jets lost week one but because of what’s ahead after week two. The next three games are Titans, Patriots, and Denver Broncos, all winnable games for Rodgers and the Jets.
3. Packers Season Doomed?
The Green Bay Packers season could be hanging in the balance going forward because of an injury to the most critical position. Their starting quarterback, Jordan Love, suffered an MCL knee sprain in their matchup against the Philadelphia in Brazil, putting the quarterback’s availability on a week-to-week basis.
Green Bay was a favorite preseason pick to reach the Super Bowl after becoming the youngest NFL team to win a playoff game last season.
The Packers are keeping Love’s availability close to the chest for their week two matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Still, regardless he will be limited for the rest of the season.
4. Rookie vs Sophomore QB Showdown on SNF
The top pick in the 2024 NFL draft will go head-to-head with the second overall pick in the 2023 draft on Sunday night football. Caleb Williams vs C.J. Stroud will provide a direct microscope on the league’s future at the quarterback position.
Stroud, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, hit the ground running with the Houston Texans last season, putting the league on notice. He helped the Texans win a division title and a playoff win. Williams hopes to do the same this year with the Chicago Bears.
5. Birds Eye View MNF Matchup
The Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles will go head to head on Monday Night football. The Eagles are coming off a much-needed win against the Packers. It was just one game, but Philly had previously won only one game in their last seven games to end the 2023 season.
The Falcons opened the season with a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers after a revamped offseason leading to high hopes and hype. Atlanta’s prized possession of the offseason was signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year $180 million deal; however, things looked shaky against the Steelers. Cousins finished the game with 155 passing yards and two interceptions.
Atlanta and Philadelphia made high-profile additions to their teams during the offseason. Both are favorites to win their respective divisions, which should provide a fantastic matchup for those watching Monday night.
Main Image: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
