The opening week of the NFL season promised and delivered, with several Super Bowl contenders flexing their muscle while the realisation dawned on a few fanbases that they are set for a miserable next few months.
We’re now on the doorstep of Week 2 and there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on as well as some juicy match-ups to look forward to.
Each week, we’ll answer the big burning questions in the sport and preview some of the biggest games of the upcoming NFL weekend.
Read on for foxsports.com.au’s cheat sheet for Week 2 of the NFL season!
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WEEK 2 BURNING QUESTIONS
Will Christian McCaffrey play?
49ers fans and fantasy enthusiasts were blindsided by the news that star running back Christian McCaffrey was ruled out with a calf/Achilles injury just 90 minutes before kick-off last Tuesday. The indications are that McCaffrey could be sidelined for another week, perhaps longer, with the 49ers not willing to risk further injury to their best player. McCaffrey has told reporters that his “mentality” is that he’ll play, but considering how well his backup Jordan Mason went against the Jets, why would the 49ers risk CMC in just the second week of the season? Admittedly, It’s hard to see him line up against the Vikings this week, so to the millions of fantasy football players who drafted in the first round, you’d want to hope you have a contingency plan.
Breakout NFL star’s live TV admission | 00:38
How will Green Bay fare without Jordan Love?
The biggest injury blow in the opening week came on the heavily-criticised turf of Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paolo, when Packers QB Jordan Love suffered an MCL injury late in Green Bay’s loss to Philadelphia. Initially, it looked as if Love’s injury could be season ending, but thankfully, he could be back in a couple of weeks. Remarkably, the Packers aren’t prepared to rule out Love for this weekend’s game against the Colts, but that could be mind games to throw the opposition off. It’s a huge blow, given Love’s outstanding campaign last season led to the Packers making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. In the meantime, the Packers turn to Malik Willis, who has been in the building for just two weeks. Willis, a former third round draft pick who failed to impress in Tennessee, was traded to Green Bay on August 26 after final preseason cuts. Willis had shown improvement this off-season, but he lost the back up job at the Titans to Mason Rudolph, which led to the Packers pouncing. The query is whether Willis, who has had his troubles getting a command of the playbook at his previous team, will be equipped enough to lead this Green Bay offence after just two weeks in the system. Expect a heavy dosage of running backs Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson.
Can the Giants bounce back after a horror Week 1?
Arguably the second worst loss (after Carolina’s 47-10 defeat) of opening week was the Giants’ laying a goose egg against the Vikings. Many of the Giants’ proud fanbase have seen enough of quarterback Daniel Jones after five seasons of mediocrity, but they’re not exactly brimming with alternative options. During that 28-6 loss to the Vikings, much of that fanbase wondered why their team would roll with Jones again when there were plenty of decent options in the 2024 draft. The main reason why is Jones’ hefty $239m contract. Contracted until the end of 2026, Jones will currently count for 14.8% of the Giants’ cap next season and 20.2% the year after that, even though his one year of passable play (and otherwise poor performance) means he’s nowhere near that valuable. But with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito behind them there isn’t some young gun that needs to get the playing time either. They’re stuck in a prison of their own creation and need to just fight their way out.
MUST WATCH GAMES/PREDICTIONS
Bills @ Dolphins (Friday 10:20am)
A game which will be crucial in the race for the AFC East considering there isn’t much separating these two teams and the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. One thing in Buffalo’s favour is that they’ve been the Dolphins’ bogey team in recent years, especially since the Bills drafted star quarterback Josh Allen. Allen is 11-2 in his career over the Dolphins, including playoffs. The query is the hand injury he picked up in the Week 1 win over Arizona, but Allen stresses he’s ok. The Dolphins’ offence looked scary good in patches last week and against Buffalo’s new-look defence, they may be able to find some holes. The Bills’ offence is also pretty new, but they didn’t miss a beat in the season opener. This will be an entertaining, high scoring game.
Tip: Bills +2.5/Over 48.5 @ $3.40
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions (Monday 3am)
A rematch of last season’s NFC Divisional playoff game which Detroit won in a high-scoring contest. The Bucs were close to the most impressive team in Week 1, thrashing Washington with QB Baker Mayfield throwing four touchdown passes. They snuck into the playoffs last season before winning a wildcard game. They seemed to have improved even further in the off-season. Detroit survived a scare against a good Rams team in Week 1, but when they needed to put together a big drive, they did in overtime to secure the win. I’m thinking the Detroit running backs can have a strong showing. Last week, the Commanders had success passing to their running backs, and the Lions have much more talent at that position. Big game for second year star Jahmyr Gibbs.
Tip: Jahmyr Gibbs over 30.5 receiving yards @ $2.05
Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs (Monday 6:25am)
Two weeks ago, this would have easily been considered the game of the week, yet the Bengals’ shock loss to the lowly Patriots last week shows that Cincy may not be travelling too well. Kansas City meanwhile, took care of business in Week 1, holding off a late Baltimore rally in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game. There was no Super Bowl hangover from the Chiefs, who showcased their new offensive pieces, notably speedy rookie receiver Xavier Worthy, who scored two touchdowns. Turning back to their opponents for this week, and there are concerns aplenty. QB Joe Burrow was average against a restricting defence, but he didn’t have star receiver Ja’Marr Chase on a full snap count due to his contract holdout, while WR #2 Tee Higgins was out injured. With so many question marks, it’s hard to see the Bengals turning their form around in the space of a week so the Chiefs line appeals.
Tip: Chiefs -5 @$1.90
Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans (Monday 10:20am)
Intriguing game featuring two of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks. Texans signal caller CJ Stroud has already somewhat proven himself, having won offensive rookie of the year last season, and he started this season strongly in a win over the Colts. Williams, on the other hand, was very ordinary in Week 1 despite a win. What will be interesting is how Williams bounces back after that debut under the belt. Quarterback battle aside, the game puts one of the league’s best defences against one of the league’s best offences. The Bears are on the up and up but expect Houston to prove too classy.
Tip: Texans -6 @$1.90
Prescott & Cows cash in against Browns | 01:25
FULL WEEK 2 SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEST)
Friday 10:15
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins
Monday 3am
Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
Indianapolis Colts @ Green Bay Packers
New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans
San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots
Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers
New York Giants @ Washington Commanders
Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens
Monday 6:05am
LA Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
Monday 6:25am
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs
Monday 10:20am
Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans
Tuesday 10:20am
Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles
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