Chaos reigned in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season. From the statement-making wins and underdog upsets to the dramatic (and baffling) finishes, Week 2 has a tough act to follow.
Thursday night’s Prime time matchup between the Chiefs and Chargers certainly stirred up some drama, with the entire league holding its collective breath when Justin Herbert went down – and marveling at how he managed to finish the game, even if it was ultimately a losing effort.
The stage is set for 13 more games this Sunday, capped by a divisional rivalry and followed by two more matchups Monday night.
Here’s a storyline we’re watching in each game.
Patriots @ Steelers | Sunday 1 p.m.
Even without game-breaker T.J. Watt wreaking havoc on the field, this game – the first meeting of these two clubs without one of Tom Brady or Ben Roethlisberger since 1998 – has ‘defensive battle’ written all over it.
Panthers @ Giants | Sunday 1 p.m.
Saquon Barkley was looking like his 2018 self as he propelled the Giants to a wild win over Tennessee that also saw him lead his peers in Week 1 rushing yards. You know who else we’d love to see in 2018 form? Christian McCaffrey.
Jets @ Browns | Sunday 1 p.m.
Robert Saleh: Collector of receipts, conveyer of respect.
Colts @ Jaguars | Sunday 1 p.m.
A Week 2 win in Jacksonville won’t avenge last season’s disastrous defeat that destroyed the Colts’ playoff hopes, but it would go a long way in righting their season-opening wrongs and setting the tone for Indianapolis going forward. Cutting kicker Rodrigo Blankenship after he missed a potential game-winner against Houston makes it clear this club isn’t taking losing lightly.
Dolphins @ Ravens | Sunday 1 p.m.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel gave us a glimpse of the Dolphins’ new-look offence to open the season, but ultimately wasn’t tested much by a lacklustre Patriots squad with a history of losing in Miami. An already growing list of injuries on Baltimore’s defence, meanwhile, is bringing a bad case of deja vu.
Buccaneers @ Saints | Sunday 1 p.m.
“If you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em.” …Or, something like that. Tom Brady didn’t join New Orleans in 2020 despite rumours he wanted to land there, and since joining the Buccaneers has been unable to beat them in the regular season, either.
Commanders @ Lions | Sunday 1 p.m.
Ah, if only we had a time machine.
Seahawks @ 49ers | Sunday 4:05 p.m.
Seattle, the lone NFC West team to open the season with a win, has a chance to stun everyone again if the 49ers we saw in Chicago show up at home. Sunnier skies should give us a clearer view of what Trey Lance can do.
Falcons @ Rams | Sunday 4:05 p.m.
Cooper Kupp is the biggest receiving star heading into this one, but can Drake London – Week 1’s leading rookie receiver and one of just a few bright spot on Atlanta’s offence – steal some of that spotlight?
Cardinals @ Raiders | Sunday 4:25 p.m.
As noted by the experts at Pro Football Focus, this game has receiver-cornerback mismatches written all over it – for both teams, but especially favouring Davante Adams.
Texans @ Broncos | Sunday 4:25 p.m.
Lovie Smith chose a tie in Week 1. Nathaniel Hackett chose complete and utter chaos. Hackett’s every call will be examined under increased scrutiny (as will Russell Wilson’s post-game outfit).
Bengals @ Cowboys | Sunday 4:25 p.m.
Joe Burrow threw four interceptions against the Steelers and yet the only QB concerns in this matchup are in Dallas as the Cowboys open up a painful period without Dak Prescott.
Leave it to the Cincinnati chili to get a little spicy, too.
Bears @ Packers | Sunday 8:20 p.m.
Matt LaFleur’s Packers have mastered the art of the bounce-back game – they aren’t just undefeated in matchups following regular-season losses, they’re dominant in those games. Give them home-field advantage and a primetime stage against a Bears team owned by one Aaron C. Rodgers and, well, you can see where this is going.
But after Chicago stunned the 49ers to open the season, might they be capable of raining on another NFC powerhouse’s parade in Week 2?
Titans @ Bills | Monday 7:15 p.m.
After handily defeating the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Bills are back in prime time for a date with last year’s No. 1 seed in the AFC – and another chance to make a statement. If Tennessee is to avoid a dreaded 0-2 season start, they’ll need to do so on the power of Derrick Henry. Henry put up 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 34-31 win against the Bills last October, and in three meetings with the club has 278 rushing yards and six TDs to his name.
Vikings @ Eagles | Monday 8:30 p.m.
A bonus Monday-nighter, and a bandwagon favourite to boot. Between Justin Jefferson’s superhero-like skillset and the Eagles’ trio of… Batmans (???) this one should be a lot of fun.
