
NFL Sunday Primer: A look at Week 2’s NFL Matchups across the country
Football fans can only hope that Week 2 of this NFL season lives up to the standard set by Week 1 – multiple games went to overtime, with leads changing late in games all over the country as Sunday afternoon wore on. Plenty of this Sunday’s games have similar potential to create drama, so let’s take a look at the matchups on tap outside Gallery Sports’ region.
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns
Game Time: Sunday, 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
After a tight road win at Carolina last week, the Cleveland Browns open their home schedule Sunday afternoon against the New York Jets. The lone bright spot for the Jets in their blowout loss to Baltimore was their run defense (3.0 yards per rush allowed), and they’ll need to excel in that area again to have any chance against the Browns. Nick Chubb led the way for Cleveland’s offense last weekend, gaining 141 yards on the ground and helping set up four field goals from rookie Cade York. Both offenses are without the starting quarterback they hoped to be suiting up when training camp began, each aiming to rely on their defense in what should be an exceptionally low-scoring affair.
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions –
Game Time: Sunday, 12:00pm CT
TV: FOX
Both the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions were involved in tight contests last weekend, but only the Commanders came out on top in their back-and-forth matchup against the Jaguars. Carson Wentz completed four touchdown passes in his debut, including two to rookie wideout Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter to seal a comeback victory. Detroit would desperately like to avoid dropping each of their first two at home but certainly did some things well in a 38-35 loss to Philadelphia last weekend. D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams combined to establish a strong rushing attack for the Lions. They’ll have a chance to replicate it against a Washington defense that allowed more than six yards per carry to Jacksonville in Week 1.
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants
Game Time: Sunday, 12:00pm CT
TV: FOX
The Carolina Panthers and New York Giants left the field last Sunday with opposite emotions. Baker Mayfield led a scintillating second-half comeback to give Carolina a lead in the final minutes against the Browns, only to watch a rookie kicker drill a 58-yarder to sink his hope for revenge. Tennessee had a similar opportunity to ruin the Giants’ day, but Randy Bullock missed a 47-yarder that left New York 1-0. For the Giants, Sunday’s home opener represents an opportunity to validate what they did in Nashville as legitimate. But after Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill found running back Dontrell Hilliard twice for touchdowns, pass-catching threat Christian McCaffrey poses a massive challenge as the Panthers come to Metlife Stadium.
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers
Game Time: Sunday, 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
The New England Patriots cannot often be described as sloppy under head coach Bill Belichick, especially not in a Week 1 game – but that’s precisely what they were last weekend against the Dolphins. New England turned the ball over three times in their loss at Miami, losing 20-7 in a brutal offensive showing. Belichick’s team now heads to Pittsburgh, where they’ll meet a Steelers team fresh off an exhilarating 23-20 overtime win at Cincinnati. The Steelers’ offense looked constipated all afternoon, but their defense turned the Bengals over five times. After Mac Jones’ sloppy start in Miami, Pittsburgh will look to kick him while he’s down – but it might be tough without All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt.
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
Game Time: Sunday, 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
Indianapolis heads to Jacksonville Sunday for a divisional showdown as both teams try for their first win of the season. The Colts haven’t won at TIAA Bank Field in any of their last six trips, despite being favored more often than not. Both teams got off to slow starts last week, needing furious comebacks on the road to stay competitive. Jacksonville ultimately fell to the Commanders 28-22, while the Colts tied the Texans 20-20 after a scoreless overtime period in Houston. Indianapolis is once again favored to come out victorious, but Jaguars fans are feeling encouraged by the offensive improvements they saw last weekend.
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens
Game Time: Sunday, 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
When the 2-7 Dolphins and 6-2 Ravens met last season in Miami, they saw their seasons’ trajectory change significantly. Miami would control the game from the opening kickoff, blitzing Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense relentlessly on their way to a 22-10 win. Miami would win six of the seven games that followed, while Baltimore would see their injury-ridden season come unraveled en route to missing the playoffs. The Dolphins hope their defensive blueprint from a year ago will hold true as they head on the road to M&T Bank Stadium, but John Harbaugh and the Ravens are sure to have made adjustments.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Game Time: Sunday, 3:05pm CT
TV: FOX
After a surprising win for Seattle and loss for San Francisco, the Seahawks and 49ers meet Sunday in Santa Clara. Expectations were low entering 2022 for the Seahawks, but their gutsy performance knocking off Russell Wilson’s Broncos has them feeling confident as they head south. Trey Lance and the 49ers saw a 10-point lead evaporate quickly in Week 1’s 19-10 loss to the Bears, played on a flooded field in a driving rainstorm. Seattle can quickly assert themselves as a factor in the NFC West with a win, but San Francisco has an extra day of rest and will likely emerge focused on their home turf after their embarrassing collapse.
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams
Game Time: Sunday, 3:05pm CT
TV: FOX
The defending Super Bowl Champion Rams saw their season start in disappointing fashion, falling flat in their home opener 31-10 against Buffalo. Given preseason expectations for the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday presents an opportunity for Los Angeles to take out their frustration with a win. Atlanta’s Week 1 performance turned some heads, though – despite losing 27-26 to the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons controlled the action throughout and exceeded all expectations. Given the injury to Rams center Brian Allen, the Falcons’ defensive front may have what it takes to disrupt Los Angeles behind defensive tackle Grady Jarrett severely.
Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders
Game Time: Sunday, 3:25pm CT
TV: CBS
If any team in the NFL left Week 1 more embarrassed than the Rams, it was the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona got trucked by Kansas City, as Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdowns while Kyler Murray failed to get anything going until the final minutes. Las Vegas now awaits the Cardinals, fresh off their own loss on the road against the Chargers. New teammates Derek Carr and Davante Adams showed flashes of the chemistry they built in college at Fresno State, and Las Vegas had a chance down to the final whistle against one of the NFL’s best rosters. If Arizona can’t improve their pass defense, the Raiders’ impressive list of skill players will put up huge numbers all afternoon at Allegiant Stadium.