Sunday’s Week 2 slate brings several injury questions, quarterback decisions and matchup concerns into focus, from Cincinnati’s trip to Houston to uncertainty around Atlanta’s starter. The Texans will host the Bengals at 1 p.m. ET on CBS at Reliant Stadium, with Houston seeking a response after its opening loss to Buffalo.
Week 2 Sunday slate
Houston made its renewed commitment to the ground game clear in Week 1. David Montgomery handled 20 carries and Woody Marks added nine, although Montgomery averaged 3.0 yards per attempt and the Texans’ 74% run-block win rate ranked 17th in the league. The Texans will look to use that rushing volume to create play-action chances for C.J. Stroud against a Bengals defense built around new defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II and a secondary capable of shifting between man and zone coverages.
Nico Collins’ availability is a factor for Houston. If he plays, the Texans could target him on in-breaking routes against Cincinnati’s two-high safety looks, while also attempting to create downfield opportunities. Third down will be a critical area, as the Bengals are expected to challenge Houston’s receivers with man coverage in those situations.
Cincinnati opened the season with a win over Tampa Bay, but its passing attack was quiet by its standards. Joe Burrow threw for 254 yards, while Ja’Marr Chase made two catches for 12 yards on four targets. The Bengals could make a concentrated effort to involve Chase early with screens, underneath throws and quick-game concepts designed to let him create yards after the catch.
Tee Higgins will also draw attention from Houston corners Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Tight end Mike Gesicki, who posted 78 receiving yards and a touchdown in the opener, could be positioned to exploit space in the Texans’ split-safety and single-high zone structures, particularly in the red zone.
The Bengals’ offensive line faces a demanding test against Houston edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Cincinnati produced a 53.8% pass-block win rate against the Buccaneers, 13th in the NFL for Week 1, while Chase Brown averaged 3.5 yards per rush. Burrow may need to connect on explosive throws if the Bengals are to leave Houston with another victory.
Green Bay heads to New York after a 39-22 loss to Minnesota that was more competitive than the final score suggested. The Vikings scored 14 late points off takeaways in Packers territory, while Green Bay held the better offensive success rate, 38.8% to 34.5%. The Packers went 3-for-12 on third down and turned four red-zone trips into only one touchdown and one field goal.
Matt LaFleur’s offense now faces an Aaron Glenn-led Jets defense. LaFleur previously faced Glenn when he coordinated Detroit’s defense, and Green Bay produced a 46% offensive success rate, 0.04 expected points added per play and 2.2 points per drive in those matchups. The Jets’ offense may need to rely on the running game and ball control against stronger opponents, potentially limiting the total number of Green Bay possessions.
Tennessee enters its meeting with Philadelphia after a 23-10 loss to the Jets marked by stalled play designs, assignment issues along the offensive line, receiver drops and uneven timing and accuracy from quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans will face an Eagles front that appeared deep and disruptive against Washington, a troubling matchup for a Tennessee line viewed among the league’s weaker groups.
Philadelphia defensive back Cooper DeJean was shaken up in Week 1 and did not practice Wednesday. Even if he is unavailable, the Eagles still have outside corners Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen, leaving Tennessee with a difficult task in creating explosive passing plays. The Titans could need takeaways or significant special-teams contributions to consistently create scoring opportunities.
New England will host Pittsburgh with running back TreVeyon Henderson expected back from a right ankle injury. The Patriots have also placed wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve with an ankle injury, but had an extended preparation period following last Wednesday’s game. Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins remain among the available wideouts for quarterback Drake Maye.
The Steelers’ defense was not heavily tested in its opener against an Atlanta team led by Cooper Rush, while Pittsburgh’s own offense struggled. The Steelers posted the NFL’s lowest Week 1 success rate at 31.4% and averaged 4.1 yards per play, fourth from the bottom of the league. Drops and procedural mistakes played a part, but the Patriots will look to press Pittsburgh’s receivers and allow defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore to disrupt Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers attempted passes at an unexpectedly high rate in Week 1, as Pittsburgh led the NFL in pass rate over expectation. A more balanced approach could be likely against New England, particularly with the Steelers facing an opponent expected to test them offensively.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for 40 yards on seven carries against Indianapolis, including scrambles of 16 and 19 yards. Three kneel-downs cost him three yards. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle used more under-center formations than Baltimore employed under Todd Monken or Greg Roman, a shift that can reduce opportunities for designed quarterback runs. Jackson’s only designed carry against Indianapolis came from the 5-yard line on second-and-goal.
The Ravens next face New Orleans and Brandon Staley’s zone-oriented defense. Unlike Indianapolis’ man-heavy approach, the Saints are expected to keep more defenders in position to account for Jackson when plays break down.
Chicago’s defense and special teams will look for opportunities against Minnesota quarterback Carson Wentz, whose performance in Week 1 does not erase a history of turnovers and mistakes. A Bears offense capable of playing with a lead could force the Vikings into more passing situations and put additional pressure on Wentz.
Atlanta’s quarterback situation remains unresolved entering Sunday’s game against Carolina. The Falcons could turn to an injured Cooper Rush, an injured Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr. in his first start since ACL surgery, or Jack Strand. That uncertainty presents an opening for a Panthers defense and special-teams unit seeking a game-changing takeaway.
Pittsburgh’s heavy use of zone coverage under coordinator Patrick Graham is also a notable concern for its matchup with New England. The Steelers played zone on 89% of snaps in Week 1. Since 2023, running backs have caught passes on 15% of plays against zone coverage, compared with 8% against man, putting Patriots back Rhamondre Stevenson in a favorable receiving matchup.
Miami quarterback Malik Willis attempted 27 passes in Week 1 as the Dolphins used a more conventional offensive split than anticipated. Miami ranked 11th in pass rate over expectation and could be pushed toward a larger passing workload if it falls behind against San Francisco. Short throws may be available, but the Dolphins will need Willis to sustain drives against the 49ers.
