NFL Week 2 preview
Game capsules, staff predictions
PANTHERS (1-0) AT FALCONS (0-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. Sunday, Fox Pregame.com line: Falcons by 6 Panthers’ keys: Carolina has to continue using QB Cam Newton and RB Christian McCaffrey heavily as rushers. The defensive backs must do a better job of covering WR Julio Jones.
Falcons’ keys: Falcons QB Matt Ryan has to be more accurate and timely. RT Ryan Schraeder will have to step up his game after allowing nine pressures in Week 1. Falcons DE Vic Beasley must get more pressure on Newton.
Who wins: Ryan is much better than Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, and he’ll be the difference. Falcons, 27-24
TEXANS (0-1) AT TITANS (0-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Texans by 2
Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson has to get off to a faster start. He was 5 of 13 for 61 yards with an interception in the first half at New England, then 12 of 21 for 115 yards and a TD in the second.
Titans’ keys: Tennessee needs more from QB Marcus Mariota, RB Derrick Henry and WR Rishard Matthews.
Who wins: The Titans offense didn’t instill much confidence. Houston seems readier , especially if the injuries to Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota (elbow) and Pro Bowl LT Taylor Lewan (concussion) keep them out. Texans, 24-13
COLTS (0-1) AT REDSKINS (1-0)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Redskins by 6
Colts’ keys: The Colts will find success if they are able to establish an uptempo rhythm on offense. Getting the ball out of Andrew Luck’s hands quickly will ensure he stays clean and will help set up big plays downfield.
Redskins’ keys: A smart aerial attack by QB Alex Smith as well as strong performances from RBs Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson will force the Colts on their heels all game long.
Who wins: With Smith, Washington takes advantage of Indianapolis on its home field. Redskins 23-17
CHIEFS (1-0) AT STEELERS (0-0-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Steelers by 4
Chiefs’ keys: Kansas City will need to tighten up its defense after allowing 424 yards passing and 123 rushing in a win. The Chiefs have introduced some option concepts, which got QB Patrick Mahomes hit hard, and they could adjust to protect him better.
Steelers’ keys: Pittsburgh has soul searching to do after its tie, in which QB Ben Roethlisberger accounted for five turnovers. The defense looked elite at times but allowed Browns QB Tyrod Taylor to rush for 77 yards and the Browns to average 4.7 yards per carry.
Who wins: Momentum is king, and the Chiefs have it. Chiefs, 35-28
EAGLES (1-0) AT BUCS (1-0)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Eagles by 3
Eagles’ keys: QB Nick Foles has had plenty of success against the Buccaneers, so the quarterback situation shouldn’t be a huge concern. The Eagles will need to force takeaways.
Buccaneers’ keys: Tampa Bay proved it has the firepower to win a shootout, even with backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick starting. Tampa Bay scored 48 at New Orleans but needed them all because the defense gave up 40 points.
Who wins: The Bucs get deflated by a more experienced team. Eagles, 34-24
CHARGERS (0-1) AT BILLS (0-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Chargers by 7
Chargers’ keys: With or without DE Joey Bosa (foot), the Chargers should spend plenty of time in Buffalo’s backfield. . QB Philip Rivers should pick on Buffalo’s No. 2 cornerback.
Bills’ keys: Get the offensive line fixed. Buffalo needs to get something going in the air or else defenses are going to continue to stack the box against RB LeSean McCoy.
Who wins: Could the Bills really be as bad as they were against the Ravens? The Chargers looked better in their loss. Chargers, 31-10
DOLPHINS (1-0) AT JETS (1-0)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday. CBS Line: Jets by 3
Jets’ keys: If the Jets give QB Sam Darnold space to operate, they should be fine against a lackluster Miami team. But the offensive line needs to consistently prove it can give him time in the pocket to take shots down the field.
Dolphins’ keys: The Dolphins need to knock down Darnold. Defensive ends Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn will keep the Jets busy in the trenches, giving Miami a shot at rattling the rookie.
Who wins: The Dolphins shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Jets aside from their pass rush. Jets, 21-10
BROWNS (0-0-1) AT SAINTS (0-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Saints by 9
Browns’ keys: Saints DB Marshon Lattimore was lit up for seven catches and 147 yards by Bucs WR Mike Evans in the opener. Browns WR Josh Gordon is the same caliber of player and maybe even better. A strong Browns backfield loaded with RBs Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson Jr. should get opportunities.
Saints’ keys: The defense was shredded by Tampa Bay, never recording a sack, and was soft in run defense, too. The Saints must dial up creative blitzing from DB Vonn Bell, physical coverage from DB Marshon Lattimore and impactful play from DE Cameron Jordan.
Who wins: The Browns punched far above their weight class in tying the Steelers and have the firepower to take advantage if the Saints make more mistakes. Browns, 35-33
VIKINGS (1-0) AT PACKERS (1-0)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Off
Packers’ keys: QB Aaron Rodgers could play after injuring his knee in the comeback win. Green Bay’s defense will need to find ways to limit WRs Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Vikings’ keys: Keeping Rodgers in the pocket shouldn’t be a problem, so the Vikings will have a simple goal on defense: Shut down the quick throws and collapse the pocket. On offense, the Vikings might lean on RB Dalvin Cook.
Who wins: The Vikings should benefit from Rodgers’ injury. Minnesota is balanced enough on offense to steal a win at Lambeau Field. Vikings, 23-20
CARDINALS (0-1) AT RAMS (1-0)
Time, TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Rams by 13
Cardinals’ keys: Arizona has to get RB David Johnson more involved after giving him nine carries against Washington. QB Sam Bradford was accurate, but he has to take more shots.
Rams’ keys: QB Jared Goff should be able to find strong matchups away from Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson with WR Robert Woods and WR Brandin Cooks.
Who wins: Los Angeles is the better team. The Cardinals are dependent on Johnson, so if the Rams can stop him, they’ll win. Rams, 35-24
LIONS (0-1) AT 49ERS (0-1)
Time, TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: 49ers by 6
Lions’ keys: Detroit has to take advantage of weaknesses in the 49ers’ linebacking corps. That means using RB Theo Riddick and RB Kerryon Johnson as receivers out of the backfield better than it did in Week 1.
49ers’ keys: San Francisco has to limit turnovers and convert in the red zone after going going 1-for-4 in Week 1.
Who wins: Even if 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo plays better, the Lions offense should have enough to win, especially if San Francisco don’t get healthier by game time. Lions, 27-24
PATRIOTS (1-0) AT JAGUARS (1-0)
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday. CBS
Line: Pick ’em
Patriots’ keys: The most important task will be to keep QB Tom Brady upright. The Patriots should focus on the rush. Jacksonville had problems in Week 1 trying to stop Giants RB Saquon Barkley, who rushed 18 times for 106 yards, including a 68-yard TD.
Jaguars’ keys: The defense’s top priority will be to put heat on Brady, as it did early and effectively in the AFC Championship Game. On offense, RB
Leonard Fournette will be the key to controlling the clock if he is good to go after suffering a hamstring injury.
Who wins: Tom Coughlin, the Jags’ executive vice president of football operations, knows what it takes to beat Patriots coach Bill Belichick; he did it twice in the Super Bowl. Jaguars, 27-24
RAIDERS (0-1) AT BRONCOS (1-0)
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Broncos by 6
Broncos’ keys: QB Case Keenum needs to protect the football better after throwing three in Week 1. Denver should continue to feed rookie RB Phillip Lindsay the ball; he had 102 yards from scrimmage and a TD. On defense, Denver’s formula is simple: get after the quarterback, and it produced six sacks and two interceptions in Week 1.
Raiders’ keys: Protecting QB Derek Carr will be imperative. The offense won’t be able to get into a rhythm if Carr is taking a lot of hits.
Who wins: Denver is carrying momentum, is always tough at home and will be tough to beat if Keenum (329 yards passing in Week 1) cuts down on his interceptions. Broncos, 28-17
GIANTS (0-1) AT COWBOYS (0-1)
Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Line: Cowboys by 3
Giants’ keys: They must establish the run, work off the play-action pass and allow QB Eli Manning time to go through his reads. Defensively, it will be stopping RB Ezekiel Elliott and finding a way to pressure QB Dak Prescott without letting him take off.
Cowboys’ keys: Take advantage of the Giants’ poor offensive line and put consistent pressure on Manning while meeting Saquon Barkley and the other running backs in the backfield.
Who wins: The game likely will come down to the final moments and will be determined by which team comes up clutch. If Manning really does have a big year left, this will be an opportunity to show it. Giants, 23-17
SEAHAWKS (0-1) AT BEARS (0-1)
Time, TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday,
ESPN
Line: Bears by 3
Seahawks’ keys: For Seattle to win, it has to keep Chicago’s running back tandem of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen in check, both as runners and as receivers.
Bears’ keys: OLB Khalil Mack should play more in Week 2 and will wreak havoc on a suspect offensive line in Seattle, which doesn’t bode well for QB Russell Wilson. But as long as QB Mitchell Trubisky takes care of the ball and lets the Bears defense do its job, Chicago has a great chance.
Who wins: The Bears thrive on pressuring the quarterback and running the ball, two areas in which the Seahawks struggle to counter. As a result, the Bears will win on the backs of Mack and Howard. Bears, 24-21