NFL Week 2 preview
Trio in need of a bounce back; game previews
COWBOYS (1-0) AT REDSKINS (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Pregame.com line: Cowboys by 51⁄2
Cowboys’ keys: They will need to rely heavily on their ground game. If RB Ezekiel Elliott can draw the defense into the box to stop the run, QB Dak Prescott will have time to connect with WR Amari Cooper over the top and exploit Washington’s defense at all levels.
Redskins’ keys: They will be heavily outmatched on paper but can muddle up the game in the trenches with DE Jonathan Allen and NT Daron Payne. RB Adrian Peterson, a healthy scratch in Week 1, might help the cause with Derrius Guice dealing with a knee injury.
Who wins? The Cowboys are the superior team with superior talent. Cowboys, 24-13
COLTS (0-1) AT TITANS (1-0) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Pregame.com line: Titans by 3
Colts’ keys: The Colts will need to keep the pressure off QB Jacoby Brissett by establishing the run.
Titans’ keys: They will need to stay aggressive on both sides of the ball, and their defense must keep Brissett uncomfortable.
Who wins? Look for the Titans to flex their muscles at home. Titans, 24-17
SEAHAWKS (1-0) AT STEELERS (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Pregame.com line: Steelers by 4
Seahawks’ keys: QB Russell Wilson and RB Chris Carson will need to be in sync and give the Seahawks sustained possessions to match the Steelers’ production.
Steelers’ keys: Pittsburgh must establish the run with RBs James Conner and Jaylen Samuels and use the quick-strike potential of the passing game sparingly. The Steelers cannot afford to settle for field goals.
Who wins? The Steelers’ offense outpaces the Seahawks’, and the improved Pittsburgh defense snuffs out the Seattle run game. Steelers, 28-17
BILLS (1-0) AT GIANTS (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Pregame.com line: Bills by 11⁄2
Bills’ keys: Make Giants QB Eli Manning uncomfortable in the pocket and generate turnovers by disrupting the offensive timing.
Giants’ keys: Pound the rock and control the clock. While Manning undoubtedly will take his shots downfield, they will lean heavily on RB Saquon Barkley in an effort to shorten the game.
Who wins? Buffalo is one of the few NFL teams the Giants outpace in terms of talent and depth, so they should be able to win as long as they avoid mistakes and turnovers. Giants, 21-20
PATRIOTS (1-0) AT DOLPHINS (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Pregame.com line: Patriots by 181⁄2 Patriots’ keys: Win the line of scrimmage.
Dolphins’ keys: Execute at a high level on the ground and work the time of possession.
Who wins? Look for New England to overwhelm the Dolphins with its plethora of skill players. Patriots, 38-13
JAGUARS (0-1) AT TEXANS (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Pregame.com line: Texans by 8 Jaguars’ keys: Rookie QB Gardner Minshew, playing in place of injured Nick Foles, must be a game manager and not succumb to giving the Texans any free possessions. RB Leonard Fournette and the rushing attack must be on point to neutralize the Texans’ front seven.
Texans’ keys: DE J.J. Watt and the pass rush have to test Minshew more than it did Drew Brees in Week 1 and stop the Jaguars’ run game.
Who wins? The Jaguars are starting a rookie QB on the road against a formidable defense. Texans, 20-16
VIKINGS (1-0) AT PACKERS (1-0) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Pregame.com line: Packers by 3 Vikings’ keys: Feed WRs Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen in the passing game and dominate along the interior of the defensive line. The Vikings’ defense should attempt to replicate what the Bears accomplished in Week 1: Stop the run, force long third downs and collapse the pocket from the interior.
Packers’ keys: Get the run game going, protect QB Aaron Rodgers and keep the momentum rolling on defense. Expect to see more play-action passes.
Who wins? With a confident new defense and 10 days to prepare, the Packers sneak by Mike Zimmer’s team at home. Packers 23, Vikings 20
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-0) AT LIONS (0-0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Pregame.com line: Chargers by 21⁄2
Chargers’ keys: Keep QB Philip Rivers in rhythm and pressure Detroit QB Matthew Stafford. The Chargers’ formidable pass-rushing tandem of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram should give Detroit’s offensive tackles problems.
Lions’ keys: Control the pace of the game and take advantage of key absences.
Who wins? Look for the Lions to control the trenches, especially on defense.
Lions, 23-21
49ERS (1-0) AT BENGALS (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Pregame.com line: Bengals by 2
49ers’ keys: Deploy versatile backs to sustain drives and apply consistent defensive pressure. The team must keep QB Jimmy Garoppolo as comfortable as possible.
Bengals’ keys: Feed RB Joe Mixon and exploit mismatches. Exploiting the speed of WR John Ross and getting TE Tyler Eifert into favorable matchups can mean ball control and plenty of points.
Who wins? The Bengals are at home, and Mixon can have a big day in all facets. Bengals, 28-24
CARDINALS (0-0-1) AT RAVENS (1-0) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Pregame.com line: Ravens by 13
Cardinals’ keys: It’s all about the offensive line and keeping rookie QB Kyler
Murray upright. The defense must contain explosive plays and the run game to force Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson to beat them with his arm.
Ravens’ keys: If the Ravens can go up by two scores in the first half, it will put more pressure on Arizona. Baltimore can ride the run game in the second half to a big difference in time of possession. Who wins? The Ravens are looking to go back to the postseason, while the Cardinals are trying to develop players. That disparity in talent shines throughout the game. Ravens, 32-10
CHIEFS (1-0) AT RAIDERS (1-0) Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Pregame.com line: Chiefs by 71⁄2
Chiefs’ keys: As long as QB Patrick Mahomes can avoid costly turnovers, Kansas City should have no problem moving the ball up and down the field.
Raiders’ keys: Expect rookie RB Josh Jacobs to touch the ball early and often as the Raiders try to play a ball-control style of offense.
Who wins? Despite the Raiders playing at home for the second week in a row, there is just too big of a talent disparity between these two rosters. Chiefs, 31-20
SAINTS (1-0) AT RAMS (1-0) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
Pregame.com line: Rams by 2
Saints’ keys: If Rams DT Aaron Donald has his way like he often does, QB Drew Brees is in for a long day. The Saints did a good job with Donald last season by using quick passes to get the ball out of Brees’ hands.
Rams’ keys: Keeping QB Jared Goff upright will be a big focus for Los Angeles. The Saints’ pass rush is relentless, which could lead the Rams to running the ball inside more often with RB Todd Gurley. Who wins? The Saints are one of the most talented teams in the NFL and both WR Michael Thomas and RB Alvin Kamara pose major matchup problems. Plus, New Orleans is coming off a Week 1 win over Houston with a last-second field goal and there is the revenge factor from the Rams’ controversial win for last year’s NFC championship. Saints 27, Rams 24
BEARS (0-1) AT BRONCOS (0-1) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
Pregame.com line: Bears by 21⁄2 Broncos’ keys: OLBs Von Miller and Bradley Chubb should generate pressure on Chicago QB Mitchell Trubisky. On offense, QB Joe Flacco needs to manage the game.
Bears’ keys: Opposing tight ends caught 72 passes for 1,035 yards and six TDs against the Broncos last season, so Chicago should get Trey Burton involved early. He missed last week’s opener with a groin injury but has practiced this week.
Who wins? The Broncos are 8-2 in their last 10 home openers and coach Vic Fangio will have Denver ready to go. Broncos, 24-17
EAGLES (1-0) AT FALCONS (0-1) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC Pregame.com line: Eagles by 2 Eagles’ keys: Philadelphia has held Atlanta’s potent offense to 15 or fewer points in their last three meetings, all wins for the Eagles. QB Carson Wentz will want to build on his strong Week 1 performance (313 yards, three touchdowns).
Falcons’ keys: Atlanta will have to do a better job running the ball. RB Devonta Freeman managed 19 yards on eight carries and had a critical fumble in the red zone last week against Minnesota. More important, the line has to improve dramatically in pass protection.
Who wins? The Eagles have dominated this matchup the last three years, and there’s no reason to expect any different here. Eagles, 26-20
BROWNS (0-1) AT JETS (0-1) Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Pregame.com line: Browns by 61⁄2 Browns’ keys: With Jets starting QB Sam Darnold out because of mono, putting pressure on backup Trevor Siemian should be at the top of Cleveland’s list. That shouldn’t be too hard for the Browns, what with Myles Garrett leading their pass rush.
Jets’ keys: Thin at cornerback, the Jets are going to have to do all they can to contain WRs Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
Who wins? The Browns simply have too much firepower in areas where the Jets lack countermeasures. Browns, 27-20