Week 1 in the NFL is concluded, and week 2 is upon us.
In Week 1, Aaron Rodgers made a successful debut with the Steelers, Cam Ward made his first career start, the Packers smashed the Lions in a crucial NFC North battle, and J.J. McCarthy had a successful NFL debut.
Below are five key storylines and things to follow in week 2.
NFL Week 2: Five Interesting Storylines To Follow
The NFL season kicked off with an exciting Week 1. Week 2 is shaping up to be an interesting week. Below are five storylines to follow for week 2.
1. Two NFC Super Bowl Contenders Battle On Thursday Night Football
On Thursday Night Football, the Washington Commanders will go to Green Bay and take on the Packers. Both teams are 1-0 and are considered Super Bowl contenders in the NFC.
Washington is coming off a dominant win against the New York Giants. They did not allow a TD in week 1, and Jayden Daniels continued to impress after an incredible rookie season. Daniels went 19/30 for 233 passing yards, one passing TD, and 68 rushing yards. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt had 10 carries for 82 rushing yards and a rushing TD. Deebo Samuel was impressive in his Commanders debut. Samuel had seven receptions, 77 receiving yards, 19 rushing yards, and one rushing TD.
Green Bay dominated the Lions in week 1. The defense was all over Jared Goff and Detroit’s offense. Goff was sacked four times, and the Packers picked him off once. Micah Parsons played less than 50% of the snaps in week 1, but the defense was still outstanding. It will just get better. Jordan Love was efficient as the offense looked good for the Packers.
The Commanders and Packers are both considered Super Bowl contenders, and this is a massive Thursday Night contest.
2. Russell Wilson Is On A Very Short Leash
Head coach Brian Daboll would not commit to starting Russell Wilson after the Giants did not score a TD in week 1. On Tuesday, it was announced that Wilson will start in week 2. This is likely due to the Giants paying Wilson $10 million for the season, and they do not want to pay Wilson that much for starting just one game.
Jaxson Dart is waiting in the wings to take over the starter role. It is a matter of time before the Giants pull the trigger and bench Wilson. If Wilson once again struggles in week 2 and the Giants struggle to score points once again, Wilson’s time as the starter may end in week 2.
Brian Daboll is fighting for his job, and he can not afford to continue to have the offense struggle as much as it did in week 1. The decision to start Wilson in week 2 feels like it did not come from Daboll. Wilson will need to have a much better game in week 2, or else he may hit the bench in favor of Rookie QB Jaxson Dart.
3. Ben Johnson Takes On Former Team
Ben Johnson looked like he was going to win his first game as a head coach for the Chicago Bears. It was going good for the first three quarters against the Vikings in week 1. Chicago led 17-6 after three quarters but collapsed in the fourth and lost 27-24. Caleb Williams looked good for the first three quarters but reverted to how he looked as a rookie in the fourth quarter.
In week 2, Ben Johnson will take on his former team as the Bears will be on the road against the Detroit Lions. This feels like a must-win for both teams as they both kicked off the season with a loss in week 1. How the Bears look against Johnson’s former team will be interesting. Johnson knows the Lions very well, but Detroit knows Johnson very well.
This is a must-win game for both the Bears and Lions and is a very interesting game to watch in week 2.
4. Mike McDaniel On The Hot Seat
The Miami Dolphins were a disaster in week 1. They lost 33-8 against the Indianapolis Colts. Miami allowed Daniel Jones to go 22/29 for 272 passing yards, one passing TD, and added 26 rushing yards and a rushing TD.
The issues with the Dolphins started in the offseason. Tyreek Hill and Tua are not on the same page. Tua even said in the offseason that it would take time to repair their relationship.
In week 1, Hill was visibly frustrated on the sideline after Miami was getting pummelled. Hill may get traded midseason.
As for Mike McDaniel, he is on the hot seat. Some of the dysfunction is on him. He has been too soft on his players, and it is backfiring now. If the Dolphins continue to look dysfunctional, McDaniel will be let go. His seat is scorching hot.
5. Super Bowl Rematch
In week 2, we get a Super Bowl rematch as the Philadelphia Eagles go to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. Philadelphia smashed the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
The Eagles looked good in week 1, defeating the Cowboys 24-20. Philadelphia is picking up where it left off last season.
The Chiefs lost 27-21 in week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. They will look to avoid starting the season 0-2, but it will be challenging against the Eagles.
This Super Bowl rematch is a must-watch.
