Week 1 of the NFL season got off to a thrilling start with no shortage of comeback wins and upset losses. Now, all eyes are on Week 2 as teams look to build momentum early in the season.
The second Sunday of the 2024 season will feature 14 games, highlighted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Detroit Lions, the San Francisco 49ers at the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals at the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels will also take to the field for a second time as all three adjust to the growing pains of playing on the professional level.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s Week 2 NFL games.
Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)Location: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandBetting odds: BAL (-9.5); O/U: 41.5
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After failing to get their revenge on Kansas City after last year’s AFC Championship game, the Baltimore Ravens will be eager to get a win under their belt in their home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. Statistically, the Raiders are the biggest underdogs of Week 2 as Las Vegas’ offense is expected to struggle to match the production of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Los Angeles Chargers at Carolina Panthers
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North CarolinaBetting odds: LAC (-6.5); O/U: 39
The Los Angeles Chargers overcame a slow start to win their opening game against Las Vegas in Jim Harbaugh’s coaching debut with the team, demonstrating they’re ready for the long season ahead. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers were outplayed by the New Orleans Saints in their opener, 47-10, struggling both offensively and defensively.
New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TexasBetting odds: DAL (-6.5); O/U: 45.5
While both teams dominated their Week 1 games, the Dallas Cowboys did so against a much stronger side in the the Cleveland Browns compared to the Panthers. Veteran quarterback Dak Prescott also will be eager to prove himself after landing a new $240 million four-year deal that makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL. His offensive efforts will be bolstered by a new defensive unit that was able to generate 25 pressures on Cleveland’s 56 dropbacks last week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)Location: Ford Field in Detroit, MichiganBetting odds: DET (-7); O/U: 51.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield had a formidable Week 1 outing as the only quarterback to throw for four touchdowns during Week 1 to secure Tampa’s resounding victory against the Washington Commanders. However, any offense is bound to struggle to match the high-scoring potential of Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, who contributed five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown in Detroit’s overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams. That said, the Bucs will be hungry for revenge after Detroit eliminated the team from the playoffs last season.
Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)Location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WisconsinBetting odds: IND (-3); O/U: 41
Although the Green Bay Packers headed into the 2024 season the stronger team on paper, the team’s outlook drastically changed after star quarterback Jordan Love suffered an MCL sprain during the Packers’ opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Love is expected to miss at least the next few weeks of play and Green Bay is expected to start QB2 Malik Willis in his place. Willis’ limited experience in the league will be a major hurdle for Green Bay and the Indianapolis Colts will do all they can to expose this weakness as they seek their first win of the season.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)Location: EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FloridaBetting odds: JAX (-3.5); O/U: 42
This matchup will be a tale of two inconsistent offenses as neither team impressed during Week 1. The Jacksonville Jaguars fumbled a ball to lose against the Miami Dolphins after failing to score a single point in the second half and blowing a double-digit lead. Meanwhile, the Browns struggled against the Cowboys as QB Deshaun Watson, who now faces more sexual assault allegations, continues to be lackluster on the field.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)Location: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MinnesotaBetting odds: SF (-6); O/U: 45.5
Even without 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers reminded everyone why they are reigning NFC champions with a dominant victory over the New York Jets on Monday night. Backup running back Jordan Mason stepped up to contribute 28 carries for 147 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Even though Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold impressed during the Vikings’ opening win against the New York Giants, his team will face a tougher opponent in Week 2, and his performance Sunday should be a better indicator of the team’s postseason potential.
Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)Location: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts Betting odds: SEA (-3); O/U: 38
The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are navigating the start of the NFL season with new head coaches. Although Mike MacDonald’s Seahawks are favored to win, Jerod Mayo’s Patriots pulled off the biggest upset of Week 1 by defeating the Bengals. New England has the potential to do the same against a Seattle side that will have to travel to the East Coast for an early game time. The matchup will also mark the first home game of the 21st century at Gillette Stadium without former head coach Bill Belichick at the Patriots’ helm.
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)Location: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TennesseeBetting odds: NYJ (-3.5); O/U: 41
After a year-long road to recovery from an Achilles tear, the 49ers denied Jets QB Aaron Rodgers an opening win Monday night. The reigning NFC champions held Rodgers to 167 yards and one touchdown. However, Rodgers had a stronger showing than Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis, who threw more interceptions (two) than touchdowns (one) to blow a 17-0 lead in Tennessee’s opening loss to the Chicago Bears. The Titans’ offense will suffer once again if it fails to improve from Week 1.
New York Giants at Washington Commanders
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)Location: Northwest Stadium in Landover, MarylandBetting odds: WAS (-1.5); O/U: 44
The Giants’ offensive woes continued in Week 1 as Daniel Jones returned to the field for the first time since a season-ending injury last November by throwing zero touchdowns and two interceptions to the sound of booing from his home crowd. The disjointed Giants squad could be the ideal opportunity for Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who, despite an opening loss to Tampa Bay, will aim for his first professional win as he looks to re-energize a long-struggling Washington side.
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
Time/TV: 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX)Location: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, ArizonaBetting odds: ARI (-1.5); O/U: 49.5
Both the Rams and the Arizona Cardinals enter Week 2 winless, the former suffering an overtime loss against Detroit and the latter blowing a double-digit lead against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. To make matters worse for Los Angeles, offensive linemen Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom, as well as wide receiver Puka Nacua have been placed on injured reserve, putting the Rams’ depth chart in even further turmoil.
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
Time/TV: 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriBetting odds: KC (-6); O/U: 47.5
The Bengals’ abysmal loss to the New England Patriots at home was perhaps the biggest shock of Week 1. Bengals QB Joe Burrow and his team will be looking for redemption Sunday. Unfortunately for them, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs lie in store. Kansas City’s statement win against the Ravens demonstrated it was one of the best teams in the league and no team will have an easy outing against the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions in search of a historic three-peat.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
Time/TV: 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)Location: Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, ColoradoBetting odds: PIT (-3); O/U: 36.5
Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix had a shaky NFL debut. The rookie threw two costly interceptions and completed 26 of 42 pass attempts (61.9%) for 138 yards en route to an opening loss against Seattle. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers managed an opening win against the Atlanta Falcons despite playing with QB2 Justin Fields as starting QB Russell Wilson was out with a calf injury. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he planned to start Fields again for Week 2 as Wilson continues his recovery.
The biggest challenge for Nix and the Broncos will be the Steelers’ commanding defense, anchored by linebacker T.J. Watt. Against the more experienced Kirk Cousins during Week 1, the defense won the game for Pittsburgh, recording two sacks and forcing three turnovers. If Nix is to improve on last week’s performance, he will have to navigate a tight Steelers defense that will show little mercy to the young quarterback as he adapts to the professional level.
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans
Time/TV: 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, TexasBetting odds: HOU (-7); O/U: 46
The late-night game will be a battle between young quarterbacks and the Houston Texans are a 7-point favorite. Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams, who was drafted as the No. 1 pick, won his professional debut but contributed little to his team’s victory with all of Chicago’s scores coming from the defense or special teams. But, while Williams still needs to find his footing in the league, Houston QB C.J. Stroud has had an extra year to adjust and his Week 1 performance outshined Williams by a long shot.
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