Tag: NFL Week 2

Top storylines, players to watch for Bengals vs. Chiefs in Week 2

Key things to know from a Bengals standpoint before the game against the Chiefs.

The Cincinnati Bengals face what could be described as a must-win game on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

If the Bengals can’t get on track against Patrick Mahomes and Co., then it’s a fall to 0-2 that makes the rest of the season an uphill climb.

Here’s a look at quick storylines and players to know.

 

Tackling

The Bengals whiffed on roughly 13 tackles last week, depending on where one looks for charting. Bengals coaches floated the idea of roughly 80 yards allowed after those.

Simply put, will these problems be resolved in Week 2? Will the angles be correct and the wrapping up sound? Because if it looks like a preseason game out there again while veterans get used to hitting in real games again, this one won’t be close — Bengals fans don’t need a reminder of how powerful Kansas City backs are.

 

Joe Burrow’s speed

Burrow owned up to his mistakes last week, admitting that he was playing a touch too fast.

On one hand, it’s hard to blame him after coming back from another season-ending injury, along with factors like Trent Brown turning in a miserable game.

On the other, his playing too fast and not pulling the proverbial trigger on looks down the field will cost the team the game on the road against Mahomes. A better pocket presence and willingness to take even slight risks that get a defense to back off are a must.

 

Jermaine Burton and the WRs

Does Burton get some run? It was hard to get a read on how Zac Taylor was feeling about it this week based on his comments. It sure sounds like Ja’Marr Chase wants to see him out there.

Even if Burton doesn’t play, with Tee Higgins likely out, the Bengals need someone not named Chase to step up big and actually create separation — then take care of the football once they face contact, unlike last week.

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Taliese Fuaga traveled to Dallas, will be a game-time decision vs. Cowboys

Taliese Fuaga traveled to Dallas while dealing with back tightness that has kept him out of practice. He’ll be a game-time decision against the Cowboys:

Taliese Fuaga traveled to Dallas for Sunday’s Saints game, per New Orleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, but his status will be a game-time decision ahead of kickoff with the Cowboys. Dennis Allen wasn’t concerned that the injury would be a major issue, but he never said Fuaga would play this week. He didn’t shut the door on that possibility, either.

Fuaga making the trip is the first step in the right direction. That keeps hope alive he could play. He’s currently dealing with back tightness, so that’s a tricky one. The injury kept the rookie out of practice for the majority of the week. He’ll have an opportunity to warm up on the field at AT&T Stadium and see how his back is feeling.

If Fuaga can’t play, Landon Young would join Trevor Penning as the starting tackles. Young filled in for Fuaga at practice during the week. Like Fuaga, Young shifted from the right side of the offensive line to the left this offseason. Olisaemeka Udoh is another option but he’s been focused on backing up Penning on the right side as of late.

The offensive line still has questions to answer and doing it without Fuaga will be a more difficult task. Fuaga will workout in pregame warm ups. It isn’t until then we’ll know whether he can go. It’s a long season and the Saints may not want to jeopardize their standout left tackle in Week 2.

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Report: Jameson Williams will play against the Buccaneers

A credible report indicates Lions WR Jameson Williams will play against the Buccaneers in Week 2 despite being listed as questionable

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s meeting against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Williams is dealing with an ankle injury suffered early in the Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Just as the injury didn’t slow Williams down for the rest of that game–the best outing of his three-year NFL career–it won’t hold him back in Week 2. As first reported by Jordan Schultz, Williams will play in Ford Field on Sunday.

It’s an expected status, as Williams did participate in a limited fashion in practices during the week. With rookie Isaiah Williams ruled out, the Lions did call up wideouts Tim Patrick and Tom Kennedy from the practice squad for the game.

Lions elevate two wide receivers for Week 2 showdown with Buccaneers

Lions elevate two wide receivers for Week 2 showdown with Buccaneers, including newcomer Tim Patrick

With some injury issues impacting the Detroit Lions ahead of Sunday’s matchup in Ford Field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions made some final tweaks to the active roster. Detroit elevated two wide receivers from the practice squad to the game day roster.

Tom Kennedy and Tim Patrick were elevated. With rookie Isaiah Williams ruled out with an abdominal injury, the promotions fill a hole on the Lions roster.

It’s the second elevation in as many weeks for Kennedy. Patrick will make his Detroit debut. He was elevated after joining the Lions from the Broncos shortly after the roster cutdowns.

Defensive tackle DJ Reader remains on track to see his first action in a Lions uniform, too. Reader didn’t carry an injury status on the final report and no setbacks happened, so the veteran nose tackle figures to be in the lineup. The Lions not adding any other defensive help.

Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs has blithe response to challenge of guarding Chris Olave

Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs had a blithe response to the challenge of guarding Chris Olave: ‘Is that a trick question?’

Sunday’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys has a couple of marquee matchups, but Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs isn’t sweating the task of guarding Saints wideout Chris Olave. Diggs responded with indifference when asked what challenges Olave presents as New Orleans’ No. 1 wide receiver.

“Is that a trick question?” Diggs replied. When pressed, he responded, “He’s a good player.”

Fans looking for disrespect are going to find it in a statement like that, though you could just as easily read Diggs’ comments as quiet confidence. He’s earned that swagger after intercepting 19 passes through his first 48 games, which won him two Pro Bowls and a spot on the All-Pro first team in 2021. If Diggs isn’t eager to talk his opponent up too highly, well — that’s his choice.

At the same time, it’s not like Diggs is an invincible cover corner. He’s known as a gambler with as many big takeaways and clutch pass breakups as big completions allowed into his coverage. Pro Football Reference found that he led the league in receiving yards given up (907) during that same 2021 season he won All-Pro recognition. And the gap between Diggs and the next-ranked cornerback, James Bradberry, was almost as wide as that between  Bradberry and the sixth-ranked corner.

But it’s a new year. Diggs didn’t allow nearly as many yards in 2022 and he missed all but two games in 2023 due to injury. He had an interception in the season opener last week while yielding just 19 yards in coverage on 11  targets, so he’s clearly playing well right now. The Saints should be looking to lean on their run game against the Cowboys, but there will times when they need to complete a pass. It would be awful vindicating for his fans if Olave can get the better of this matchup when the ball goes his way.

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Derek Carr rises up the quarterback rankings going into Week 2

Derek Carr climbed up three spots in the QB rankings after an efficient season opener. Can he fly higher in Week 2?

After a strong open to the season, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has risen up the NFL QB rankings. NFL.com’s Around the NFL writer Nick Shook writes a weekly quarterback rankings and was impressed with the performance Carr put on versus the Carolina Panthers.

After opening the year at No. 20, Carr is now ranked at No. 17. While no one is saying Carr is in the upper echelon of the league, that small rise is the difference from being in the average class to below. Carr’s 200 yards don’t jump off the screen. He was efficient and paired his yardage with 3 passing touchdowns. Here’s what Shook had to say about his performance:

I caution everyone to avoid overreacting to Week 1, but it sure was refreshing to see Carr have some fun playing football. After trudging through most of the 2023 season, Carr had new life in the Saints’ season opener, letting it fly with no fear and cashing in each time via a 59-yard touchdown strike to Rashid Shaheed, a risky floater to Foster Moreau while scrambling, and a rollout toss to Juwan Johnson for a third score. Carr’s stat line matched the ease with which he operated against the lowly Panthers, but I can guarantee the going will be tougher in the weeks ahead. We’ll see if Carr can carry this momentum into more difficult matchups.

Now Carr walks into one of those more difficult matchups on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are simply a better team than the Panthers with Pro Bowl and All-Pro talent on defense. The offensive line will have deal with a more dynamic pass rush and more dangerous secondary.

The Saints offensive line was last week’s pivot point, and they’ll be even more important this week. Carr will also have to look out for the Cowboys’ cornerbacks who have reputations as ballhawks. Trevon Diggs led the league in interceptions in 2021, and DaRon Bland did the same last year.

A good performance this week should put Carr in the top half of the rankings. Let’s see if he can get it done on Sunday.

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Bengals defender comments on his dislike for Chiefs before Week 2 clash

One Bengals player didn’t hold back when talking about the rivalry with the Chiefs.

The Cincinnati Bengals are going to see some familiar faces in Week 2 in the Kansas City Chiefs when they head to Arrowhead for what has become somewhat of a rivalry over the past few seasons.

Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who is in his third season with the Bengals now, made his thoughts on Kansas City clear when he was asked on Wednesday about the upcoming matchup.

“I don’t like them,” Taylor-Britt said. “I don’t think I like a lot of teams, but we see them a lot. It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to the last time. But playing those guys is always exciting.”

“I don’t shut up. I don’t shut up,” Taylor-Britt added when asked if he thinks there will be a lot of talking between the two teams during the game.

The Bengals are coming off of a bad loss to the New England Patriots in Cincinnati in Week 1, and to immediately have to come back against the back-to-back Super Bowl champions will certainly be a tough task, but the two teams have always found a way to make their games interesting.

Cincinnati took the first two of many matchups, beating the Chiefs late in the 2021-22 regular season by a field goal, and doing the same later that same month when Kansas City visited the Bengals for the AFC Championship game, which took the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1989.

Then the Bengals won again in the 2022-23 regular season, again by three points, but since then Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have got the better of them, winning the AFC Championship two years ago and beating the Jake Browning-led team last season by one possession.

But the game in Kansas City this weekend will certainly be one to pay attention to.

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How to buy Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons Monday Night Football tickets

Tickets are now available for the #Eagles home opener against the #Falcons. Get yours before they’re gone:

The Philadelphia Eagles will finally host their first game of the 2024 NFL season at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Regardless of any result prior to your first game at home, teams in the NFL want to make their backyard a fortress. This is the Eagles’ first opportunity to establish that.

The Eagles got a big win against the Packers in Brazil, and now only limited tickets remain for this prime-time home opener in Philadelphia.

SHOP: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons tickets

The Eagles have Week 2 as their home opener for one of the most interesting reasons. After opening the season taking in Brazil’s first-ever NFL game, Philly will get to welcome their team back home in this one.

A continued hot start for the Eagles, quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni both included, will be the hope after a tumultuous offseason.

Can the Eagles establish that home-field advantage against the visiting Falcons? Tickets for this contest start as low as $141.

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How to buy Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons Monday Night Football tickets

Tickets are now available for the #Eagles home opener against the #Falcons. Get yours before they’re gone:

The Philadelphia Eagles will finally host their first game of the 2024 NFL season at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Regardless of any result prior to your first game at home, teams in the NFL want to make their backyard a fortress. This is the Eagles’ first opportunity to establish that.

The Eagles got a big win against the Packers in Brazil, and now only limited tickets remain for this prime-time home opener in Philadelphia.

SHOP: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons tickets

The Eagles have Week 2 as their home opener for one of the most interesting reasons. After opening the season taking in Brazil’s first-ever NFL game, Philly will get to welcome their team back home in this one.

A continued hot start for the Eagles, quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni both included, will be the hope after a tumultuous offseason.

Can the Eagles establish that home-field advantage against the visiting Falcons? Tickets for this contest start as low as $141.

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How to buy Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears Sunday Night Football tickets

Tickets are now available for the #Texans home opener against the #Bears. Get yours before they’re gone:

The Houston Texans will finally host their first game of the 2024 NFL season at NRG Stadium in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears in a cross-conference battle.

Regardless of any result prior to your first game at home, teams in the NFL want to make their backyard a fortress. This is the Texans’ first opportunity to establish that.

Both the Texans and the Bears won close games in Week 1, and only limited tickets remain for this first game in Houston.

SHOP: Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans tickets

The matchup with the Bears will be Houston’s first chance to see their new-look team in person.

Quarterback CJ Stroud & Co. return with a jolt of Stefon Diggs added to their offense.

Will that big-time offseason move prove enough to push Houston over the finish line? The first look of that journey at home sees tickets start as low as $133.

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