Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season was an absolute whirlwind of both excitement and disappointment. Not all games were as exciting as the others so let’s take a look at five games coming in NFL Week 2 that you will not want to miss.
Game #5 of NFL Week 2 – Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
For the first time in quite a while, the Chicago Bears have a better record than the Green Bay Packers. Granted that record is 1-0 versus 0-1 but the above statement still stands. Bears quarterback Justin Fields and his team upset was supposed to be a surefire win for the San Francisco 49ers. The game ended 19-10 in favor of the Bears despite no dominant offensive performances from either team.
The Packers on the other hand are coming off a brutal loss (7-23) to another NFC North team, the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers always seem to have a rough time against the Vikings but the Bears on the other hand are allegedly “owned” by Aaron Rodgers. While Rodgers yelling that at the Bears fan during a win last season he isn’t entirely incorrect as he has a 22-5 career record against the Bears. Rodgers has not lost to them since 2018.
The Bears are definitely feeling themselves after the win against the 49ers and the Packers are desperate to show their fans that Week 1 was a fluke and they are a true contender this year. Justin Fields may be feeling lucky heading into NFL Week 2 but this bout is on Rodgers’ home turf and it’s doubtful he will disappoint in his home opener at Lambeau Field.
PREDICTION: Packers 27 Bears 14
Game #4 of NFL Week 2 – New York Giants vs Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers’ “Baker Bowl” against the Cleveland Browns did not go as expected and the Panthers started their season 0-1 on a long last-minute field goal. Mayfield has another chance to quiet the doubters as they take a trip up north to face the New York Giants.
The Giants, similar to the Bears, are coming off a thrilling upset win against the Tennesee Titans. The Giants called a two-point conversion that running back Saquon Barkley brought home giving head coach Brian Daboll a win for his coaching debut. Daboll’s gutsy play calling and intense demeanor seems to be working in New York.
With the Dallas Cowboys taking a loss there is nothing the Giants would love more than to extend their record to 2-0 but they’ll have to hold Mayfield and running back Christian McCaffrey back. This should be an exciting one for two teams that entered the season with relatively low expectations.
PREDICTION: Carolina Panthers 21 New York Giants 17
Game #3 of NFL Week 2 – Las Vegas Raiders vs Arizona Cardinals
The Las Vegas Raiders may have invaded Sofi Stadium with their fans on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers but that’s about as far as they got. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had his way with the Raiders defense for most of the night and likewise, the Chargers defense enjoyed Derek Carr’s presence. The Chargers defense sacked Carr three times, hit him an additional nine times, and brought in three interceptions. Hardly the night Raiders fans were hoping for with Davante Adams on the roster.
The Cardinals, who were led by quarterback Kyler Murray and his new contract extension, did not fare much better against the Chiefs. In fact, they did worse. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped five touchdowns on the Cardinals in their home stadium scoring 44 points while Murray and his crew could only produce 21.
Both the Raiders and Cardinals entered the season with high expectations and a 0-1 start is not what either anticipated. The Cardinals are entering the Death Star/Black Hole in Vegas but the desert heat is nothing new for the Cardinals. This should be a high-scoring affair as neither defense would be labeled as “elite” and both teams had their struggles last week.
PREDICTION: Raiders 34 Cardinals 31
Game #2 of NFL Week 2 – New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This one should be a no-brainer. Former Patriots now Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Tom Brady is 0-4 against the New Orleans Saints since joining his new team in 2020. Brady does not match up well against the Saints and it is only fitting that the Saints are led by former Buccaneer quarterback, Jameis Winston.
While Winston harbors no ill will against the Buccaneers it is always an exciting matchup when it is “former quarterback vs the team that got rid of him.” The Saints have a top defensive unit and Winston is armed with more offensive weapons than he has in the recent past. Wide receiver Michael Thomas is back (healthy supposedly) and is joined by rookie Chris Olave and veteran receiver Jarvis Landry.
Brady has his usual group of offensive stars (plus Julio Jones!) but receiver Chris Godwin may be out and Brady did not exactly light it up against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night. Brady scored only one touchdown paired with an interception in the 19-3 win.
The Saints on the other hand barely squeaked by the Atlanta Falcons but both of these teams are 1-0 to start the season. This will be an NFC South battle you will not want to miss.
PREDICTION: Saints 27 Buccaneers 19
Game #1 of NFL Week 2 – Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers
This matchup is the best of NFL Week 2 for so many reasons. First, it’s on Thursday Night Football so by the time you’ve read this article kick-off is merely a couple of days away. Second, the AFC West is the toughest division in the league and these are likely the two best teams in it. Third, Mahomes vs Herbert; need I say more?
Both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers are coming off strong offensive performances from this past weekend. Neither quarterback threw an interception in Week 1 and combined they threw for 8 touchdowns (5 Mahomes, 3 Herbert). The defensive units for both teams have improved the offseason and their offenses are full of playmakers. Herbert may be without wide receiver Keenan Allen due to the short schedule but Herbert did not have trouble putting the Raiders away without him.
These are two of the top five quarterbacks in the league and that reason alone is enough to ensure that no one misses this game. The Chargers and Chiefs are the two most debated teams when it comes to the question of who will take the crown as AFC West Champions and we are getting a perfect preview on Thursday Night of NFL Week 2.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 29 Chargers 24