2023 NFL Week 2: Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes Face Tough Tests

It won’t be easy for either quarterback against the Ravens’ and Jaguars’ defensive fronts. Plus, Anthony Richardson faces a challenging test at Houston against DeMeco Ryans’s defense.

We’ve arrived at the NFL Week 2 schedule, and there are plenty of fascinating nuggets to consider for the games ahead.

As an example, will the Bills’ league-worst run defense from last weekend be able to handle Josh Jacobs? What about the Panthers’ defense trying to force a few stops in the passing game, something it failed to do against Desmond Ridder and the Falcons?

As we break down the 15 upcoming matchups, we go deep inside the Week 1 numbers to figure out what to watch, and who may have the edge.

Sunday

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

Love had three touchdown passes in Week 1 :: Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports

Key matchup: Jordan Love vs. Atlanta’s secondary.

Love looked great for Green Bay in his second career start, averaging 16.3 yards per completion, second to Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1. Conversely, Atlanta’s defense permitted only 7.3 yards per completion, sixth in the NFL.

When Love drops back, can he consistently find intermediate and deep targets as he did against Chicago?

Las Vegas Raiders at Buffalo Bills

Key matchup: The Raiders’ run game vs. the Bills’ run defense

The Bills were a wreck trying to stop Jets running back Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook, allowing a league-worst 6.1 yards per carry last weekend. However, the Raiders ran for just 2.1 yards per carry, 32nd in the league.

With last year’s rushing champ Josh Jacobs, can Las Vegas shorten the game and minimize quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s impact by pounding the ball?

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Key matchup: The Bengals’ offensive line vs. Baltimore’s defensive front

Against the Browns, Cincinnati allowed 10 quarterback hits. Only the Cowboys hit the quarterback more in Week 1 with 12. But who tied Cleveland in that category? Baltimore.

The Ravens now come to town looking to harass Joe Burrow once more. Cincinnati’s offensive line, led by new left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., must improve.

Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions

Key matchup: The Seahawks’ pass defense vs. Detroit’s deep passing game

Last season, Lions quarterback Jared Goff ranked 24th in intended air yards per pass attempt (7.0). Last week, only the Chargers gave up more air yards than the Seahawks, who were shredded by the Rams.

At Ford Field in 2022, Goff threw 23 touchdowns to only three interceptions.

Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans

Key matchup: The Chargers’ defense vs. the Titans in the red zone

No defense was worse last week than the Chargers, who ranked last in air yards allowed, total yards allowed, yards per play allowed and various other metrics. Suffice to say, the Titans should be able to move the ball on L.A.

But in New Orleans, Tennessee failed to score a touchdown on all three of its trips into the red zone. Can the Titans punch it in for seven this time?

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key matchup: DJ Moore and Justin Fields against the Buccaneers’ secondary

In their win over the Vikings, the Buccaneers allowed 199 air yards and 145 yards after the catch in the passing game, ranking third- and fourth-worst in the NFL.

However, the Bears continued their franchise-long battle with the forward pass, ranking tied for 21st with 5.2 adjusted yards per pass attempt (AY/A). Will it be better against Tampa Bay’s stout defense?

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence and Mahomes faced off in the divisional round of the 2022 NFL playoffs :: Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports

Key matchup: Patrick Mahomes against the Jaguars’ third-down defense

Against the Colts in Week 1, Jacksonville permitted only 16.7% of third downs to be converted, tied for second best in the league. Last year, the Chiefs ranked second in the category but struggled to a middling 35.7% clip against the Lions without Travis Kelce.

With Kelce potentially being reinserted into the lineup, who wins the most important down in football with Patrick Mahomes on the field?

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Key matchup: Rookie QB Anthony Richardson vs. DeMeco Ryans’s defense

Despite losing 25–6 to Baltimore last week, the Texans did a nice job bottling up the Ravens’ potent ground game. Baltimore finished with 3.4 yards per carry, ranking 22nd after Week 1.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis was ineffective without star running back Jonathan Taylor. The Colts checked in at 28th with 2.5 YPC. If Houston shuts off the run again, can Richardson beat one of the league’s best defensive minds?

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams

Key matchup: The Rams’ defense vs. Christian McCaffrey

Lining up against the vaunted Steelers defense, the 49ers ran over Pittsburgh. San Francisco averaged 5.5 yards per carry while racking up 188 rushing yards, both figures ranking third in Week 1.

While the Rams bottled up Geno Smith and the Seahawks’ passing game, they surrendered 4.7 yards per carry, tied for 25th. They’ll need to step up their run defense Sunday.

New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals

Key matchup: Both offenses vs. both defenses

The Giants were tied with the Bengals for the worst yards per play average of Week 1 (2.6), while the Cardinals ranked 30th (3.6). Defensively in that category, Arizona was sixth (3.8) while New York checked in at 18th (4.8), albeit against a much tougher offense in the Cowboys.

After hideous showings to open the year, which offense gets rolling first?

New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys

No reason for a deep dig here. The Cowboys swarmed Daniel Jones in their 40–0 win over the Giants in the season opener, registering a league-high seven sacks.

Can the Jets protect Zach Wilson behind a line that saw him pressured on 33% of his drop-backs against the Bills, tied for sixth worst in the NFL?

Washington Commanders at Denver Broncos

Key matchup: Washington’s pass defense vs. Russell Wilson

In Week 1, the Commanders did an excellent job of limiting the Cardinals in the passing game, holding them to 6.3 yards per completion. Only the Browns were better.

Conversely, Denver’s Russell Wilson ranked 30th in intended air yards per attempt at 4.0. Look for the Commanders to cheat down into the flats.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

Hill had a league-leading 215 receiving yards against the Chargers in Week 1 :: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Key matchup: The Patriots’ defense against the Dolphins’ explosive passing offense

Facing the Chargers, Miami went bombs away. The Dolphins lead the NFL in myriad passing categories, including total yards, yards per completion, yards per attempt and so forth. Additionally, receiver Tyreek Hill had a league-leading 215 yards in Week 1.

New England has a quality defense and a potential star corner in first-round pick Christian Gonzalez. Against the Eagles, the Patriots limited the defending NFC champion Eagles to 154 passing yards, ranking 10th. Can they step up again?

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Key matchup: The Panthers’ secondary vs. Derek Carr

Against the Falcons and second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder, Carolina allowed a league-high 83.3% of passes to be completed. Meanwhile, the Saints enjoyed Carr’s debut with the team as he hit on 69.7% of his throws, tied for ninth best.

With Panthers corner Jaycee Horn injured, can Carolina find a way to stop Carr and the Saints’ receivers?

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Key matchup: Browns’ offensive line against the Pittsburgh defensive line

In Week 1, the Steelers were blown out by the 49ers, but their defensive front was causing problems. Pittsburgh had a 38.2% hurry rate against San Francisco, and now gets to face a remade line with Browns right tackle Jack Conklin out for the season.