The NFL Roundup 2022: Week 2 Preview

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There was a time, not that long ago, where Thursdays were an awful day. Because it meant that we had to still endure Friday at the workplace and slog through that before the weekend would bring us calm, but not complete joy. Because not that long ago, football was off the air. But now, Thursday and the weekend leave us excited. For it is the beginning of a new week of NFL Football and if this week is anything like the last, we are in for a true treat and well… with that in mind… let’s talk at length about Week 2 in the NFL and all the wonder it will be sending our way.

Will Broncos Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett lead his team to victory?
Make no mistake about it, Week 1 in Seattle was just too much for Denver Broncos Rookie Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett to handle and understandably so. A legend returning home? On Monday Night? For your first game as an NFL Head Coach? That’s a lot to handle mentally. But thankfully, that game is over, the nerves are hopefully out of his system and now we are all wondering if he can guide the talented Broncos to victory and I think he will. Simply because he obviously learned that he let the moment get to him and made mistakes in doing so, and a coach that learns that… is one that won’t let the game get away from him again.
 
Can the Jaguars finally put it together this week?
Obviously, the coaching change in Jacksonville last year was a true necessity. Because man, Coach Meyer was a dunce, and his system just wasn’t helping the mighty Trevor Lawrence play his best football. But what’s wild, is that even with a change and a sense of competition, this team still couldn’t put away the lowly Commanders, leaving one to wonder what it will take for this team to put together a complete game. Which in my humble opinion, would involve one key element on offense. For the wide receivers had too many drops last week or just missed easy balls and that left a lot of points on the field. So, if they can get their act together… Jacksonville might finally win a game. As to whether or not they will, is anybody’s guess.
 
Can the Patriots rebound from that ugly loss?
Truly, one of the saddest and most shocking losses of Week 1, was watching the New England Patriots get beat down by the Miami Dolphins. Because they were a shell of their former selves and looked lost and desperate on the field. Leaving all of us to wonder if they will rebound this week and honestly, I don’t think they will. Because the new system isn’t working in Foxboro and Mac Jones appears to be regressing and the Steelers are just kicking tail and taking names right now. So, expect New England to go 0-2 this weekend as they continue their pathetic and unsettling downward slide after spending so many years dominating the league.

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Thursday Night Football
Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
8:15 p.m. EST – Prime Video

​It’s a new era for football tonight, for this week’s Thursday Night Game is exclusively on Prime Video, ushering the NFL into the streaming era and boy, they could not have picked a better game to kick things off. Because you can never go wrong with an AFC West Matchup in Primetime and this one looks to be a doozy. I mean come on, Justin Herbert v Patrick Mahomes? Epic. Just Epic. That means we can expect a lot of scoring tonight, and some big time plays through the air. But of course, you’re dying to get some idea of who might win and honestly, I think it will be the Chiefs. Just because Mahomes slays in the regular season and knows the Chargers defense well. So, while it might be a close game, expect the Chiefs to come out on top in this one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
1:00 p.m. EST – FOX

Speaking of great divisional matchups, let’s talk about this AFC South scorcher. Because it features Jameis Winston. Who has finally found his groove under center in the Big Easy, and he played a great game in Week 1 and he is looking to cement his legacy as the next great quarterback of the Saints, and of course, Tom Brady is also part of this game, and he has all the records and all the wins and he is hoping to snag another ring at the end of what might be his farewell tour. Which means that this is going to be an intense battle royale, one that could go either way since both teams are mostly evenly matched. But… don’t be shocked if the Saints pull off quite the win, simply because the one flaw present here for Tampa Bay is that patchwork O-line and if they can’t protect #12, then the win goes to New Orleans.

Sunday Night Football
Chicago Bears (1-0) at Green Bay Packers (0-1)
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
8:20 p.m. EST – NBC

​Yup. That’s right, we have ANOTHER divisional matchup to discuss. Because this one has the potential to be an instant classic. Because whether you love or hate Justin Fields, you cannot deny he had a hell of a game against the Niners in Week 1, by leading an epic comeback win against a team he had no business in beating. And he’s taking on a slightly stunned Green Bay squad that once again embarrassed themselves in a season opener they should have won. Which means that both teams here will be hungry for a big win and both QBs will be giving the audience their all. So, expect an intense game here, one that I think Green Bay will win. Just because Aaron Rodgers tends to own the Bears on a regular basis and his team is quite hungry for a win and that’s bad news for the Chicago Bears.