by Blake Krantz
After an opening week of the NFL season which saw franchise players go down, underdog teams pull off convincing wins at home, and several dramatic finishes take place, Week 2 will have a hard time matching Week 1 in excitement.
In the first slate of games Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins lost their star receivers in T.Y. Hilton and Desean Jackson to injuries. Hilton is now listed as day-to-day with a bad knee, while Jackson will reportedly miss up to 4 weeks with a strained hamstring.
However, the biggest news of all out of Week 1 occurred during Sunday Night Football, in which pro bowl receiver Dez Bryant left the game with a foot injury, one which could sideline the superstar for up to 8 weeks.
In other games around the league Week 1, the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons looked much improved in wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles, with Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor and Atlanta receiver Julio Jones looking great in the victories.
The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers also pulled off close opening day victories, two serious contenders in the NFC.
Both teams will face tough tests again in Week 2, as the Cowboys will travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles and the Packers will host the Seattle Seahawks. Although both the Eagles and Seahawks are looking to avoid a second loss in a row to start the year and will put up strong efforts, the Packers and the Cowboys should both pull of close victories to start their 2015 season campaigns at 2-0.
Elsewhere in the NFL Week 2, the defending champion New England Patriots will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills, a tight matchup between division foes. Much like the Colts in Week 1, I believe that the Patriots will struggle in a raucous road environment, and Buffalo’s strong pass rush will prove an issue for Tom Brady.
The underdog Bills, led by new starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, will defeat the Patriots to claim at least a tie for first place in the AFC East, effectively solidifying themselves as a threat to make the playoffs for the first time in this century for the franchise.
In another close game, Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons’ offense will prove too much for the Giants in the Meadowlands, and Atlanta will seize the road victory to improve to 2-0.
At Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, the Steelers will bounce back from an opening night loss to the Patriots, defeating a 49ers team that will be forced to travel on a short week after San Francisco’s win Monday night against the Vikings.
Finally, the Lions, Saints, and Ravens will bounce back from Week 1 losses with victories Sunday against the Vikings, Buccaneers, and Raiders, respectively, in Week 2 of the NFL season.