Get set for another Sunday of NFL action with our breakdown of the Week 2 slate, spotlighting the best games to watch and predictions for every contest.
One of the wacky stats in football that gets recirculated every year is how the Chicago Bears have somehow, someway remained — not by choice but perhaps by pure organizational ethos (and a whole lot of bad quarterbacks) — the only NFL team to never have a QB put together a 4,000-yard passing season.
Not as the NFL schedule expanded from 14 to 16 games in 1978. Not as coaches like the Chargers’ Don Coryell advanced the thinking that offenses could gain gobs of yards at a time by chucking it downfield while the 49ers’ Bill Walsh showed that stretching the field horizontally could be just as dynamic.
Not as passing offense exploded around the rest of the league in the 1980s and 1990s. (The Jaguars hit the mark in their second season of existence and the Panthers in their fifth.)
Not in the 2000s-2010s as 4,000 yards became the standard for good QBs — with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning doing it 14 times each — and 5,000 yards became the distinguishing threshold of greatness.
Not in 2016 when a whopping 13 QBs passed for 4,000 yards, including the likes of Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston. Or when the NFL expanded to 17 games in 2021.
(By 2012, all but two teams had at least one QB reach 4,000 yards, and when Carson Wentz hit the mark for the Eagles in 2019 only the Bears remained …)
Through it all, the Bears continued to celebrate their 1985 Super Bowl team that rode a historic defense and Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton to the championship while QB Jim McMahon threw for all of 2,392 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 games.
That aforementioned organizational ethos of legendary linebackers (from Bronko Nagurski to Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Brian Urlacher) and running backs (“The Galloping Ghost” Red Grange to Gale Sayers to Payton).
Fittingly, the closest the Bears have come to greatness since 1985 was in 2006 when Lovie Smith built Chicago another elite defense while Rex Grossman mustered 3,193 passing yards, 23 TDs and 20 INTs.
For better or worse, that was the Chicago Bears’ formula.
Forget 4,000 yards, the Bears had only two 3,000-yard passers in their history with Billy Wade’s 3,172 in 1962 holding the team record for more than three decades (!) before Erik Kramer broke it in 1995 with 3,838 yards.
Those were the Bears until Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson arrived into town, that is.
Williams, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2024, nearly got there last season in Johnson’s debut season as head coach (and play-caller), passing for 3,942 yards, 27 TDs and 7 INTs on the way to an 11-6 record, NFC North title and the Bears’ first playoff win in 15 years.
If he stays healthy, Williams will assuredly put an end once and for all to one of the sport’s great statistical anomalies. That much seems certain.
The question is whether this Bears offense can be truly historic?
Maybe that mere thought is an overreaction to Chicago piling up 552 yards and 59 points in Week 1 vs. the Panthers.
But more so, it’s a reflection of Johnson’s own stated goal as he said this to The Athletic in August:
“You’ve got 31 other teams coming to training camp saying, ‘Our goal is to win the Super Bowl.’ I want more than that. I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored [37.9], and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts.”
With Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner from USC, developing into one of the most dynamic QBs in the league already in his third season, why not think big? (He was 21-of-29 passing for 269 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs plus 65 rushing yards and 2 scores in Week 1).
With a tantalizing trio of young pass-catchers in wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III along with tight end Colston Loveland, with a pair of running backs in D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai both rushing for 100 yards in Week 1, the pieces are there to be prolific (even if that ends up less than historic).
And with Johnson — the architect of the Lions’ offensive surge during his time as offensive coordinator there, with his departure last year seemingly triggering Detroit’s demise — well, don’t bet against him.
No, these sure aren’t Bronko Nagurski’s or Mike Ditka’s Bears anymore … finally.
Week 2 NFL Schedule And Predictions
(All times ET; all point spreads via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Thursday
Buffalo Bills 41, Detroit Lions 31: Get those Josh Allen MVP bets in now! The Joe Brady Bills are a show. The new head coach has replaced the stodgy, conservative approach of his predecessor Sean McDermott and opened up the passing attack for the best quarterback in the league. What a novel thought. Allen passed for 248 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs and rushed for 69 yards and 2 scores. He’s up to 582 passing yards through a 2-0 start (a 17-game pace of 4,947 yards) after topping out at 3,731 and 3,668 the last two seasons. Meanwhile, the Dan Campbell Era in Detroit looks to be on life support.
Sunday 1 p.m. games
Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Atlanta Falcons (0-1): The sad NFC South might finally win a game unless these teams manage to tie. Cooper Rush makes his second start at quarterback for the Falcons, who will as usual lean heavily on RB Bijan Robinson after he went for 83 rushing yards and 90 receiving yards with a TD in a loss to Pittsburgh last week. For the Panthers, there was one positive in their beatdown from the Bears last week — QB Bryce Young threw for 361 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT (plus a rushing TD) as he looks to elevate his game after three up-and-down seasons. Carolina is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: Panthers 27, Falcons 21
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Chicago Bears (1-0): The Bears will look to keep it rolling against a Vikings team that will be without starting QB Kyler Murray after his concussion last week. Carson Wentz rose to the occasion, passing for 3 TDs (albeit with just 133 yards), but we’ve seen enough episodes of the Wentz Show to know that perilous plot twists are awaiting at any time. Chicago is a 4.5-point favorite. Prediction: Bears 31, Vikings 17
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Tennessee Titans (0-1): The Eagles squeaked past the Commanders, 24-22, in Week 1 while not exactly assuaging concerns about the offense from last season, even with Jalen Hurts tossing 3 TDs and Saquon Barkley rushing for 86 yards. It could be worse, though. As in, is Cam Ward salvageable in Tennessee? After substantial investments to the Titans offense this offseason and new OC Brian Daboll brought in to develop the former top draft pick, the second-year QB threw for just 140 yards and 1 TD in a 23-10 loss to the Jets last week. Yes, it’s still early in his career, especially after a lost rookie season in which he was thrust into chaos. But the fact we’re already having press conference exchanges is not encouraging. Philadelphia is a 7-point road favorite. Prediction: Eagles 33, Titans 19
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) at New England Patriots (0-1): The Patriots have had to wait 11 days to try to bounce back from their discouraging season-opening 13-10 loss to the Seahawks in which 2025 NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye threw for just 178 yards with 1 TD and 3 INTs. Star wide receiver and top offseason addition A.J. Brown is out indefinitely with an ankle injury as this Patriots season couldn’t have started much worse. The Steelers won in coach Mike McCarthy’s debut, but only because T.J. Watt looked like his vintage self with 2 sacks and a pick-6 that proved decisive in the fourth quarter. New England is a 5.5-point favorite. Prediction: Patriots 27, Steelers 20
Green Bay Packers (0-1) at New York Jets (1-0): The Packers had all offseason to dwell on blowing a 15-point lead to the Bears while allowing 25 fourth quarter points in the wildcard round … only to open this season by blowing a 12-point third quarter lead to the Vikings and their backup QB while allowing 29 unanswered points. What’s going in with Matt LaFleur’s team? The Packers remain without RB Josh Jacobs (on the commissioner’s exempt list), which seemed noticeable last week as the team rushed for just 66 yards on 21 attempts. … The Jets are 1-0! Playing the Titans and Ward helps, of course. We’ll learn a lot more about this retooled yet still rebuilding Jets team in Week 2. Green Bay is a 3.5-point road favorite. Prediction: Packers 24, Jets 17
Cleveland Browns (0-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1): Apparently, Deshaun Watson indeed wasn’t the answer to the Browns’ QB woes. Watson threw for 205 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT and actually led the team in rushing (38 yards) in a blowout loss to the Jaguars. The Buccaneers and QB Baker Mayfield had 4 turnovers to blame for a 33-27 loss to the Bengals. Expect a cleaner performance this week as the Bucs bounce back. Tampa Bay is an 8.5-point favorite. Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Browns 13
New Orleans Saints (0-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-0): The Saints’ Tyler Shough was as bad as any QB in the league in the first half last week against Detroit and then unstoppable the rest of the way, throwing for 410 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs before losing on a failed two-point conversion in overtime. The Ravens were dominant from start to finish in their 41-23 win over the Colts. Lamar Jackson (324 passing yards and 1 TD, 40 rushing yards and a score) looks like an MVP candidate again and Derrick Henry (24 carries for 144 yards and 3 TDs) doesn’t age. But top receiver Zay Flowers (150 yards and a TD last week) is ruled out for Week 2 with a hamstring injury, and the Ravens’ receiving corps is thin without him (and promising rookie Ja’Kobi Lane also sidelined by a wrist injury now). Baltimore is an 8.5-point favorite. Prediction: Ravens 34, Saints 26
Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) at Houston Texans (0-1): The Bengals built their hopes this season on a rebuilt defense and healthy Joe Burrow. They did force 4 turnovers vs. the Buccaneers’ in a Week 1 win but also gave up 27 points. The Texans lost a rare shootout to the Bills in Week 1 (36-31). Expect their elite defense to be much stingier most weeks, though Cincinnati will give it another good test here. Houston is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: Texans 27, Bengals 24
Sunday 4:05/4:25 games
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at Denver Broncos (0-1): The Broncos got humbled in every which way in a 31-10 loss to the Chiefs on Monday night, getting outgained 392 yards to 176. Big offseason trade addition Jaylen Waddle had just 1 reception for 2 yards. Denver, after going 14-3 and reaching the AFC championship game a year ago, is in real peril of opening 0-2 vs. a well-coached Jaguars team and QB Trevor Lawrence, who seems to have sustained his late-season momentum from last year. Lawrence completed 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs vs. the Browns last week. Denver is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: Jaguars 27, Broncos 25
Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-1): New Raiders coach Klint Kubiak unlocked the 2025 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for 102 yards with 45 yards and 2 TDs receiving in a season-opening win over the Dolphins. Star tight end Brock Bowers is expected to miss another game after minor knee surgery, and the challenge gets a lot tougher for the Raiders against this Chargers defense. Yes, Los Angeles looked putrid in a 26-14 loss to the Cardinals, but giving up on Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert already would be a classic Week 1 overreaction. Los Angeles is a 6.5-point favorite. Prediction: Chargers 35, Raiders 19
Washington Commanders (0-1) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1): These are two teams under a lot of pressure already in Week 2 to avoid an 0-2 start. Dallas came out flat in its 28-20 loss to the Giants while giving a discouraging unveiling of its supposedly improved defense. For Washington, QB Jayden Daniels was just OK in his season debut — 18 of 34 for 164 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs, 5 rushes for 31 yards. He’ll need to be a lot more dynamic for a Commanders team that relies heavily on his playmaking ability. Dallas is a 3.5-point favorite. Prediction: Cowboys 33, Commanders 27
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at Arizona Cardinals (1-0): The Cardinals were the feel-good story of Week 1, winning coach Mike LaFleur’s debut by stunning the Chargers. It’s hard to see those good vibes continuing into Week 2, though, even with the Seahawks riding backup QB Drew Lock again with Sam Darnold sidelined by a glute injury. Even that setback couldn’t slow down reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba (8 catches for 122 yards and a TD). Seattle is a 3.5-point road favorite. Prediction: Seahawks 20, Cardinals 13
Miami Dolphins (0-1) at San Francisco 49ers (1-0): No team looked more impressive in Week 1 than the 49ers dominating the preseason Super Bowl-favorite Rams, 27-7, in Australia. Look for Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and company to keep it rolling Sunday against the rebuilding Dolphins. San Francisco is a 13.5-point favorite. Prediction: 49ers 34, Dolphins 13
Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. on NBC)
Indianapolis Colts (0-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-0): The Colts look like they have a better chance of being the worst team in the AFC than challenging for a playoff spot. QB Daniel Jones doesn’t have his old mobility after returning from a torn Achilles, and there just isn’t much to like about this offense outside of RB Jonathan Taylor. Meanwhile, the Chiefs look rejuvenated with Kenneth Walker III leading the rushing attack (23 carries for 173 yards and a TD vs. the Broncos) and Patrick Mahomes on a mission in his return from knee surgery and the first disappointing season of his career. Kansas City is a 6-point favorite. Prediction: Chiefs 31, Colts 20
Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. on ESPN/ABC)
New York Giants (1-0) at Los Angeles Rams (0-1): The Giants had one of the most encouraging Week 1 debuts. The Rams had one of the worst Week 1 starts. Expect the scripts to flip in this one. Los Angeles, even with star pass rusher Myles Garrett now on injured reserve for at least four weeks, are too deep and talented to look like they did in the opener in Australia. That said, star WR Puka Nacua is questionable with a hip injury and his absence could change the dynamics considerably. Even still, the Giants’ ground-oriented attack — led by entertaining second-year QB Jaxson Dart — will have a big challenge keeping pace with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense. Los Angeles is a 7-point favorite. Prediction: Rams 28, Giants 20
Editor's Pick
5 Matchups That Will Decide Week 2 In The NFL