Making assumptions off the opening week of the NFL season can often be a fool’s errand.
With more and more teams opting not to zero starters throughout the pre-season, Week 1 usually brings results that look like outliers come playoff time.
For instance, take last season when the Las Vegas Raiders stunned the New England Patriots to start of the season. Well, the Raiders went on to finish tied for the worst record in the league at 3-14, while the Patriots made the Super Bowl.
So, as we head into Week 2 of the 2026 season, there are a couple of pre-season darlings hoping their Week 1 performances will be long forgotten come playoff time.
Here’s a look at some of the key storylines to watch:
Broncos look to clean things up vs. Jaguars
Just about everything that could’ve gone wrong for the Denver Broncos in Week 1 did.
A team that was a popular Super Bowl pick coming into the season looked completely outmatched on both sides of the ball in a 31-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
On offence, Bo Nix looked sloppy in his first game under new offensive playcaller Davis Webb. Jaylen Waddle, their prized off-season addition, finished with just one catch for two yards.
But the more concerning side was the defence, which was supposed to be the backbone of this team. The Broncos missed a whopping 28 tackles against the Chiefs and let Kenneth Walker run wild.
The good news for the Broncos? It was just one game.
The bad news? Their opponent this week doesn’t get any easier.
The Jacksonville Jaguars roll into town coming off a 34-10 shellacking of the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.
If Nix and Webb can get on the same page and the defence can return to its form from last year, there is no reason that the Broncos shouldn’t be able to beat the Jags.
But another blowout loss could have the questions starting early in the Mile High City.
Back on U.S. soil, can Donald help Rams get back on track?
The pre-season “super team” didn’t exactly look the part in Week 1.
The Los Angeles Rams put up a dud Down Under, as the San Francisco 49ers were in full control of a 27-7 win.
Could the Rams’ unorthodox travel plan to Australia have anything to do with their disappointing showing? Possibly.
But part of the reason they tried to limit their stay in another time zone was to better prep for Week 2.
That time has come, and they face a big test back in L.A. on Monday with the 1-0 New York Giants up next.
Making matters more difficult for the Rams is that they will have to do it without reigning defensive player of the year Myles Garrett, who will miss at least four weeks after knee surgery.
But while Garrett won’t be out there, another one of their new (or old, depending on how you look at it) defensive studs is expected to be back on the field.
Aaron Donald said Friday that the plan is for him to make his season debut against the Giants.
Monday would mark Donald’s first game in 691 days after coming out of a two-year retirement.
And while it wasn’t exactly the plan for him to be the focal point of the defence in his return, the Rams may need Donald with Garrett out.
Otherwise, the pre-season Super Bowl favourites could be staring down an 0-2 start.
It probably wasn’t a good week to be in defensive meetings around the league.
There were a combined 791 points scored in Week 1, which tied the record for the most points on an opening week in the Super Bowl era.
What’s interesting is that goes against the traditional logic around the league that it’s actually the defences that have the upper hand early in the season, as the more complex offensive systems need some time to gel.
But that wasn’t the case last week, and if the opening game of Week 2 that saw the Bills and Lions combine for 72 points was any indication, maybe it’s the defences that will be playing catch-up this year.
Game to watch: Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Speaking of defences that disappointed in Week 1, how about the Texans?
Granted, it was against Josh Allen and the Bills, but the Texans gave up 36 points and 409 yards in Week 1.
For a defence that many expected to be one of the top units in football, it wasn’t exactly the start they were hoping for.
But one of the Texans’ defensive stars is choosing to look on the bright side.
“That’s probably the best thing that could have happened to us,” defensive end Will Anderson said this week. “We got hit in the mouth and now we know how to respond. Now it’s a wake-up call for everybody.”
Hopefully the rest of the defence is on the same page as Anderson, because Joe Burrow and the Bengals have the firepower to make it two disappointing weekends in a row for the Houston D.
Saints @ Ravens — Pick: Saints +8.5: Tyler Shough had the Saints just one play away from upsetting the Lions in Week 1. With Ravens star WR Zay Flowers doubtful to play, the Saints should be able to at least keep this one close.
Packers @ Jets — Pick: Jets +3.5: The Packers’ second-half collapse against the Vikings exposed some major weaknesses on their offensive line. Now they have to go on the road against a Jets team that showed signs of promise in Week 1.
Panthers @ Falcons — Pick: Panthers -2.5: Carolina’s defence got exposed last week, but that was against the Bears, who might make a lot of defences look inept this season. Now they get to face Cooper Rush, who should be much easier to contain.
Full Week 2 schedule (all times ET)
Thursday, Sept. 17
Buffalo Bills 41, Detroit Lions 31
Sunday, Sept. 20
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET
Monday, Sept. 21
New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET
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