NFL Power Rankings – Week 2 Games: Chargers-Chiefs a Premier Thursday Matchup

Week 2 brings some interesting times in the NFL schedule. For teams without expectations, it’s not a big deal, but for those that have their eyes on the playoffs despite a Week 1 loss, there is a great deal of urgency in the second week of the season.  

The most interesting games to watch in Week 2 involve the best teams. Thursday night’s Los Angeles Chargers-Kansas City Chiefs matchup is not only interesting from the competitive standpoint of two good AFC West teams needing to win, but also thanks to the Chiefs and Chargers boasting elite quarterbacks who can put a ton of points on the board.

Despite this, there are not many elite matchups this week, which means that the most watchable games will depend on how much it means to both teams involved. After Week 1, some teams will have a heightened sense of urgency, even this early in the season.

Here are the Week 2 NFL Game Watchability Rankings, with lines via at DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars (odds accurate as of 5 p.m. ET Wednesday):

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16. Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys

Maybe Cooper Rush will be just fine filling in at quarterback for the Cowboys, but there is a possibility that the Cowboys just get more of the same as Week 1 when they scored a meager three points against Tampa Bay.

The Bengals did not perform up to expectations in Week 1, either, losing 23-20 in overtime against Pittsburgh. And while they are road favorites against the Cowboys, Dallas’ woes were not pretty to watch against the Buccaneers, and it might not be any better in Week 2.

15. New York Jets at Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco and the Jets were never really in their Week 1 loss to Baltimore. While there might be hope in the young skill players on the Jets, until they show some kind of proficiency in the NFL, they are going to be on the low end of the watchability rankings.

Cleveland almost coughed up 20-7 lead in Carolina but ended up with a 26-24 win. QB Jacoby Brissett threw for just 147 yards, so that's a factor in the Browns’ watchability – or lack thereof – right now.

14. Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions

While the Commanders played well enough to earn an overtime win against Jacksonville, that is not necessarily a sign of watchability. QB Carson Wentz did throw for 313 yards and four touchdowns, so if he can keep doing that, the Commanders could be a lot more entertaining.

The Lions made a furious comeback in Week 1, only to end up losing 38-35 against Philadelphia. An ability to move the ball combined with defensive shortcomings could make the Lions intriguing to watch.

13. Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams

The Falcons were lively underdogs in Week 1, though they ultimately lost 27-26 to New Orleans. The Falcons gained 416 yards in total offense and their ability to move the ball could make them an entertaining team to watch.

The defending champions were outclassed by the Buffalo Bills in the season opener, especially in the second half, so that does offer some hope to the Falcons even with the Rams as heavy favorites. While the Falcons don’t have major stakes in Week 2, the Rams can hardly afford to go 0-2.

12. Carolina Panthers at New York Giants

Baker Mayfield and the Panthers rallied in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 but ended up coming short, losing 26-24. Nevertheless, there were some positive signs that Carolina can take into Week 2.

On the other hand, the Giants’ second-half rally was successful as they earned a 21-20 win against the Tennessee Titans, showing surprising resilience after trailing 13-0 at the half.

The game is a matchup of two premier running backs, Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, both of whom are among the favorites to win Comeback Player of the Year after injury-shortened campaigns in 2021.

11. Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts needed 17 fourth quarter points to earn a 20-20 tie at Houston. A tie is better than a loss but needing to come back to draw the Texans is not the start to the season that Indy wanted or needed.

Jacksonville played a competitive game, losing 28-22 at Washington. Moral victories don’t count for much, but the Jaguars can be moderately encouraged by those results. Does that give them a chance to upset the Colts in Week 2? Intrigue!

10. Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Seahawks QB Geno Smith was effective enough in a 17-16 win in the Monday nighter against the Denver Broncos. Seattle’s defense was tenacious and could put pressure on 49ers QB Trey Lance, who ran into problems in a 19-10 loss at Chicago, completing 13 of 28 passes for 164 yards and an interception.

San Francisco delivered a flat performance against the Bears – and combined with Seattle’s lively performance in Week 1, that suddenly makes this Week 2 matchup more compelling.

9. Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

Houston coughed up a 20-3 lead but did still manage a 20-20 tie against the favored Colts in Week 1. The Texans being a plucky underdog does make their games more entertaining than if they were just getting steamrolled.

Denver was supposed to roll over the Seahawks in Week 1 and they had every opportunity to do so, but ineptitude at the Seattle goal-line, including two Broncos fumbles, left Denver with a 17-16 loss. A Broncos bounce-back is expected, but it could be worth tuning in to find out if it actually happens.

8. New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Patriots lost the turnover battle 3-0 in an otherwise uninspiring showing in a 20-7 loss at Miami in Week 1. The game is decidedly different when a team is on the wrong end of the turnover counts.

Without major expectations coming into the season, the Steelers had a surprising 23-20 win at Cincinnati. RB Najee Harris has a foot injury but may be able to play against the Patriots and the Steelers have a chance to start the season 2-0.

7. Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens

Miami was impressive in a 20-7 win against New England in Week 1, taking advantage of turnovers and moving the ball effectively.

The Ravens were too much for the New York Jets in Week 1, coming away with a 24-9 road win.

Both teams were efficient and emerged with comfortable wins in the opening week, so there both sides should show up for Week 2 expecting another win.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

While the Bucs offense looked out of sync in a 19-3 win at Dallas in Week 1, the defense was dominant, so that should provide some resistance to the Saints offense.

New Orleans was nearly upset at Atlanta, but a fourth quarter comeback resulted in a 27-26 Saints victory. They have a lot of weapons on offense, and it should be a good battle against Tampa Bay’s defense.

5. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

An NFC North battle on Sunday night still brings some intrigue.

The Bears were surprisingly good and the Packers surprisingly bad in the opening week. Week 2 offers an opportunity for redemption for Green Bay and the Bears get a shot to prove that they are for real.

Chicago bounced back from a 10-0 deficit to win 19-10 against San Francisco. 29 total points is hardly the prototype for entertaining football, but if the Bears are competent, this could be a tight matchup.

Green Bay looked a lot like a team that misses WR Davante Adams, who was traded to Las Vegas in the offseason. QB Aaron Rodgers was 22 of 34 passing for 195 yards, which is decidedly mediocre for the back-to-back MVP.

4. Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals were overmatched against Kansas City in Week 1, falling behind 37-7 before scoring a few late touchdowns for a 44-21 loss, so they will need to be better this week.

The Raiders rallied against the Chargers but could not get all the way back, losing 24-19.

There is enough offensive talent on the field that there is a total of 51.5, second highest on the board in Week 2.

3. Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills

Tennessee was upset 21-20 at home against the New York Giants, which puts them in a tough spot early as they now travel to Buffalo to face the Super Bowl favorites.

Buffalo entered the season with high expectations, holding the shortest consensus odds to win the Super Bowl, and if there was any concern that the Bills were overrated, they silenced all doubters with a 31-10 win at the Los Angeles Rams in the opener.

The Bills should be entertaining most weeks due to their top-end talent, and the Titans’ desperation should help make for a compelling Monday night matchup.

2. Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

Facing their division rivals from Green Bay, the Vikings dominated the Packers in a 23-7 Week 1 victory.

The Eagles were impressive as well, building a 31-14 lead at Detroit before holding on for a 38-35 win in Week 1. Lots of points, both ways, makes the Eagles an appealing team to watch.

This is a Monday night matchup that has enough offensive talent that the teams have a total of 50.5 (or higher), third highest number on the board this week.

1. Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers figure to be one of the more entertaining teams in the league this season, a high-scoring team that might give up quite a few points, too. They won 24-19 against Las Vegas in Week 1 and should be prepared for a shootout in Kansas City. The Chargers will be preparing for that shootout without WR Keenan Allen, but they have enough weapons for Justin Herbert to air it out when need be.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs looked like they were in prime form against Arizona, with the Kansas City quarterback throwing for 360 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-21 win.

Patrick Mahomes vs. Justin Herbert on Thursday night? Yes, please.

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