Ahead of the NFL’s Week 2, Kevin Jeffers scans the schedule and picks the match-ups most worthy of your viewing.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 9pm
Two of the best teams in the NFL reside in the AFC North and they face off here. The Bengals were knocked out of the play-offs by the Steelers last season thanks to a late Ben Roethlisberger-led drive filled with unsportsmanlike penalties by Cincinnati. The Bengals will be eager to avenge that loss today.
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans, 9pm
Another premier AFC clash of hopeful title contenders and another play-off rematch. The Chiefs demolished the Texans 30-0 in the Wild Card round last season, but that was to a Houston team starting an over-matched Brian Hoyer at quarterback. The position is much more stable now with Brock Osweiler.
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins, 9pm
The schedule makers did Dallas no favours by giving them two successive NFC East games to open a season started by a rookie quarterback. But Dak Prescott handled himself well in a loss to the New York Giants in Week 1. Neither the Cowboys nor Redskins can afford an 0-2 start in the division.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos, 12.05am
This used to be the Manning Bowl, a match-up between Peyton Manning’s first team and his new one. He is now retired, having led both franchises to Super Bowl wins. Fans will have to settle for Andrew Luck v Trevor Siemian at quarterback instead today.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 4.30am
The Vikings barely threw the ball in a Week 1 win over Tennessee Titans dominated by the defence. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are, to put it mildly, a slightly more daunting challenge. The Vikings should start Sam Bradford for the first time, and will be under much scrutiny while attempting to replace injured Teddy Bridgewater.
