Week 2 rolls on with a strong line-up of NFL action available on Australian TV, starting early Monday morning and running through to Tuesday's Giants-Rams clash. Here are the games to watch, the key match-ups and our betting angles.
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
3:00 am AEST | TV: 7mate | See the market
Minnesota made an impressive start with a 39-22 win over Green Bay, while Chicago's offence exploded in a 59-37 victory over Carolina. That sets up one of the more intriguing games of the round.
The Vikings showed they can generate points against quality opposition, with their offence looking dangerous when it creates opportunities for Justin Jefferson. Chicago's attack was spectacular in Week 1, but giving up 37 points to Carolina is the obvious concern when stepping up against Minnesota. Caleb Williams and the Bears should again create plenty offensively, but Minnesota look capable of making them pay at the other end.
This shapes as a high-scoring divisional battle where both quarterbacks should get opportunities to attack.
Both offences started the season flying and neither Week 1 defensive performance suggests this needs to become a grind.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots
3:00 am AEST | TV: ESPN / Kayo / Disney+ | See the market
Pittsburgh opened with a tough 20-13 win over Atlanta and now travel to Foxborough for a fascinating early-season test.
The Steelers have built their identity around making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks, and their defence again looks capable of dictating how a game is played. New England present a different challenge, particularly if they can keep their quarterback clean and establish some rhythm early.
Pittsburgh don't necessarily need a huge offensive performance to win. If their defence can create pressure, force New England into long third downs and generate a turnover or two, they should be right in the contest deep into the fourth quarter. This looks more likely to be decided by field position, turnovers and red-zone execution than an offensive shootout.
The Steelers' defence gives them a strong chance of controlling the type of game this becomes.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos
6:05 am AEST | TV: ESPN / Kayo / Disney+ | See the market
Jacksonville couldn't have asked for much more from Week 1, brushing Cleveland aside 34-10. Denver had a much tougher opening assignment, going down 31-10 against Kansas City.
That makes this a fascinating contrast. Jacksonville arrive with confidence and an offence that already looks capable of producing points, while Denver return home needing a considerable improvement. Playing at altitude is always an added challenge for visiting teams, but the Jaguars showed enough balance in their opener to suggest they can handle a more difficult environment.
Denver need to create pressure and prevent Jacksonville establishing an early rhythm. If the Jaguars can protect the football and avoid allowing the Broncos' defence to take control, they have a genuine opportunity to start the season 2-0.
Jacksonville's dominant Week 1 performance makes them appealing against a Denver side coming off a heavy defeat.
Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
6:25 am AEST | TV: ESPN / Kayo / Disney+ | See the market
Neither NFC East rival got the result it wanted in Week 1. Washington pushed Philadelphia all the way before losing 24-22, while Dallas went down 28-20 against the Giants.
Washington's performance may have been the more encouraging of the two. Going on the road and staying within two points of Philadelphia suggests the Commanders can immediately be competitive in this division. Dallas now return home under some early pressure after allowing the Giants to score 28.
This could ultimately come down to which quarterback handles the pressure better. Washington showed enough against Philadelphia to suggest they can move the football, while Dallas need their defence to tighten considerably. Divisional familiarity adds another layer, and there may not be much separating them late.
Washington were competitive against Philadelphia in Week 1 and look capable of keeping this divisional clash close.
Miami Dolphins @ San Francisco 49ers
6:25 am AEST | TV: 7mate | See the market
Miami need an immediate response after an ugly 27-13 loss to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, a trip to San Francisco isn't an obvious place to find one.
The Dolphins struggled to generate enough sustained offensive pressure in their opener and now face a 49ers side at home with the weapons to punish them if they again struggle to control possession. Miami's best path is to create explosive plays and avoid getting dragged into a game where San Francisco can dictate the tempo.
The 49ers should be particularly dangerous through Christian McCaffrey. His ability to hurt opponents both as a runner and receiver creates matchup problems everywhere, and getting the ball into his hands regularly should be central to San Francisco's attack.
McCaffrey's versatility gives him multiple ways to find the end zone against a Miami defence coming off a difficult opener.
Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs
10:20 am AEST | TV: ESPN / Kayo / Disney+ | See the market
Kansas City made an early statement with a commanding 31-10 win over Denver. Indianapolis had a far less enjoyable start, beaten 41-23 by Baltimore, and now face another heavyweight AFC opponent at Arrowhead.
The concern for Indianapolis is obvious. After allowing 41 points in Week 1, they now have to deal with Patrick Mahomes and an offence capable of exploiting mistakes ruthlessly. Kansas City showed against Denver that they can build scoreboard pressure quickly, which could force Indianapolis away from its preferred offensive approach.
For the Colts, establishing the run and keeping Mahomes off the field shapes as their best chance. If Kansas City gets ahead early and forces Indianapolis to chase the game through the air, this could become extremely difficult for the visitors.
The combination of Arrowhead, Mahomes and Indianapolis' defensive struggles in Week 1 makes Kansas City the side to back.
New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams
10:15 am AEST Tuesday | TV: ESPN / Kayo / Disney+ / NFL Game Pass | See the market
The Giants arrive in Los Angeles with confidence after an impressive 28-20 win over Dallas, but this shapes as a significant test against the Rams.
New York showed in Week 1 that it can put together scoring drives and handle the pressure of a divisional game. The challenge now is reproducing that away from home against a Rams team with considerably different offensive weapons.
Los Angeles' passing game is the obvious area to watch. Puka Nacua is capable of taking over games when the Rams can protect their quarterback and consistently get him into space, while the Giants need their pass rush to prevent Los Angeles settling into a rhythm.
New York's Week 1 win demands respect, but the Rams at home represent a step up.
The Rams' passing attack should look to Nacua heavily, particularly if New York generates enough pressure to encourage quick throws.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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