NFL Week 2: Aaron Rodgers will keep rolling

The first week of the 2020 NFL season featured a lackluster debut from Tom Brady in a Buccaneers uniform, Lamar Jackson still in MVP form, and a breakout performance from Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.  

Week 2 is a whole new ballgame. Here are five players who should see their stats soar, based on defensive matchups, injuries, or an added week of experience. Tinker your fantasy lineup and place your prop bets accordingly.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow nearly capped off his professional debut with a win, but an offensive pass interference call and a botched field goal handed the Los Angeles Chargers a victory in Cincinnati.

The 2020 No. 1 overall draft pick completed 23 of his 36 passes for 193 yards and tossed one interception. His accuracy and decision making were shaky at times, but he showed poise on Cincy’s final drive and earned his first NFL touchdown on a 23-yard run in the first quarter.

In Week 2, Burrow will face a Browns secondary that let Jackson complete all but five of his passes, for 275 yards and three scores. Jackson is on a whole different level than Burrow, but the Bengals gunslinger should still have a better day against Cleveland’s defense.

The Browns secondary is shorthanded, with cornerback Greedy Williams sidelined. Linebacker Jacob Phillips will also miss Thursday night’s game.

The Over/Under on Burrow’s passing yards is set at 237.5. He’ll need to find 45 more yards through the air than he did in Week 1, which may be a stretch, but it is not unmanageable.

If the Bengals fall behind the Browns on the road, Burrow will be forced to pass quite a bit and will see his passing yardage skyrocket.

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Chubb and Kareem Hunt will split carries in Kevin Stefanski’s new offense, and both will have a field day against Cincinnati’s run defense.

In Baltimore, Hunt led the team with 13 carries for 72 yards, while Chubb put up 60 yards on 10 attempts.

The Bengals surrendered 155 yards on the ground Sunday and will have more trouble against this backfield duo.

Defensive tackles Geno Atkins and Mike Daniels are out, which only makes Thursday's matchup more enticing for Cleveland’s rushing attack.

In Week 14 last season, Chubb broke free for 106 yards against the Bengals. He should have a similar outing in Week 2 and easily hit the Over on 70.5 rushing yards.

Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens

As the Browns learned all too well, Brown is fully healthy and faster than ever in 2020.

The Ravens receiver hauled in five passes for 101 yards Sunday and will square up with a Houston pass defense that ranked 29th in 2019.

In Week 1, Houston confronted the high-flying Chiefs, who surprisingly ran the ball on 34 of their 67 plays.

Baltimore has the arsenal to execute a similar game plan, but when the Ravens go to the air, Brown will be the receiver Jackson looks to, especially on deep passes.

The Texans are the perfect matchup for Brown to rack up more yardage, plus a score or two.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Rodgers put rookie quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers organization on notice in Week 1. The 36-year-old former MVP doesn’t need to be replaced anytime soon.

At Minnesota in Week 1, Rodgers went 32-of-44 through the air for 364 yards and four touchdowns.

Receiver Davante Adams caught 14 of Rodgers’ passes for 156 yards and two scores, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling added 96 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings defense looked bad, and Detroit’s D should look similarly against Rodgers.

The Lions gave up 242 yards to inconsistent Bears QB Mitch Trubisky in Week 1. In the final quarter, Trubisky completed all but two of his 10 passes and scored three touchdowns to lead Chicago to a comeback win.

If Trubisky could accomplish that, think what kind of damage Rodgersvwill do.

The Packers quarterback will enjoy another multi-touchdown performance Sunday.

Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While the focus is on Brady's adjustment in the Bucs offense, Jones should emerge as the star against the Panthers in Week 2. 

Jones led Tampa Bay with 17 carries for 66 yards against a good Saints defense in Week 1. He'll catch a break in Week 2 in a home game against Carolina.

The new-look Panthers gave up 93 yards and three touchdowns to Raiders running back Josh Jacobs on Sunday.

Jones probably won't see the same amount of carries (25) Jacobs had in Carolina, but he'll have open lanes to pile up more yardage than he did against the Saints.

Offseason signing Leonard Fournette may see a bit more action, too, but Jones proved himself the more reliable back in Week 1.

---

Wager on Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season at BetAmerica!