Cleveland Browns (0-1) @ Chicago Bears (1-0)
Sunday, September 14th, 1:00 PM, FOX
CHICAGO - After an impressive Week 1 victory, Matthew Stafford leads the Chicago Bears into a inter-conference battle against the Cleveland Browns. Last week, the All-Pro QB was in mid-season form as he shredded the Carolina Panthers, proving to be one of the best statistical players of the first week. For the Bears to continue their strong start, they will need to receive a better effort from their RB position as second year back Zac Stacy was unable to in rhythm. The Bears have opted to bench Week 1 starter Fred Jackson, giving Justin Forsett an opportunity. For the Cleveland Browns, they will look for more parody, as Andrew Luck & AJ Green produced over half their offensive points. The Browns have a lot of work to do after finishing Week 1 as the worst defense.
Difference Makers:
Cleveland Browns – WR Tavon Austin
Chicago Bears – RB Justin Forsett
Carolina Panthers (0-1) @ Oakland Raiders (0-1)
Sunday, September 14th, 1:00 PM, CBS
OAKLAND - Week 1 provided a heart-breaking defeat for the Oakland Raiders, losing in a last second effort to division rival Denver Broncos. QB Russell Wilson stated that the offense was unacceptable, but seemed optimistic after a strong week of practice. "We came out flat to open the season" said Wilson. "We had an amazing effort from our defense, and if our unit can match that intensity, we are primed for great things this season." While the effort wasn't lacking for the Panthers, the results seemed to mirror that of their Week 2 opponent. Colin Kaepernick, a long time rival of Russell Wilson, knows that this is a big week. "It's not a must win, but being 1-1 is much more appealing than being 0-2. I'm happy with the way we moved the ball as a team."
Difference Makers:
Oakland Raiders - QB Russell Wilson
Carolina Panthers - RB Terrence West
Buffalo Bills (1-0) @ Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Sunday, September 14th, 1:00 PM, FOX
ATLANTA - While the Falcons lost to their division rival Tampa Bay Sunday, it was the kind of loss you can take pride in. In one of the worst statistical games of his career, veteran QB Aaron Rodgers was unable to figure out the Bucs D, scoring single digit points. Despite the tough game, the Falcons were able to put 80 points on the board and see strong performances out of WR Antonio Brown and RB Montee Ball. The task this week, however, is to improve their defense. All-World WR Calvin Johnson posted another Megatron like outing against the Bengals last week, and will look to continue his success against the Falcons secondary. The Bills, despite picking up the W last week, have made headlines by seemingly benching Tony Romo in lieu of veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger, and handing starting RB duties to Bernard Pierce.
Difference Makers:
Atlanta Falcons - WR Torrey Smith
Buffalo Bills - QB Ben Roethlisberger
Indianapolis Colts (0-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Sunday, September 14th, 4:30 PM, FOX
TAMPA BAY - "Everything went right" stated Buccaneers QB Carson Palmer. In backup duty for the injured Cam Newton, Palmer played an outstanding game against the Atlanta Falcons - giving the Bucs an early 1-0 start to their season. This week the Bucs will look for continued production from LeSean McCoy and Giovani Bernard. They will host the Indianapolis Colts who, besides for veteran Chris Johnson and Reggie Wayne, were porous offensively in the opening week. QB Tom Brady was unable to penetrate the Patriots defense, especially after losing WR Alshon Jeffery to injury. The Colts will need a quick turnaround offensively to compete against a true contender this season in Tampa.
Difference Makers:
Indianapolis Colts – WR Dez Bryant
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Cam Newton
Miami Dolphins (1-0) @ Detroit Lions (1-0)
Sunday, September 14th, 1:00 PM, FOX
DETROIT - After 1 week of play in the IFFDA, the Miami Dolphins appear to be an unstoppable offensive force. An explosive start from Matt Ryan, as well as a great contribution from rookie WR Brandin Cooks, set the tone for their 111 point output against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. "We did great things - Having WRs like Roddy (White), Golden (Tate), and Brandin make it a little easier" said Ryan following the victory. To secure a victory this week, however, the Dolphins must stop the momentum of the upstart Lions. After a prime-time shocker over the heavily favored Seahawks, Jay Cutler and LeVeon Bell will look to pace Detroit to a giant statement win over another strong favorite.
Difference Makers:
Miami Dolphins - RB Eddie Lacy
Detroit Lions - WR Emmanuel Sanders
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) @ Denver Broncos (1-0)
Sunday, September 14th, 4:30 PM, CBS
DENVER - Defense wins championships. The Denver Broncos stated this motto last week, and it rang very true as the Broncos came out of Week 1 with the number 1 ranked defense; holding the Raiders to just 71 total points. The offense, however, was far from beautiful. QB Robert Griffin III was largely unproductive against the Raiders, while star RB Doug Martin came away with an undisclosed injury. "It hurt, but I'll do what I have to do to be on the field Sunday" offered Martin. In front of him is a Seattle defense that was scorched by the Lions RB LeVeon Bell. Hoping to rebound from a nail-biting loss on Monday Night, the Seahawks turn to Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham to stifle the Broncos.
Difference Makers:
Seattle Seahawks - WR Victor Cruz
Denver Broncos - QB Robert Griffin III
Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
Sunday, September 14th, 8:30 PM, NBC Sunday Night Football
ARIZONA - The Cardinals have pushed all-in for the 2014 IFFDA season. Hoping for a repeat season from QB Peyton Manning and RB Adrian Peterson, no team spent quite like the Cardinals this offseason. Week 1, however, proved to provide quite a mental blow for a fanbase full of hope. The Cards were defeated by the largest margin of Week 1, being downed by 23 points in Washington. This week, they host the Cincinnati Bengals who were equally as unimpressive. Newly signed RB Jamaal Charles looked stiff behind bad offensive line play, while TE Jason Witten never got going against the Bills. For both teams, Week 2 provides a platform to prove this week's practices had purpose.
Difference Makers:
Cincinnati Bengals - RB Jamaal Charles
Arizona Cardinals - RB Danny Woodhead
Monday, September 15th, 8:30 PM, ESPN Monday Night Football
WASHINGTON, DC - Football is back in the nation's capital. The Redskins newly signed RB Marshawn Lynch, partnered with TE Rob Gronkowski and WR Julian Edelman provided offensive fireworks against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. After the game, QB Philip Rivers praised an all around team effort. "Good, solid football. Offense, Defense, and Special Teams all clicking. It's a beautiful thing" said Rivers. The strong showing by the Redskins was impressive, but equally impressive was their Week 2 opponent. New England Patriots had 6 double digit performers, with rookie Kelvin Benjamin as one of their top offensive leaders. Both teams are in the top 5 in overall offense, while being in the top 5 in overall defense. One thing is certain - Monday Night will define an early season favorite.
Difference Makers:
New England Patriots - QB Nick Foles
Washington Redskins - TE Rob Gronkowski
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