Here is eDraft's preview of NFC West action for the second week of the 2014 NFL regular season. There are a couple really good matchups set to take place, and a couple others which will consist of bottom feeders or mismatches.
Last week saw three of these four teams open the season with wins. And it's likely going to be those three teams that will be in the playoff conversation when all is said and done in December.
Can the Seattle Seahawks take their domination on the road? Will the San Francisco 49ers open up Levi's Stadium in style? And what about those impressive Arizona Cardinals, can they make it 2-0 on the early season?
Check it out below for answers and more.
Arizona Cardinals (1-0) at New York Giants (1-0)
Overview
On the surface, this looks like a lopsided matchup between a playoff contender and what will likely be a bottom feeder by the time the regular season comes to an end. That could be quieted a tad if Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is unable to go in this one. He injured his throwing shoulder against the San Diego Chargers in Week 1 and is questionable.
But it's safe assume that Palmer is set to go. The Cardinals have advantages at nearly every single position here, most noticeably at wide receiver. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was a complete bust in his Giants debut, and has a difficult matchup here. Outside of that, the Giants don't possess the necessary talent to go up against what promises to be an electric passing game. In any event, let's check in on the key matchups here.
Key Matchups
John Brown vs Walter Thurmond III: This is going to be a difficult matchup for Thurmond, who has had issues with shiftier receivers in the past. Brown, a third-round pick this past May, recorded two receptions for 29 yards on five targets in his NFL debut. If he can provide a down-field threat with what Arizona has on the outside, it's going to be a long day for the Giants defense. This is magnified by the fact that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is nowhere near ready for what Michael Floyd has planned in what will go down as a breakout season for the former first-round pick.
Andre Ellington vs Giants Linebackers: Not only is Ellington a threat to take it the distance on every play, he's a solid receiving running back. And the second-year player will be tasked with going up against linebacker Jacquian Williams, who gave up five catches on five targets against the Detroit Lions last week. You do the math here.
Victor Cruz vs Patrick Peterson: You know very well that Peterson will follow Cruz all over the field in this one, which could limit the amount of targets the Giants receiver acquires in this game. If so, Eli Manning is going to have to find the likes of Rueben Randle and Jerrel Jernigan in the passing game.
Final Prediction (Cardinals 28, Giants 13)
St. Louis Rams (0-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
Overview
This is a game that both teams need. New Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown didn't necessarily impress in his debut and will need to find a way to connect with star wide receiver Vincent Jackson and well as rookie Mike Evans. In addition to this, Doug Martin must rebound from what was a horrendous Week 1 performance. For the Rams, it's all about doing something on the offensive side of the ball. Whether it's Shaun Hill or Austin Davis under center, the Rams only hope for any type of success this season is improving their horrendous offense.
Key Matchups
Anthony Collins vs Robert Quinn: This could very well be a matchup nightmare for Lovie Smith's squad, who will have to slide protection to Collins' side. Collins played pretty well last week, allowing just one quarterback hit against the Carolina Panthers. However, he's going to have his hands full against the newly-extended Quinn, who is fresh off a huge 19.5 sack season.
Vincent Jackson vs Janoris Jenkins: Look for Jenkins to follow Jackson in this one, which will leave Mike Evans against rookie E.J. Gaines. If Jackson, who is coming off a sub-par performance against Carolina, can perform up to what is required of him, the Buccaneers will be in a good position. That's magnified by the other matchup in Tampa's passing game.
Jared Cook vs Dashon Goldson: Goldson was a downright disaster in coverage for the Buccaneers last season. And he will likely now have to go up against Cook one-on-one, which will cause some major issues if the Rams can get their under-performing tight end going. The last thing Lovie Smith's team wants to do here is throw double coverage Cook's way.
Final Prediction (Buccaneers 24, Rams 10)
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at San Diego Chargers (0-1)
Overview
Seattle looks to continue its current domination in a road trip to Southern California. A trip that promises to bring with it a bunch of Seahawks fans. Can Pete Carroll and Co. prove that they have the ability to dominate on the road? If so, the rest of the NFL will be in for a long season. For the Chargers, this is about as much of an early-season must win as you can get. Coming off a loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football, San Diego simply cannot afford to fall to 0-2 with the Denver Broncos destined to go 2-0 in the AFC West.
Key Matchups
Keenan Allen vs Richard Sherman: Sherman is going to be lining up against Allen for the vast majority of this game, but the Chargers indicated that they will not be afraid to target the All-Pro cornerback. That could potentially mean Allen going up against Maxwell at times. With that said, we can fully expect San Diego to target Maxwell's side a vast majority of the time, no matter who is lined up against him. The young cornerback allowed nine receptions on 11 targets last week against the Green Bay Packers.
Chargers Tight Ends vs K.J. Wright and Earl Thomas: This is one area that the Chargers might have a decent advantage. Both Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green offer tremendous matchup issues in this one. That means that Philip Rivers will look in this direction early and often. Also keep an eye on Green going up against whoever Seattle throws out there at the nickel with both Jeremy Lane and Tharold Simon out of action.
Russell Okung vs Corey Liuget: One more area where San Diego might find itself in a position of advantage. Okung seems to be healthy right now, which could be huge for the Seahawks moving forward. With that said, Liuget has been downright dominating through training camp and the first week of the regular season. If he can dominate like we have seen, Russell Wilson might be in trouble.
Final Prediction (Seahawks 28, Chargers 20)
Chicago Bears (0-1) at San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Overview
Two teams who could be on the verge of going in completely opposite directions should the favored 49ers win in their regular season debut at Levi's Stadium. San Francisco is coming off an extremely impressive Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, while Chicago found itself falling victim to an underdog Buffalo Bills team at Solider Field in the season opener. This is as close to a must win for the Bears as any early-season game on the NFL schedule.
Key Matchups
Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall vs 49ers Cornerbacks: Of course this all depends on whether either or both of these wide receivers suit up. If not, the Bears are going to have a hard time passing the ball. In addition to this, there is no telling whether Tramaine Brock will suit up for the 49ers. All things equal, this is the ONLY potential matchup advantage for the Bears. That's only if Jeffery and Marshall are active come Sunday evening. Either way, look for impressive 49ers rookie cornerback Dontae Johnson to continue his stellar play. The team has confidence in him out on an island, which will help the rest of the secondary get the job done in this one.
Entire Bears Offensive Line vs 49ers Defensive Line: With both Matt Slauson and Roberto Garza out of action in this one, the 49ers have a huge advantage upfront. Add into the equation Justin Smith, who is playing like he's 25, and there is a potential for complete and utter domination upfront. If the Bears want to have success through the air, they're going to need to protect Jay Cutler. If impressive youngsters Tank Carradine and Quinton Dial are active (after being healthy scratches last week), we could see Cutler pressured a ton from the inside, which has caused him a ton of issues in the past.
Anquan Boldin vs Tim Jennings: Jennings allowed five receptions on six targets last week against Buffalo. He's now going up against a receiver that hauled in all eight targeted passes thrown in his direction. A third-down machine, Boldin could make Jennings' night a long one.
Final Prediction (49ers 31, Bears 17)